Steering damper!

[Midnite]

Hi guys, I have been thinking about installing a steering damper on my 1980 Midnight Special, but have not found one yet. Anyone here that has installed one on a xs11?

[Ken Talbot]

Any particular reason why?

[Midnite]

The front end feels "loose" like it is ready to wobble at higher speeds 50+ mph. Years ago I was in a deadly crash on a bike where the steering felt the same, and I got a big wobble, my best friend got killed! Probably can be corrected in other ways, but it would make me feel better, and I guess it is a reason why lot of the newer bikes got a damper installed from the factory.

[Ken Talbot]

That makes sense, and I'm pretty sure I know exactly the feeling you're talking about. The first thing you want to do is contact TKAT and seenhow soon you can get a forkbrace. That will make a big difference in how your bike feels, especially in the corners. I'm guessing your triple tree might also be a bit out of adjustment, probably a bit too tight. I don't have a steering damper on any of my rides, but they all have forkbraces. The only time I get a wobble now is from going way too fast into a long sweeper if I haven't been paying attention to tire pressure, shock settings, and air pressure in the front forks. If I keep up on all the suspension maintenance basics, it won't wobble at any speed I am comfortable with.

[LoserShoes]

Yep, putting the fork brace on my 80g was a very big improvement. That vague wandering feeling went away completely.

Steve

[DiverRay]

The $85 for a TKat fork brace was the best money I've spent on this bike. It can be installed in less than 1/2 hour, and will tighten up the steering.
You may want to check the front end as well. Steering head bearings and the axle nut/pinch bolt assembly. Mine felt like it was on rubber when I first bought it, and I found out why. The PO had tightened the pinch bolt, and then the axle nut. That pulled the front end out of true, and it handled VERY badly. You need to tighten the axle nut to spec., and then the pinch bolt. Check the rear axle as well, same procedure.

[DeanR]

Agree with the big improvements to be had from a Tkat brace!

[Midnite]

Thanx guys for the info, where would be the best place to find a fork brace? Tkat the only brand, or just the best? I will also check the rest of the frontend this weekend.

[randy]

I got a Telefix brace from SpecII. It's double the price of Tkat's but at least I got it and it's a brand new world in steering. Tkat took too long to respond. Sorry, Tkat, I know you're a busy man.

Here's the link to SpecII:

SpecII

[Ken Talbot]

TKAT actually makes them for us. You can buy directly from him when he has stock available.

Go to this link for contact information. TKAT does this as a sideline, and he may be a bit slow sometimes to answer his mail, but you won't find a better product at a better price.

[Pat Kelly]

I have a Tkat forkbrace, progressive springs, and my E still gets a wobble at 125 MPH. Two different new tires, Pirelli and Dunlop and it still wobbles. It stops around 130 then reoccures when slowing back down.
I just stick below 120 MPH, made me shy of going that fast on the LG. It did it too but I was on the grooved freeway so I blame it on the road for the LG.
Top speeds read on speedos of the bikes: (one time blasts)
E 143 MPH
LG 130 MPH

I usually keep it to 95/100 when I need speed.

[Ken Talbot]

Hmm. You've got a bike that is a quarter of a century old, and it gets a wobble around 125mph. IMHO, there's not a whole lot wrong with that picture!

[jimg1au]

STEERING DAMPER


hi
i have a tkat fork brace and a steering damper on my 1981 xs1100h (std) also progressive fork springs.190klm and straight as.i can let go of the bars down hill at 90klms and it tracks straight .if you want a pic send me your email addy and i will send you some
cheers
jim garvey
sydney
AUSTRALIA