Steering Damper Spring

[Seadog]

I'm installing a new handlebar on my CB77 and freshening everything up nearby as I do it, replacing rusty and buggered screws, etc. My efforts include the steering damper parts. I have a question regarding the star-shaped steering damper spring (part number 53763-268-010). I've just soaked my rusty spring in Evapo-Rust overnight and it now appears that it had black paint on it (see photos). Was this spring originally painted or was it originally blackened steel? I can renew it with either method, but wanted to check with those here that have a definitive answer.

[LOUD MOUSE]

No paint.
Just black steel.
You may even see silver as there are 3 different designs of that part. ...................lm

I'm installing a new handlebar on my CB77 and freshening everything up nearby as I do it, replacing rusty and buggered screws, etc. My efforts include the steering damper parts. I have a question regarding the star-shaped steering damper spring (part number 53763-268-010). I've just soaked my rusty spring in Evapo-Rust overnight and it now appears that it had black paint on it (see photos). Was this spring originally painted or was it originally blackened steel? I can renew it with either method, but wanted to check with those here that have a definitive answer.

[Seadog]

Thanks LM. It'll be blackened when I get to it. I've cleaned up the other bits and will replace them later. I do have another question though.

I've sorted all of the cleaned pieces and roughly reinstalled them to see why I've been having some trouble with this damper assembly. It never really worked very well, but then I never really needed it, so I just ignored it until now. It seems to me that the damper nut that fits into the star washer should fit into something else. The parts diagram shows another "damper nut" (part # 90319-268-000) that I don't seem to have. Does that other damper nut fit into the bottom of the steering stem, then mate with the lower one? Take a look at the photos, below. There's something in the bottom of my steering stem that I would guess fits the bill, except that the damper nut does not fit inside it. Should that nut in the stem pop out? It seems quite stuck. Any ideas?

[pemdoc65]

The damper nut should fit into the slot at the bottom of the steering stem, which should keep the nut from turning when you turn the steering damper handle above. I believe that there were different versions of the damper nut as well as the star shaped spring. Some were wider than others, so they won't interchange.

[Seadog]

Thank you, pemdoc65. I feared as much; some previous owner has made a mess of it. As you can see in the last photo, the damper nut from the star shaped spring does not fit into its counterpart on the steering stem. Time to break out the caliper and measure both. I have no idea how I'd find the correct parts combination. Perhaps the flats on the nut can be thinned down a bit to fit.

The damper nut should fit into the slot at the bottom of the steering stem, which should keep the nut from turning when you turn the steering damper handle above. I believe that there were different versions of the damper nut as well as the star shaped spring. Some were wider than others, so they won't interchange.

[Seadog]

A few strokes with a file to both flats on the damper nut and it fits into its counterpart on the steering stem quite well. Problem solved.

[G-Man]

Seadog

If you can get measurements - I may be able to find a suitable nut / spring for you. I bought some spares recently just to get the spring clips for the topp handle.

G

Thank you, pemdoc65. I feared as much; some previous owner has made a mess of it. As you can see in the last photo, the damper nut from the star shaped spring does not fit into its counterpart on the steering stem. Time to break out the caliper and measure both. I have no idea how I'd find the correct parts combination. Perhaps the flats on the nut can be thinned down a bit to fit.

The damper nut should fit into the slot at the bottom of the steering stem, which should keep the nut from turning when you turn the steering damper handle above. I believe that there were different versions of the damper nut as well as the star shaped spring. Some were wider than others, so they won't interchange.