Scottie,
You would be wise to do a search on this site for "trail", which is the true measure of a bike's ability to maintain a straight line. Trail is the distance between a line drawn down to the ground thru your steering stem (not your forks), and a second line drawn vertically down thru your front axle. The other measurement you need is the set back of the steering tube behind the centerline of the fork tubes. Modern bikes use a rake angle (head angle) of around 25 degrees, but have less setback of the steering stem from the fork tube centerline. Older bikes used 30 degrees or more, but had more setback. 4" of trail or more are generally recommended for stability, but longer bikes may need more. I've heard the number 7% of you wheelbase but cannot confirm that that is the magic number. My bike uses 30 degrees of rake with only 1-5/8" of set back with a 72" wheelbase, which results in 4-1/8" of trail, which is about 6% of the wheelbase and works well so far (145 mph).
Steering dampers are a big question, as well. I've heard it said, set it as tight as possible, others say don't. If your steering geometry is good, and your components (forks, triple clamps, front axle clamps) are well designed and strong enough to prevent one one fork moving independently from the other, the steering damper will probably not even be needed, as the bike will have little or no tendency to get into a speed wobble. But if you do get into a wobble, then the steering damper is supposed to control it. Doesn't always work that way, especially if you hit a bump while accelerating at high speed. (Try putting the front wheel between your knees and try to move the handlebars. If you can twist them, your steering system is probably not strong enough. Try this with your old Indian, then try it on a modern bike in good condition with upside down forks. You will feel the difference.)
I should also mention that the strongest front end in the world will not make up for frame flexing nor swing arm nor rear axle flexing. Any weakness which could allow misalignment of the front and rear wheels is going to wreak havoc with handling. Just ask the boys who used to race the old Kawi triples!
Tom
