Massive tank slapper!!!!! - Ducati.ms

MaxWoolley · Jan 31st, 2012, 5:02 am

To cut a long story short, I went out for a Sunday ride of about 20 miles. I was on the home stretch and about half a mile from my house there is a straight bit of road only about 200 meters long and along there I had one massive tank slapper, I think im lucky to be alive as well as keeping the bike upright and not crashing the thing (it was my first slapper). Now the big question is can I get a steering damper for it?? If so where can I get one from?? It don't matter were about in the world i can get one, I just need one!!!

I have a 1996 750ss. Any help would be great, thanks..

Perazzimx14 · Jan 31st, 2012, 5:09 am

How fast were you going when the tank slapper happened? Is the road rough? Is your frame straigt? Are your steering head bearings in good shape. Are your tires balanced and in good shape?

To answer your question you will be easily be able to find a steering damper that will fit your bike. The question is do you really need one?

damossguy · Jan 31st, 2012, 5:32 am

What's your relationship like with the bike mate? Do you hold on to it with your arms or your legs? Did you grip the bars tighter when you had your slapper and what did you do with the throttle? Rolled off, wound on or held it constant?

Aceracer27 · Jan 31st, 2012, 5:47 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxWoolley

To cut a long story short, I went out for a Sunday ride of about 20 miles. I was on the home stretch and about half a mile from my house there is a straight bit of road only about 200 meters long and along there I had one massive tank slapper, I think im lucky to be alive as well as keeping the bike upright and not crashing the thing (it was my first slapper). Now the big question is can I get a steering damper for it?? If so where can I get one from?? It don't matter were about in the world i can get one, I just need one!!!

I have a 1996 750ss. Any help would be great, thanks..

Riding in the UK in winter? Did you hit some black ice or some other slippery crap on the road while you were on the gas maybe. Did your brakes work afterwards or did you have to pump the front leaver a few times to get them to work? The SS is a very stable bike that shouldn't need a dampener. If it wasn't something on the road that day, as suggested above, I'd be trying to analyse a mechanical fault.

Baffled · Jan 31st, 2012, 5:51 am

l have an OHLINS steering damper attached to my bike
Its a 1994 Superlight.

l attached it to the forks using a standard E-Bay clamp
& the other end l attached to the frame mount used for the half fairing,
Using the half fairing bracket...

But thats not the issue here,
Its VERY unusual for one of these to go into a takn slapper,
The geometry set up is very safe...
l would be looking at other causes causing this issue rather than just masking it by putting a steering damper on.

Head stem bearings...Front tyre..Forks dropped through the triple clamps to much...

(My Steering Damper is only on there for wank value)...Hahahaha

MaxWoolley · Jan 31st, 2012, 7:46 am

Perazzimx14, I was going about 60-65mph no more than 65mph as there tend to be mobile speed cameras along that part of the road. The road is as smooth as, was all ripped up and put back down about a year and a half ago, so nothing to do with the road i dont think. the frames fine, (that was the first thing i checked after). steering bearings are fine had new ones put in at the end of november. Tires, the missus treated me to a new set for Christmas and there bedded in and they were balanced in the workshop so not them.
damossguy, i tend to hold on with my legs as im quite tall and it takes the weight off from my arms. i dont remember how tightly i was holding the bars when it happened all i know was that my arms when to jelly and i rolled off the throttle instantly.
Aceracer27, the weather was fine, a nice sunny day but it was abit cool and the roads were dry, the temp wasn't that warm tho. yea i had to pump the brakes a few times.
Evil Dwarf, the forks are sat fine, there all properly lined up.

i think i can remember a thud or a bounce, as if you have just ran over a stone or a stick that kind of a thud or bounce so i think it must of been a stone. any one know of any steering damper kit u can get for it?? or brackets to hold the damper to the bike?? so i can have a look if i decide to get one..

Punch · Jan 31st, 2012, 8:07 am

I agree with all the suggestions about bearings, fork set up etc. Tyre pressures too.

Mine used to shake it's head a bit in tight bumpy corners at relatively high speed. Never a tank slapper though.

I have used a Hyperpro damper with their fork and frame brackets on the left hand side for 8 years or so and very happy. About US$500 back then delivered from the States so SFA per year for additional peace of mind.

It works very well and I can vary it over 22 positions to suit just how crap our roads are here in New South Wales.

At the end of the day I believe that if your suspension (for your weight) etc. etc. are set up correctly then you should be fine. We had an 1198 for about 9 months and it was very flighty over bumps until Terry Hays Shock Treatment gave it the once over and transformed the handling.

Richard

Punch · Jan 31st, 2012, 8:18 am

Just remembered I have some old pics of my Hyperpro set up.

It has to be from the forks on the SS range.

Very easy to adjust on the run.

RUNnDUC · Jan 31st, 2012, 8:41 am

+1 on checking the hardware before adding a stabilizer.

About six months ago I found a little head shake riding out of uphill curve onramp onto a supper slab (yes I was on it hard; “just merging with the speed of the traffic officer”). I discovered that the rear tire on my ST4s (normally a very stable ride) needed to be replaced.

MrSpigot · Jan 31st, 2012, 10:27 am

Before you lash out on a steering damper to cure tank slappers, check the headstock bearings for age, grease and tightness......

......if they are too loose, you can get quite serious tank slappers.....they should be tightened so that they move freely from lock to lock, with a small amount of drag....

AL.