LM2 'Lispa' Steering damper

[Dukedesmo]

The steering damper on my LM2 doesn't 'damp', on any setting it simply slides with no resistance so it's basically useless - there was a sticky/greasy residue on the shaft that gave a bit of (inconsistent) drag but having cleaned it, it just runs smooth.
I have unscrewed the casing and cleaned out the inside but not quite sure how it works, whether oil or simply tightening onto something?
As it happens, I don't actually think the bike really needs a damper as it seems stable enough to me but since there is one it ought to work.
I appreciate a new, more modern damper would be better but before I consign this one to the scrap bin, has anyone any info on how it works and whether it's repairable?

[huub]

just leave it on, it is original.
I never had a functioning one, and i think it really does not need a steering damper

[Dukedesmo]

I agree, it probably doesn't need one but if it's not working I'd rather remove it. I know weight reduction isn't really a thing on these old, heavy bikes but, no point in carrying deadweight!


I may cut off the crimped-on lugs on the shaft so I can dismantle it and see if it can be re-engineered to work, at lease in a basic fashion?

[PeteS]

Early on I found it was worse when it was “ON” so its been off ever since. Later learned friction dampers are not what you want  for a steering damper anyway. With a friction damper the greatest resistance is when its still, resistance decreases as speed increases. Just the opposite with a hydraulic damper.

Pete

[Old Jock]

I remember a mate's LM I steering becoming very heavy, he was complaining that the bike was hard to turn.

It transpired that the steering damper had become super stiff of it's own accord, the opposite of your problem.

My personal preference with a component that forms part of a critical system like the steering, is to have it working or if it doesn't remove it

I'd be concerned that it's defective and although free now it could jam or make the steering hard to turn later.

I'd remove it and store it, then it can be included in the sale of the bike as an original part, if the buyer wanted it, for the sake of originality.

From my understanding, as already said, they were friction dampers and pretty useless anyway, even when they worked.

My Daytona had a hydraulic steering damper, a much later bike of course. That was useless as well, I remember riding one day and hearing a racket from the steering head, stopped and found the retaining bracket had snapped. The noise was the damper hanging like a horse's d**k, and bashing to fro against the frame. Replaced it with a WP unit which was a lot better, but not necessary. The biggest problem I had was getting the Daytona to turn in, once established in the turn it was very stable, with no tendency to head shake or be nervous, quite the reverse.

[Tusayan]

Daytonas and 1100 Sports have the hydraulic steering damper because they tend to decel headshake even with new tires.  No issue unless you take your hands off the bars on your victory lap, but you’ll notice it you do so with the damper removed.

[Dukedesmo]

Contemplating this, I remembered that I had a spare Ducati 916 damper. Original non-adjustable but fully functioning - turns out it's the same length and with a small extender to the mounting bracket it fits fine.


Got to be an improvement.

[guzzista]

Good on ya Duke Desmo for fitting a proper steering damper.
Lispa and Sebac steering dampers are  generally crap out of the box IMO. Too much lateral movement and gets worse with more wear.
As Steering Dampers are a mixed blessing anyway, they need to be adjusted lightly and respond when the movement begins to keep steady .By the time the bars are wiggling wildly, the Hail Mary may not be  sufficient.
I am neither pro or against them, to each rider his/ her choice, but if you gotta have it , it's got to work correctly or it' only useless ballast

[huub]

I agree, it probably doesn't need one but if it's not working I'd rather remove it. I know weight reduction isn't really a thing on these old, heavy bikes but, no point in carrying deadweight!


I may cut off the crimped-on lugs on the shaft so I can dismantle it and see if it can be re-engineered to work, at lease in a basic fashion?

if you run the original full fairing , it is moulded around the steering damper ,
that is the reason mine still has it.

[Dukedesmo]

To update on this; went for a test ride today, new damper is fine as in I don't notice it's there but knowing that it actually works means that, if required it will do it's thing.


I'll keep the Lispa in a box (along with the original fairings, exhausts, footpegs, dashboard etc.) for posterity and originality as it still looks the part (but is totally useless), should I ever require the bike back to original 1970's spec.