A10 Steering damper

[Catz]

Now lads, i've done the obligatory search but not really turned up what i'm looking for,
basically is the steering damper on the A10 needed? Thanks in advance.

[Kickaha]

Now lads, i've done the obligatory search but not really turned up what i'm looking for,
basically is the steering damper on the A10 needed? Thanks in advance.

I haven't ever run one on mine and it was primarily longer trips and even a lot of rough gravel roads

[Greybeard]

The only times I've had to put some friction onto the steering damper is when I'm loaded up with camping gear or I have a passenger.

[muskrat]

G'day Catz.
Is this what you mean? https://tinyurl.com/ytn2zjwt from drags site https://tinyurl.com/43rtzsfy
Cheers

[Catz]

G'day Catz.
Is this what you mean? https://tinyurl.com/ytn2zjwt from drags site https://tinyurl.com/43rtzsfy
Cheers

That's the one Musky.

Ah, i get it now, the steering damper helps to stop the forks from hitting the tank on full lock.
Thanks for the replies. Still learning about this bike. Pity Haynes didn't learn and re-write their manual.

[RDfella]

Not about 'stopping the forks hitting the tank on full lock'. They shouldn't get that close. More about stopping a 'tank slapper' where a weave quickly builds into a very scary lock to lock shake likely to throw you off the bike. Had one once when I locked the front wheel braking for a corner whilst racing. Ended up still on the bike but with a lump in my calf the size of a pear where the tank had been slapping between my legs. Scary.

[Catz]

I should have said the steering damper plate helps to stop the forks hitting the tank.

[Topdad]

as per RD tank slapper very heavy pillion + gear nearly had us both of = change pants time used the damper after and since

[berger]

i was heading into a slapper when i made betsy beezer have it one day along the duel carriage way , it's good to have a damper fitted.

[muskrat]

G'day Catz.
Yes it does both.
Cheers

[Black Sheep]

Went through a fence once at speed due to a tank slapper. Steering dampers their uses.

[Catz]

I've put the damper back on and adjusted the head bearings at the same time.
Point taken on the tank slappers, only ever had one once and that was after a front wheel puncture on the motorway, that was frightening.
Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.

[Slymo]

Had loads of bikes with steering dampers and never seen the need to use one except when I had a ride on a Ural with a sidecar outfit. The tendency to caster at any speed over a crawl was sorted with the application of the damper. As the A10 is a bike regularly fitted with a chair this is what I guess they are for.

[RogerSB]

As the A10 is a bike regularly fitted with a chair this is what I guess they are for.

Yes, the A10 was a favourite for sidecar use and has a hole in the frame for just that purpose.

I fitted (with the help of a friend who was a motorcycle salesman at Kings of Oxford, a well known Motorcycle dealer at the time) a double adult Canterbury to my A10 in the mid 60s (the GF in my photo).

We fitted in in the cobbled back lane at the back of my parents house. When done, and after giving me advice on how to ride/drive it, my friend said take it up the lane and back to see what you think but you'll need more throttle than usual. Having only ever ridden solo I jumped on, kicked it over, put it in gear, let the clutch out and opened the throttle, shooting forward with a tank slapper that nearly put me in the wall both sides of the lane. My friend had forgotten to tighten the steering damper down.

Rog.