Adjusting my steering damper

[Gusable]

I wanted to check my steering damper and see if I could tighten it up for the highway rides.  The owners manual doesn’t say which way to go with it.  Loosen the locknut and make the outer body go “ in” towards the rear of the bike makes it tighter?

[Gliderjohn]

I have an aftermarket one and if I am looking toward the nut from the rod end it is left turn to loosen and right to tighten. If you just put the bike on the center stand and play with the adjustment you should be able to tell by just moving the wheel back and forth in your hands when you tighten it.
GliderJohn

[Gusable]

Ok sounds good. Thanks. I’ll play with it.  Can I rebuild it? The stick one

[Huzo]

What function does the steering damper perform in theory ?

[JC85]

What function does the steering damper perform in theory ?

Other than making thing smoother overall, providing resistance to sudden, jerky changes, therefore preventing wobbles.

[lorazepam]

What function does the steering damper perform in theory ?

Supposed to prevent or lessen tank slappers.

[Huzo]

Supposed to prevent or lessen tank slappers.

ok.
Thanks.

[flower_king001]

place bike on center stand / front wheel off ground

turn damper rod one way and check for resistance

[LowRyter]

The EV has a simple friction damper.  The only advantage I have noticed is the forks don't flop around easily when going at parking lot speeds and make the front feel a little smoother.

I don't consider it to be any device to help highway stability.   The bike is pretty stable on its own.

[Tom]

Check and adjust steering neck bearings first.  Most times you won't need one except if the bike is loaded and you're doing a long sweeper or paved whooptee doo's.  Going up one and transferring the weight off the front wheel will get you a tank slapper.  A damper in both situations would help.  Don't hit the brakes in either situation.  Chop the throttle and straighten the bike up to recover.  Reminiscent of having a rear tire going flat on you at speed. 

You can build a oem friction one.  The friction material needs replacing.

[Bisbee]

The damper died on my EV awhile ago. Probably croaked years ago without realizing it. Took it off - can’t tell any difference. Can’t see the reason for it . Bike handles great. Won’t replace it. More likely to get hit by a meteorite than encounter a severe tank slapper on a EV. My opinion.

[Tom]

"Most times you won't need one except if the bike is loaded and you're doing a long sweeper or paved whooptee doo's."

[flower_king001]

tossed the one off my EV years ago..never missed it.
tossed the one on my 1986 Lemans years ago....never missed it

[JC85]

tossed the one off my EV years ago..never missed it.
tossed the one on my 1986 Lemans years ago....never missed it

I replaced the one on my Eldo, last year, and will always keep it, but that's just because of the old Eldos being prone to tank slappers.