1. Some members were not receiving emails sent from XJbikes.com. For example: "Forgot your password?" function to reset your password would not send email to some members. I believe this has been resolved now. Please use "Contact Us" form (see page footer link) if you still have email issues. SnoSheriff

    Hello Guest. You have limited privileges and you can't "SEARCH" the forums. Please "Log In" or "Sign Up" for additional functionality. Click HERE to proceed.

Steering Damper / Stabilizer for XJ

Discussion in 'XJ Modifications' started by Samson, Jan 14, 2012.

  1. Samson

    Samson Member

    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Lombard, IL
    Hey everyone. I’m in the process of adapting a gsxr steering damper on my XJ, so I figured I’ll share it with you. I figure this way I can get everyone’s input in case I missed something.
    So far this is what I have:

    Suzuki GSXR steering damper…
    [​IMG]

    36mm Clamp…
    [​IMG]

    Still have to make a bracket…

    It’ll be mounted a little lower than I illustrated. There are threaded holes in the frame close to where the horns are mounted, and those are the holes I plan on using to attach the bracket.

    This is how I’m thinking of mounting it…
    [​IMG]

    I'll take some pictures of the actual install, which I plan on starting next week.
     
  2. mooch

    mooch Member

    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Dayton, Ohio
    I have been thinking about doing that same thing. Let me know if it work's.
     
  3. venlis

    venlis Member

    Messages:
    335
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Finland
    nice going mate take pics
     
  4. Kickaha

    Kickaha Active Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    737
    Likes Received:
    95
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    New Zealand
    My first question would be why do you think you need one?
    On a correctly set up bike from that era they're not really needed

    But if you do fit it just make sure you still have full lock to lock travel without anything touching or jamming anywhere
     
  5. Samson

    Samson Member

    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Lombard, IL
    You’re absolutely right about a “correctly set up bike,” however, mine is anything but that.

    [​IMG]

    My front end has been lowered by 3”, which changes the stance/geometry of the bike, setting the forks at a steeper angle, which tends to cause wheel wobble at high speeds.

    I did check the initial fitment and it seams like it should fit with no problems. The only thing I might have to do is adjust the brake line bracket. Since the front end is lowered, the brake hose is bunched up and very close to where the damper will go.
     
  6. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    9,751
    Likes Received:
    2,097
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Beaver Falls, PA
    that looks pretty much like the yamaha unit but it my be a little shorter.
    figure on a ball joint on one side, the angle changes as the forks move and the yamaha bracket is a heavy duty two piece unit clamping both sides of the frame
     
  7. zap2504

    zap2504 Member

    Messages:
    584
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Middletown, PA
    I have one on my Seca with the TourPack fairing (part of the standard package?). It has mini-Heim joints on both swivel points and looks to be a little longer than yours. To be honest, I'm not sure how much damping force it actually performs at that mounting location (similar to what you are proposing) as the angle of operation is almost at a right angle to the mount. I would think it would be much better to mount the body so that the travelling rod would be in-line with the swing of the fork tube. However that might be a tough job to accomplish since the frame is buried under the center of the tank (unlike the perimeter GSXR frame) and to mount it to the side down-frame/fork tube would be a very long throw for the travelling rod (and a lot of rod/engine interference).
     
  8. MiGhost

    MiGhost Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,576
    Likes Received:
    160
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Lower 48 in general. Otherwise Central Mitten.
    To add to the above.

    You will want to balance any weight added to the forks. The weight you add to the fork in the mounting bracket will also need to be added to the opposite fork leg. The travel rod must run parallel with the fork tubes in the straight forward position. I am not sure if that GSXR unit will give you enough to to keep from restricting fork travel.

    There is one available on ebay. Without the bulky heavy fork mounts
    82 YAMAHA SECA STEERING STABILIZER ASSY

    Pic of Yamaha steering stablilzer used with tour package
    [​IMG]

    You can see the the frame bracket mounts as you are suggesting, but drops the unit down to attach the rod at the lower tree.
    Yes the stabilizer is attached to the frame mount wrong in the photo. The heim joint end should attach to the fork mount.

    zap. It is a standard part of the tour package with the big frame mount fairings. It is supposed to help with the wind buffeting with the big fairings.
    To what extent is debatable.


    Ghost
     
  9. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    21,283
    Likes Received:
    418
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Rural SE Michigan 60 miles N of Motown
    If you've changed the "stance" and handling characteristics of the bike to the point where it needs a steering damper, you will likely discover additional issues it has caused as well.

    As kickaha pointed out, it shouldn't be necessary as these bikes were inherently VERY stable.

    You might want to rethink this aspect, and raise the front end back up about half of what you dropped it.
     
  10. Samson

    Samson Member

    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Lombard, IL
    I didn’t mean that it’s unstable as it sits right now, I meant that from previous experience I’ve noticed that if the bike is tilted more forward, it tends to have a tighter turning radius at low speeds, and more wheel vibration/wobble at high speeds (as in maxing it out).

    As of right now, the bike is still being worked on, and it’ll be at least a few months before the weather is nice enough for a test ride. Obviously safety is first, and if I notice anything worrisome, appropriate action will be taken.

    I wish I would have seen that eBay posting before I got all of my parts, almost tempted to scrap my project and just buy this one. …also, seeing how that one is a factory stabilizer, makes one wonder why Yamaha made it and offered it for some models if it’s completely unnecessary.
     
  11. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    21,283
    Likes Received:
    418
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Rural SE Michigan 60 miles N of Motown

    Yamaha seemed to feel it might be necessary on the bikes with the large fairing. As above, whether it was actually needed or not is inconclusive.

    You shouldn't need one.
     
  12. Samson

    Samson Member

    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Lombard, IL
    I see. Thanks.
     

Share This Page