Remember the polyurethane dampers?

[Jess from VA]

I think it was Shock Bushing Gary (now RIP?) who sold the poly valk dampers (in lieu of the OE rubber ones).

An early batch (probably small) crumbled badly and he said it was a bad mix, and replaced them.  I don't recall any other complaints about them thereafter.  

Having got much better service out of poly motor mounts than rubber, I put them in both my interstates years ago, and they were fine and looked good through multiple rear tire changes (though those got less frequent with car tires).

Well holy crap, my first Interstate was having intermittent clutch issues for some time, and it turned out to be the (badly) sheard rivets.  But the poly dampers had (finally) crumbled badly; every one of the inserts had come out.  And a big nasty mess.

My second Interstate was having what I'll describe as a clutch take-up issue (ease the clutch out and there was take-up, followed by a clunk).  There was no clutch trouble, and no Ujoint trouble, but the dampers were completely gone, and I mean nothing but residual dust.  This bike always gets ridden more than the other.

I'm pretty sure these poly dampers went in at the same time (by big BF, working on both bikes years ago).  They worked very well for years (and multiple rear tires), but both sets have now crumbled to dust over the last year or more.  This did not result in any additional damage.  It must be age related (maybe use too).

So, anyone else who put these polyurethane dampers in and still has them, I'd get a set of rubber OE's and change them out with your next tire or rear end service. If you have them, and begin to notice a take-up/clunk on clutch release, go easy until you get a look in there.

Finally I have both bikes back in good running order.... not that I'm doing much riding in this cold weather (except to and from the shop).  Brrrr

[..]

I too had some dust. Immediately replaced with OEM.

[98valk]

yes I had a set of Gary's (died tragic accident on his property) that did that. I had the 2nd set gary sent me and had also bought the latest Honda version which is Polyurethane and have had zero problems with the Hondas. sold Garys to member yrs a ago.

[Jess from VA]

One of my bikes got new Honda dampers.  Are you saying new ones are poly, and not rubber?

The other bike got a set of OE rubber ones I took out and saved, and they remained perfect.

[98valk]

One of my bikes got new Honda dampers.  Are you saying new ones are poly, and not rubber?

The other bike got a set of OE rubber ones I took out and saved, and they remained perfect.

as far as I know the later OEM are poly.  comparing Gary's and the Newer OEM there was no difference, same hardness/firmness etc., eps. when compared to the early one4s I took out of my '98, which are definitely softer like rubber.

somebody else posted back in the day that the new ones where poly.

[Skinhead]

I bought 2 sets about a year ago (OEM Honda), both are rubber.

[SCain]

I used Gary's Dampers and Shock Bushings for years, they must have been the later ones because I never had a problem. Sold one of my Interstates a few years back and it had Gary's Dampers in it.

[Jess from VA]

My point in posting this story was that I had very good (to excellent) service from these dampers for like 12-15 years, and then they (both) just disintegrated about the same time.

Use the information how you will.

(new OE are still rubber)

[98valk]

I can't find the posts that stated that the later I/S dampers are a poly material and not rubber material like the non-I/S ones. similar to how it was reported that Honda started making the shock bushings poly esp the VTX bushings.  again I cannot find those posts.
When I compared Gary's vs the I/S ones I bought I could find and see zero difference btwn them, such as firmness and hardness.
I have close to 35k on the I/S dampers and still seem new.
and that is all I have to say about that. Forrest.

[Jess from VA]

Forrest, I cannot say whether Honda dampers may have some mix of rubber and poly, but believe they are more rubber than not (if not solid rubber).

The original distinction between Interstates and Std/Tourer dampers was that the drive inserts were factory installed, and not a 2-part purchase and install (and I think later discontinued as a 2-part assembly).  But I don't think the damper material itself was also different between models.   

[98valk]

The original distinction between Interstates and Std/Tourer dampers was that the drive inserts were factory installed, and not a 2-part purchase and install (and I think later discontinued as a 2-part assembly). 

yes I remember that.

[Avanti]

OEM dampers

[Jess from VA]

Those are nice clean breaks, I'm guessing with age and use.

My poly ones disintegrated into crumbles and dust.

[Bagger John - #3785]

I have a set of Gary's final drive bushings, and a few sets of his shock bushings. These N-I-Bag. Also been getting OEM versions here and there as I order various service parts - usually to make up enough to get free shipping.

The ones I installed in my original I/S and Tourer were still going strong when I sold the bikes about a decade ago. I installed Bru0r's parts on the I/S and Tourer I currently own and they've been doing their thing well - though the drivelines and chassis are inspected every time I change tires. Sometimes more frequently.

One other thing of Gary's which will live in memoriam, as some other stuff from my departed VRCC friends does:

He was an active shooter/reloader. Included in one batch of parts he shipped to me (in trade for parts I sent to him for his I/S project) was a big bag of 44Mag brass. I've since loaded and shot the cases numerous times and all the brass is holding up well - no need to do anything to them other than tumble, de-cap and clean primer pockets.

He ranks up there with Chet, Botman Nick, QueExpress and a lot of others who are no longer with us - on the board, or on this mortal coil. Y'all are missed.