Steering damper for 1991 851

Bambara

Hi all,

I have an 851 SP3 that I want to fit a steering damper to, fitting it to the OEM mounting point on the right hand side of the frame.

Can anyone tell me what new manufacture steering dampers are currently available that suit this mounting application. Hopefully a complete kit that includes the fork leg bracket.

Alternatively, what used and re-buildable steering dampers are suitable, and does anyone have one for sale?

Mr.R

I doubt very much that you'll find a complete bolt straight on kit, even back in the day they were probably hard to find.
Not for sale but I fitted an Ohlins "Double barrel"* one to my 851, I'm pretty sure that they're still available, but they ain't cheap chap.
*Ohlins part number:- SD1400 108562 that has a 140mm stroke.
As for rebuildable 2nd hand dampers...
I've recently tried to get a White Power/WP one rebuilt for my '79 900SS, only to find out that the seals are no longer available.
...and only yesterday I saw one sold for over £100, a lot for a dampner that can no longer be rebuilt.
So I just paid £139 for a new German TUV approved NHK Japanese one, far better quality than the cheap crap available from China that you can buy for under £40.
There's plenty of Billet alloy fork clamps available for not much cash on E-Bay or on the net.

Are you sure that your bike actually needs a steering dampner?
With standard geometry my 851 (the same as a SP) even with more power than a standard SP2, 3 or 4 never needed a damper not matter how hard I rode it?

Steve R

griff851

Steve, we have cnc seal place here and I know there is one in Germany. If you send them the seal and get it made out of viton 90 problem solved. I have rebuilt 2 different types. Seals were relatively cheap.

https://sealteam.com.au/

Don’t know the German company name

griff851

As for fluid, 2-3wt works. 5wt is too heavy. And bonus, it's used in push bike shocks so easily accessible.
On the 851/888 I wouldn't say it's essential, more insurance. After hitting a road lump in a corner at about 150km, developing at tank slapper, having one hand on the throttle and very little else, I decided i'd play it safe and fit one. Always had one on the Bevel for similar reasons. Shit country roads used by trucks is the real issue.
Both are on the lower end of settings.

Bambara

Mr.R wroteI doubt very much that you'll find a complete bolt straight on kit, even back in the day they were probably hard to find. Not for sale but I fitted an Ohlins "Double barrel"* one to my 851, I'm pretty sure that they're still available, but they ain't cheap chap. *Ohlins part number:- SD1400 108562 that has a 140mm stroke. As for rebuildable 2nd hand dampers... I've recently tried to get a White Power/WP one rebuilt for my '79 900SS, only to find out that the seals are no longer available. ...and only yesterday I saw one sold for over £100, a lot for a dampner that can no longer be rebuilt. So I just paid £139 for a new German TUV approved NHK Japanese one, far better quality than the cheap crap available from China that you can buy for under £40. There's plenty of Billet alloy fork clamps available for not much cash on E-Bay or on the net. Are you sure that your bike actually needs a steering dampner? With standard geometry my 851 (the same as a SP) even with more power than a standard SP2, 3 or 4 never needed a damper not matter how hard I rode it? Steve R

Steve,

Thanks for your reply. I will investigate further the options to mentioned.

As to whether the bike needs a steering damper, well most of the time no, but have you ever ridden on Australian country roads? They can be as rough as guts, and it is the imperfection on the road surface that you don't see when accelerating hard, especially out of a corner, that will catch you out. So while I have never been thrown off (touch wood), I have had the shit scared out of me.

So it is more of an insurance measure