Ohlins springs

[2 wheel humvee]

I'm buying a used rear Ohlin shock for my Adventure
it's fitted with a 160lb spring (I think) will this be o.k. for me
I weigh about 14 1/2 stone (90kg ? ) I ride er....... reasonably briskly, sometimes carry a pillion,and am known to "travel light"
in terms of luggage-It's a trait I apparently inherited from my submariner ancestors allegedly.....
Can you alter the spring preload? If yes does it require special tools?
Alternatively is a spring swap a home mechanic job?
I thank you all

 

[Possu]

Ohlins & WP springs are measured in Newton metres per???

Standard shock spring on the rear is 140nm, same as what's fitted to Ohlins & WP. I have WP fitted to my 1150GS front & rear, with Hydraulic Preload on the rear - fitted them about three weeks ago, can't remember if a spring compressor is required due to the Hyd. preload fitment? I've swapped springs before on several shocks fitted with normal lock ring preload adjuster - quite easy.

 

[cookie]

ohlins need a spring compressor. harris told me that on friday.

i think it is because of the hydraulic adjuster. you have to compress spring to remove a top hat retainer acording to harris.

steve, do you like your WP?

considering fitting one 'cos you can get one with compression damping adjustment which i think will be dead handy when bike is loaded up.

 

[Possu]

ohlins need a spring compressor. harris told me that on friday.

i think it is because of the hydraulic adjuster. you have to compress spring to remove a top hat retainer acording to harris.

steve, do you like your WP?

considering fitting one 'cos you can get one with compression damping adjustment which i think will be dead handy when bike is loaded up.

I'm happy with my WP's. Suspension seems to move more freely - less stiction? Other benefit seems to be a greater range of preload - I'm 12 stone max with all my gear on & had to wind the preload up towards max with loaded panniers but no pillion. With the WP, I was on the mid setting only when riding in France last week.

Mine only have adjustable rebound damping front & rear, no adjustable compression damping - would be nice but they only cost £375.00 second hand from Chris (Colonel?) on this site

I'd imagine that fully adjustable front & rear would cost the best part of £900+? IMO adj. rebound is more important than adj.compression damping, so I'm happy.

 

[cookie]

they only cost £375.00 second hand from Chris (Colonel?) on this site

sod it!

saw those WP shocks for sale but no apparent takers. thought they might still be there. guess not

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Springs

Thanks guys.......
Sounds like this shock has a 160nm spring then,I have access to spring compressors and can summon heaps of brute force and ignorance
Think I'll fit it and see what's what.

 

[Straypuss]

I was talking to one of the guys at Kais suspension yesterday about the correct spring rating for a GS11 Ohlins and he said that 160n was the standard fitment .

 

[Possu]

I was talking to one of the guys at Kais suspension yesterday about the correct spring rating for a GS11 Ohlins and he said that 160n was the standard fitment .

I spoke to the WP importer before buying my WP's - 140nm is the correct spring. Standard rear shocks come with a 140nm spring as do Ohlins - I believe I read this in the MotorWorks catalogue. I also phoned Sherlocks who unboxed a new WP to check, that also had a 140nm spring.

I'm 12 stone fully kitted & normally use 1/3 of the available preload according to the hydraulic preload adjuster & just over half with full panniers & topbox. Unless you're 5 stone heavier & always carry luggage and/or a pillion, then 140nm is fine.

 

[fcaeiro]

Hi
How can you have a diferent spring when buying new ohlins.
I ride always with pilion and gear +/- 210kg..

Will the 140/160 spring be enough ???
Can we ask ohlins for a diferent spring ??

thank you

 

[cookie]

i now have an ohlins with 160 nm spring. harris fitted it & also upped the compression damping at no extra cost over rrp.

i use no preload when solo & it feels fine. yet to test it 2 up.

i am a bit lardy i'm afraid

 

[Steve]

i am a bit lardy i'm afraid

Amongst the GS community you'd be considered somewhat of a lightweight....

Now, as for me.......

 

[ferguscawley]

i am a bit lardy i'm afraid

Really ?

 

[Spanish Bob]

ohlins need a spring compressor. harris told me that on friday.

i think it is because of the hydraulic adjuster. you have to compress spring to remove a top hat retainer acording to harris.

steve, do you like your WP?

considering fitting one 'cos you can get one with compression damping adjustment which i think will be dead handy when bike is loaded up.

Cookie

my WP rear is really good! Did not have it set up correctly until recently, but now its quite impressive. Its done 20k now so I spose it will need a rebuild and I am going to buy a front one as well.

Fcaeiro - Of course you can have whatever spring that the are prepared to sell you. Same for Ohlins or WP.

For the love of God can somebody who knows what they are talking about help 2 wheel!

bob

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Ohlins

Cookie

For the love of God can somebody who knows what they are talking about help 2 wheel!

bob

Hi Bob,after numerous adjustments and tweaks to the shock,and a lengthy phonecall to Harris and the shock's former owner
I've arrived at the conclusion that I need to either

a;Drink more Guiness and eat more chips

or

b;Send the shock to Harris to fit a lighter spring

Hmmmmmm choices,choices.........

 

[Possu]

As I said earlier, 140nm is the standard spring & suitable for most unless you're heavy & always riding with loaded panniers and/or a pillion.

Rode mine last week two up & with loaded panniers with stock 140nm spring. Combined weight of less than 160kg/25 stone & I still had preload to spare.

 

[cookie]

dunno if it helps, but, i bought my front shock s/h from a bloke very much slimmer than me. i just missed getting the rear from him too. he'd had two springs with it (140 + 160) he told me he only used the 160 with no preload & it was fine 1 up & great with wife & luggage.

best idea in my opinion, is just do what harris recommend. they seem to actually know what they are talking about

bob: i was trying to buy a WP unit a while back but the exhorbitant cost (about £600 with compression adjustment & hydraulic preload thingy) + the fact that the importer was unable to actually aquire one in any reasonable time meant i bought ohlins. probably not as good as WP IMHO. i got a basic emulsion WP unit on my airhead & it's superb.

fergus: you're a cheeky monkey