Another Head Steady thread

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I read the Head Steady thread but it was not clear if the MKIII, with it's improved factory head steay, would benefit from the Dave Taylor unit. Does anyone have any experiece with the MKIII?

Thanks
 
Lizard King said:
I read the Head Steady thread but it was not clear if the MKIII, with it's improved factory head steay, would benefit from the Dave Taylor unit. Does anyone have any experiece with the MKIII?

Thanks

All 850 head steadies are stronger than 750 items and don't have the cracking problem that occured with the 750s.

The only further modification to the MkIII was the additional spring. I have fiddled around with mine and have to say that it didn't seem to make a blind bit of difference what I did.

The Norvil head steady improves straight line stability but I have to say that on my MkIII it seems to introduce a vibration-frequency head-shake.

My next step is to try a Taylor type rose jointed head steady; The theory all seems to make sense.

If you get one fitted before I do, let me know how you get on :)
 
Thanks. I was considering the Dave Taylor steady but I've got a limited budget for my project and am trying to prioritize. I'm not sure if the steady will make the cut.
 
I installed a taylor headsteady (with the MKIII spring) and am putz'in with its adjustment - still don't know if i have it dial'ed in correctly as it didn't really reduce my 3K vibration like I hoped it would, but the bike tracks nicely and seems to corner a bit better (that could be my fantasy though after spending the $ for it)

this afternoons project is playing with it a little more as i think it is sensitive to the height adjustment - sure looks a lot cooler than the other headysteadys though for those of us that constantly have the tank off

mike
 
Re spring, I spent a lot of time messing with spring adjustment and eventually chucked it away as it seems to make no difference! I have got rid of low revs vibes by bar end weights, rubber mounted steel handlebar grips and a tie bar on the bars to make them more rigid & reduce resonance. I can now do 250 miles without numb hands!
 
The Norton instructions for setting up the Mk3 spring are not very clear and completely wrong regards the spring length setting.
The spring should be mounted between the two barbs on the tube cover. The gap between spring trunion and adjuster plate for initial set up should be say 5/16".
Test ride the bike to assess the setting and if not happy tighten the adjusting nut by say half a turn for each test.
My own Mk3 that has a modified motor, runs very smoothly from tickover to 3000rpm then goes tubine smooth. I have its trunion gap set near near enough at 1/4", while a friend Mk2a has his set at 3/16"
Setting the spring is a little bit like setting the carb air screw a little too much either way will result in poor running.
If you still can't get rid of the vibes perhaps the link needs re centering or the spherical bearings are a little tight or require lubing.
 
ludwig said:
The spring will do nothing to reduce vibration . It's just to keep some of the engine weight off the main isolastics , to keep them centered .

I am glad there is another thread about this since I didn't get much feedback on the last thread about the head steadys. I was going to get the dave taylor version without the spring. Is it rcommended to get it with the spring? Will it negatively affect the MKIII isolastics and vibration without the spring?
 
I have a Dave Taylor head steady (without spring) fitted to one of my 750 commandos & find it a great improvement over standard item. It improves the handling no end. I have used a norvil head steady on another commando but did not rate this at all.
 
cash said:

O.k. so you are saying go with the spring type. If the spring is so important how come it is offered without as well a with?

The poster above (hursty) seems to have no problems without it. I'm curious now and want to get this straight before I buy one.
 
The spring gives you an adjustment that the factory thought necessary to fit to the Mk3. From experience some need it others don't. The springless version was originally offered for Mk3 owners as they've already got it.
Coco it's your call.

Another point to mention I've found and Hursty might agree, the ISOs don't need adjusting anywhere near as often.
 
cash said:
The spring gives you an adjustment that the factory thought necessary to fit to the Mk3. From experience some need it others don't. The springless version was originally offered for Mk3 owners as they've already got it.
Coco it's your call.

Another point to mention I've found and Hursty might agree, the ISOs don't need adjusting anywhere near as often.

I think I am picking up on what you are laying down here. MkIII stock Norton head steady has the spring. Older MkII Norton head steady had no spring.

The version of the Dave Taylor head steady for MkII has the spring as a retrofit, alternate version of dave Taylor head steady without spring is for the MkIII and utilizes stock factory Norton spring.

I could simply buy the version without the spring and use the one I have already if needed. Sorry if I sound a bit confused as I am but I think I get it now.
 
I know this forum reaches into the highest and most exclusive places but i never thought we would have the late, great, Jim Morrison on board,
Welcome The Lizard King.

Mike.
 
Correct, the head plate should come with two holes 1/4 UNC tapped ready to accept the adjuster bracket. If it doesn't you'll have to do it yourself, don't forget the motor is offset in the frame so the holes will be offset also.
 
Ash, I am amazed you and your friend could see any difference in vibes resulting from 1/16 inch difference in adjustment, I tried mine at allsettings from completely slack to max tension and could see no difference. I took the thing out. As I have already said I was getting very p****d off with level of vibration below 3500 which was causing numb hands & have been trying all sorts of things over the years resulting in present setup with rubber mounted hand grips + bar weights. I even tried hanging a huge weight from the engine itself to absorb vibes. This did sweet FA!!
 
Geoff, there is something major wrong with your bike, my 850 Mk2a shudders up to 2500 and then goes smooth as glass. Have you looked inside you isos to check the rubbers have not moved or are badly distorted.
 
Hi Geoff,

Kommando is right, you shouldn't be getting excessive vibration at or near 3500 r.p.m., there must be another problem, is your frame straight?

Mike.
 
Geoff, if you're near Cumbria pop in and you can try my old high mileage Commando.
 
Dave Taylor Head Steady

Does anyone know where I can review more details or purchase a Dave Taylor head steady?

I cannot find a website,

Cheers
 
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