Ohlins shocks install tips..

[jocflier]

Ok, everyone here are some tips if you install your own Ohlins or anyone elses for that matters..(1)Rear shock..If you have Staintune exhaust you are going to have to remove one of pipes..Reason..There is very little room between the two pipes.The head of the bolt holding the bottom of the shock will not clear between them.(2)mounting the bracket for the adjuster for the compression..i.e.(sag)be sure to use the lock nut that comes with the shock.Even through the bolts goes into the welded nut for the passager peg.The lock nut will really help in keeper the bracket in place..Front shock.(1).remove the rear tire..(yep)remove both side panels.you are going to have to raise the bike in the front about 8-10" off the ground in order take the weight off the front wheel to get the shock out.I use a floor jack to do this..removing the rear tire let you get the clearance you need.If you don't the bike will want to balance between the jack and the rear tire.(not good)You will need to relocate you horn..no big deal and Ohlins give you everthing to do this..Hope this information helps anyone who is going to install there new shocks....Rick

[Jon Green]

Rick,

A question about the front unit; does the ohlins rebound adjuster pop up in the same place as the stock unit? And how accessable is the preload screw once fitted?

I would like to be able to change the preload when taking a pillion.

My ohlins dealer cannot tell me as they have not supplied one for an S.

Regards, Jon

[Pete Osta]

Rick, I can answer the one of your questions as I recently installed an Ohlins on the front of my bike. Yes the adjuster comes up teh very same hole as the stock unit. I did not remove the rear tire or the body panels when I changed mine. I did use a floor jack to raise the front end and I used tie down straps going from the grips to a bar I have hanging from the ceiling in my garage. This was to provide stability while the bike was on the floor jack and the back tire. Total; time for the swap out was about an hour.
Pete

[jocflier]

Jon,

Pete is right about the unit fitting in the same location.Also,when removing the stock rebound knob from the top of the shock;Be very carefull.There is a small spring and ball under the knob that will fly out if you are not carefull.(don't ask how i know)8)..

I also felt that removing the side panel gave me a little more room to work.(big arms and hands)With the rear tire removed and the bike jack up from the front of the motor the bike stayed balanced on the jack and centerstand.(if you have one)..

Adjusting the compression(sag) is kind of a *****.(another reason for removing the side panels)There is just not very much room to try to use the spanner wrench that comes with the shock.

Good luck

Rick

[SpaCovers]

I just ordered mine from http://www.ohlins.nl
Roger Albert wrote on 3-22-00: "The front shock is part number BM 842 and of general type 36PR (preload / rebound). The rear shock is part BM 841, and of type 46PRCS.(preload/rebound/compression/ hydraulic-preload)
And finally my question, does Ohlins make a long and a short shock for the rear like the Special Edition S.

[roger albert]

Hi,

Last time I checked, a longer shock wasn't available, at least not as a stock/line-item. The shocks are pretty modular. I'd bet that the folks at PPS could set you up a longer shock. Note, if you're a light rider, you may want to have the high speed compression damping reduced. Pretty stiff on the Öhlins box stock in general. (and horrible on my duc now that its shod with incompliant Pirellis (love how they steer though))

later

[SpaCovers]

Who is PPS?
And would I still buy from ohlins.nl?
Or does PPS have there own line of shock.

[SpaCovers]

One more thing on alittle different subject.
What do the front forks do for suspention besides big nice guilds. Others bikes have the shock and spring in the forks, right?

[roger albert]

Hi,

PPS is Pettersson Pro Suspension (sp?) They're the main Öhlins service center in the states and have a very good rep. I don't have the contact info handy, but the web should offer them up. The shocks are probably higher from them (definitely) but not much more than getting them from the .nl guys and then getting them calibrated or modified. W. Kroom are pretty help as well, and will at a minimum get you set up with the proper spring for no extra charge. They should be more than qualified to change whatever else you might like. Probably a matter of personal preference in the old Mail-order vs "local" purchase debate.

As for the forks, they basically act as a mount for the front axle and the clip-ons and provide the steering. Other than a wheel attach point, they don't serve any traditional suspension function. That's the beauty of the Telelever. Steering, Braking, and Bump absorption are nearly completely decoupled.

regards
roger

[SpaCovers]

Just wondering since a friend with a duc said I should upgrade to the Ohlins forks. First they don't make any for my bike and didn't know if it was even nececcary.
Thanks for the fire power.