Steering damper

[OldNick]

I have a Valk-based trike. It has a steering damper that is not adjustable...basically a big gas strut So I am looking at an adjustable damper.

Firstly, I started looking at this on the basis of being able to really lighten the damping at low speed and in tight situations (such as at camping grounds etc) because this damper I have is DAMN hard work on bush blocks (ours and many campsites worth staying at). Is that a silly reason to have an adjustable damper?

However, on the road the solid swing arm does shove the trike around a bit and I was also hoping to be able to adjust the damper to help this. The damper I have does a reasonable job, but I think there could be a better option.

So my next question is "If my damper is really stiff at low speed, is it already as stiff as I should have a damper anyway?"

I see adjustable dampers from $50 (ebay) up to US$500 (Scott) with some in the middle. I am struggling to find stuff to fit the Valk, so I guess I am looking at a linear one. for which I can build mounts. I have seen it said that basically Valks did not need them. But on a trike with solid swing arm I believe things change; from my experience, from what I figured would happen and from what other people are saying.

Thanks for any help

Nick

 

[rhino 2]

I have a Valk-based trike. It has a steering damper that is not adjustable...basically a big gas strut So I am looking at an adjustable damper.

Nick

Are you sure your steering damper [stabilizer] Isn't a Friction type..:Shrug:

That might explain the tightness at low speeds...

 

[OldNick]

pretty sure. It makes liquid squishy sounds when I turn the bars.

 

[Solidbob]

I have a Valk-based trike. It has a steering damper that is not adjustable...basically a big gas strut So I am looking at an adjustable damper.

Firstly, I started looking at this on the basis of being able to really lighten the damping at low speed and in tight situations (such as at camping grounds etc) because this damper I have is DAMN hard work on bush blocks (ours and many campsites worth staying at). Is that a silly reason to have an adjustable damper?

However, on the road the solid swing arm does shove the trike around a bit and I was also hoping to be able to adjust the damper to help this. The damper I have does a reasonable job, but I think there could be a better option.

So my next question is "If my damper is really stiff at low speed, is it already as stiff as I should have a damper anyway?"

I see adjustable dampers from $50 (ebay) up to US$500 (Scott) with some in the middle. I am struggling to find stuff to fit the Valk, so I guess I am looking at a linear one. for which I can build mounts. I have seen it said that basically Valks did not need them. But on a trike with solid swing arm I believe things change; from my experience, from what I figured would happen and from what other people are saying.

Thanks for any help

Nick

You might check here and see what this guy did, I think I used the same damper when I put a Lehman Solid Axle Kit on my wife's Harley Sportster and It was hooked up identical and I also tightened the triple tree bearings to get some resistance and that front end was too loose... front end should have resistance but not be overly tight... on her sporty a rail road track crossing needed to be hit square not at an angle or it would try to snatch the front end....

hope it helps.

http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=10055

 

[OldNick]

Yeah I have read about tightening bearings...it just feels wrong! I mwill check out the link you posted, but I don't want just stiffer steering, but adjustable