Steering damper replacement

Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, and 850 California Police models

Updated: 2008 April 09

Joe Jump gave me the inspiration to do this based upon the experiences he shared on the old Yahoo! Loopframe_Guzzi news group (which has now moved to Groups.io).

Steering dampers can be quite expensive...and finding the original Guzzi mounting brackets can be difficult. So, I used the following materials:

• One steering damper from MikesXS, item number 28-4008. This is the part that Joe Jump identified. 7 position adjustable in 20 pound force increments. The overall length from tip to tip is 270 mm. The maximum stroke is 87 mm. The stud is threaded for an 8 mm × 1.25 mm nut. The hole in the other end is sized to accept a 8 mm bolt.
• One 30 mm split collar, McMaster-Carr part number 6063K22.
• A short length of ³⁄₄ inch wide, ¹⁄₈ inch thick mild steel; bent in the vice to fit.
• A stainless steel flat washer and stainless steel lock nut to secure the steering damper to the split collar.
• A stock aluminum spacer block (alternatively, a 16 mm long aluminum spacer could be used), 55 mm long stainless steel hex-head bolt, two stainless steel flat washers, and one stainless steel lock nut to secure the steering damper to the bottom of the triple tree plate. Given the 8 mm hole in the steering damper, I secured the damper through the 8 mm threaded hole in the aluminum spacer block. I found this preferable to sourcing an appropriately sized bushing and securing the steering damper to the 6 mm hole in the aluminum spacer block. I'm sure either method would work.
• Modified civilian turn signal brackets or police turn signal brackets. I made my own modified civilian turn signal brackets from a length of ³⁄₁₆ inch × 1 ¹⁄₄ inch 304 stainless steel bar. I chose to make my own out of stainless steel because it was cheaper than having my existing - already slightly bent - brackets re-chromed. Only the right bracket needs to be modified, but I created a pair so that they would match visually.
• Important Note: I originally used a 30 mm long aluminum spacer, 70 mm long stainless steel bolt, two stainless steel flat washers, and one stainless steel lock nut to secure the steering damper to the bottom of the triple tree plate. I did this so that the body of the steering damper would clear the civilian turn signal brackets that I have installed. Moving the steering damper that far down allowed it to come in contact with my fender and dent it. Be absolutely sure that you have a minimum of 4.5 inch between the bottom of the steering damper (and all related hardware) and the top of the corresponding point on the fender. If there isn't, then there is a very real risk of denting the front fender.