Broken Ohlins preload bracket - SOS!
 

So I am cleaning my bike yesterday, and to my surprise, I see the Ohlins pre-load adjuster hanging off my bike with part of the L shape bracket attached to the bike and part to the pre-load adjuster. Thankfully I have a lim-burger fender which kept the pre-load adjuster from becoming lunch for my rear wheel.

That said, I'm in deep crap right now. I'm supposed to leave on a trip wednesday, and I don't have access to a machine shop or the ability to fabricate one myself.

Has this happened to anyone else, and is there an on the road repair that works. Its pretty scary that this could have happened in a way that really could have been dangerous.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Robert

It's happened to quite a few. A couple threads here on it.
Worst case, cable ties will keep you on your trip w/o problem.

Of course, your real danger is not the broken preload adjuster bracket, but that darn Ilmberger hugger. It can cause a much bigger 'moment' going under the wheel than that adjustment cylinder.

At the track this weekend, a guys' front fender came loose and it pulled both his brake lines off. Exited the track at about 130mph. No fun.

Robert,

Roger is right. There have been a few posts about this. I used black tie wraps to secure mine until I could get another bracket. Rather than go back to Ohlins, I glued mine back together to use as a pattern and had a machine shop cut a replacement out of stainless. Tie wraps should get you through your trip, though.

-Jeff

If you have a new one made, make sure you don't just copy the original. Make the section where the break is about 1/4" wider. Also, there's a good chance you are in need of a good tuneup too. Those brackets seem to hold up ok until the engine vibes get a little too high. That's how mine went anyway. I now always carry a few black cable ties just in case it ever happens again, which it hasn't.

True, if you use the same lightweight material, you should improve the design rather than simply copy the flaws. Alternatively, you can use a stronger material.

-Jeff

hey motoyoyo:
good idea. i carry a few extra zip-ties in my toolkit. but i also mount two zip-ties on that bracket...just because...just in case. mine has never broken, but i've read the stories.

it sounds like the classic preventative zip could keep the Fat Chick Knob (FCK) from bouncing around and causing damage.
the zip-ties i install aren't tight, just barely snug enough to stay in place. i change them out about every 6k (again..."just because...just in case").

and the bracket works best when it's mounted flush against the frame on the outside, as shown.

http://www.bradzimmerman.com/bmw/bracket.jpg

if that jeff williams guy was any bit a man, he'd take off his bracket and get us some bids from a machinist to make a dozen or so replicas. i'd pop one in my toolkit for sure. it'd be worth big bucks out there on the open, twisty road if for instance...somebody like a high-living DOCTOR broke theirs and you just happen to have a spare for sale.
or, if you insist on using integrity, it sounds like an easy kill for a group buy thread, but i still favor the "bracket for ransom" concept. at least that method would sponsor a coupe of lunches at Nepenthe (sp) in Big Sur.

...brad
ps: question: can you feel that thing bouncing around back there when it breaks? it seems like it would make an awful lot of racket...or at least cause you to go "WTF? who's hitting me with that little ball-peen hammer? " the threads i've read seem to favor discovering the broken bracket post-ride, not during. what else does it beat up when it parts company?

I added a .09" (2.3 mm) thick aluminum backing plate to mine prior to initial installation. (Alum. scrap piece sitting around)
Laid the bracket on the alum., scribed and cut. Presto!
Search function could take you to a fellow member's idea of fabbing a bracket from CF stock from Aerostitch.
Hail zip-ties! ;)

Good luck.

That bracket is a P.O.S. I ordered a replacement from Ohlins USA for approx. $50.00 and it broke within a month. I ended up using zip ties.