Ducati Monster Forum

I'm no expert on steering dampers, so I've got a question. I just bought an Arrow damper from someone and it was already connected to fitting kit, so I didn't bother checking to see if it was torqued properly. I installed and properly torqued it to the bike and noticed that there is a pivot point between the damper and the fitting kit (arrow in picture shows where the pivot point is). Other than that, the damper functions properly when moving the handle bars from left to right. It's the wiggle that bothers me. So I guess the question is, is this normal? Anyone who has this damper, please fill me in. Video shows the wiggle. Thanks guys.

(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e139/getnraped/arrowArrow.jpg)

(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e139/getnraped/th_MVI_2138.jpg) (http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e139/getnraped/?action=view&current=MVI_2138.flv)

Completely normal [thumbsup]

Lou

I concur  [thumbsup]  You are good to go.

They say "a picture is worth a thousand words"...

I say your video is priceless!  Good job!   [thumbsup]

It's so easy to see what people are asking with a video...   [clap]

Btw, like the others have said, the damper is supposed to do that.

edit:
Does your damper's reservoir hit the tank from lock-to-lock?  Or interfere with the lifting of the tank?  I'm thinking it does as the reservoir looks very close to the tank.  On my bike, I flipped the reservoir.  And the damper doesn't touch the tank when I lift it.


(http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq16/jammer_68/Picture209.jpg)

Thanks guys. Now I can worry no more. Lock-to-lock I didn't have a problem, it was fine from the get go. I wasn't thinking about having to lift the tank, so I might have to consider flipping it like you did jammer. Thanks for suppressing my fears everyone. I can now sleep well tonight. 

The instruction manual doesn't specify but the ball joint on the damper rod is orientation specific (top/bottom) when bolted to the handle bar bracket.  When the orientation is correct it will align up/down, the wrong way will cause a slight up/down binding on the rod. Obviously for the damper seals to last bending stress on the rod should be kept as low as possible,  that's why the damper body bracket pivots like it does.   Also even thought the damper body is titanium its pretty thin, avoid tightening the collar clamp more than is necessary to prevent the damper body from slipping, clamping forces can be extreme and distort the shell causing binding and excessive piston seal wear.

In other words, treat it gently during installation to insure the longest life.  After that, as long as its mounted correctly,  flog the crap out of it.  I run mine around 7 clicks from full open.

I have been toying with the idea of getting one of these for my S2R.  Is there a noticeable difference when riding? When does it come into play?

Thanks

Depends on what setting you put it at. Too high (stiff) and you'll probably drop your bike in the parking lot. Too low and you might as well not have one. You have to play with it to see which setting suits you the best. I just set my Arrow to 5 (out of 9 clicks) and forget about it.

I didn't have a damper when I was on a high-speed curve and I hit a fair-sized rodent.  The rodent didn't survive.   ;D  The bike went into a head-shake situation. When I changed my underwear and got my heart back under control, that's when the damper went on.    [thumbsup]

Lots of existing opinions re: dampers on this and other boards.

Make sure when you put it on to use a little loctite. The normal vibration of the bike would cause the screws to come a little loose on mine. Since the loctite it's been perfect. Oh ya, I love my arrow damper  :)