Unused hex head screw on right side of steering stem

[markb]

On all of my sandcasts there was an M8 hex head screw on the bottom of the right side of the steering stem.  Does anyone know what it's for?  Also does anyone know what length it is and if it had a washer?  I forgot to make note of it when I removed it.
Mark

[markb]

Actually it might not have been all but certainly most of them.  I'm assuming it might have something to do with the steering dampener.  Anyone?

[Steve Swan]

hmm.  not sure exactly what you are referring to Mark.  Do you have a picture ?

[Sgt.Pinback]

This one?

[markb]

I think so.  This is a bottom view of the fork stem.  The hole I’m talking about is about half way to the left of the center.  From Sgt.Pinback's picture it looks like it is for a steering dampener.  I looked at a couple of my stems that have been removed and one looked like it had a screw in it and the other was full of dirt.  Maybe someone just put a screw in there to keep dirt out.  If no one else has seen a screw in there then there probably wasn’t one there from the factory.

[Steve Swan]

Mark, i thought that was the threaded hole you were referring to, but i wanted to make sure.  out of the approximately 20 sandcast/K0 bikes i've seen, i have not ever seen a bolt or screw in that threaded hole.

[Steve Swan]

This one?

Could you show all of that damper ?

[markb]

Mark, i thought that was the threaded hole you were referring to, but i wanted to make sure.  out of the approximately 20 sandcast/K0 bikes i've seen, i have not ever seen a bolt or screw in that threaded hole.

Thanks, that's good enough for me.  I won't worry about replacing the screw.

[Sgt.Pinback]

This one?

Could you show all of that damper ?

yes........

[Steve Swan]

Is that damper still available ?  If so, who is the source ?

[Steve Swan]

On all of my sandcasts there was an M8 hex head screw on the bottom of the right side of the steering stem.  Does anyone know what it's for?  Also does anyone know what length it is and if it had a washer?  I forgot to make note of it when I removed it.
Mark

Hi Mark,  i've re-read your above post.  i need your clarification.  Are you saying ALL your bikes have had a hex screw in this hole ?  (i can't recall ever seeing a srew in this hole....)  (looking at my 69.4 parts book, specifically the steering stem parts....  i see no mention calling for bolts EXCEPT #22, pn 9200-10040-0A, "BOLT, hex., 10x40, quantity 2)

my postulation......   for whatever the reason, Honda must have felt a steering damper was indicated, then changed their mind.....  as evidenced by the  bracketing on the lower neck area of frame.  And, the threaded hole in the steering stem.  i am guessing Honda could not justify the cost of a steering damper be passed on to the retail customer.  And, then the bike could not be priced for less than $1500.  $1495, as it were.

Clearly "pinback" has put this threaded hole to good use.  However, i doubt Honda had in mind a hydraulic damper, but a friction disc type that would have connected to the bracketing on the bottom of frame steering head.  (it seems somewhere, i have seen a picture of some particular 750 machine incorporating a steering damper....??  not sure where to begin looking to find this picture i imagine....)   seems the machine that may have had a damper was/is the silver drum braked "Bob Hansen" machine....  

[markb]

In the first post I did say all and recanted in my second post.  Kinda like telling the wife "all my friends have more than one sandcast". 
I am very certain that there was a bolt in two of my bikes, one maybe being the early KO and the other 1553.  And as I recall there was some kind of home made bracket on one of them and I recall pondering more than once the purpose.  This is no place for exaggeration where everyone is trying to do things right.  Sorry.  There definitely wasn't one on 97. 

[Steve Swan]

Oh, Mark.  i just wanted to make sure i had not missed something.  i'd believe there was a bolt in the hole; there's so much we don't know and as we all know with these sandcasts, anything's possible.

[Sgt.Pinback]

Is that damper still available ?  If so, who is the source ?

I dont know / think so.

Got one here in great condition.
6 times adjustable.

[Steve Swan]

Very nice !