Steering Damper MZ TS250/1

[Daniel_I]

I bought a steering damper kit some years ago... fitted it... didn't seem to do much.
Have a bit of time now and have had a look at it. I can't see how it would ever work. It fits into the steering column but I cannot see how it would come into any contact with any fixed frame part in order to dampen the oscillations.
https://www.pieces-motos-mz.net/steerin ... e-car.html
Many thanks,
Daniel

[Blurredman]

That link is broken I am afraid..

[Puffs]

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[DAVID THOMPSON]

one of my older BMW bikes had one of these type dampers
even with new fiber disks it did not work very well..and resulted in a
very bad wobble when too tight
i removed it so it did not hurt someone

the earls fork works well with the newer tapered bearings in the head stalk
and good shocks
3.5x18 tires my r50s can be ridden in parking lots with no hands on the bars

[Daniel_I]

That link is broken I am afraid..

link seems to work from my end

[Daniel_I]

Maybe this one: https://www.pieces-motos-mz.net/amortis ... e-car.html.

<That link doesn't seem to work for me>

It works on friction, and one of the rings (the one with the hook) should attach to the frame while the others should rotate with the triple clamps. Hydraulic ones are probably preferred for their action. But not so much for looks on a historic bike - do you really need it?

<The wobble gets pretty bad when i throttle back OR have a bit of a load on the rear rack... Thx>

If I remember correctly they used to have things like this on MX sidecar combinations.

<This link should work> https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steering-Dampe ... B0787ZH1Q8

[Puffs]

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[Puffs]

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[Daniel_I]

Maybe this one: https://www.pieces-motos-mz.net/amortis ... e-car.html.

It works on friction, and one of the rings (the one with the hook) should attach to the frame while the others should rotate with the triple clamps. Hydraulic ones are probably preferred for their action. But not so much for looks on a historic bike - do you really need it?

If I remember correctly they used to have things like this on MX sidecar combinations.

Hi 'Puffs',
3 years since I last posted on this. Thanks for your reply. I've been owner building and doing other things... but want to get the MZ steering resolved again... after getting it going again and riding yesterday and the wobbling was SO bad...
I discovered why the damper never worked properly. The 'hooked' washer ring which is supposed to held fixed by a 'finger' coming down from the frame... well, the finger isn't there! What is there is a remanent of what it was... with welds either side. The 'finger which doubles as steering limit must have broken off (it looks broken in the middle) when it must have fallen over. When I bought it I saw dents in the petrol tank where the handle bars had come into contact with it... so the steering limiting was non-functional when I bought the bike in 1980. Now all I need is a photo on what it should look like and I'll make one. No picture in the Haynes or original manual... so I'll try one of the European suppliers... unless ofc you can help. Many thanks

[Puffs]

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[mr_luke]

This photo of the steering stop on my frame isn't very good, but it does show that it is very simple.

I made and fitted the damper shown in the photo, because mine wobbled to the extent that it was annoying, but certainly not unrideable. I can tighten it down just enough that it won't wobble, without there being a noticeable drag on the bars, so I'm quite happy with it.

Like Puffs, though, if it's wobbling enough that you don't think it's safe, I would very carefully check over the rest of the cycle parts first. Wheel bearings, steering head bearings, swinging arm bushes, etc.

Do you have a luggage rack fitted?

[Puffs]

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[Daniel_I]

This photo of the steering stop on my frame isn't very good, but it does show that it is very simple.

IMG_5971.JPG

I made and fitted the damper shown in the photo, because mine wobbled to the extent that it was annoying, but certainly not unrideable. I can tighten it down just enough that it won't wobble, without there being a noticeable drag on the bars, so I'm quite happy with it.

Like Puffs, though, if it's wobbling enough that you don't think it's safe, I would very carefully check over the rest of the cycle parts first. Wheel bearings, steering head bearings, swinging arm bushes, etc.

Do you have a luggage rack fitted?

Yes indeed. Between riding it 2 years ago and now I fitted a largish top box onto the back luggage rack. I am sure that has changed things somewhat. MZ-B in Hungary stock the steering stop... and I've ordered it. About 12 Euros including postage. I'll weld it up and re-attach the damper. The frame seems okay with nothing loose or cracked. I think that me being quite light (around 62Kg these days) and the top box, may be the reason for the wobbles. I'll keep you posted. Many thanks to both you and Puffs for your help.