Sidecar steering damper

[Robert.Ottlinger]

Recently bought an 82 GL1100 Interstate with a Terraplane sidecar.

Drove it 113 miles home, then the steering damper rod broke 200 feet from home at 20mph, and wobbled like crazy.

I am having a hell of a time finding a replacement! It’s a Cofap damper, I even emailed Cofap in Brazil with the part info (translated my query into Portuguese too) and have not heard back from them.

All the online shops want to know what kind of vehicle it goes to, and there are no listings for an 82’ GL1100 with a Terraplane sidecar, so I cant even input the part dimensional specs.

I live in rural Wisconsin, so there’s no bike shops nearby either.

What can I do?

[WingAdmin]

Is there a part number on it that you can share?

[Rambozo]

If you can't get an exact replacement, you can get universal adjustable dampers. Might have to make some mounting bits to suit the hack frame.

[Robert.Ottlinger]

Not sure which is the part number so I’ll list them all one per line

22001 (date?)
ICGCMF
No. 57.500.001
2-A-4 (hand stamped)

AV.ALEXANDRE DE GUSMĀO, 1395-S.Andre-Sp (all one line)

[dnehasert]

United Sidecar Assoc. is the sidecar club. Go to www.sidecar.com
and ask there. You can find info and dealers available. Doug

[Robert.Ottlinger]

Great news, thanks Doug!

[dnehasert]

I forgot to mention that if you tighten the steering head bearings 5-10 ft-lbs over the specs that will reduce wobble. I have a 1982 Wing rig and if the setup is close, the wobble occurs around 25-35 mph. I haven't had a steering dampener on my wings since 1988. Have owned 4 GL1100's since 1985, great sidecar rigs. Doug

[Robert.Ottlinger]

I forgot to mention that if you tighten the steering head bearings 5-10 ft-lbs over the specs that will reduce wobble. I have a 1982 Wing rig and if the setup is close, the wobble occurs around 25-35 mph. I haven't had a steering dampener on my wings since 1988. Have owned 4 GL1100's since 1985, great sidecar rigs. Doug

I’ve read other posts of similar subject regarding no damper, good information, thanks again Doug!

[Ravyn]

I forgot to mention that if you tighten the steering head bearings 5-10 ft-lbs over the specs that will reduce wobble. I have a 1982 Wing rig and if the setup is close, the wobble occurs around 25-35 mph. I haven't had a steering dampener on my wings since 1988. Have owned 4 GL1100's since 1985, great sidecar rigs. Doug

I’ve read other posts of similar subject regarding no damper, good information, thanks again Doug!

I would assume by now you have found a dampener but if not take your old broken parts to a good NAPA parts store and see if they can match it up with something. It's not rocket science. Some VW steering dampeners work well. I do not have a dampener on my rig. I over tightened my steering head bearings and I have 0 wobble. Just make sure your new dampener has as much travel or more then the old one.

[Robert.Ottlinger]

Thank you for the info! I have NOT acquired a damper yet, I’ll probably go with a VW bug (not super beetle) my local Napa store closed down I’ll have to travel a bit to go to another one, thanks again!

[Ravyn]

Thank you for the info! I have NOT acquired a damper yet, I’ll probably go with a VW bug (not super beetle) my local Napa store closed down I’ll have to travel a bit to go to another one, thanks again!

Where do you live in Wisconsin ? I was born and raised in Fond du Lac. I have been out here on the west coast since 1986.