Steering damper with Webb forks

[Roy Fisher]

Could anyone give me any guidance regarding the necessity of a steering damper on the middleweight Webb forks on my 1927 Flyer. The machine is in solo form & I have no plans to fit a sidecar although I do intend to fit the original ‘kite’ forks at some point. The machine is currently fitted with Webb middleweight forks with no apparent privision for a damper – not even a hole for the spindle in the nut on the top of the steering head. I’ve only just got the machine on the road and have done a few gentle miles on it. It seems perfectly stable but I am concerned about the safety of the present setup. There has been no hint of wobble or any other instability but this is my first experience of girder forks and I would appreciate any advice or comments from anyone with more experience than I have.

Many thanks.

Roy Fisher

[lewis onions]

Hello Roy

I have Webb heavy weight forks on my 1928 Flyer but although I do have a hole there is no steering damper in it. Nonetheless I have had no problems with wobbles etc despite travelling around 450 miles with it earllier this (so called) summer. I’m not sure but not all Webb forks have provison for a steering damper.

Regards

[Roy Fisher]

Thanks for that Lewis, that’s re-assuring. I’ll proceed with caution with my existing set-up for a while at least.

Regards

Roy Fisher

[BRIAN MARSHALL]

Hi Roy. You should be perfectly O.K. without a damper as the Flying Squirrel Tourer with Webb forks was not supplied with a damper. It was available as an “extra” at additional cost. It came as standard on the FS deluxe and TT Rep and Sprint Special.
Regards and best wishes, Brian.

[Roy Fisher]

Many thanks Brian. I must admit that it never occurred to me that there was no steering damper in the first place, probably because the machine was such a bitsa with so much missing or wrong when purchased. It’s gradually being returned to original specification although it will never be truly ‘original’.

Regards

Roy Fisher

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