How to Fit an Andre Steering Damper
- Andy Marks
- Jul 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 27
An Andre steering damper is the finishing touch on many pre and post-war racing bikes. This guide explains how to identify the correct Andre steering damper for your bike before taking you through the complete fitting process step by step.
Selecting the Correct Damper
Before we go any further, it is important that you select the correct type and size of Andre Steering Damper. At Kingpin Components we offer two types, with a couple of options for each.
These were typically fitted to competition machines in the late 1920's and early 1930's including OHC Velocettes.
These came along in the early 1930's to replace the 2 plate version shown above.
Fitted as standard to:
Pre-war Norton Model 30 and 40 International
Post-war 'Garden Gate' 30M and 40M Manx
Excelsior Manxman
Motobecane
Later OHC Velocettes
The diameter of the fork insert varied for different bikes so please ensure you order the correct one.
Disassembly
All of our Andre Steering Dampers are sent out fully assembled but will need some disassembly in order to fit them. As you can see from the exploded models above, there are a quite a few parts that go into a single damper but please don't worry, it's not as complicated as it first looks.
Undo the screw on top. This is left hand thread and we leave it loose for shipping. It is also coated with a smear of copper slip. Don't be tempted to wipe this off and, if you do, please replace it with something to stop the thread galling.
Unscrew and remove the adjuster knob. This is a normal right hand thread.
You can now lift the thackery washer, spring washer and complete set of friction and plain discs out as one assembly. These don't need to be separated so can be put to one side as is.
Unhook the central, threaded T-piece
This is as much disassembly as is needed for fitting. You will now be able to see the bolt head in the bottom of the brass body. This allows you to tighten the clamp in the fork stem.
Fitting the Andre Steering Damper
Now that you have the damper apart you are ready to fit it to your bike by following the steps outlined below.
1) Clamp the Assembly into the Fork Stem
You will need a socket and possibly an extension bar to do this. Drop the stainless fork clamp down into the fork stem until the shoulder hits the top of the tube or the nut, rotate the damper until the spring (only fitted on the 4 plate type) and narrow cut out are facing forwards. Tighten the central bolt to clamp the assembly into the forks.
Two points to note:
You might need to slacken the central bolt slightly before the assembly will slide into place
The spring clip (only fitted on the 4 plate type) is free to slide in and out. You need to get this in the right place now to apply some pressure on the adjusting knob once it is fitted.
2) Hook the Threaded T in Place
The threaded T-piece can now be hooked back into place. Note the angled corner on one end to allow this, it doesn't matter whether this faced forwards or backwards.
3) Fit Friction and Steel Plates as One
If you kept the plates together these can now be slid back on. If they have been separated, they go together as follows from bottom to top:
Friction Disc
U-plate containing two friction discs either side of the plain plate with the small tag pointing downwards
Friction Disc
Plain plate with large tag pointing down to engage with small tag in the middle and locate in the cutaway in the brass body
4) Fit the Star Washer and the Thackery Washer
Ensure the star washer is fitted the correct way up as shown in the image and drop the thackery washer on top of this
5) Screw Knob and Left-Hand Screw Into Place
Bend the spring clip (4 plate type only) back just far enough to clear adjusting knob and screw this down until it stops the plates and star washer from rattling. Final position of this will be set once the bike is in use.
Screw the top screw fully home (left hand thread) after ensuring there is a smear of copper slip or similar on the thread.
6) Fit the Anchor to the Tank or Frame
This varies from bike to bike. The anchor needs to be 1" wide and take a 5/16" bolt on the damper end to clamp up tight. The other end then either loops onto the frame as shown on the Norton International or bolts to the top of the tank, as is common on earlier Nortons and Velocettes. We sell a basic kit to allow you to make these to suit your application.
Before riding, check that the damper moves smoothly throughout the full steering movement without the anchor fouling the tank, frame or cables.
Our Range of Steering Dampers and Spares
As well as the two types of Andre Steering Dampers shown below, we also sell a wide range of Andre Steering Damper Parts in our online shop, please take some time to have a look and Contact Us if you have any questions.
What Would You Like to Do Next?
View our range of Andre Steering Dampers and associated parts
Return to Technical
Return to Product Information
Comments