GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Modifications => Topic started by: Gkjnr on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 09:11 AM

Title: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: Gkjnr on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 09:11 AM
Hi guys just had my first half decent run on my gsx14, i love it but it really needs a steering damper imo, has anybody actually fitted one?the only thing is my bike is fitted with gsxr1000 forks, ive no idea how to go about fitting one, so any help is much appreciated guys
Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: KiwiCol on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 10:35 AM
I think either Northern or ARH has fitted one.
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 12:24 PM
There are 3 common types,
Side mount from a fork tube back across the cam cover.
Under the bottom yoke mounting near the oil cooler top.
Top yoke clamping to the frame behind the headstock.

A stock 14 should never need a damper, but I'm guessing you haven't extended your forks or used a step down top yoke? Lowering the front end may find a need for one.

I'm tempted to get one as I love my 30mm lift in the rear but it isn't great for top end stability on some roads. Fork say its hiding a problem not fixing it but quicker steering with a damper is normal on Busa's, GSXR's, B-Kings etc.

Yours might not be an off the shelf fix with it being a non-standard front end.
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 12:30 PM
Des's side mount...

(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi65.tinypic.com%2F2wdsx76.jpg&hash=fc4ddbb11c0ed924e9efd2d26495dd9a755a2d7c)

(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi63.tinypic.com%2F10xrluo.jpg&hash=d7bdb67a36745618c6231c7cda6b9f8ff27a2f01)
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 12:38 PM
I think "Northern" has a Hyperpro one fitted...

(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi65.tinypic.com%2F1zzggua.jpg&hash=aedaff1fac23a7675d5c301b86c996f55bb67f9e)
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 12:44 PM
Top yoke style, similar to a stock B-King one...

(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi67.tinypic.com%2F2w3rv4p.jpg&hash=6a0a56a673c1254f244817cb96fe291d87870b22)
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: Latty66 on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 01:41 PM
What type of yokes are fitted  gsxr1000 forks are shorter by 78 mm . It nay be worth going throught the suspension settings and setup i run gen 1 busa forks in mine  and its was very twitchy i.ll post my set up later it may give you a starting point before you go down the damper route
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: grog on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 08:02 PM
Des bike simply stunning.
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 08:13 PM
Quote from: grog on Sunday, 20 May  2018, 08:02 PM
Des bike simply stunning.

It was before it was stolen and never seen again.
They even had the guys on camera taking it from a basement carpark.
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: grog on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 08:25 PM
that is a sad story Tony, arseholes. beautiful bike. is/was that a Yoshi exhaust.
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: ARH on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 08:38 PM
I don't have a steering damper fitted.... never really saw the need with the stock set up  :whatever:
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 08:44 PM
Quote from: ARH on Sunday, 20 May  2018, 08:38 PM
I don't have a steering damper fitted.... never really saw the need with the stock set up  :whatever:

I agree, but those fitting shorter USD front ends or using jack up kits change the geometry.
What you gain from better ground clearance or quicker steering from lifting the front of the better brakes / stiffer, shorter travel front end that may be shorter at the front can result in high speed stability issues.

It's nothing new. Busa's, B-Kings, GSXR's etc etc and a hundred other models all run dampers from the factory. Make the 14 a bit more sporty and some may find a damper useful.
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 08:46 PM
Quote from: ARH on Sunday, 20 May  2018, 08:38 PM
I don't have a steering damper fitted.... never really saw the need with the stock set up  :whatever:

I will agree, I've never ridden a stock suspension length 14 that needed one.
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: northern on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 09:10 PM
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 20 May  2018, 12:38 PM
I think "Northern" has a Hyperpro one fitted...

(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi65.tinypic.com%2F1zzggua.jpg&hash=aedaff1fac23a7675d5c301b86c996f55bb67f9e)
Yes, this is Hyperpro one. Get it used on FaceBook, for, as I remember, 150€ (very bargain price). Easy to install - just bolt on. New kit is very expensive, and I would never agree to pay sou much for it.

On a road, I wouldn't need it, but once a year (ONCE!!!) I need it on drag race, where I set it up for a maximum. Before I had it installed, bike start to wobble on not the bast paivment, so I get a little bit scared :). But it was full throttle, at a ~170 km/h on a old runway.

there is one small drawback of this type of installation: you cant turn handlebar all the way to the right. Fork hits stearing damper with the lover triple tree, before right turning stopper. But not much, and I's not affecting handling. But I start (just start) thinning about side mounting...

Hope this info helps.
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: Gkjnr on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 09:19 PM
Many thanks for all the helpful replys guys, im not sure how the forks are fitted as of yet, it was my mate that converted it with a thug yoke conversion, so i take it the set up will be well thought out before the engineer made the yokes, i think a side mount onto the fork leg might be the way to go, im not sure how it fixes to the frame though
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: Latty66 on Monday, 21 May 2018, 01:26 AM
Hi gk i run thug yokes also there desinged to slide through to hight for the forks and if you look under the bottom yoke the 2 bolt holes for the standard light and brake splitter is where the hyperpro bracket bolts to the other half bolts to the 2 bolts on the oil cooler like northerns i have mine set up as follows
Forks slide through 30mm from top
Bottom of head stock to floor 700mm
4 rings out
8 cilcks fron soft on top
3 clicks out on bottom
Front tyre 36 psi
Ground clearance 125mm
Tail end from floor to seat cowl above light 1030mm
Tear tyre 38psi
Wheel base is 1600mm due to single side swing arm being longer than standard by 80mm .
Your wheelbase will be shorter than standard due to rake and trail changes made by the yokes this will affect the geometry . At the moment i have no damper on and its quite stable till you start getting over 120 iv been to 135 on the clock a few times and only picked up a slight weave once . Is your problem any where from 70 on dose it feel like it wants to tank slap
Title: Re: Steering damper fitting help
Post by: Gkjnr on Monday, 21 May 2018, 09:26 AM
Its actually no too bad, i just felt it kinda falls into bends, im used to a gsxr1000 k7 with renthal bars and obviously its a lot lighter and has a steering damper as standard, i fancy the hyperpro one if it fits or a sidemount if anyone has details on that setup? I just need to know what to buy lol
Thanks