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- Jun 30, 2012
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I have been wondering what sort of steering damper is normally fitted to road and racing Commandos ? Apparently the first Commandos had steering geometry which was originally specified by Peter Williams based upon his racing experience. A few inexperienced riders crashed when they rode over cat's eyes reflectors in the wet, - and the geometry was changed on later models by altering the fork yokes. If the first Commandos had more trail, they would probably have tipped into corners more easily and wobbled as the bike accelerated out of corners, unless they had a good steering damper. I've read about guys needing to reverse steer Commandos to get them to tip into corners. To me that would mean the trail has been reduced. Friction steering dampers work OK, but the damping does not increase as the oscillations become quicker.
My Seeley has 27 degree rake, 18 inch wheels and 105mm of trail. It tips into corners without the need to reverse steer, oversteers in corners, and does not wobble as I accelerate out of corners. However I use a Kawasaki adjustable hydraulic steering damper.
My Seeley has 27 degree rake, 18 inch wheels and 105mm of trail. It tips into corners without the need to reverse steer, oversteers in corners, and does not wobble as I accelerate out of corners. However I use a Kawasaki adjustable hydraulic steering damper.
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