Fork Clamp Diameter

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Tirpitz
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Fork Clamp Diameter

Post by Tirpitz »

I'm posting this up to help anyone looking to getting a fork leg clamp for a steering damper for an L model. I've seen some posts suggesting that a 50mm clamp is required. If you measure the circumference of the fork above the bottom yoke there is a small wider bit, then it tapers to a slightly thinner profile. There isn't enough remaining free wider section, to which the bottom yoke is clamped, to accommodate the steering damper clamp, so you need to be positioning it a little higher on the thinner section. The circumference here is 162mm, which gives a fork diameter of 51.5mm. A 50mm clamp is not really the right one and isn't going to fit right. I've just bought a 51mm one and it fits perfect, so IMO that's the one to go for.

And if you did want to squeeze the clamp on the wider section of the fork, which has a circumference of 165mm, a 50mm one would appear to have even less chance of fitting.
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OzzyDave
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Re: Fork Clamp Diameter

Post by OzzyDave »

I bought a 50mm one from FleaBay.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/260882093076 ... 1439.l2649

This is it fitted to my '89 H1.

[img]
IMG_0130small.jpg
[/img]

Had to do some surgery to the side fairing to get the damper to fit.
[img]
IMG_0129small.jpg
[/img]

The damper was a cheapy, also from FleaBay. Since installing it, i've noticed a big difference in front end stability.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/160676396926 ... 1439.l2649
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Re: Fork Clamp Diameter

Post by Mori Man »

shocking

Got your clamp sitting way to high hence cutting your cowl required.

Clamp:
50mm for H
51mm For L

The straighter you mount your damper the better effect it has , hence the sportbikes now putting them across the top bridge as they sit neigh on level.
Nothing worse than having an H and not being able to scratch it !
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OzzyDave
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Re: Fork Clamp Diameter

Post by OzzyDave »

If I placed the clamp any lower I'd have needed to cut away much more of the cowling. Would have liked to have a steering head damper but as I'm sure you know, the nose cowling supports are smack bang in the way.
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Re: Fork Clamp Diameter

Post by Mori Man »

OzzyDave wrote:If I placed the clamp any lower I'd have needed to cut away much more of the cowling. Would have liked to have a steering head damper but as I'm sure you know, the nose cowling supports are smack bang in the way.
You can see mine here - no cutting required :smt001

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=12363

MM!
Nothing worse than having an H and not being able to scratch it !
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OzzyDave
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Re: Fork Clamp Diameter

Post by OzzyDave »

A-ha. That would be because you invested In a good quality damper and brackets where I went for cheap as. My bike is a fugly duckling anyhoooo so a bit more chopping of the cowling dint bother me. Function over form :smt001
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Mori Man
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Re: Fork Clamp Diameter

Post by Mori Man »

:pmsl

Form always beats function :smt002
Nothing worse than having an H and not being able to scratch it !
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Tirpitz
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Re: Fork Clamp Diameter

Post by Tirpitz »

shocking WTF!
ZXR400 L4, purple / black / pink
Hel braided hoses
Pirelli Diablos
Ohlins steering damper
A16 carbon fibre exhaust can
Nitron Sport shock
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OzzyDave
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Re: Fork Clamp Diameter

Post by OzzyDave »

My cheapie Flea Bay damper turned to be crap. Why am I surprised. Sure it worked well for about a month but them turned to sh*t. Became all notchy and felt like I'd overtightened the head bearings by double. So watch out for "Corbid" dampers for ~ US$50. Not worth it.
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