Just Ordered Ohlins...any tips on setting up?

[notadrop]

The bike ['02 1150] is getting some TLC in the form of a set of Ohlin shocks, ordered from Harris performance, [ouch - cheap they are not!]. There is some 51K on the clock and I know the suspension is not what it could be.
I realise I will probably end up having to go to their techies to get them set up proper like... but does anyone have any experience, tales to tell, tips to pass on about setting up once I have fitted them?
Cheers
Paul

 

[Gunboat Willy]

Out of interest...can you say what the part numbers are?

I know Harris do a setting up service - but do they do a fitting service?

Ta.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The bike ['02 1150] is getting some TLC in the form of a set of Ohlin shocks, ordered from Harris performance, [ouch - cheap they are not!]. There is some 51K on the clock and I know the suspension is not what it could be.
I realise I will probably end up having to go to their techies to get them set up proper like... but does anyone have any experience, tales to tell, tips to pass on about setting up once I have fitted them?
Cheers
Paul

Read the manuals Paul and try to absorb.
Ask about Harris's set-up service after fitting.............it will reap rewards

Remember the Rebound adjusters are normal r/hand thread, BUT once fitted they're inverted - so it's opposite way.

Once setting up in situ.............screw the Rebound adjuster in 'anti-clockwise' to fully damped and then back out Clockwise to the recommended settings in Manual

Set the front and rear sag before riding, from the Manual and experiment from there

Which rear spring, are you getting - standard is 140nM, but for your 2 up riding, you should go for a 160nM to factor in luggage, pillion etc

Ask Harris for their advice and supply them the combined weights for yourselves and your bike/luggage.

Just my two penneth

 

[cookie]

they should be set to "standard" baseline position when you get them.

i used them in that position for a while, then fiddled as i felt necessary.
they are presently back to original position, which i find fine.

i do know they are supposed to be set up for sag etc. but i've never got round to doing it and i like them as they are

 

[garyfzs]

51000 miles is good your new Ohlins will need rebuilding in about 12000 miles
Gaz

 

[Gunboat Willy]

51000 miles is good your new Ohlins will need rebuilding in about 12000 miles
Gaz

Really? Anyone else comment on this?

 

[goggstrotter]

to keep them at their best they will need rebuilds at around the 12-20000 mile mark.

i had mine rebuilt at around 70000KM, following a leaking front shock and soft rear, the result was amazing. 2 up and loads of luggage the bike was feeling well planted in the corners. incidentally i had the 160 spring put on the rear but i feel it could do with one stronger, our rolling weight is around the 530KG mark, yer more than half a metric tonne !!

my rebuilds cost 60US$ each, but that was in Argentina.

how much is it in the UK ¿

 

[notadrop]

Out of interest...can you say what the part numbers are?

I know Harris do a setting up service - but do they do a fitting service?

Ta.

The ones I have ordered are the ones they advise for the 1150 [if you go to http://www.harris-performance.co.uk/ you can look for the bike/model and they list them.
Mine are
00-04 46ER front
00-04 46DRS rear.
Spring I don't know but will check out! [Thanks for that Johnny/goggs!]
Yes Harris do fit and set up for £100 on top of the purchase price.

Thanks for the info all. I have printed off the manuals about suspension/how it works/how to set up from the Ohlins site here http://www.ohlins.com/mc_manuals.shtml
This is excellent and makes suspension a bit easier to understand and set up [famous last words!]

 

[Gunboat Willy]

Thanks. I think I need to do some weight calculations to get the correct springs. It'll have to cover quite a wide range - 2 up - 21st total, fully loaded with luggage (close to max load capability) to one up (12st) no luggage...'energetic' riding on bumpy back roads.

I guess it's most important to have the suspension optimised for full load as that's when it'll really be working its socks off.

May squeeze a few more k miles out of the standard shocks first - should be fine for 20 - 25k miles (and probably beyond) but it's running at max preload a lot of the time and a bit more height on the back with the unit working more in the mid-range would be no bad thing.

 

[simonm]

Thanks for the info all. I have printed off the manuals about suspension/how it works/how to set up from the Ohlins site ....

Just bear in mind that the Ohlins manuals are aimed at sports\road bikes. The suggestions for static sag may be a little awry for your GS. I found aiming for around 1/3 of total suspension movement was helpful.
I think getting the correct spring rate is the most important thing.

 

[Number 6]

Re: Re: Just Ordered Ohlins...any tips on setting up?

Remember the Rebound adjusters are normal r/hand thread, BUT once fitted they're inverted - so it's opposite way.

Upside down, wrong way round, back to front, whatever, the adjusters will work the same. Compression is still compression, rebound is still rebound.............

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Re: Re: Re: Just Ordered Ohlins...any tips on setting up?

Upside down, wrong way round, back to front, whatever, the adjusters will work the same. Compression is still compression, rebound is still rebound.............

Whatever..............

 

[cookie]

Re: Re: Re: Just Ordered Ohlins...any tips on setting up?

Upside down, wrong way round, back to front, whatever, the adjusters will work the same. Compression is still compression, rebound is still rebound.............

BTW there is no compression damping adjustment on ohlins for the 1150 GS for some reason. maybe 'cos we only get the "cheap" version.

compression damping can be set by altering the shim stack internally. if you buy from harris they will do this for you before delivery FOC if required. ditto change of spring.

normal sized riders will probably not need this done.

gunboat willy, doubt youwill be able to perfectly set up your shocks for the range required. some degree of compromise will be needed.

 

[Gunboat Willy]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Just Ordered Ohlins...any tips on setting up?

gunboat willy, doubt youwill be able to perfectly set up your shocks for the range required. some degree of compromise will be needed.

Yeah...it's a bit of a range. I'll err on the side of getting them set for full load and live with more of the compromise at the other end of the scale I think. I can live with the solo riding being a bit less 'right' and would like the bike to handle and the shocks to cope well with the two-up/full load situation. Precious cargo is the missus y'see.

 

[cookie]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Just Ordered Ohlins...any tips on setting up?

Yeah...it's a bit of a range. I'll err on the side of getting them set for full load and live with more of the compromise at the other end of the scale I think. I can live with the solo riding being a bit less 'right' and would like the bike to handle and the shocks to cope well with the two-up/full load situation. Precious cargo is the missus y'see.

that's what i did.