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04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 11:27 am Aug 05 2012
by JSK4
I had a friend install a used scotts damper on my bike and I was wondering if anyone else here that had one on there KDX could look at this to see if it was installed correctly. It is upside down, which I read was ok but I just wanted some reassurance before taking it out for a ride. Also was curious about the settings others might be using for single track trail riding (roots & rocks no sand).
Thanks!

04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 03:49 pm Aug 05 2012
by dfeckel
That is a-okay. I mount my Scotts the same way on my hybrid and my Husky.
04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 05:08 pm Aug 05 2012
by B737driver
Im sure that will work. This is my setup on an '04. I bought it used from a guy that had it on a KX 250. I have KX forks, so had to get the tower for a KDX so it would fit the neck.

04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 11:45 am Aug 06 2012
by JSK4
Thanks for the reply's.
By the way I don't usually post here because I can usually find my answer by searching other posts so thanks kdxrider for the great forum!
B737, I have to admit cosmetically I like the way yours is mounted more, even if it doesn't make a difference in performance.
Like I said I have never seen a picture of a KDX with it upside down. So if you can just mount it the way I did why would someone spend the extra money on the tower? I understand why you did with the KX forks (btw: I would like to do the fork conversion as well) but others?
04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 11:59 am Aug 06 2012
by SS109
JSK4 wrote:Like I said I have never seen a picture of a KDX with it upside down. So if you can just mount it the way I did why would someone spend the extra money on the tower? I understand why you did with the KX forks (btw: I would like to do the fork conversion as well) but others?
Uh, yours should have a tower as well otherwise how would it actually attach to the frame of the bike?
Re: 04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 12:40 pm Aug 06 2012
by Julien D
I was gonna say, looks like that damper won't do a thing. Doesn't appear to have a damping arm connected to the frame.
04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 01:02 pm Aug 06 2012
by scheckaet
at this point it's really just bling factor...looks good but doesn't do anything.
Re: 04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 01:47 pm Aug 06 2012
by kawagumby
B737driver's second picture shows how the scotts needs to be mounted - the scotts pivot point needs to share the same center as the steering stem, the rest is just a matter of getting the thing linked up to a frame pivot. What's the point of the backwards mounting?
Hey, B737driver; Are your forks shortened? If not, your geometry is wrong - you need to get some risers so the forks can be slid up higher in the triples - if yes, that's cool.
04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 02:03 pm Aug 06 2012
by Fatherof2
Adding a Scotts damper to my KDX was one of the very best mods I have made.
04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 03:50 pm Aug 06 2012
by JSK4
Sorry maybe I used the wrong term "tower". I was not present when he installed it but he said there was a clearance issue when in stalled the other direction.
I realize I should be doing things myself but am very new to working on the bike and didn't trust myself doing it. I'm learning...
Anyways I took a couple more pictures. It is working when I rode it (maybe even to stiff), I just putted in the driveway so didn't try playing with the setting yet. Since I bought it used I'm not sure what the previous owner had it setup for.

04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 04:40 pm Aug 06 2012
by Julien D
That should work. You'll need to play with the settings to get it how you like it. It's a very personal thing, depending on how and where you ride.
04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 11:29 pm Aug 06 2012
by JSK4
Julien D wrote:That should work. You'll need to play with the settings to get it how you like it. It's a very personal thing, depending on how and where you ride.
Thanks Julien.
Next task: Dyna Ring! I just need to buy a torque wrench first.
I hope I don't run into the issues sped66 had on the thread here

04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 09:22 pm Aug 07 2012
by JSK4
Now I get it.....I should have at least did some research before posting here.
So I took the bike out to play with the settings today and I knew something was wrong. It was to tight and making a creaking noise.
I pulled it off the bar mount and:
The tower pin was carving into the stabilizer. I know that you can adjust the tower pin height but now that I understand the way everything works I'd like fix it to the normal position. I bought this used from someone that had the same bike I have so I don't understand why he would have reversed the link arm.
So reversing the damper on the bar mount is no problem but on the scott's site they recommend using a link arm puller that they sell to reverse the link arm. Has anyone here reversed there link arm without using there tool?
Re: 04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 07:22 am Aug 08 2012
by dfeckel
You will need the special puller to remove the arm. Maybe there is a way to do it without the special tool, but I'd hesitate to experiment with such an expensive component. In your pictures, it shows the tower pin is not fully inserted into the tower. Make sure that there is no obstruction in your tower preventing the pin from sliding all the way in until the black collar bottoms on the tower. Also make sure that the pin is greased and can rotate side-to-side smoothly.
04 KDX200 scotts steering damper
Posted: 10:27 am Aug 08 2012
by B737driver
The Scotts guys were very helpful when I was trying to get mine setup correctly. The manual for the damper is also available. The top of the pin should be level with the top of the tower.