I'm surprised no other Ohlins distributors offer this same service. There's clearly a demand for it and not much for competition. I'd love to see a company like Fuelmoto, Kraus Moto Co., or San Diego Customs offer these custom built options.

 

Thank you for the explanation. I, (and I'm sure others), completely understand your position. I think deleting the post would be more appropriate as that makes things a little clearer that a response was outside the confines of what HDF considers acceptable. Editing the post just makes everyone who commented on what they saw seem unreasonable and the person being commented on as a victim.

 

Well I know when ordering form Fuel Moto, you get proper spring, and very close preload adjustment out of the box. My Fuel Moto order was shipped from Ohlins in NC, so FM didn't really do much more than act as the middle man distributor. Still, I know FM will stand behind the sale, even if they didn't make the specified tweaks themselves before shipping.

As for others offering what Howard does? From what I can tell, he's a true suspension wizard when it comes to this chit, and I doubt there's many people out there willing to go as far off into the weeds with the suspension details as he does. Obviously, form the prices I have heard of him charging, he must be doing this service for the love of the work... I can't imagine there's much margin in the above and beyond service he provides, and at a lower price than an of the shelf shock would cost.


But yeah, I too am surprised that more people don't offer this.

 

Howard definitely has a direct, no BS attitude that many have a hard time with. I'm pretty thick skinned, and he and I have had a little back and fourth in the past. However I am also convinced he 100% knows his stuff and although it may seem he's a little hot headed, it's worth it by how he will back up everything he does. I can put aside a gruff attitude to know I'm getting the best. But that's just me. In the end, it's about the bike. Not the conversation.

OP, I'm sure Howard would make it right if you asked him to. I personally would probably have put some black touch up on it and be done with it.

 

Is he though? Or does he just take a sportster shock body and install a dyna valve set-up already made by Ohlins?


If every distributor of Ohlins shocks changes the spring to match rider weight, what additional customization is Howard providing? If it's a premade valve system being installed into an existing shock body, I don't think that qualifies as "Wizard" status.


Maybe Howard could comment on this.

 

Seeing as I called him immediately upon receiving the shocks and informed him of the damage and his response was "Your shocks are not damaged" I don't know that I agree with you. I did, however, decide to overlook this very minor damage and move on. I am otherwise pleased with the performance of the shocks.

 

I hear you. I guess maybe he felt damage may have been an overstatement in this case? Cosmetic damage is probably more accurate, as they function perfectly (right?). Granted, you pay near a grand for something I'd want them pristine too. Did you ask him to replace them?

But trying to guess at someone's thinking without them present is always a bad idea, so I'll stop. And after all this, I doubt we'll see him participate in this thread again.

So enjoy the ride at least!

 

Just curious. How long ago did they (Ohlins) stop packaging properly? I got mine from italy last December - came in brand box with shocks in individual slots and Ohlins warranty card,.

 

Yes, I back up everything I said. I also said to you that your shocks were not sent to you damaged which is a whole lot different than than "Your shocks are not damaged". Just so you have no misunderstanding in this matter I am making this statement: 1: Contact Gary in the service department 800.336.9029 and describe all of your problems you have outlined in this post you started. Gary will ask for pictures of all offending areas. If valid, you will be asked to send back the shocks with all packaging material. They will evaluate your problem and Ohlins will deal with it.

OhlinsUSA was in Daytona for Biketoberfest and the person who is in charge of all was not available until this am. Your problem was discussed at 8:15am and I was told what the procedure is for rectifying your problem. This is before I went back and read your post today. OhlinsUSA does not want packaging problems at all nor do I. I do not alter packaging and the packaging you received is exactly the way all Ohlins shocks come.

When your shocks are up at OhlinsUSA you may request that your shocks be taken apart concerning what I have done to them. There are no Ohlins "and install a dyna valve set-up already made by Ohlins?" option. Please know what you are talking about because that is a joke. You keep on posting but please know what you are making statements about.

My installation instructions, I believe I geared those to a 5 grade level as well as the pictorial instructions. I did create this because many customers do not any mechanical know how as far as suspension goes. I find this very hard to believe you found these instruction excessive, difficult to understand, or When I travel to shows I bring examples to show the attendees the ramifications of not installing shocks properly. I authored these instructions with years of experience so you & all of my other customers do not have to go through poor performance and unnecessary certain damage.

If you really wish to remedy your situation, please follow the laid out above as you Joe have already been discussed with OhlinsUSA. Nobody wants dissatisfied customers.

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Mchad, this customer paid nowhere near a grand. He received custom built shocks that were taken apart, the oil metering changed for his bike (this is a Sportster shock), all parts inspected, put back together, than tested on my Roehrig Shock Dyno to verify performance. The only charge other than a deep discounted shock price he paid (less than $600 for the Blackline shock) plus shipping from OhlinsUSA to me (no drop shipping here) than to his house including full shipping insurance and signature required, was the price of shims which are $2.00 each. He paid less than $645.00 complete. I appreciate Joe/OP not including pricing (I really do) he paid. P.S. Thanks, but I have never backed away from controversy and always stand behind what I do. Follow the rules as I have laid out on the Order & Build Sheet exactly that everyone must sign and I have always stood behind my agreement with all customers. I believe this part is also in this agreement: . Writing a negative post like this one will not get the problem rectified. This option is still open to Joe but now OhlinsUSA will have to intervene. Joe than can go where ever he wishes to go at that point.

 

Howard,


Thanks for taking the time to look into this and post your response. I'm happy with the performance of the shocks and am willing to look past the minor blemish on the thread. I don't intend to request a refund. These things happen and I think it was fair to include this information in the review of our transaction. The products you offer are top of the line which is why I purchased from you. As someone suggested before, you may consider wrapping each shock individually with bubble wrap or similar packing material prior to final shipment. At a minimum, this would show the customer that you are not responsible for any damage they may find upon receipt of their new shocks.


Thanks again for your help.