Suspension clonk

[8541Hawk]

Also the only Ohlins I've ever seen for a firestorm has hydraulic preload, yours doesn't, could well be a shock originally intended for another bike that's been modified to fit, it's not uncommon, think Wicky's one was originally from a GSXR iirc

I have seen a few without the hydraulic adjuster.
When they first came out it was an option and some have also reto-fitted the manual adjuster as they don't like the hydraulic adjuster.
My guess would be that it is an early revision.

Also FYI there are Many revisions to the Ohlins VTR shock......somewhere between 10 and 15 total.
Not that I know what they did, just was asked when I sent mine in which revision it was.
Of course I had no idea but they figured it all out when they got it.

Hope you get it sorted as a good shock really makes a difference.
Though after I broke mine I am the poster child for sending stuff in to get rebuilt......it is a lot cheaper in the long run
Even if you get lucky like me and not toss the bike down the road when the shock lets go....

[Cadbury64]

Thanks again for the input fellas. It's a genuine VTR shock HO701 which is the same part number as the current listed model with the hydraulic preload.

I've managed to get the preload adjuster loose so I'll disassemble the shock and spring and see what I can find.


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[NZSpokes]

I found the stock spring rate on my Ohlins was out. Im on a 1000lb spring now. But as the local Ohlins agent calls me, Im well feed.

[Cadbury64]

If I look to the Racetech calculator I should need an 18 kg/mm spring, the Ohlins is 16.4 which is not a million miles off. I never had the stock suspension bottom so I'm expecting the Ohlins will be fine. I don't do track days and would rather err on the compliant end of the scale.


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[VTRDark]

Be aware that the Racetech calculator is not designed for street use. Their calculations are....lets say, a little more on the generous side. There's a thread on here somewhere regarding the Racetech calculator and IIRC not even Roger at revolution goes by their calculations. IIRC it best go with a slightly lighter spring than the calculator suggests.

http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... ht#p337010

http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=26473

(:-})

[Cadbury64]

Thanks Carl. I suspect you're right on the RT spring rate, but that's OK because I lie about my weight, so it all works out!

I got springs etc for my VFR's forks from Jamie Daugherty and he matched the RT recommendations for both spring and shims very closely. I do find the VFR is a little firm but on the plus side it is great when being used "in a brisk and spirited manner"!

I went the DIY route on my VTR and used a lighter spring (0.85kg/mm) and really like the way that works.


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[Cadbury64]

Well more fun and games grovelling on my garage floor extracting the Ohlins. As I loosened each pivot bolt I checked if the clonk was still present (and it was). Once out I was able to pull the spring off and bounce the bare damper up and down. The clonk sound comes from the seal head where the shaft enters the body. The bottom swivel bearing and bottom link/shaft joint are fine, so it seems as if the seal or related part is slightly loose. No sign of any leakage or shaft wear, so I'm hopeful the repair will be inexpensive. The shaft action is lovely and smooth so I would think the piston/ring etc are good.

Put my sad old OEM shock back in for the meantime,

[Cadbury64]

Well, I found out why they call it a "shock". As Donald Duck once said, "You should see the size of my bill"!

230 of your lovely British pounds later, the shock has been fully refurbished, and I've had the spring powdercoated as well. On the shock, both the top and bottom bushings were in a poor state, and the piston ring and shaft bushing were also showing wear. Based on the price of the parts, I can see why Ohlin's shock are that colour....

This has turned into an expensive exercise and certainly reinforces the comment above about false economy buying used parts. On the plus side, I now have a shock that should last longer that the bike, and for about half the price of a new Ohlins.

[NZSpokes]

Well, I found out why they call it a "shock". As Donald Duck once said, "You should see the size of my bill"!

230 of your lovely British pounds later, the shock has been fully refurbished, and I've had the spring powdercoated as well. On the shock, both the top and bottom bushings were in a poor state, and the piston ring and shaft bushing were also showing wear. Based on the price of the parts, I can see why Ohlin's shock are that colour....

This has turned into an expensive exercise and certainly reinforces the comment above about false economy buying used parts. On the plus side, I now have a shock that should last longer that the bike, and for about half the price of a new Ohlins.

Gawd thats a bit. My last service was about $230 from memory.

[Cadbury64]

Yeah lots of new bits. Labour/gas/oil were $230.


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