That elusive Fluidbloc Steering Damper

[frankenwing]

I went through the search on this site to try to find a good source for replacing the fluidbloc steering damper but can't seem to find any information on where to buy a replacement.

The one that was in my project was shot and garbage. I've managed to remove it. (of which btw, how the hell are you supposed to get one out/in without destroying it?!)

I've read on here a lot of mixed opinions regarding the damper. Some say you'd be fine with out it. But it's meant to add stability at high speeds, and since this bike is one that I'll do a lot of traveling on with my wife I'm inclined to think I should have it on there. (Open to more opinions).

I want to say that someone through the idea out there for replacing the damper with an external one. Thoughts or experience doing this?

The closest I can get to finding the part online is here, but its unclear to me if/what the part is actually listed. #2 seems like its just a part of the damper, and the line below sounds like it would just be the lubricant. But if I understand correctly, BMW doesn't sell just the lubricant anymore, and the whole damper is sold as a single piece with the lube in it already.


Source: https://www.ascycles.com/2/MicroList?id=51745&catID=31&catname=31%20Front%20axle,%20front%20suspension

[Martin]

Dow Corning make the grease as High Vacuum Grease, very thick silicone grease, also very expensive. I also use it under rubber boots on brake cylinders and fork dust covers to keep the crap out. Good luck finding a damper try Moto Bins or Motorworks both in the UK, also try them for a good second hand one. You have to remove the bearings to remove the damper.
Regards Martin.

[Laitch]

I went through the search on this site to try to find a good source for replacing the fluidbloc steering damper but can't seem to find any information on where to buy a replacement.

What year was your bike made? Forks types varied over the span of production.

[frankenwing]

1987

[rbm]

You don't "need" the fluid bloc damper.  The steering on the K75 has sufficient trail to impart stable control.  At low speeds, the fluid bloc may make the bike more stable but I've no damper on my K75 and have never noticed a problem.

[kennybobby]

The damper is just a piece of soft plastic smeared with thick viscous vacuum grease as has been mentioned.  The critical element which is not listed, and which improper adjustment causes the destruction of said damper, are the sharp pointed grub screws and jam nut, items 3 and 4 in the diagram.

Previous owners and other folks with no understanding will turn that screw in tight thinking it will help increase damping--but all it does is pierce the plastic and crack it open.  The damper works by adding a bit of drag to the rotation of the steering stem.  The grub screw is a light fit to just hold the piece in place with a little side load and let the grease do the damping.  To increase damping requires thicker grease, not tighter grubs.

The only time i've had tank slappers while riding with no-hands on the k75s was when the tires were either worn or under pressurized and i hit a bump or train tracks.

Aftermarket steering damper solutions exist if you feel you need some damping.  i've used them on track bikes, but haven't seen much need on kbikes for the street.

[Martin]

After a lot of searching I found a damper  part No 46512310218 for 23.45 pounds UK in Gift Boom UK. Looks like the part is in Latvia. Might or might not be still available???
Hope it helps regards Martin.

[Chaos]

They added the dampener to the k75 because it had less weight on the front wheel than the k100 and could start to wobble under certain conditions.  I like the idea of an external dampener, lots of kits out there and properly done it couldn't hurt anything.   

[Martin]

It is a bit of personal preference, I had a mate with an identical to mine K75S. We swapped bikes one day, I didn't like his as much his steering seemed a bit loose and vague and preferred my steering, a bit tighter and more precise ( my forks were also dropped through the trees 10mm ). To cut a long story short when replacing his bearings at a later date he found out he didn't have a damper. He replaced it and preferred it with the damper, I did not ride it with the damper in. I don't know whether it was replacing and adjusting the bearings that made a big difference or the damper. :dunno The damper should never require replacing unless you damage it by overtightening the grub screws as per Kennybobby or try to remove it without removing the bearings.
Regards Martin.