RZ/RD 350 & Misc. 2-Stroke Tech BBS

Hey Smoker, steering damper is compolsory on all bikes and is checked in scrutineering. Most riders turn them down to minimum setting me included. Also most limit the steering lock to around 7 deg. eather side of straight​ ahead, a total of 14 deg. lock to lock.
The bussa has had 3 slappers all above 150 mph and corrects itself as you slow down so I'm happy to keep riding it to find the cause and rectify it. If you hang on it's not life threatening. Well that's my theory.
Dave.

_________________
RZ 250 85 (Waiting)
RZ 250 85 (Parts)
RGV VJ21 250, Australian Speed Record Holder, MPS/G 250, 140.5 MPH
BMW R1100S 99 (Its Red)
BMW R1200GS (Its BIG)


http://www.dlra.org.au/index.htm

I'd be turning up the damper.

_________________
Rory

Plenty of supermotos have flappy bars as you hit faster speeds, Once you get to know the bike its ok, you just feel like youre paddling a canoe for a bit.

_________________
My Projects:
Yamaha '85 RZ350 F1 & '83 RZ & RD Athena 421 LC & XT500 Supermoto & Honda MT250... See them all on www.2smoked.com

Like Watches? You will love www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

All the really fast guys say to run dampener on minimum, they have been going fast longer than me and lived to tell me how to do it. I trust their judgement.

Some things you just have to believe. If I tightened it up I might not be here to tell the tale.

Dave.

_________________
RZ 250 85 (Waiting)
RZ 250 85 (Parts)
RGV VJ21 250, Australian Speed Record Holder, MPS/G 250, 140.5 MPH
BMW R1100S 99 (Its Red)
BMW R1200GS (Its BIG)


http://www.dlra.org.au/index.htm

Got it.

I didn't see a steering damper in the pics.

If the steering damper is for preventing tank slappers, and there is a steering damper on the bike, something is wrong.

I would agree on turning up the tension on the damper. Otherwise, it's just dead weight. I would guess the guys that are keeping the damper tension at a minimum are not having tank-slapper issues.

Can only imagine the rush it must be at full speed. Truly what life is all about.

Hey Smoker, I would rather fix the problem the bike has than try and mask it with more steering damper. I think there is a weight distribution problem. The ballast was put on the swing arm thinking that it would have traction problems once approaching 200 mph but first we need to get there and in control.
The problem starts with a very slow weave. First time it happened to me I rolled off the throttle and that induced the tank slap. Self preservation kicked in and I was just a passenger, I tried a few things like give it another hand full of throttle and holding the bars as tight as I could but nothing worked. After a few checks and changes for this year I had a plan of attack. None of that worked either although it was better, maybe because I was kind of expecting it. This year it was a very deliberate very slow roll off the throttle but that still resulted it a hell of a ride.
And yep it is a real blast to ride. Adrenalin is addictive.
Ill see if I can hurry them up with the video and post it up. It is unbelievable from the bike prospective.

Dave

_________________
RZ 250 85 (Waiting)
RZ 250 85 (Parts)
RGV VJ21 250, Australian Speed Record Holder, MPS/G 250, 140.5 MPH
BMW R1100S 99 (Its Red)
BMW R1200GS (Its BIG)


http://www.dlra.org.au/index.htm

I have trouble believing this.

What is the reason or philosophy behind this?

I read that a steering damper for land speed should be tighter than for road racing, but loose enough to make a left turn after run #1. Not saying it's true, just what I read.

I know a rookie building a land speed bike, so it would be cool to know what this is about.

Ive asked these people the question, there responses were all the same. 3 have world records, 3 regularly ride on the salt over 200 mph. Im not going to try something they dont recommend.

Im not sure of the science behind it but will look into it. I know these people personally and trust their opinions. Check their profiles.

Me: Hey Grant how do you run your steering damper?
Grant: Turn it right down. https://www.dlra.org.au/profiles/371.htm

Me: Hey Greg how do you run your steering damper?
Greg: Turn it right down. http://www.dlra.org.au/profiles/379.htm

Me: Hey Kym how do you run your steering damper?
Kym: Turn it right down. http://www.dlra.org.au/profiles/495.htm

Me: Hey Stuart how do you run your steering damper?
Stuart: Turn it right down. http://www.dlra.org.au/profiles/732.htm

Dave

_________________
RZ 250 85 (Waiting)
RZ 250 85 (Parts)
RGV VJ21 250, Australian Speed Record Holder, MPS/G 250, 140.5 MPH
BMW R1100S 99 (Its Red)
BMW R1200GS (Its BIG)


http://www.dlra.org.au/index.htm

Dave, everyone says back it off. What is the result of turning it up? I've only road raced, so I have no experience running WFO on salt.

_________________
Rory

Hey Rory, Im not sure that I want to find out. This thing is a hand full as it is. If it made it worse I might not be here to tell the story. Sometimes you just need to take someones word as what is best.

Dave

_________________
RZ 250 85 (Waiting)
RZ 250 85 (Parts)
RGV VJ21 250, Australian Speed Record Holder, MPS/G 250, 140.5 MPH
BMW R1100S 99 (Its Red)
BMW R1200GS (Its BIG)


http://www.dlra.org.au/index.htm

I do anesthesia for a living. I can't take anyone's word for anything without knowing why.

It's a matter of life or death, every day. Not sure how this is different.

If I knew how to contact these fast dudes, I'm happy to ask what's up with the damper. I find that most people are happy to satisfy my genuine interest. And I appreciate it.

I also have a hard time with no real explanation. Why even put one on if it does not work?
I don't use one on the street. The RZ is so stable compared to the LC. My TZs all had them.

_________________
Rory

If some one I know and trust says not to do something I generally dont do it. If lots of people that I know and trust say not to do something

The rules say that a steering damper must be fitted, they dont say it has to be operational.

7.B.17
Steering Damper:
Required in all classes

7.B.19
Chassis and Steering:
All
motorcycle entries shall use handlebars for steering control. All moving parts of the steering system
shall operate freely without excessive play. It is recommended that all steering system components be
visually inspected on a frequent basis.
Fork stops shall stop fork travel before the hands touch the tank or fairing. If a hydraulic steering
damper is used, the rod shaft (or piston) may not be used for the fork stops. In all classes other than
Production and Modified Production, fork stops shall limit for
k travel to 15 deg. right and left (30 deg. total).
A functional shock absorber is required for each sprung wheel.

Dave

_________________
RZ 250 85 (Waiting)
RZ 250 85 (Parts)
RGV VJ21 250, Australian Speed Record Holder, MPS/G 250, 140.5 MPH
BMW R1100S 99 (Its Red)
BMW R1200GS (Its BIG)


http://www.dlra.org.au/index.htm

OK video's up. https://youtu.be/wZHu0SIxliM

Dave

_________________
RZ 250 85 (Waiting)
RZ 250 85 (Parts)
RGV VJ21 250, Australian Speed Record Holder, MPS/G 250, 140.5 MPH
BMW R1100S 99 (Its Red)
BMW R1200GS (Its BIG)


http://www.dlra.org.au/index.htm

Eeek that looks really nasty, even sat at my desk watching that i was glad it started to even out. :/

_________________
My Projects:
Yamaha '85 RZ350 F1 & '83 RZ & RD Athena 421 LC & XT500 Supermoto & Honda MT250... See them all on www.2smoked.com

Like Watches? You will love www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com