Steering Damper maintenance

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panhead_kicker
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Steering Damper maintenance

#1

Post by panhead_kicker »

Especially for those with side hacks, in practice do only the friction washers typically need changed to maintain good damping, or are the pressure discs also changed at the same time? 1969 FLH.
RUBONE
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Re: Steering Damper maintenance

#2

Post by RUBONE »

Normally only friction discs, however they rarely need replacing in real life.
panhead_kicker
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Re: Steering Damper maintenance

#3

Post by panhead_kicker »

Thanks Robbie!
I'm getting a a bit more wobble than I have in the past, mostly only when de-accelerating around 35-40 mph. Nothing that can't be handled, but I've got the damper knob tight. Good tires and pressure, tight spokes, good front fork fall-away. I may go ahead and dis-assemble to have a look at the damper parts. I suppose a bit of roughness on the pressure discs can only help with the friction as long as good contact is made and no grooving.
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Re: Steering Damper maintenance

#4

Post by RUBONE »

Don't neglect to check the swing arm bearing adjustment. Sidecars are hard on swingarms and looseness will cause "head shake".
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Re: Steering Damper maintenance

#5

Post by RooDog »

I have some fiber discs, and steel plates I could sell if anybody is interested PM me....
....RooDog....
panhead_kicker
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Re: Steering Damper maintenance

#6

Post by panhead_kicker »

RUBONE wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:39 pm Don't neglect to check the swing arm bearing adjustment. Sidecars are hard on swingarms and looseness will cause "head shake".
Thanks for that. I did check the fork pre-load when I replaced the rear tire early this year.
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