Steering Damper Mount Question

[Kawi Vandal]

Has anyone tried or made a mount that fits around the head tube on the frame? It would cover up part of the vin, but could simplify the mount. Just wanted to see about ideas or people who may have tried it. This would put the damper in the open part of the frame in front of the fuel tank.

[KWICK]

CRF450

[Kawi Vandal]

Any ZRX's? Do you think the CRF damper would be useful on the REX?

[KWICK]

Any ZRX's? Do you think the CRF damper would be useful on the REX?

Got me, but they weigh about three ounces. RaceTech makes revalve kits for them.

[zrx24]

Any ZRX's? Do you think the CRF damper would be useful on the REX?

If you're looking for an easier way to mount a damper on a ZRX, this ain't it.


CRF 450 damper.

[zrx24]

Has anyone tried or made a mount that fits around the head tube on the frame? It would cover up part of the vin, but could simplify the mount. Just wanted to see about ideas or people who may have tried it. This would put the damper in the open part of the frame in front of the fuel tank.

It would have to go in front of the steering head, and there's really not a lot of room in there for a damper once you get all the cables, brake and clutch lines and wiring harness routed.


The cleanest "hidden" setup is the under the steering head mount, which you're probably already familiar with. It's a pretty straight forward and easy install.

[Kawi Vandal]

It would have to go in front of the steering head, and there's really not a lot of room in there for a damper once you get all the cables, brake and clutch lines and wiring harness routed.


The cleanest "hidden" setup is the under the steering head mount, which you're probably already familiar with. It's a pretty straight forward and easy install.

Thats what I'm wondering. If someone has one (preferably an Ohlins) they can measure I'll be able to mock it up and see. It's not so much that it is hidden as it is out of the way and occupying unused space. That and the mount would be lighter than under the stem.

[zrx24]

It's not so much that it is hidden as it is out of the way and occupying unused space.

That's where I'm a bit confused. I don't know about your bike, but on my bike that area is most certainly not "unused space." There is ZERO room in that location to mount a damper, on my bike. Hell, I can barely get a wrench in there to get to the nuts that hold the gauges on.

[Kawi Vandal]

I don't have gauges

[zrx24]

I don't have gauges

You're most likely on your own then with your endeavor. Most everyone here has gauges, and no room around the steering head for a damper. That's precisely why all the dampers I'm sure you've seen on the board are either under the steering head or side mount.


If you're that concerned about weight, why are you adding a damper? Have you significantly altered the rake/trail dimensions on your Rex?

[KWICK]

You might be as to mount the CRF damper along side the neck front-back attached to the top of the triPle

[Kawi Vandal]

You're most likely on your own then with your endeavor. Most everyone here has gauges, and no room around the steering head for a damper. That's precisely why all the dampers I'm sure you've seen on the board are either under the steering head or side mount.


If you're that concerned about weight, why are you adding a damper? Have you significantly altered the rake/trail dimensions on your Rex?

No, it has a little shake going through 85-95, nothing major, but I'd like to prevent it from going all out some day.

As for the mount, I'm looking to go behind the neck which may have enough space, which everyone has. But that is why I would need measurements to mock up a damper (I don't have 200 for an ohlin's right now). If it doesn't fit there then I'll go below the frame like all the others, but I like to try something different from time to time just to see if it works.

Kwick,

I'm going to see what room there is to see if the 450 damper is viable, but what I first thought was the damper cost from race tech is only the revalve kit so it is about the same used as an ohlin's. It would be lighter though and if I take out the brake splitter I may have room to fab up a mount using those 2 bolts and a clamp around the neck.

[KWICK]

Weld a stud on the head tube, and thread a hole in the triple.
Need more dampning? Run thicker oil.

Think outside the box, so to speak.

If you have a wiggle at 90, you have serious setup issue the a damper will only mask, not fix.

My ZRX is rock-stable at 160 mph with my damper set at the minimum... I only run it 'cause it looks trick.

[terryfulks]

It would be lighter though and if I take out the brake splitter I may have room to fab up a mount using those 2 bolts and a clamp around the neck.

If you're looking to save weight get rid of the brake line splitter and go to dual stainless lines (lowest unsprung weight) or single line to one caliper double banjo then over to the other caliper.

[zrx24]

As for the mount, I'm looking to go behind the neck which may have enough space....

Now you REALLY have me confused.

My gas tank wraps pretty tight around the back half of the steering head. Barely enough room to get the tips of my fingers in there to position the tank. Let alone room enough for a damper rod to protrude through there.

Have you altered your tank too, given that you've also pitched the gauges?


Maybe I should ask. We are talking about a ZRX here, right?

[zrx24]

If you have a wiggle at 90, you have serious setup issue the a damper will only mask, not fix.

That was my first thought as well. It always troubles me when people just throw a damper on instead of chasing down the real problem.


All of my Rexes have been rock solid stable at all speeds and rates of acceleration. Damper not required.

Though I recognize that being a lightweight, I don't stress the chassis as the "normal" Rex owner does.

[Kawi Vandal]

Weld a stud on the head tube, and thread a hole in the triple.
Need more dampning? Run thicker oil.

Think outside the box, so to speak.

If you have a wiggle at 90, you have serious setup issue the a damper will only mask, not fix.

My ZRX is rock-stable at 160 mph with my damper set at the minimum... I only run it 'cause it looks trick.

I'm trying to avoid welding on the tubing, not opposed to it, just not ready to go to a permanent mount. That and I don't want to tear it all apart to prep for welding just yet. But it would be lighter.

As for the wiggle, there really isn't much. I think I have an alignment issue, I need to do a string alignment to make sure. Waiting for the new rear axle before I do the string alignment. But there is a very slight pull to the right that I only notice when I lock the throttle and take hands off (performed on a closed course at less than highway speeds). The damper is mainly for bling, but would also like to keep the weight down and have it in case I need it.

If you're looking to save weight get rid of the brake line splitter and go to dual stainless lines (lowest unsprung weight) or single line to one caliper double banjo then over to the other caliper.

That is part of this idea, but not needed just yet.

Now you REALLY have me confused.

My gas tank wraps pretty tight around the back half of the steering head. Barely enough room to get the tips of my fingers in there to position the tank. Let alone room enough for a damper rod to protrude through there.

Have you altered your tank too, given that you've also pitched the gauges?


Maybe I should ask. We are talking about a ZRX here, right?

Yes. Mine appears to have enough room, but I would need dimensions to mock it up. I haven't altered anything on there but we'll see on the room.

[KWICK]

Any good welder can stick a stud on the headtube in ten minutes.
You could even drill and locate it for him/her and they'll just run a little bead and you are done.

Don't like it? Grind off and touch up.

Commitment...that's what we need more of!

[Kawi Vandal]

Any good welder can stick a stud on the headtube in ten minutes.
You could even drill and locate it for him/her and they'll just run a little bead and you are done.

Don't like it? Grind off and touch up.

Commitment...that's what we need more of!

Now to find one of those little dampers to check for fit in the confined area behind the headlight.

[zrx24]

As for the wiggle, there really isn't much. I think I have an alignment issue, I need to do a string alignment to make sure. Waiting for the new rear axle before I do the string alignment. But there is a very slight pull to the right that I only notice when I lock the throttle and take hands off (performed on a closed course at less than highway speeds).

Be sure and post up how that works out for ya.


For what it's worth, all roads are crowned or have cross slope of some sort to allow rain water to run off. Most vehicles will pull off to one side or the other of a roadway that is cross sloped. It's not uncommon at all for a bike to pull off to the right on most roadways.

[beantown]

Didn't C10 mount a damper to the top triple and then to the top of the frame behind the headstock? I'm pretty sure he did but I can't find a pic of it.

[zrx24]

Didn't C10 mount a damper to the top triple and then to the top of the frame behind the headstock? I'm pretty sure he did but I can't find a pic of it.

Oh yea. Forgot about that.


Here it is.


http://www.zrxoa.org/forums/showthre...n+damper+mount

[beantown]

Oh yea. Forgot about that.


Here it is.


http://www.zrxoa.org/forums/showthre...n+damper+mount

THAT'S IT!!

[beantown]

And just how long does the damper need to be? Mounting it like C10 did is really easy.

[Kawi Vandal]

That's the other thing I need to measure if I go behind the neck. 3 options, that's 2 more than I started with