Steering Damper Useage?

[OldStan]

I see your point. Makes more sense now that I think about it. Which is a good thing, since I have a spare speedo (better than the one on the bike, which the engine is out of) I need to check out anyway.

So according to your figures it will top out at 96mph at 8000 rpm (downhill with a tailwind.) Sounds good to me!

[GeorgeP1111]

"(16) Steering Handle Damper – Tightness of steering handle can be chosen as your favorite, according to the conditions of the road."

It looks like the steering damper is there for you to set at your "favorite" tension, but be mindful that your favorite can only be correct "according to the conditions of the road."

Yup, I saw that. I guess for me it feels wrong to have steering tension of any sort.

I believe the formula on the speedo face means 2250 speedo cable RPM should show 60MPH on the speedo. If 2250 engine RPM was 60 MPH, then the bike would top out at 213 MPH at 8000 RPM!!
I confirmed this when I calibrated my speedo with a drill and GPS

I made a spreadsheet with RPM vs MPH calculations based on the actual measurement of 1 engine revolution (rotor T to T) and the distance the tire rolled on the floor with me on the seat (Left Chart) and also based on the owners manual final gear ratio for all 4 gears with the measured tire OD (Right Chart). Both charts show 5000 rpm to be close to 60 mph. It was a rainy day here in Minnesota and I couldn't ride :-(

George

[brewsky]

Best I've been able to see is 85 GPS speed on a slight downhill, tucked in under the paint, about 1/4 mile length.
That was with the carb running too rich. There may be some more in there now with the carb sorted and a longer stretch?

[houseowax]

George, you finally found your bike! Congratulations, it's a staggering beauty. Looks straight off the showroom floor.
As far as RPM/MPH I have absolutely nothing to contribute to the conversation as i bought my bike last November and I still don't have it running! I'm coming around the bend, though- hope to have it out at least a few weekends before the first snowfall.
How much work did you have to put into it? I remember you saying you weren't looking for a project.

[GeorgeP1111]

How much work did you have to put into it? I remember you saying you weren't looking for a project.

Thanks for the comment on the bike, it does look really good now (5 footer?). I'm amazed at how just about every time I have had it out for a ride so far and stop somewhere, someone comes over to ask/talk about it. I have read other Dream owners saying that, and it definitely has been true for me as well.

So far I have just been doing the usual "Catch Up" work on it. Plugs, Points, Carb and new K&N Filter, Cables, Light Bulbs, Fuel Hoses & Filter, Oil, Lubing, Adjusting, and of course..... Cleaning. The battery was not charging and I traced that to a shot rectifier so I popped in a 30 amp Bridge I had in the junk box and now I'm good to go. The clutch is sticky so that will the next on the list to dig into. The motor sure does make a lot of noises (not cam chain or valves) so I'm going to take it over to a local vintage MC restoration shop and have him listen/drive it for recommendations.

I thought it had the OEM baffles installed (I could see the ends of them) but when I pulled them for a cleaning I found that they had been cut off and only 4" long so it "looked" like there were baffles. Between what was left of my OEM baffles and what I could scale out from baffle photos I found and measuring the insides of the mufflers, I made my own using a couple plumbing Air Chambers from the local Menards ($15 including tax). Ain't the prettiest things, but they do work. :-)

I made some grip tassels and fender fringes to add a bit of "Bling".

Your right, I didn't want a "Project" and I hope this won't turn into one. I Wanna Ride!! (but I want it get me back home at night also). I am still a wrench at heart, just don't want a full time project.

tnx
George

[jensen]

Hi,

Yes, thats funny to see. I make my own baffles too, stainless of course.

Jensen