Hey Griso riders, I installed an Ohlins steering damper on a Griso and wanted to share how I did it. I know Guzzis are inherently stable, but any motorcycle can have a speed wobble. I had a full-on tank slapper on a cruiser that nearly did me in, so I want dampers for peace of mind. The best part of this install is it uses off the shelf parts with no fabrication.
I used a Polaris ATV clamp on the left frame tube [part number 2878906], Fast From the Past 53mm fork tube clamp on the left fork leg [part number ODM-53], and an Ohlins damper with 140mm stroke [part number SD 004]. The Polaris clamp has a ½” hole so you will also need an aluminum spacer from Aluminum Spacers.com [part number AS50-16-26] to reduce the hole to 8mm for the bolt through the damper’s heim joint. Note: the Polaris hole is undersized by a thousandth so you’ll need to run a ½” drill bit through it to open it up for the spacer. Cut out a piece of bicycle inner tube and use it as a cushion/shim under the Polaris clamp. It helps get a really snug fit. Use blue LockTite in all the right places and you’ll be good to go.
Here are photos showing the fitment. I have some extra spacers and would be happy to share them at no charge; just send me your address and I’ll send you one.
I used a Polaris ATV clamp on the left frame tube [part number 2878906], Fast From the Past 53mm fork tube clamp on the left fork leg [part number ODM-53], and an Ohlins damper with 140mm stroke [part number SD 004]. The Polaris clamp has a ½” hole so you will also need an aluminum spacer from Aluminum Spacers.com [part number AS50-16-26] to reduce the hole to 8mm for the bolt through the damper’s heim joint. Note: the Polaris hole is undersized by a thousandth so you’ll need to run a ½” drill bit through it to open it up for the spacer. Cut out a piece of bicycle inner tube and use it as a cushion/shim under the Polaris clamp. It helps get a really snug fit. Use blue LockTite in all the right places and you’ll be good to go.
Here are photos showing the fitment. I have some extra spacers and would be happy to share them at no charge; just send me your address and I’ll send you one.