Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

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expat
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Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#1 Post by expat » Wed Jul 09, 2014 10:57 am

I have seen photos of dampers mounted on both sides of the RZ. It seems to make more sense to put it on the left so you can adjust on the fly without having to let go of the throttle.. Any opinions which side is correct / best?
This is the damper I have and it looks like it was set up to fit on the Right side.
Image
85 RZ350
88 YSR50
82 RD350LC (Current project)
06 Triumph Daytona 675 (track toy)
97 Honda RS125 (race bike #1)
99 Aprilia RS250 (race bike #2)
89 RGV250 VJ21
85 RG500
85 RZ350 Hybrid
86 GSXR750

nzminis
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Re: Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#2 Post by nzminis » Wed Jul 09, 2014 4:13 pm

i was setting my damper up in the weekend . same daytona damper and frame clamp .
put mine on the left for the same reasons

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aaronmvrider
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Re: Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#3 Post by aaronmvrider » Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:27 pm

correct... left
1 x 4mm stroker rz 375cc 1983
1 x 7mm stroker rz 443cc 1984 (under construction)
1 x rz 500
1 x mv agusta 1000

tobster
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Re: Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#4 Post by tobster » Thu Jul 10, 2014 8:41 am

left

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Juicebox
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Re: Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#5 Post by Juicebox » Tue Jul 15, 2014 2:11 am

I have the same damper as shown in your picture, and i'm certainly not saying it's the correct way, but mine was mounted on the right side when I bought the bike. I too thought the ride side was odd, and to be honest, I think they are ugly and I would love to get rid of it. Not to hijack the OP's thread, but how necessary are these things?

hondaror
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Re: Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#6 Post by hondaror » Tue Jul 15, 2014 2:27 am

On a 500, a life saver. On the stock 350, a really good idea. They keep that dreaded tank slapper from manifesting at unstable high speed, accelerating or roll off.
When you mount a full aftermarket fairing, the front fairing mount has a steering locator that restricts front steering by about 15* either way. This is when you can consider not mounting one, if you are a spirited rider.
If you have very little experience riding on the edge and don't plan on going there, then don't bother with one either. If you plan on learning what your bike will actually do, then you really should consider mounting one.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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aaronmvrider
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Re: Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#7 Post by aaronmvrider » Tue Jul 15, 2014 3:04 am

another option.... about $500 - $600... havent ridden it yet in anger

Image
1 x 4mm stroker rz 375cc 1983
1 x 7mm stroker rz 443cc 1984 (under construction)
1 x rz 500
1 x mv agusta 1000

silverstrom
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Re: Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#8 Post by silverstrom » Tue Jul 15, 2014 3:27 am

hondaror wrote:On a 500, a life saver.
I need one for my 500 but can't locate the parts. Frustrating.

hondaror
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Re: Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#9 Post by hondaror » Tue Jul 15, 2014 3:35 am

Need a machinist to custom cut. $$$
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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Evans Ward
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Re: Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#10 Post by Evans Ward » Tue Jul 15, 2014 8:55 am

I mounted mine on the right only because I am used to it from my Kaw H2 having it's hyd damper on the right.
84 RZ350-Toomeys,SCR milled head, stk 26 carbs,300 M, 35 P, stock regrooved needles AS 2.5 turns out,stk air box,Banshee reeds Zeel non-progr CDI,TSRL Program YPVS,alum rad,R6 shock,GV emulators w/RT springs,fork brace,Shindy steering damper.

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aaronmvrider
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Re: Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#11 Post by aaronmvrider » Tue Jul 15, 2014 8:56 am

silverstrom wrote:
hondaror wrote:On a 500, a life saver.
I need one for my 500 but can't locate the parts. Frustrating.

what parts you looking for....
1 x 4mm stroker rz 375cc 1983
1 x 7mm stroker rz 443cc 1984 (under construction)
1 x rz 500
1 x mv agusta 1000

expat
Posts: 451
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2010 12:26 am
Location: Massachusetts

Re: Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#12 Post by expat » Tue Jul 15, 2014 9:48 am

I put one on mine mainly because I am building it with "period correct" performance upgrades where possible.
It is now installed on the left side but the label showing which way is hard and soft is now on the bottom of the damper leading me to believe originally they were mounted on the right side.
85 RZ350
88 YSR50
82 RD350LC (Current project)
06 Triumph Daytona 675 (track toy)
97 Honda RS125 (race bike #1)
99 Aprilia RS250 (race bike #2)
89 RGV250 VJ21
85 RG500
85 RZ350 Hybrid
86 GSXR750

silverstrom
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Re: Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#13 Post by silverstrom » Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:58 pm

aaronmvrider wrote: what parts you looking for....
A frame mount. I'm not welding anything onto my frame so I need a proper frame bracket with a mount for the damper end on it. I've seen photos but can't find a source for the bracket. I'd also like to know which damper guys have used. How much travel do you need the damper to have?

waltmil
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Re: Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#14 Post by waltmil » Tue Jul 15, 2014 8:10 pm

Damn, I hate to be contradictory but the mounts need to be solid. Most don't need the damper, those who do need it to be solid mounted. If you get into a tank-slapper, that is no time to discover you should have welded your steering damper.
Red/White US '84, Spec II pipes, Y-boot w/K&N, Fox Shock, Mikuni carbs?

hondaror
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Re: Steering damper mounting... Left or Right side?

#15 Post by hondaror » Tue Jul 15, 2014 9:01 pm

I drilled a hole in my 500 frame and had a nut welded to the frame. It looked clean and the damper threaded right into the nut on the frame. It worked great. Go with a grade 8.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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