Steering damper for head shake 'cure' ?

J-max · May 6, 2023

Trike: Yammy Vmax gen 1 with English axel (MK1 ford escort) soft tail rear end. YSS eco rr shocks (25/35 nm) set to minimal / zero sag without rider, rear tyres pressure 22psi front 42 psi (I tired all sorts for this & high is by far the best for steering & mitigating the below detailed head shake)

I know that the probable best cure for this sort of thing would be raked trees and I'm planning on that route eventually but for the mean time I'm looking for an easier/less expensive fix for the following problem.

This thing is super stable / rock solid at all speeds I've been brave enough to go at, inc. under the insane acceleration of V-boost, but I'm getting loads of nasty 'feedback' head shake induced by bumpy &/or potholed roads (& there are plenty around where I live), often causing my right hand to twitch the throttle which isn't good or at all pleasant.

I'm wondering if a steering damper might be the way to go? What say you?

rhino 2 · May 6, 2023

J-max said:
Trike: Yammy Vmax gen 1 with English axel (MK1 ford escort) soft tail rear end. YSS eco rr shocks (25/35 nm) set to minimal / zero sag without rider, rear tyres pressure 22psi front 42 psi (I tired all sorts for this & high is by far the best for steering & mitigating the below detailed head shake)

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I know that the probable best cure for this sort of thing would be raked trees and I'm planning on that route eventually but for the mean time I'm looking for an easier/less expensive fix for the following problem.

This thing is super stable / rock solid at all speeds I've been brave enough to go at, inc. under the insane acceleration of V-boost, but I'm getting loads of nasty 'feedback' head shake induced by bumpy &/or potholed roads (& there are plenty around where I live), often causing my right hand to twitch the throttle which isn't good or at all pleasant.

I'm wondering if a steering damper might be the way to go? What say you?

First 42 psi on the front tire seems way too high…..Also check the steering head bearing it should be torqued down more than a two wheel bike..

maniacmac · May 6, 2023

The steering head bearing needs to tighten just short of binding the bearings.

Marc H · May 6, 2023

Check head bearing torque then add damper till you get the trees

J-max · May 7, 2023

Thanks guys. I'll try torquing the head bearings. Manual says the bearing collars should be down just enough to eliminate all play (c. 3nm) backed up with 110nm on the stem nut.

What I did try yesterday was softening the rear shocks. Took 4 turns out (6mm). That made a huge difference. I reckon it eliminated app. 70% & even improved cornering. That + a damper could well be a winner.