steering damper

[cd85]

What are your thoughts on a steering damper? The reason I am asking is when I go to pass or just am plain getting on it, the bike(steering) seems A little sloppy. Really an uncomfortable(scary)feeling at a high rate of speed. Any thoughts?

[CHRIS]

i'd be checking your steering stem bearings, & front wheel bearings !
when i did the resto. on Eleanor i replaced all bearings on bike, & everything it tight & smooth like a brand new bike. thought about a steering damper, (for looks) but i could'nt find a good way to mount it. CHRIS

[cd85]

I just had a new front tire put on and the bearings checked out fine. Steering stem bearings not so sure. When I first got the bike it felt like the front was gonna fall apart when I hit a bump. I bought a bike jack and put it in the air-front in had play in the "neck" area. I took the handle bars off and the bolt that runs through the neck was LOOSE! I tightened it up and the spanner nuts up. I don't know all of the parts by name (newbie). The bike seems tighter now,but still am concerned at high speeds.

[zlMark]

You better check the steering bearings. I would go ahead and order a set from eBay and get them there first before you tear into it to minimize downtime. After seeing how it's designed(doing mine now) I'll bet the lower bearing is bad because it's not protected with a seal

[kawboy]

the bolt that runs through the neck was LOOSE! I tightened it up and the spanner nuts up.

The fork clamp bolts should be loosened before you tighten the steering stem.
After you've properly adjusted the bearings, check for play and smoothness per the manual.

Steering dampers are generally helpful for sportbikes with steep steering head angles, which makes them more prone to skittishness and "head shake". The ZL has a more relaxed steering angle, and properly adjusted, is pretty stable at speed (front-end wise). I doubt the effect of a damper would be noticeable, though it might make a cool "toy".

[Bacchus]

not sure if this will fit on a zl but it is sure alot more "tucked up" than anything else I have seen

http://www.scottsperformance.com/damperinforb.php

[fastfatcow]

like this?

[need-for-speed]

i had the same one as fastfatcow and didnt really care for it. mounts easy, need to drill one hole. can adjust resistance, but i never had a problem without it. it was on the bike when i bought it. i'd sell it pretty quick.

[lowlife]

The fork clamp bolts should be loosened before you tighten the steering stem.
After you've properly adjusted the bearings, check for play and smoothness per the manual.

Steering dampers are generally helpful for sportbikes with steep steering head angles, which makes them more prone to skittishness and "head shake". The ZL has a more relaxed steering angle, and properly adjusted, is pretty stable at speed (front-end wise). I doubt the effect of a damper would be noticeable, though it might make a cool "toy".


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