Steering Damper Useage?

[GeorgeP1111]

Hello....

I picked up a '68 Dream a few weeks ago and been cleaning/tuning it up. Made some tassels and fringes for it to add a bit of "Bling" and have been getting a lot of folks stopping for a "Look-See" whenever I take it out for a spin. This is my 60th Birthday present to myself (also my wife got tired of my whining because it's been 7 years since I sold my last bike), and it is #12 on the list of motorcycles I have owned over the past 45 years. I'm going to try and find a solo seat for it because my butt gets sore on this one.

I posted some questions over in the Transmission section, (http://www.honda305.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5990) but either they were real stumpers, or considered so stupid that they didn't deserve a answer, but I never got any comments. So here's another one: What was the reason for the adjustable Steering Damper on the Dream? I know how it works, but was the Dream design originally known for a High Speed Wobble and this was the fix? This is the second Dream I have owned, the first was a '65 in 1973 and even at that time I couldn't find anyone at the Honda dealership that could say why it's there. I had a Goldwing with a sidecar and this damper would have been great for that, but I never used it on my '65 and don't now on this '68.

Anyhow, just thought I'd drop in and say Hi, and if there are any Dream drivers out there in the Mpls/St.Paul area that would like to get together for for a chat and coffee, shoot me over a note.

tnx

George

[Tango911]

nice bike. im picking up one just like it today. Ill post it later.

yeah im not sure about the damper. i have it cranked so it doesnt steer super easy and or too sticky.
Cant imagine it for a high speed wobble as the honda dream really isnt geared for it. I would love if my black dream had a 5th gear. 55mph seems to wind high on the rpms even though theres plenty of throttle left.

steve

[GeorgeP1111]

55mph seems to wind high on the rpms even though theres plenty of throttle left.
steve

I was out for a ride this morning and wound it up to 55 - 60 on the way home..... Yup, it sure does buzz, and mine didn't feel like it had much left at that speed. I was hoping to take a short trip on it yet this summer, but a hour at 60mph almost seems like it could be destructive. 60mph is about 5000rpm which is Ok, but yes, a 5th gear would really be nice altho maybe at that lower rpm a bit of a wind gust would almost cause a stall.

tnx

George

[Tango911]

yeah , a solo seat would make for a more comfortable ride. Any thing over 20mins and the stock seat is terrible. Still the looks i get are priceless.

[conbs]

From the 1961 Dream Owner's Manual on page 19 is a picture of the "Controls and Instruments". Number 16 is the Steering Damper, to wit:

"(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."

[OldStan]

60mph is about 5000rpm which is Ok, but yes, a 5th gear would really be nice altho maybe at that lower rpm a bit of a wind gust would almost cause a stall.

George[/quote]

According to the speedometer face 60mph is 2250 rpm (or thereabouts, don't have bike in front of me.) I'm pretty sure that's referencing engine rpm. Of course that would be providing the sprockets are stock.

[brewsky]

60mph is about 5000rpm which is Ok, but yes, a 5th gear would really be nice altho maybe at that lower rpm a bit of a wind gust would almost cause a stall.

George

[/quote]According to the speedometer face 60mph is 2250 rpm (or thereabouts, don't have bike in front of me.) I'm pretty sure that's referencing engine rpm. Of course that would be providing the sprockets are stock.[/quote]



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