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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #16  
Old 20 Feb 2009
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If you still would like to fit a damper I would recommend a Scott or Ohlins and if I can help with the design of the dampar mount and tower.
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  #17  
Old 20 Feb 2009
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I disagree regards dampers and sand riding.
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Last edited by mollydog; 22 Mar 2009 at 01:23.
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  #18  
Old 20 Feb 2009
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Here's a link to a replacement top triple clamp for para GS's that include the ability to add a steering damper... and it's inexpensive as well! $150

Guy's stuff is first class, and he provides great service as well.

New Style Top Triple for Airhead GS - ADVrider

This guy also makes replacment odomoter reset buttons and re-mans BMW driveshafts with circlipped ujoints and three choices of urathane dampers...

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  #19  
Old 24 Feb 2009
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Proven this weekend, steering damper makes sand riding harder even when set at the softest setting.
Look at this thread on the South African Wild Dogs forum - Sand Riding Orgy and a visit to the Quarry - and yes that is me sitting flat on my ass next to the HPN. Instead of accelerating to get the front up I was slowing down on this very steep and sneaky dune and the front bottomed out completely when hitting the foot of this little dune. Send me flying and it took a while before I could get up again. Damper was useless to save the tank slapper that followed but I guest for this it would have needed to be on the hardest setting.
The sand road leading to the dunes is the toughest and here I find that the damper delays the counter steering so vital to surviving in the sand enough to make you topple over often.
Once at speed the bike is more than stable enough to stay in a straight line and steering is done by shifting your weight to the outside foot peg. It's like surfing a wave.
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  #20  
Old 3 Mar 2009
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Steering damper kit
I've ordered a damper kit from Guy at Hendersen Precision Mfg. (see above picture) Very fast response to questions. The total cost is US$734 (not including postage) and includes a new machined top triple, the Scott damper, the damper mount, and an adapter for the original bars.

Once it's installed, I'll post on it's performance. (He also does lots of new parts for Indians.)
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  #21  
Old 3 Mar 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Wood View Post
Once it's installed, I'll post on it's performance. (He also does lots of new parts for Indians.)
Please do !!!
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  #22  
Old 18 Mar 2009
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Steering Damper
I have now fitted Guy Henderson's kit to my PD. Beautifully made and it all fits so well. Only took about 2 hours to fit.
Initial impressions: It's raised the bars about 2" higher than standard but it feels really comfortable (I ordered the split sleeve adaptors so I could retain the original bars). The bars are now also mounted with 4 rubber cones which has removed any vibration at the grips. It has made no difference on the road (as one would expect) unless I adjust it to it's max settings when the bike feels steadier and "firmer" - although that makes it a bit difficult to turn in the carpark.

I'll leave it here for about a month or so and report back my impressions off the tarmac together with pictures.
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  #23  
Old 18 Mar 2009
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Originally Posted by Tim Wood View Post
I'll leave it here for about a month or so and report back my impressions off the tarmac together with pictures.
I look forward to that!
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  #24  
Old 30 Nov 2009
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Damper experience
Well, I've had the damper for some time now. I've found on sealed roads it imparts a definite feeling of stability, but on dirt I'm not too sure if there's any benefit. While recently riding on wet dirt (greasy) I had the damping on max and when I got into one of those awful snaking series of S shaped heart stopping moments, I found the extra damping was almost too much. It restricted (obviously) the speed at which I could correct the steering. I did have a road tire on the front though. My riding colleagues were much faster than I (of advanced years) so maybe it just comes down to technique? Maybe I haven't watched enough Charlie and Ewan?
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