Bitubo Steering Damper -- Installation Question

Started by ArabicaMan, June 20, 2009, 08:36:37 AM

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ArabicaMan

I just finished installing my Bitubo Steering Damper and it's a really lovely piece of kit (as the Brits would say).  Here's a pic:



But I have a question for those of you who have this damper.  When I turn the bars fully to the stops to the left, the damper clears the tank by a fair amount.  But when I turn the bars to the right, the bottom of the mounting bracket touches the tank before the bars hit the stops.  Obviously, this sets up a situation where I'll be dinging my tank, which is not ideal.  So my question:  Is this normal for this damper installation?  Is there a way around this or am I just going to have to be mucho careful when maneuvering to the right at really slow speeds?  Thanks for the insight.
2007 S4Rs, full DP/Termi exhaust, DP short rear guard, Bitubo steering damper, DP billet indicators (front & back), Rizoma "Reverse Retro" mirrors, Matrix Motosports carbon fiber fairing support, various shiny DP carbon bits, custom license plate mount

yotogi

How close is it? There are little screws that you can adjust to tighten up the steering lock. Just look at the stops on the frame and you can see if you have more threads on the stop screws to tighten it up.

DucSteve

Hm i have the same damper on my S2R1000 and it doesnt hit. not sure if you could have installed it wrong... not like there are any other spots to install the mounting kit. i dont remember hearing the s4rs having a bigger tank or something

ArabicaMan

Quote from: yotogi on June 20, 2009, 09:57:34 AM
How close is it? There are little screws that you can adjust to tighten up the steering lock. Just look at the stops on the frame and you can see if you have more threads on the stop screws to tighten it up.

Yotogi, you are brilliant!  I'm somewhat embarrassed to say I didn't realize there even were steering lock adjustment screws, but there was plenty of room for adjustment and now the damper clears with plenty of room.  Thanks so much for your tutelage.  Cheers!
2007 S4Rs, full DP/Termi exhaust, DP short rear guard, Bitubo steering damper, DP billet indicators (front & back), Rizoma "Reverse Retro" mirrors, Matrix Motosports carbon fiber fairing support, various shiny DP carbon bits, custom license plate mount

Howie

Assuming the stop was adjusted properly at the factory, the damper my not have been the problem.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=20672.0

yotogi

Quote from: ArabicaMan on June 20, 2009, 03:10:57 PM
Yotogi, you are brilliant!  I'm somewhat embarrassed to say I didn't realize there even were steering lock adjustment screws, but there was plenty of room for adjustment and now the damper clears with plenty of room.  Thanks so much for your tutelage.  Cheers!

Pleasure to help. I just noticed them the other day and actually went out to look at the bike to make sure they were what I thought they were before I posted!

DucSteve

I rechecked my S2R1000 and while the Bitubo did clear it, it's like a mm or 2 away from the tank haha.

Does changing the steering lock affect being able to lock the steering with the key?

Howie

Quote from: DucSteve on June 21, 2009, 09:24:58 PM
I rechecked my S2R1000 and while the Bitubo did clear it, it's like a mm or 2 away from the tank haha.

Does changing the steering lock affect being able to lock the steering with the key?

It can, depending on how much you adjusted the stop.  If you didn't count how many turns you adjusted, the factory spec is 6 - 6.5 mm between the fork slider just under the top triple and the frame tube at full lock

kumabull

Unfortunately I wasnt able to get mine to fit at all even adjusting the steering screws all the way it still touches the tank..... needless to say im highly disappointed.  :'(
2007 Ducati S4RS
Apex Clip-ons
Rizoma Signals
Rizoma Grips
CRG Shorty's
MP's Dual HeadLight
Speedy Moto Pressure Plate
Speedy Moto Clutch Cover
Cox Oil\Rad guards

Ordered: Arrow Full race exhaust Carbon Cans
CompWerks Chop
Integrated Tail Light
SpeedyMoto Black water pump cover

pjfa

 [thumbsup]
Need help to find how to get this one:

Seems like a custom made thing  ;D

If someone have more info about it, I'll apreciate  [thumbsup]
900 SL III #643 & 998s Final Edition

uclabiker06

I don't know, but that has to be the most beautiful damper for the monster.   [thumbsup]
Life is never ours to keep, we borrow it and then we have to give it back.
2006 S2R
2009 Smart

He Man

thats a differnt bike from the OP's bike.

push comes to shove you can alwyas shim the steering damper to sit a bit higher.

DucatiSTi

just installed a Bitubo damper on my M696 - didn't have any clearance issues but....

first, make sure the spacers on the steering stirrup are in the right spot - on mine they were different heights to compensate for the handlebar clamp

second, make sure the spacers under the head of the rod and damper body clamp are in the correct spot - again different heights

this may help the clearance issue

I know your damper is different from mine but I know I read the instructions about 6 times and assemble and reassemble
the damper three times to make sure - works great

BTW, nice bike - hope that helps :)
2009 696 Monster - Arrow Carbon slip-ons, Bitubo steering damper, DP oil cooler, DP Touring Seat, Rizoma tail chop, Rizoma Zero 11's, Stebel Nautilus horn, Ducati Euro shroud, Speedymoto sliders (axles and frame)

BellissiMoto

If anyone else is having questions with the installation of the Bitubo damper on their S4R / S4RS / S2R, we have a how to guide from one of our customers posted here - http://bellissimoto.com/BituboDamperInstall.html

pjfa

900 SL III #643 & 998s Final Edition