Suspension Replacement

[Deleted account 210516001]

It looks like this year's project will involve a replacement of the rear shocker. No leaks and still handles OK but I have the preload turned up as far as it will go. That is OK when I am on my own but I suspect that the handling will be poor when loaded with luggage and a pillion. If I lived in the west midlands the problem would be solved by handing the bike over to Revs Suspension and getting them to fit Ohlins or Wilbers. Is there an equivalent suspension guru in Scotland that might be able to work the same magic?

 

[mspenz]

I don't know about Scotland but KAIS serviced my rear and fitted a Hyperpro spring, turned it round in a week. ABE also do a great job and are cheaper than KAIS, they serviced my front shock and fitted a Hyperpro to match the rear and the total was £186 including return postage!
Can't complain about that..

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

Thanks. I was hoping for somebody who could fit and set up the suspension and possibly lower it by about an inch if possible. As well as Ohlins and Wilbers I was looking at Nitron shocks from Adventure Bike Warehouse but again I would need to fit them myself and I am reluctant to spend a lot on the shocks just to waste it by not fitting them or setting them up properly.

 

[Posh Pete]

Give this chap a buzz. He has a good rep for reconditioning mx shocks, Ohlins etc. If you can send him the shocks, even better / cheaper. Alternatively, whip them off and send them to this lot darn sarf. ArtyHexhead of this parish had his SH Ohlins installed and set up by a chap in South Queensferry who did a good job. (No, not G Gunn esq!). Try a PM and he'll send you the info.

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

Thanks. The Dunfermline place sounds like they would be able to find the right set up. I don't think it is worth trying to rebuild the BMW shocks and i am sure the bike would handle much better if the springs were yellow or blue.

 

[jbox]

the dunfermaline place rebuilt my secondhand ohlins for the 1150gs
thank god they did,discovered the collet was almost cracked right through and would have collapsed in short order
good service but not always the quickest to tell you when the work is done
will be using them again when I get the Penske serviced for the r1

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

MCS in Renfrew is quoted as a Nitron Shock Absorber Fitting and Service Centre. Has anybody used them?

 

[Grizzly]

Pre-load Hydraulics

Just a thought, but in your original post you say there's no leaks and bike still handles fine.

So, could the problem just be that your hydraulics for adjusting spring pre-load for luggage, passenger etc has lost it's oil over time?
This is fairly common and can usually be easily fixed at home. You say you have the pre-load set at MAX - but what happens if it's returned to MIN, or it's original setting, does that make any difference to the ride height etc?

I know this doesn't get you the 1" height drop you would like, but at least it might get things back to their original condition.


Cheers........................Grizzly

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

Iinbox

Just a thought, but in your original post you say there's no leaks and bike still handles fine.

So, could the problem just be that your hydraulics for adjusting spring pre-load for luggage, passenger etc has lost it's oil over time?
This is fairly common and can usually be easily fixed at home. You say you have the pre-load set at MAX - but what happens if it's returned to MIN, or it's original setting, does that make any difference to the ride height etc?

I know this doesn't get you the 1" height drop you would like, but at least it might get things back to their original condition.


Cheers........................Grizzly

I have not tried winding it back for some time but the last time I turned it back 4 full turns from max position the bike seemed to wallow quite a bit in the turns. It does reduce the ride height but I prefer the firmer setting for handling. The height issue is not a major concern it's just something I would look at if I was upgrading the suspension. I have lived on tip toes for the last 8 years and with a pillion and the panniers and top box loaded both feet are flat on the ground when stopped.

On its current setting the MOT examiner last year suggested that it was getting a bit bouncy although not nearly enough to fail or issue an advisory. Perhaps I am being seduced by the number of posts saying how their handling was "transformed" when they fitted Ohlins, Wilbers or Nitron shocks.