The thorny topic of Head Steady choices

The instructions (poorly photocopyed , cut off at top) for my new Dave Taylor Suspensory head steady were cut off at stage 10 , top of page 2. So I need assembly stage 10 before attempting this. Any other notes modifications appreciated as well .Thanks.

Hi Guys,
I was looking for my dave taylor instructions but cant find them. If I do I will copy them & email them to you.
I fitted mine 3 years ago now & think its brilliant compared to the original fitted from new.
I fitted the new Dave Taylor head steady, Vernier isolastics & Avon Roadrider 100/90 19" tyres & cant belive how much better it handles now.
The Vibes go at about 3000 rpm but are not that uncomfortable below that rev range either.
My original head steady bolt holes got coated when I had the frame powder coated so the clamp to hold it in place was good for me.
It did need fileing a bit to get it to fit properly around the top loop but that was not a hard job.
I now do about 2000 miles a year on it & throw it around a bit on bends, no more wobbling over white or ruts in the road.
When I bought the bike new in 1973 the handling used to scare the hell out of me compared to my Atlas, but now its fine.
Happy Riding for 2012.
Cheers Don
ps, we still have some 2012 NOC calendars left on the NOC website.

To me, all this complaining about vibes at low speed means you haven't set up your isos and rod steady systems properly. I have no such issues.

Either that, or you need to ride a nice, smooth GoldWing.

I modified the Captian Norton/Mike Taglieri head steady--http://home.clara.net/captain.norton/mtp.html-- by rubber isolating the vertical bolt attached to the frame plate. Simple machining of parts and easy purchase of component items. Will have to wait until Spring to determine effectiveness.

Tom -- Also a Toronto Norton Rider

ctsbc said:

I modified the Captian Norton/Mike Taglieri head steady--http://home.clara.net/captain.norton/mtp.html-- by rubber isolating the vertical bolt attached to the frame plate. Simple machining of parts and easy purchase of component items. Will have to wait until Spring to determine effectiveness.

Tom -- Also a Toronto Norton Rider

Click to expand...

Need pictures of this. Why did you want to rubber isolate any of the bolts? The rod end manages any movement (or vibration).

Un-linked Trixie is normal smooth with a bit of sense of motorcycle under me but on weirdly compliant linked Peel I think she's smoother than a loaded down Goldwing that's coating down hill with engine off. If ya ever seen how good a Goldwing can be thrown around The Dragon I suspect not many Cdo's couldn't match a solid mounted Goldwing in the twistes either. Liinks must all be set slack w/o binding with chassis flex or buzz in intervals of turns and wind loading. Links can't take up vibes if the cushions are too hard or gap set too close. We need a smartphone or something mounted to bars to objectively monitor the vibe pecking order someday.

SD

Pictures of my head steady at this site http://home.clara.net/captain.norton/mtp.html
CNW head steady pic from site listed above seems to show a rubber washer on the mount attached to the frame.

Tom

Hi All,
Granpaul is right about all this moaning of vibes.
My wife enjoys going on the back when its vibrating, the more the merrior.
I want to complain about my knee, it hurts after kickstarting the bike.
Also my arse starts to hurt after a long ride.
Also my wallet is in a really bad way once ive filled the Interstate tank.
My neighbor is also fed up with me starting the commando in the winter after a few weeks layed up as the smoke takes a while to clear & let the sun through again.
Ive been to Squires cafe on it today & the frothy coffee is far to hot & has burnt my mouth.
The only reason I put up with these bad things is because its bloody good fun riding a commando & thats about all ive got to say about it.

ctsbc said:

SD

Pictures of my head steady at this site http://home.clara.net/captain.norton/mtp.html
CNW head steady pic from site listed above seems to show a rubber washer on the mount attached to the frame.

Tom

Click to expand...

Yeah, I know what the head steady looks like, I built one from aluminum. But you said something about rubber mounting which is not called for.

The CNW one was designed by comnoz and is not rubber mounted, rather uses sealed ball joints.

This is one area you would not want any rubber as you want a positive location.

I installed a Dave Taylor Head Steady complete with the tensioned Mark 3 type spring on my 73 850 five years ago.

I found it a huge improvement over the stock item as it held the head unable to move side to side.


While on a spending spree at CNW this past summer, I bought the Comstock head steady and sold the Dave Taylor.

I honestly cannot tell any difference between the two except the CNW Comstock is build much more robustly.

Anything is probably better than the stock item.

Tearing apart Crazy outside for the big push up the stairs ,3 Degrees Celcius with snow melting all around me, thought I would let all know I started it removing the stock 828 head steady, put the gastank back on and went for a drive around the block. Yes the vibrations changed and the ride was noticeably smoother,did not attempt any leaning over in this experiment. Noticed the headsteady was preferring /protruding the drive side (Left) when viewed straight down looking at big backbone tube. So I may just leave the verniers alone and install the Taylor Steady next week. Exhaust off, seat, tank,headsteady,back outside for more. Then off to clubland after a shower n' change for N.Y.E.