| Author | Message | ||
     Ejiii |
For those of you who have or know someone who has installed an Ohlins rear shock on an XB9SX are there any fitment or clearance problems? Does the reservoir reside in the stock location? Where did the "clicker" end up getting mounted? Thanks | ||
| Lonexb |
edgar look for the post by gentleman jon. about midway down the page. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/271907.html?1176921930 brian (Message edited by lonexb on April 19, 2007) | ||
| Ejiii |
I did see that post, thanks. I wonder if fan clearance is an issue on every installation. I assume a custom length reservoir hose could be installed to allow mounting in the stock location. The only challenge that would remain is a clean install of the clicker. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Here are the Ohlins installation instructions: http://www.ohlins.com/Portals/0/productlist/docume nts/mountinginstructions/MC/BU201.pdf Kindly note the following: 1. The remote reservoir is rather larger than the stock unit being approximately 6 inches long, and two inches in diameter. In addition, the position of the adjustment knob is different than the Buell stock unit. Therefore, mounting in the stock location can either be difficult as in the case of the Firebolt, or virtually impossible in the case of the Lightning. Therefore Ohlins recommends mounting it under the undertray. If the bike is to be used on the street, I recommend the longer rear hugger as supplied by American Sport Bike or Trojan, two of our sponsors, to keep road debris off the reservoir. I should note however that I do not recommend using the Ohlins mounting plate or mounting clamps as they are steel, (Uncoated in the case of the mounting plate), and will react with the aluminum case of the reservoir. You might be interested in seeing the vertical mount used in the Buell XBRR. 2. One assumes by "clicker" you are referring to the remote preload adjuster. Unfortunately it does not click, so mounting it in a place where the adjustment won't accidentally altered might be a good idea, as it is not possible to check adjustment by counting clicks. I have taped mine in position after setting the sag. 3. As far as the fan interference is concerned, the unit came with a set of 1/8" spacers to rotate the fan forward. ( See instructions) I found this to be grossly inadequate. I doubled up to 1/4" which helped, but the fan blades touched when the fan was hot. Finally I ground a bit of the fan case away with a grinder, until I could pass some thin card between the fan and the shock. 4. Ohlins has recently changed the model number of the Buell Shocks, and now offers two stroke lengths, 78mm and 66mm. I believe I have the 78mm . I do not know why there are two lengths available now. 5. The motorcycle specialist at Ohlins USA is Jerry Wohlgemuth. His phone number is : 828 692 4525 Just my .02ยข | ||
| Ejiii |
Thanks for that great information. I'm sure the shock works great but what a pain. Aftermarket stuff never seems to just go right on. I'm gonna get one I just wanted to make sure I was going to have fun installing it! Thanks again. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Glad to help out a fellow Bad Webber. Actually, the most difficult part of the install can be removal of the top bolt that attaches the top of the shock to the frame. In the grand Buell tradition, this is a steel bolt threaded into the aluminum frame. Galvanic corrosion can make this fastener EXTREMELY difficult to remove. It took me and my buddy Gerry about an hour to get it out without breaking it. I would recommend using a penetrant, such as Liquid Wrench and a well fitting allen and a breaker bar. You will need to make or buy a "long " allen to fit into the recess. On my old bike, we had to use a large air hammer to get it out. Came out easier on the new one. A little heat might help too. Perhaps a bit of anti seize would be a good idea on the re-install. Torque as per shop manual. I hope you will post if you find out anything interesting in regard to the new models from Ohlins. | ||
| Ejiii |
Again great info. I'm going to start soaking the upper bolt with Kroil now so by the time I do the install it should come out easy. I'm in the process of saving up. I'm getting the front end done first. I'm having Stig Pettersson of PPS do the work. All Ohlins internals are going into the Showas. I live close to his shop and he is the Ohlins guy so that should work out great. The fork work (parts & labor) are about $775 at retail. Then the next step is the rear. I work for an OEM and we are a real good Ohlins customer. I'm hoping to get the real good guy deal and save hundreds of dollars. Anyway, I will keep everyone posted. Thanks a Million, E. J. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
E.J. You are lucky to live near an Ohlins specialist like Sig. The only thing I can get for my bike where I live is gas:-) I am interested in what you are doing to your forks. Are you changing the springs too? I have had heavier springs and the shocks revalved on my forks by Trackside Engineering who do a lot of Buells. I will be interested to hear how you like the Ohlins conversion. I was thinking of upgrading to the 43mm forks and having that conversion done, but it is a lot of money considering that I have already had my forks modified once, and they seem to work pretty well. PS. I weigh 235# in gear, so I definitely needed heavier springs for and aft. That means revalving shocks to suit. (Message edited by gentleman_jon on April 20, 2007) | ||
| Ejiii |
Gentleman_jon, Living in So. Cal. does have it's advantages sometimes. I am close to everything. Anyway, Stig is going to install Ohlins cartridges, new springs with about a 2mm smaller wire diameter so he can install custom spring guides. He was saying in our stock forks the spring drags the inside of the fork tube causing stiction. His mod totally eliminates it. I can get the work done in one business day if I set it up with Stig. I'll have to wait until he gets back from Fontana before he can do it. He also told me he redid a Buell Showa shock for a guy at Pro-Circiut (they are close by too). He went with a straight rate spring and added all kinds of damping. He haden't gotten any feedback yet so he does not know how well it worked out. I would be curious. So, it only takes boat loads of money to figure all this stuff out....Yee Haa! |
