TG Steering Damper

[Bikerbozo]

So I come out of the races Sat night, unlock the front forks and push handlebars straight. Metal cracking sound. Female threaded rod bearing on end of damper cracked in two. And with only 134,000 miles on it. I figured out type and size. Hardware stores and auto parts useless. HD closed for Sun-Mon. Got through to more distant one. Don’t stock just that part and have full damper on back order for over $500. Mon morning I called original mfg. Ohlins USA. The End Eye and bearing were cheaper than the overnight shipping costs and they pressed parts together for me. Arrived Tues morning. Installed perfectly. When talking on phone, they mentioned how HD had come to them and damper was just a “bandaid” for steering issues with original design. Shocker. Note HD s/n is marked large on damper, Ohlins s/n is tiny on side.

[rodekyll]

Interesting failure. I just did up some reaction rods using chromoly heim joints. I had used mild steel previously and snapped one at the base of the head. I'm offering the experience in case you are using a mild steel joint. Chromoly isn't really any more expensive than mild stock.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Wow ... Only 134k miles .... Premature Failure????

[eagle1]

does the new one have a high pressure grease fitting?

[Bikerbozo]

does the new one have a high pressure grease fitting?

No grease fitting. The brass racer with bearing is press fit into ring. Lasted long enough that I guess whatever grease was in there is good.