Beyond pissed about my ohlins!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 798
From: Bear Flag, lower end
My adjuster rings became almost impossible to adjust even tho the threads on my Ohlins looked clean. I backed the adjuster rings off, cleaned and lubricated with Prolink, (chain lubricant) used on high performance road bikes. It bonds to metal surfaces, dries clean, does not build up or become tacky, and sheds dirt. My adjuster rings are smooth as butter now.
If this is the original formula Prolink Stuff, I have used it for years on chain driven motorcycles and machinery. Fantastic product. FWIW, I am fairly **** when it comes to keeping my equipment clean, including threaded shock bodies, regardless of application. I also adjust the preload each time I ride two up, and back it off at the end of each trip for my solo jaunts. No issues.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
Interesting shock thread, again. lol
Prolink seems like a good choice.
RTM, Ohlins:
Preventive maintenance and regular inspection reduces the risk of functional disturbance. If there is any need for additional service, please contact an authorized Öhlins Service Centre.
cleaning
Clean the shock absorber externally with a soft detergent. Use compressed air. Be careful that all dirt is removed. Lift the bump rubber and clean the area below. Keep the shock absorber clean and spray it with oil (WD40, CRC 5-56 or equivalent) after washing. Wipe off excessive oil with a cloth.
caution! Never spray water directly into the adjuster ***** and/or the ball joints.
Prolink seems like a good choice.
RTM, Ohlins:
Preventive maintenance and regular inspection reduces the risk of functional disturbance. If there is any need for additional service, please contact an authorized Öhlins Service Centre.
cleaning
Clean the shock absorber externally with a soft detergent. Use compressed air. Be careful that all dirt is removed. Lift the bump rubber and clean the area below. Keep the shock absorber clean and spray it with oil (WD40, CRC 5-56 or equivalent) after washing. Wipe off excessive oil with a cloth.
caution! Never spray water directly into the adjuster ***** and/or the ball joints.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 514
Likes: 160
From: So Cal!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,895
Likes: 1,908
From: East Coast, USA
1. Ohlins now has a new adjusting collar that has a Teflon ring inside. If you get your shocks rebuilt, make sure to ask for the new ring.
2. If you are going to make major adjustments to your preload, place your motorcycle on a lift to take the weight off the shocks to make it easier to turn the adjusting collar.
3. He suggested spraying the threads with a silicone.
4. Ohlins constantly makes adjustments to their shocks to suit the market. There should be a laser etched model number revision or serial number on each shock that an Ohlins person can use to determine what parts the shock initially came with. The latest HD357's use a new piston to soften up the shock. The old piston was great if you were always riding two up, the new piston is a better fit if you ride solo. If you get the shocks rebuilt, ask for the new piston.
I wasn't taking any notes and Matt spent a good 30 minutes with me. Above is from my memory.
Last edited by LQQK_OUT; Jun 11, 2018 at 07:03 PM. Reason: spelling
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 456
From: The Great Midwest
Originally Posted by LQQK_OUT;1742908[b
4]I spoke with Matt Sage (Ohlins Motorcycle Technical Sales) at Americade this past week. Maybe I misunderstood him, but I'm pretty sure Matt told me they are soft anodized. We also discussed a few other things:
1. Ohlins now has a new adjusting collar that has a Teflon ring inside. If you get your shocks rebuilt, make sure to ask for the new ring.
2. If you are going to make major adjustments to your preload, place your motorcycle on a lift to take the weight off the shocks to make it easier to turn the adjusting collar.
3. He suggested spraying the threads with a silicone.
4. Ohlins constantly makes adjustments to their shocks to suit the market. There should be a laser etched model number revision or serial number on each shock that an Ohlins person can use to determine what parts the shock initially came with. The latest HD357's use a new piston to soften up the shock. The old piston was great if you were always riding two up, the new piston is a better fit if you ride solo. If you get the shocks rebuilt, ask for the new piston.
I wasn't taking any notes and Matt spent a good 30 minutes with me. Above is from my memory.
1. Ohlins now has a new adjusting collar that has a Teflon ring inside. If you get your shocks rebuilt, make sure to ask for the new ring.
2. If you are going to make major adjustments to your preload, place your motorcycle on a lift to take the weight off the shocks to make it easier to turn the adjusting collar.
3. He suggested spraying the threads with a silicone.
4. Ohlins constantly makes adjustments to their shocks to suit the market. There should be a laser etched model number revision or serial number on each shock that an Ohlins person can use to determine what parts the shock initially came with. The latest HD357's use a new piston to soften up the shock. The old piston was great if you were always riding two up, the new piston is a better fit if you ride solo. If you get the shocks rebuilt, ask for the new piston.
I wasn't taking any notes and Matt spent a good 30 minutes with me. Above is from my memory.
As i was saying, (and it had been said in this thread before) the Ohlins AREN’T hard anodized. Anyone that has ever anodized anything production wise will tell you it’s not by simply looking at it.
Ohlins will tell you it’s not as well. there is someone in this thread that believes otherwise and it’s simply not true.
Also please keep your shocks clean, but if you have a collar seize up, call Ohlins in North Carolina and talk to them. It’s a potential problem with these shocks and it looks like they have a fix with a redesigned collar now.
and for those nay-sayers...I hope you find all this fuss about a “legalized” bet was a hilarious as I did.
Last edited by lyork; Jun 18, 2018 at 06:17 AM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 421
From: Northern, Ohio (Yuck!)
As i was saying, (and it had been said in this thread before) the Ohlins ARENT hard anodized. Anyone that has ever anodized anything production wise will tell you its not by simply looking at it.
Ohlins will tell you its not as well. there is someone in this thread that believes otherwise and its simply not true.
Also please keep your shocks clean, but if you have a collar seize up, call Ohlins in North Carolina and talk to them. Its a potential problem with these shocks and it looks like they have a fix with a redesigned collar now.
and for those nay-sayers...I hope you find all this fuss about a legalized bet was a hilarious as I did.
Give it up already.
Nobody really cares what you have to say.....
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
As i was saying, (and it had been said in this thread before) the Ohlins AREN’T hard anodized. Anyone that has ever anodized anything production wise will tell you it’s not by simply looking at it.
Ohlins will tell you it’s not as well. there is someone in this thread that believes otherwise and it’s simply not true.
Also please keep your shocks clean, but if you have a collar seize up, call Ohlins in North Carolina and talk to them. It’s a potential problem with these shocks and it looks like they have a fix with a redesigned collar now.
and for those nay-sayers...I hope you find all this fuss about a “legalized” bet was a hilarious as I did.
Keep the facts and info coming.
.
Last edited by KumaRide; Jun 18, 2018 at 08:13 AM.