Fluidbloc Steering Damper - K75S 1988

[Davidoff]

Hi I'm currently pulling the K75 apart and am about to replace the Steering Head Bearings as they are shot.  I'm wondering whether I need to refit the Fluidbloc Steering Damper?  If I do I will have to shorten the two 'pointy' bolts as I will not be refitting any of the existing body panels and brackets and the bolts will be too long.  Do I really need it, that is the question?
I seem to have read somewhere that the Fluidbloc Steering Damper was introduced on bikes with the 18" rear wheel, but as as mine has a 17" do I need it?
Any advise anybody can give would be much appreciated.

[volador]

[Laitch]

Do I really need it, that is the question?
I seem to have read somewhere that the Fluidbloc Steering Damper was introduced on bikes with the 18" rear wheel, but as as mine has a 17" do I need it?

The fluidbloc damper was installed as OEM on stock K75 Bricks that had 17"rear wheels so your recollection might be faulty. BMW believed that damper enhanced the performance of the steering and suspension; you have been endowed with free will so you can leave it off if you feel like leaving it off.

[rbm]

To keep it as original as possible, you could choose to reinstall it.  The K75 can be twitchy at low speeds so fitting the damper does improve the handling.  You can safely leave it off if you so choose.  One reason to ditch it is that the silicone grease that provides the damping action is not available any longer and if your damper is not performing properly, it could impact the steering.  If you replace the pointed bolts, there's no need to modify them.

[Laitch]

Martin has an alternative silicone grease he uses;  Maybe he'll post up what it is.

[Martin]

Dow Corning  make a silicone "High Vacuum Grease" that is really thick and will stand in for the OEM grease. Which was probably Dow Corning grease anyway. Be warned the grease isn't cheap $50.00 Au 20 years ago. I checked and it's still available and still expensive but one tube will last you quite a few lifetimes or longer. As per RBM I've ridden a 75 without the block and it was not as easy to ride at slow speed but at the time I didn't put it down to the Fluidbloc but the fact that it was low seat 75RT.
Regards Martin.

[Chaos]

Also know as "stop cock grease" 

[Martin]

  Yeeech

[Laitch]

To keep it as original as possible, you could choose to reinstall it.  .

Davidoff bought this as a café racer project; original is off the table. So far here, low speed handling anecdotes indicate that the damper does something for someone out there. Shortening a screw and restoring its pointed profile shouldn't pose much of a challenge to a motorcycle builder.