Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories CRUISER STEERING DAMPER KIT Norman Hyde

Hello!
I put on my America the mutazu bags and a trunk from a Guzzi California. I knew that with this operation I would have shifted the weight on the rear, and in effect now the fork is not stable: if you leave the handle and drive without hands, the fork starts to dance from right-to-left very quickly!javascript:void(0) I would like to try the steering damper and I've found in internet only this one from Norman Hyde.
CRUISER STEERING DAMPER KIT Norman Hyde
Part Number: HBK304
This 7 way adjustable steering damper can really help to make the bike hold its line on long bumpy corners or when crossing lines or cracks. It is easy to fit & unobtrusive. Fits all America and Speedmaster models.

Someone has mounted it and knows how it works? Someone has other ideas to solve the problem? Many thanks!

Are you sure it's the shift in weight and not the wear of the front tire?

Too loose on the steering head bearings? That would be preferable to too tight though.

I have carried a LOT of weight on the back of my America and never experienced the wobble you describe. I'm willing to bet you have some kind of mechanical problem here. You shouldn't need a steering damper.

cupped front tire

My bike did that from the time it was new. I tried several things to fix it with no luck. I replaced the head bearings with"All Balls Bearings" and that fixed it. Great mod and they are cheap.

Thanks!
I argue that the shimmy comes from the displacement of the weights because I have just taken the bike with the new trunk, and I verified that it now does much more.
With the new Tour Pak, I mounted behind longer shocks (345 mm).
Before, with the rear without weights, he did just only a little.
I've Bridgestone Battlax BT45 front and Exedra G546 rear. Two years ago when I changed the tyres for the first few kilometers (about 1000) the fork was firm, then started again to shimmy. Till now I drove for about 5.000 km, so the tyres are still good (I hope!).
Maybe there is a problem really and the weight shifted increases it! I need to do a look to the ball bearing.

How can I try to tighten a little the bearing ? (not too much though, I know!)

I am betting on tire wear, especially with that Bridgestone up front. Over tightening the bearing could lessen it for a while though.( work like dampener but ruin the bearings)

It just doesn't seem that the "new Tour Pak" could add that much weight to change things...to clarify are talking about: the tour pak loaded with how many pounds and is there a passenger?

I agree since this did not cause that problem.


And I rode all the way from PA to Conn. that way, mine being the heavier loaded bike with a 4 room tent, sleeping and cooking gear and clothes etc..

I don't think that stuff really weigh that much does it? How did the bike react when or if you had a passenger on the back without the tour pack? did you say you changed the length of the rear shocks? maybe read that wrong. I am thinking that is extreme cases the front end would become lighter but not do what you are describing.

I would look into cupping or simply low tire pressure. I know when Lola's front tire is low ( 35 psi ) because she will wiggle. Put 40 in there and she smooths out.

Here's another wierd harmonic thing- I can ride a passenger or carry a heavy load with no wobble, but put 5 or 10 pounds back there and here goes the wobble.

I noticed the phenomenon after driving the bike from the dealer to home, just after mounting the two saddlebags, the tour pak and new longer rear shock absorber (13,5 ‘’) Before, with two smaller bags and a smaller trunk, wobble much much more less.
I tried only with empty bags and empty trunk, alone.
I’ve noticed it only at 60/70 km/h. I haven’t tried to drive faster because I drove on municipality road with speed limit.
I would like to test as soon as possible with passenger, with load (just a little less than Dog33 javascript:void(0)!) and faster.
Meanwhile I inflate the front tire and I do some other proof to other speed, leaving the handlebars with the transmission in neutral to understand if doesn’t depend on the chain (the chain&sprocket kit is new, 2500 km)
Or perhaps the wobble depends from bags. They protrude from the profile and cause the front vibration because of air resistance?javascript:void(0)

I would take it to the dealer with everything on it..I am thinking head bearings/or adjustment of the bearings

I am in the process of restoring a '69 Fair Lady Stingray for my grand daughter and the steering head bearings are eerily similar to ours, maybe, about one size smaller. Perhaps because bicycles have no suspension, beyond the cushioning of the tires? Lasertech front tire, lightweight bicycle bearings and junk as they come fork damping, the front end Dept. had their budget cut or something?

In regards to steering dampeners, most post on other forums seem to suggest these are more for looks that actual benefits.

Just a note, don't count on going any faster than I did with that load, that didn't slow me down.

Front end wobble (or shake) occurs regularly on my '03. I might change a front tire, or switch up weigh distribution but the wobble seems to come and go. I'm sure once I replace those head stock bearings all will be well (based on testimonials from fellow TBA and TSM riders). In the meantime it is a little disconcerting.