Sport 1100 Steering Damper Rebuild?

[jwinwi]

Anybody know if there's a rebuild kit available for the Carb Sport 1100 Bitubo steering damper?
Thanks in advance.

[guzzisteve]

You might check w/Herdan Corp in Port Clinton, PA.  Hermy was a Bitubo dealer back then selling shocks & dampers. He also had front end kits for Tonti bikes.

[malik]

I have been told they are not serviceable - would like to find out otherwise, with it removed, the front end shakes at rolling speed with only one hand on the bars. I have picked up a leaking one from a V11 to fix, then to see if it can be mounted.

[jwinwi]

I have been told they are not serviceable - would like to find out otherwise, with it removed, the front end shakes at rolling speed with only one hand on the bars. I have picked up a leaking one from a V11 to fix, then to see if it can be mounted.

Was able to disassemble it but that's usually the easiest part, right?
Apparently the Sporti used the same part: 3053 0201
Have seen kits for other Bitubos so there's hope! Will report back with breaking developments.
Cheers!

[lucky phil]

Was able to disassemble it but that's usually the easiest part, right?
Apparently the Sporti used the same part: 3053 0201
Have seen kits for other Bitubos so there's hope! Will report back with breaking developments.
Cheers!

 

Ciao

[ajpjive]

Curious to hear what you find out about this. As with everything else on this Sport, my steering damper also needs rebuilt.

[jwinwi]

Found a Bitubo rebuild kit that says it fits:
2017-2020 V7 Cafe Classic
2009-2012 V7 Cafe Classic
2017-2020 V7 III

Would anyone with one of these bikes and a Bitubo damper be willing to measure:
Rod Diameter
Large end OD
Small end OD?

The kit is about $30 and I would be willing to bet that it will work as long as the measurements above match

[malik]

I was not aware that any of the V7 have steering dampers. The Bitubos on the early V7 Racer, and possibly the Cafe Classic were the rear shocks.

Have you consulted the knowledge-base on V11lemans.com? I'd expect there to be something there.

[jwinwi]

I was not aware that any of the V7 have steering dampers. The Bitubos on the early V7 Racer, and possibly the Cafe Classic were the rear shocks.

Have you consulted the knowledge-base on V11lemans.com? I'd expect there to be something there.

Guessing that they would not be OEM fitment but aftermarket accessories...

[RinkRat II]

  Now that you have it apart, do the parts that are worn look to be something oem or are they standard seals, o-rings and such?

     Paul B

[jwinwi]

  Now that you have it apart, do the parts that are worn look to be something oem or are they standard seals, o-rings and such?

     Paul B

O-rings are probably standard (metric) but there's a piston band and a washer/seal in one of the endcaps that looks proprietary. The kit includes the endcaps with seals and o rings installed.

[RinkRat II]

  Thanks for the info, I'll continue to watch with interest !

   Paul B

[Murray]

I have been told they are not serviceable - would like to find out otherwise, with it removed, the front end shakes at rolling speed with only one hand on the bars. I have picked up a leaking one from a V11 to fix, then to see if it can be mounted.

Then there is something wrong with your front end or suspension setup, removed it years ago, it improves the steering no end.

[ahaussmann123]

I have been told they are not serviceable - would like to find out otherwise, with it removed, the front end shakes at rolling speed with only one hand on the bars. I have picked up a leaking one from a V11 to fix, then to see if it can be mounted.

^^ agree with above

check your tire pressure you could have a leak

ensure the front wheel is trued forward, can be inspected visually. if it's misaligned you need to loosen the axle clamps and pump the forks to straighten it. Doesn't normally cause shaking but worth a check.

check your steering head bearing by rotating the bars on the centerstand with the front raised up (use a buddy or blocks), it should move smooth from one end to the other, notchy at all and it needs replaced

check your front wheel bearing right after steering head by jolting/shaking it with the wheel raised, it should feel firm any wobble and the bearings are cooked, check the back wheel too for fun

finally, check your spokes for trueness by tapping them with a screwdriver and listening to the tone, they should all sound the same, if not you need to tighten/loosen until the violating spokes pitch falls in line (carefully, go too far out and it could mess things up, consider help from an experienced hand with this one)


any of those gone will cause poor handling conditions

[malik]

Many thanks.

[jwinwi]

Update: Located the US Bitubo distributor but they don't stock the kit for the ancient damper from the old Spot. They have contacted Bitubo in Italy to see if parts are still available. Not holding my breath...

[RinkRat II]

  Thanks for the update!  Still standing By

    Paul B

[Tom]

 

[Blueboarhound]

This is the emailed response I received from Elisa at Bitubo Italy. I specified in my email that I was looking to replace or rebuild the factory installed Bitubo steering damper on a 1996 Moto Guzzi Sport 1100.


"From: "Commerciale Italia Bitubo" <commerciale.italia@bitubo.com>

Subject: R: Bitubo Steering damper

Good Morning,

Thank you for your email

Be kindly informed that in order to overhaul your steering damper you can contact one of our Technical Center: you can find the list in our website www.bitubo.com at the section Dealer and Technical Area

These are the codes for the overhauling kit:

Item code

Description

prezzo escl. Iva
price excl. VAT

GR0025

KIT REVISIONE SSW MOD. SD-SH (CORPO ACCIAIO) / OVERHAULING KIT SSW MOD. SD-SH (STEEL BODY)

€ 23,00

GR0028

KIT REVISIONE SSW MOD. SF (CORPO CARBONIO) / OVERHAULING KIT SSW MOD. SF (CARBON BODY)

€ 24,50

GR0062

KIT REVISIONE SSW CORPO ALLUMINIO / OVERHAULING KIT SSW ALUMINIUM BODY

€ 24,50

GR0102

KIT REVISIONE GB0038SSW00 / OVERHAULING KIT GB0038SSW00

€ 24,50

 
Best regards

Elisa

E-mail:commerciale.italia@bitubo.com

Web: www.bitubo.com
Uff: +390499903475

Fax:+390499903447"

[jwinwi]

Once again, this just proves that timing is EVERYTHING! Of course I did not hear back from the US distributor so yesterday I was spending too much time on ebay and found a new Shindy damper that's closest to the size need for the Spot and hit the BIN for $40... 

Thank you for your input on this.  Might rebuild the OEM unit anyway...

[jwinwi]

The Spot has a steel bodied damper so the part number is GR0025, right?