50k Service - Do I have to replace the dampener?

[GoSlo]

Just got a call from the dealership and part of the 50k service is to replace the dampener. Just a bit over $500 for the parts and was wondering if it truly needs to be replaced. No problems with how the trike handles now, but I'm wondering if it's like shocks and it slowly gets worse and not noticeable until you replace it.

Thanks!

[Gorilla]

I would wait until it was a problem. Worst case would be the forks develop some shimmy. When they do then replace it. Just my opinion.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

+1

[Capt.Bob]

Depending on who the supplier was for the dampener, it can be rebuilt.

[GoSlo]

Depending on who the supplier was for the dampener, it can be rebuilt.

Not sure who makes the dampener for H-D, but it would be interesting to find out and then see if you can get replacement parts.

Thanks to all that replied. Guess I'll wait until it's a problem because everything seems to be working correctly now. No shimmy or shaking when I'm riding....yet.

[rhino 2]

Just live with it, When/If it go's South you'll know it.. Like Gorilla says, If you get a shimmy... Or a kick-back in the bars when you hit a pothole..Then replace it.

Don't know if there are replacement parts for it, The damper is a friction type..

[MB1953]

When I traded in my '14 it had 54K on it... no noticeable shimmy or steering difficulties. I would have not known about this if you had not posted it.

P.S. I was in to get a quote for the 50K service when I got talked into trading. They told me about the fork service and the neck bearing service, but made no mention of anything about the dampener.

[Sully]

Well, you know what they say. If it's not broken don't fix it...

[Gorilla]

Don't get me wrong BUT I bet the markup on that damper is out of site.

[desertclassic]

So this is why the 50k service is over 2k?????

[rhino 2]

Don't get me wrong BUT I bet the markup on that damper is out of site.

As is the reverse motor, Among other parts....

[consitter]

Don't get me wrong BUT I bet the markup on that damper is out of site.

As is the reverse motor, Among other parts....

Sliding the thread a little sideways, but the cost is craziness.

They have to mark stuff up to keep up the boutique-y stores they have.

[ScottUSN]

The damper is to help with trike "head shake". I put over 95K on my '09 and never felt any loss in the effectiveness of the steering damper. The Triglides are hands down the best set up I have ridden wrt the head shake issue. The worst was my Lehman Springer Softail. If you ever lost your mind and took your hands off the handlebars while doing slow speed accel/decel, you were in for quite the ride. (Don't ask me how I know.)

[Peter A.]

I've never heard of this being done at 50 thou - have 79 thou. on mine with NO issues.

I'd say RIDE ON BROTHER........

[GoSlo]

I've never heard of this being done at 50 thou - have 79 thou. on mine with NO issues.

I'd say RIDE ON BROTHER........

I went in and talked to the mechanic and he told me that it is now on the list of things to replace at the 50k service. He said he tested it as much as he could and it seemed to still be very smooth when he pulled and pushed the rod, so I decided to let it be and see how much longer it lasts. It can be rebuilt I guess, but that's still going to cost a few hundred dollars if you can find someone to do it.

Glad to see so many of you have gone well past 50k miles and no issues with the original dampener, which hopefully will be the same for me.

[Fearless]

You can't fix something that's not broke just sayin travel safely Fred

[Capt.Bob]

On page 1-24 of my 2017 Trike Models Service Manual Supplement it reads:

"If the vehicle is out of warranty and the steering damper needs to be repaired, return to:

Ohlins USA

703-C Old Spartanburg Road

Hendersonville, NC 28792

828-692-4525

Ohlins provides a complete rebuilding service for the steering damper used on Trike models."

I called Ohlins (pronounced O-LEANS) USA and talked with Joey in the motorcycle division. Joey stated that you go to the Ohlins USA website at ohlinsusa.com, fill out the form (Under the Support tab on the Home Page) for the steering damper, send in the part and they turn it around quickly. He said the cost is generally about $100-150. That is a terrific deal and a great service! Just make sure you put in Ohlins USA as this is a USA-based service. BTW, it is damper, not dampener according to the Harley shop manual.

[Zammy]

That's great info Bob, appreciate the post.

[Fearless]

On page 1-24 of my 2017 Trike Models Service Manual Supplement it reads:

"If the vehicle is out of warranty and the steering damper needs to be repaired, return to:

Ohlins USA

703-C Old Spartanburg Road

Hendersonville, NC 28792

828-692-4525

Ohlins provides a complete rebuilding service for the steering damper used on Trike models."

I called Ohlins (pronounced O-LEANS) USA and talked with Joey in the motorcycle division. Joey stated that you go to the Ohlins USA website at ohlinsusa.com, fill out the form (Under the Support tab on the Home Page) for the steering damper, send in the part and they turn it around quickly. He said the cost is generally about $100-150. That is a terrific deal and a great service! Just make sure you put in Ohlins USA as this is a USA-based service. BTW, it is damper, not dampener according to the Harley shop manual.

Thank you! Bob I printed that address for future reference and placed in my shop manual in the proper section thank you again. Ride safely Fred

[GoSlo]

That's great info to have (rebuild info and spelling!), so thanks for sharing.