Steering damper

[RoyC]

I have just ordered new friction discs for the steering damper.
I am not sure that I have put it back together in the correct order, any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[Sluggo]

My first instinct is to ask A) What model and year machine B) What does the tech data say or show ??
 
(IE: Illustrated Parts Breakdown in the factory parts manual)

[RoyC]

My first instinct is to ask A) What model and year machine B) What does the tech data say or show ??
 
(IE: Illustrated Parts Breakdown in the factory parts manual)

A. - My bike is in signature.
B. - Parts book only shows one washer.

[RogerSB]

This page any help Roy?

[RoyC]

This page any help Roy?

That is the page that I am referring to Roger, it only shows one washer.

[RoyC]

This is my guess at the order.

[RogerSB]

Hi Roy, I'm not much help I'm afraid. I remember stripping my forks down on my 1960 GF in the mid-late 60s but details are hazy - to say the least. Your diagram sequence looks right to me as it seems logical to have friction washers between metal ones. I've come across some pics but they're not much help as each one shows the washers in a different order. According to my parts lists there were different arrangements for 1958-59 from eng no DA10-651 and 1960-62 from eng no DA10-7801 and the anchor plates are different. The 1958-59 parts list only lists 2 friction washers, the 1960-62 don't even say how many - and no mention in either of metal ones  .

I expect somebody will come up with the correct answer.

[Jules]

Hi Roy, I tend to think that if "it aint broke don't fix it", is a good mantra for these old machines... so I've just worked on the assumption with mine that if I screw it down and it tightens the steering without "jamming" its doing the job. Do you actually use it when you are out and about? I remember from my past that I very seldom screwed mine up/down back then, because it was a real pain when you dropped back the speed and tried to negotiate a roundabout!

[Brian]

The illustration only shows one washer because their is only one washer. Assemble it exactly as in the picture, the friction disc goes between the steel plate and the bottom triple clamp.

[RoyC]

Hi Roy, I tend to think that if "it aint broke don't fix it", is a good mantra for these old machines... so I've just worked on the assumption with mine that if I screw it down and it tightens the steering without "jamming" its doing the job. Do you actually use it when you are out and about? I remember from my past that I very seldom screwed mine up/down back then, because it was a real pain when you dropped back the speed and tried to negotiate a roundabout!

I have a sidecar fitted to my bike and I have had a big wobble a couple of times when accelerating.
It is screwed down as hard as it will go at the moment.

[Peter in Aus]

My A7 has 2 discs it is plunger 54 frame

[RogerSB]

Took a photo this morning and it looks like mine has only one friction disc Roy. However, my A10 is 1960 s/arm, and one friction disc is consistent with what my parts list shows.
Bear in mind 60-62 A10 & A7 damper arrangement is slightly different to 58-59 A10s & A7s.
Not a lot of help to you with your 58 A7 I know.

You do need a good working damper with a sidecar fitted. When I put a double adult Canterbury on one of my previous A10s I forgot to tighten the damper. It was in a norrow cobbled back lane and when I took off for a first test ride I nearly hit the wall both sides!

[RoyC]

Thanks for that Roger.