PhantomK12LT
Apr 1st, 2007, 10:30 pm
I'm looking for some input on the K1200LT steering stabilizer. While I was installing my HID low beam today, I noticed a small screw at the very end of the rod on the stabilizer. Would this be a oil drain port? If so, I'm thinking of doing the same modification that I did on my Hayabusa sport bike steering damper. I call this mod the poor mans Ohlins for those that are hesitant on shelling out several hundred bucks for an Ohlins unit. This mod is cheap and easy and quick. Just a little messy, but it was very much worth it on my Hayabusa.
With my Busa sporting more than 500HP and capable of doing more than 250MPH, I did not want any head shake at all. So I decided to change the stock oil which was thin, with some thicker oil in hopes it would cause more resistance in the unit itself.
This pic shows the location of the damper on the Busa
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/PhantomBusa/dampner.jpg
This pic shows the unit removed from the bike with the oil drain screw removed. With the screw removed, I pumped out all of the oil by compressing and extending the damper to full strokes.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/PhantomBusa/dampner2.jpg
In this pic, you can see that I chose 80W 90 gear oil for my modification. I took a water bottle and cut the top off of it to use as an oil resivour. I filled the water bottle about half way and incerted the steering damper into the bottle far enough to submerge the oil port under the oil level. I then stroked the damper rod to full extension and the full compression multiple times to pull in the heavier oil and squish out the air bubbles. I kept manipulating the rod back and forth untill I saw no air bubbles excaping from the body of the damper. Once I felt that all the air was out, I carefully replaced the screw making sure that I did not get air back in the unit. I then de-oild the unit with some degreaser, wiped it down real good and installed it back on the Busa. I have to say it was one of the best bang for the buck modifications that I have done on the bike. The sterring is rock solid but not to stiff.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/PhantomBusa/dampner3.jpg
The only down side to this modification ( which comes with options) is that if you live in the colder climates, the 80W 90 gear oil may be to thick for you if you ride in cold weather. This would basically make the steering feel tighter than you may like due to the oil being thicker in the colder weather. The options are, using a thinner oil, such as straight 50 weight oil may do the trick for you. With me living in Texas, the heat keeps the oil nice and thin, just not as thin as the stock oil. The result is a nice firm steering feeling, and very little worry of head shakes, other wise known as tank slappers.
So in closing, can the oil in the LT stabilizer be removed in the same manner. Id like to know before I waist my time pulling the unit off and trying this modification.
P.S. Sorry for the long winded post.
With my Busa sporting more than 500HP and capable of doing more than 250MPH, I did not want any head shake at all. So I decided to change the stock oil which was thin, with some thicker oil in hopes it would cause more resistance in the unit itself.
This pic shows the location of the damper on the Busa
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/PhantomBusa/dampner.jpg
This pic shows the unit removed from the bike with the oil drain screw removed. With the screw removed, I pumped out all of the oil by compressing and extending the damper to full strokes.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/PhantomBusa/dampner2.jpg
In this pic, you can see that I chose 80W 90 gear oil for my modification. I took a water bottle and cut the top off of it to use as an oil resivour. I filled the water bottle about half way and incerted the steering damper into the bottle far enough to submerge the oil port under the oil level. I then stroked the damper rod to full extension and the full compression multiple times to pull in the heavier oil and squish out the air bubbles. I kept manipulating the rod back and forth untill I saw no air bubbles excaping from the body of the damper. Once I felt that all the air was out, I carefully replaced the screw making sure that I did not get air back in the unit. I then de-oild the unit with some degreaser, wiped it down real good and installed it back on the Busa. I have to say it was one of the best bang for the buck modifications that I have done on the bike. The sterring is rock solid but not to stiff.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/PhantomBusa/dampner3.jpg
The only down side to this modification ( which comes with options) is that if you live in the colder climates, the 80W 90 gear oil may be to thick for you if you ride in cold weather. This would basically make the steering feel tighter than you may like due to the oil being thicker in the colder weather. The options are, using a thinner oil, such as straight 50 weight oil may do the trick for you. With me living in Texas, the heat keeps the oil nice and thin, just not as thin as the stock oil. The result is a nice firm steering feeling, and very little worry of head shakes, other wise known as tank slappers.
So in closing, can the oil in the LT stabilizer be removed in the same manner. Id like to know before I waist my time pulling the unit off and trying this modification.
P.S. Sorry for the long winded post.