G'Day Toledo,
As mentioned above I experienced exactly what you did with the two mounting bracket bolts being slightly too long but definitely no issue with the damper clamp/bolt.
I used the spacer on the right side and as I have an 07 with no ABS but that obviously made no difference to the bolts being too long.
I guess it just wasn't that big an issue to me as it was pretty straight forward to resolve.
But of course you are 100% correct when you say it should not have been like that.
You sound exactly like me when it comes to things being just right so pisser about the scraped anodising but hopefully its on the bottom and out of sight.
Not trying to rub it in but I was so careful when sliding in the damper itself as there was no way I was scratching that puppy considering what I paid for it.
Sorry again you've had hassles...
2012 Metalic Spark Black Kawasaki ZX-14R.
Yoshimura carbon R-77 slip ons,Custom dyno ECU flash,Striker rearsets,Hyperpro RSC steering damper,HM Plus quickshifter,ASV C5 levers,Hel SS transparent red front/rear brake and clutch lines,Kawasaki/MRA vented spoiler screen,Carbon heel guards,R&G radiator guard,Powerbronze carbon rear hugger,ZX-10 front fender with fender extender,Yoshimura frame sliders,M-Factory rear stand stoppers,Escort Redline radar detector,Techspec tank grips and tank protector,Versys 1000 fender eliminator,Kaoko cruise control,Moto red oil cap,Oxford heated grips,Red magnetic oil drain plug,Red and black Bagster Spider rear seat bag (for touring only).