81 gs750,1100 forks,steering Damper install!

[81gs7501166]

I'm adding a Damper to my bike. It gets a little nervous above 100mph, not accelerating,but when coming off the throttle,the front goes down and slight sideways motion.
I ant spending a lot of money,I hardly go over 100,so I bought a China damper off ebay,about 35$ and the fork clamp 15$.
It took bout 3 weeks to get hear,came yeesterday,so hear goes.
While researching how to, I couldn't find much info on it so I'm starting a build.

 

[81gs7501166]

The damper has 22 click adjustments,while testing it in my hands there is quiet a bit of difference in max soft vs hard.
Going to play with mounting positions a bit before I make my bracket to frame mount.
Instead of mounting it along side of bikes I first going to c if I can mount it under the tree left to right.
Has anyone done this,kinda like modern bikes do on top of tree?
The damper looks high quality,smooth operation ,no machining marks.

 

[posplayr]

FWIW, this is how I mounted a stock GSXR damper. I used the stock fairing mount on the right side cradle and drilled a hole through the lower triple to avoid having to use a clamp. You have to adjust the length somewhat ensure you can get full steering lock to lock without stopping on the dampener.

Sounds like you have exhausted your options as far as getting the bike stable at speed without. For me I changed suspension and made sure it was a stable as it was going to get before added the stabilized as an additional safety factor.
The pick is of a set of 1988 GSXR 1100 forks with oversized brace and cartridge emulators.

 

[81gs7501166]

That pic helps a lot,thanks. Don't think I can go left to right, so that's similar to what I was. Thinking except I'll have to make a bracket, and use a fork clamp,no hole in lower tree.

 

[posplayr]

That pic helps a lot,thanks. Don't think I can go left to right, so that's similar to what I was. Thinking except I'll have to make a bracket, and use a fork clamp,no hole in lower tree.

Just a guess but I would have needed 10% stiffer front spring rate to accommodate the loss in stroke due to a fork clamp under the triple. There is not really enough room for a damper to come in at right angles to a clamp above the lower triple. With a GS fork you probably have a lot more stroke to deal with.

Having the damper mounted so far inboard does reduce it's effectiveness but for me It seemed to add just a slight resistance that was barely noticeable and essentially imperceptible when riding.

Also with a short stroke dampener, you are almost forced to reduce distance between the center of the steering tube to where the damper mounts on the triple.

 

[81gs7501166]

Ok,mock up done ,clamp on forks,center punch in mount,bang with hammer, I'm drilling hole and using a stud,will need spacer of undetermined length,I make after stud in place.

 

[81gs7501166]

Easier than I expected?

Easier than I expected?

It's done,back side of frame was not bolt head friendly,so I decided to tap hole,and make it long enough to just touch the backside of frame,for stability of bolt when tight.
Found a chrome head 8mm bolt the right length, ran a die down to head,added a spacer or 2,tightened everything up,adjusted red clamp bout 1/4 in to center,had to move my horn bout 1/ -in.

 

[81gs7501166]

Finished ,ready for test ride!

 

[posplayr]

I would suggest at this point you go ahead and bite the bullet and get it welded.

 

[81gs7501166]

I didn't weld because of paint, if trouble arises I'll weld later.
The bolt holding it on is wedged against the back side of frame, I dout there is enough stress
to pull the threads.
Now I've never had a Damper before on any bike, so educate me on how to adjust.
Haven't rode yet,planning on ride today.( rode round in yard,couldn't tell it's their)
When sitting on bike in shop u can feel slight resistance. when turning lock to lock.
I've set it in the middle, 11 out of 22 clicks.
Ps the 2 holes in the front of the frame, what are they for,oil cooler maby,(do I need a cooler?)
Theirs really 4 holes, 2 high 6mm ( have horn mounted to 1 of them,)and 2 lower 8mm.
Now back to the reason I installed the damper,bike never gets squirrel when accelerating,even to 130mph,
It's when I let off ,and the front end drops ,that it gets just a little side to side,
Do I need stiffer spring?or would adding some air do the trick,I really like the soft,plush ride.
Or would a cheap fix be a spring Spacer?
I'm 59, benn tuning on engines since 14, but I've never knew how to tune a suspension?
I thank u all very much!

 

[posplayr]

I should warn you that I doubt you are going to be able to get that setup stable at the speeds the at engine is capable of pushing the bike.

If those are 750 forks they are a spindly 35mm, no cartridge emulators and who knows what kind of springs. You don't even have a fork brace. I shutter to think about you trying to top out that setup with an 1166.

I had a 1981 GS750EX that I would ride hard on the back roads. When I first got it it was scary on the freeway at 55mph.

My 1166 with a stock 1100ED frame was wobbly under power at 60mph.

I would say you need a temperature gauge for sure. I see you changed the gauges so don't know what you have there.

Bare minimum changes mentioned above plus a Salty Monk brake upgrade.

Next step would be to get an 1100 front end. Better a 1150 front end with 86/87 GSXR wheels/brakes.

Personally I would not want to ride a bike like this without radials especially with your speed desires.

 

[81gs7501166]

I thank u for all the input. As far as speed desires ,only once or twice a week, I Stop , then redline up to 100ish,
then back off and ride like an old man, mostly back roads 45- 60mph.
I'm too old, and lack the skills to push this bike hard!
1/4 mile drag, gets my adrylin fix for the day most of the time.
Heck, growing up as a teenager, a drag was all that Mattered!
And back to my tires, are u saying they ant safe to do a 120mph burst then back off?

 

[posplayr]

I thank u for all the input. As far as speed desires ,only once or twice a week, I Stop , then redline up to 100ish,
then back off and ride like an old man, mostly back roads 45- 60mph.
I'm too old, and lack the skills to push this bike hard!
1/4 mile drag, gets my adrylin fix for the day most of the time.
Heck, growing up as a teenager, a drag was all that Mattered!
And back to my tires, are u saying they ant safe to do a 120mph burst then back off?

It is mostly stability. You just have to look at the progression of suspensions over 10 years from about 1980-1982 to the GSXR in early 1990's. Forks got stiffer, wheels got wider, brakes got better, tire got wider with stiffer sidewalls. It all seems to add-up to pushing the top speed where you still feel rock solid.

I realize you are only looking at doing straight-line spurts, but you are a sitting duck on a MC is you can't change direction or brake.

I got my MC endorsement and started ridding at 50 YO (about 10 years ago).

This is my thread

http://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...n-GSXR-upgrade-for-GS1100ED&highlight=GS1100E

 

[Guest]

Now I've never had a Damper before on any bike, so educate me on how to adjust.
Haven't rode yet,planning on ride today.( rode round in yard,couldn't tell it's their)
When sitting on bike in shop u can feel slight resistance. when turning lock to lock.
I've set it in the middle, 11 out of 22 clicks.

Start with the lightest setting. Go ride and get to the condition that causes your wobble. If the damper stops it you are done, if not add a couple of clicks of damping and repeat. You want the damper on the lightest setting that will kill your wobble problem, to minimize its effects on everything else.


Mark

 

[81gs7501166]

So,my bike is as safe as 80s when new, just not like they are now.
I started riding on 70s,and late 60s,bikes, this gs is a Cadillac compared to Them!
Much better suspension, much better brakes.
When riding u just got to remember u r on a classic machine, not a new One!
I'm doing period correct mods Kinda!
I'm going to recheck align my rear Wheel?
I think that may be why it turns a little when I shut off the throttle at high speeds,it always goes Left?
It's hard without a center stand to align it perfect, or is their a way I'm not familiar with?
Thanks!

 

[Guest]

It's hard without a center stand to align it perfect, or is their a way I'm not familiar with?

I put a jackstand under the frame rail on each side to lift the bike. Put them near the rear the back wheel is up, move them to the front and the front comes up.


Mark

 

[Peteortiz11]

Hi! may I ask how long that damper is? I was thinking of adding one to my GS850 but I realize they come in different lengths. Thx and great job!

 

[81gs7501166]

I readjusted the rear wheel, now it falls straight, when letting off at high speed.
It also turns right a lot easier,goes straight when hands off bars.
I'll leave it alone till I can buy front Springs?
Thanks.