rear drive dampers

[Patrick]

I haven't been hanging here for quite some time.
But, just thought I'd post this. I don't think Glenn would mind.
A friend just let me know that he installed a set of Gary's [ Ecmann, I think] drive dampers and they failed within 12K ruining the ring and pinion along the way.
I'm one that bought a set many years ago, they are still new in the bag collecting dust in the parts bin. I need to attach a note to never use them. I remember that folks didn't have good luck with them.

[Jess from VA]

Patrick, it was my understanding that an early batch of those dampeners disintegrated/crumbled rather quickly after instal.  I got two later sets, and they have been in my bikes for many miles (3-4 years) on car tires (and the left double row wheel bearing mod), and all is very well.

I think Gary made good on replacing the early failures on request, and all subsequent manufacture was of good quality polyurethane. 

Anyone correct my memory if I am wrong.

[mellowyellow#7933]

Patrick, it was my understanding that an early batch of those dampeners disintegrated/crumbled rather quickly after instal.  I got two later sets, and they have been in my bikes for many miles (3-4 years) on car tires (and the left double row wheel bearing mod), and all is very well.

I think Gary made good on replacing the early failures on request, and all subsequent manufacture was of good quality polyurethane. 

Anyone correct my memory if I am wrong.

+1
I have Gary's installed also for over 100,000 kms & they are still in good shape. I guess you would have to find out what version you have if that is possible or just try them & check on them once in a while.

[Patrick]

Patrick, it was my understanding that an early batch of those dampeners disintegrated/crumbled rather quickly after instal.  I got two later sets, and they have been in my bikes for many miles (3-4 years) on car tires (and the left double row wheel bearing mod), and all is very well.

I think Gary made good on replacing the early failures on request, and all subsequent manufacture was of good quality polyurethane.  

Anyone correct my memory if I am wrong.

OH, OK. Guess I didn't know that, but, mine are some of his originals I believe. An old board member here just had them fail after 12K. So I don't think they were installed that long ago, but, then, I'm not sure about that either. He sent a pic and there was nothing left of them. My originals were still in good last time I looked at them, I probably shouldn't have said that considering Murphy and I being such good friends.
Anyway, things may be changing. I was told the ring gear had failed, but, it hasn't been opened up yet, so,,,,

[sandy]

Sadly Gary passed away a few years ago. Better look elsewhere for replacements.

[gordonv]

I bought my 1st set direct from Gary in Sept 2010, on my way to the annual Anacortes Oyster Run in WA. A second set the year before he passed away, which I think was in 2011. These where after the bad batch was done and gone with.

[quexpress]

I haven't been hanging here for quite some time.
But, just thought I'd post this. I don't think Glenn would mind.
A friend just let me know that he installed a set of Gary's [ Ecmann, I think] drive dampers and they failed within 12K ruining the ring and pinion along the way.
I'm one that bought a set many years ago, they are still new in the bag collecting dust in the parts bin. I need to attach a note to never use them. I remember that folks didn't have good luck with them.

Hi Patrick,
I've had Gary's drive dampers for 10 to 12 years in my Tourer. This winter, I realized that they were a "bit loose" and added a small rubber shim in each (piece of bicycle tubing).
They are now nice and tight! 

[Patrick]

I haven't been hanging here for quite some time.
But, just thought I'd post this. I don't think Glenn would mind.
A friend just let me know that he installed a set of Gary's [ Ecmann, I think] drive dampers and they failed within 12K ruining the ring and pinion along the way.
I'm one that bought a set many years ago, they are still new in the bag collecting dust in the parts bin. I need to attach a note to never use them. I remember that folks didn't have good luck with them.

Hi Patrick,
I've had Gary's drive dampers for 10 to 12 years in my Tourer. This winter, I realized that they were a "bit loose" and added a small rubber shim in each (piece of bicycle tubing).
They are now nice and tight! 

Hey Normand !
Glad to see you're still around. 
I got a set from Gary many many years ago and don't know if they are 1st or 2nd generation. 
So, I may find some other strange use for them some day, maybe.
I remember some of the conversations about fellas 'shimming' the dampers. I don't see why it wouldn't work.
Do you still come down across the border anymore ?
I saw a couple bikes with plates from your area of the Great White North way down in Key West awhile ago and was wondering if one belonged to you. One was a 1300.

[quexpress]

I remember some of the conversations about fellas 'shimming' the dampers. I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Apparently it's a common fix. Mine didn't need much shimming. The were "almost" tight.

Do you still come down across the border anymore ?

Is the Pope Catholic LOL? I certainly do Patrick.
Sometime in the future, I plan on riding the Finger Lakes again. I will certainly contact you well ahead of time if/when I do.

 

I saw a couple bikes with plates from your area of the Great White North way down in Key West awhile ago and was wondering if one belonged to you. One was a 1300.

How I wish ... I was up here playing in the snow.

[Bagger John - #3785]

Patrick and Normand...there's a couple of names I recognize from way back.

Gary's death comes as a surprise - I bought several things from him over the years, and sent him parts as well. Additionally, a batch of Remington 44 Mag brass in my reloading inventory came from him.

A late farewell, Bruor. Perhaps your Adventure and my future Super Adventure will some day cross tire tracks, physically or metaphysically.

[Patrick]

Hi John

How are you ?

Gary's death was a surprise, far too young.

Quite a few from this forum are gone. Too bad.

[Bagger John - #3785]

Hi John

How are you ?

Gary's death was a surprise, far too young.

Quite a few from this forum are gone. Too bad.

It seems every time I dig into one of these threads I learn of someone else's passing. Last year, of course, it was Wayne of Wayne's World. My I/S and Tourer wear a couple of his accessories and will for as long as I have them.

Damn...I feel old. It seems like only yesterday I was looking at the Just Pics area, drooling over #1180's Dron-fairing-equipped Tourer and some other member's clean black Standard with a pair of straight cut Truck Stacks in place of the stock Honda exhaust tips - this in '99 prior to the purchase of the first of several F6s I've owned. It seems like the day before yesterday that I saw my first Valkyrie in person at MAC Honda of Ashland, where I was picking up the third Gold Wing I've owned. (The Valkyrie was already sold or I would have ridden it out the door instead of the 'Wing...to be sure.)

I've often said that the Valkyries would be my last cruiser motorcycles, as they're a difficult act to follow. One hopes that enough replacement parts can be sourced from Honda and elsewhere to keep our machines on the road for years to come.

Guess it's time to add a few sets of OEM dampers to the parts stash "just in case".

[quexpress]

Patrick and Normand...there's a couple of names I recognize from way back.

Hey! Long time no see John! Nice to hear from you. 

Gary's death comes as a surprise.

It certainly did! Very nice guy! I liked him a lot! 

[Dusty]

  Patrick ,Normand , John . Nice to  hear some familiar names posting here.         I have a set of Gary's dampener's  that are holding up well. 50,000  Km


Dusty
Brian in B.C.

[Old Geezer Richard]

  I had bought some dampers and the last three sets of shock shims from Gary's wife Portia I believe a couple a years after Gary's passing  ... When I finally put the new dampers on this past Dec. , they were TIGHT as hell to get on .... Were Gary's home made dampers suppose to be a tight fit ???  anyway the next time I grease the rear drive I'll be taking a look see how these dampers are holding up .... Thanks the Geezer 

[Jess from VA]

Both sets of mine were very snug as well, I like them fine.

If you put them in upside down, they are too snug (and you can't get the cap plate on).