Help.. Installing ohlins axle hits muffler???
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I purchased the #3's from Howard (12/3/4-13/1/4) for my '09 SG. They are a different model than what you have but appear to be the same size in circumference. I do have them adjusted to the shortest length, though. (12-3/4) I also have Rush muffleres which are a diameter of 3- 1/2". I can see where where you might have a problem with the longer shock and a larger diameter muffller so a "dimple" could be necessary. I DID NOTuse the spacers and I have about 1/4" - 1/2" clearance between the spring and the rear caliper...so you might want to check the clearance again w/o the spacers as it will move it inward and away from the muffler. Also when you adjust the spring pre-load for the proper "sag" ( this is very important! .....the shock will perform much better!) the shock will compress slightly when it is off the lift. (And a little more when you sit on the bike.) This will raise the swingarm/axle further away from the muffler with the weight of the bike. Enjoy the ride.....I've had mine on for a week now and the difference like night and day!
Larry
Larry
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Here are some pics on an '09 frame and swingarm (Street Glide)... These are the #3's ( HD-909) set at 12-3/4" length. The adjustment for length is at the bottom ( the blue locking nut) The length adjustment 12-3/4" to 13-9/64" is designed to have no bearing on the shock travel itself . ( it does not lengthen the TRAVEL, just the length of the shock.)
As you can see in the first 2 pics, there is plenty of clearance w/o the spacers. Also you can see the clearance between the spring and the rear claiper.
The last 2 pics show the axle clearance (with rush 3-1/2" bodied mufflers.) The 1rst pic is on the lift fully extened. The 2nd is on the side with the "static sag" (no rider) at about 1/2".
Larry
As you can see in the first 2 pics, there is plenty of clearance w/o the spacers. Also you can see the clearance between the spring and the rear claiper.
The last 2 pics show the axle clearance (with rush 3-1/2" bodied mufflers.) The 1rst pic is on the lift fully extened. The 2nd is on the side with the "static sag" (no rider) at about 1/2".
Larry
Last edited by SGLarry; Oct 26, 2009 at 08:17 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
No problem, it's always helpful for me to read others experiences. I always need extra help because of my "AADD" (Adult Attention Defict Disorder) LOL... Howard did say they will settle in and soften a bit after 300 miles so they may need some "tweaks" after that. I'm still learning
:-)
:-)
Last edited by SGLarry; Oct 26, 2009 at 10:48 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 2
From: USA
Great photos and I'm glad you solved your own problem! Helps those of us sitting on the fence to better understand Ohlins and see what we may be letting ourselves in for. Great credit to Howard for helping out. We are all holding our breath to hear your impressions of riding on your Ohlins, especially 2-up. Which model and length did you buy?
Any other Ohlins owners got photos we can enjoy?
Any other Ohlins owners got photos we can enjoy?
Really good customer service from Howard. It was very cool of him to take time to call me on a Sunday.
I was only able to ride them for about 10 min and am having another problem with my bike so I wont be able to ride it for about a week. Howard designed them for me to ride 2 up so I cant say for sure how well I like them until I break them in and get my girl on the back.
They are on the softest setting and still not hitting the sag numbers Im supposed to but again they arent broken in and I didnt check with the girlfriend on the bike.
For how short of a ride I went on they are Just OK didnt notice anyting special other than that they are really stiff.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Really good customer service from Howard. It was very cool of him to take time to call me on a Sunday.
I was only able to ride them for about 10 min and am having another problem with my bike so I wont be able to ride it for about a week. Howard designed them for me to ride 2 up so I cant say for sure how well I like them until I break them in and get my girl on the back.
They are on the softest setting and still not hitting the sag numbers Im supposed to but again they arent broken in and I didnt check with the girlfriend on the bike.
For how short of a ride I went on they are Just OK didnt notice anyting special other than that they are really stiff.
I was only able to ride them for about 10 min and am having another problem with my bike so I wont be able to ride it for about a week. Howard designed them for me to ride 2 up so I cant say for sure how well I like them until I break them in and get my girl on the back.
They are on the softest setting and still not hitting the sag numbers Im supposed to but again they arent broken in and I didnt check with the girlfriend on the bike.
For how short of a ride I went on they are Just OK didnt notice anyting special other than that they are really stiff.
Last edited by SGLarry; Oct 26, 2009 at 07:18 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 2
From: USA
According to the 1rst picture above, It looks like you've got plenty of adjustment to loosen up the spring pre-load. Is the top of the shock body threaded? Did you turn the adjuster rings and use up all that space and still have them ride too stiff? If so, you may need softer springs. On mine, I had to adjust the springs pretty far up the threads on the shock body to get close to the recommended sag. In my 2nd pic you can see that there is only about an 1"-1/2 more to go until it max's out at the top. When I recieved the shocks the springs were set a lot lower than that.
Howard said if its to stiff I can go down one step with spring.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
According to the 1rst picture above, It looks like you've got plenty of adjustment to loosen up the spring pre-load. Is the top of the shock body threaded? Did you turn the adjuster rings and use up all that space and still have them ride too stiff? If so, you may need softer springs. On mine, I had to adjust the springs pretty far up the threads on the shock body to get close to the recommended sag. In my 2nd pic you can see that there is only about an 1"-1/2 more to go until it max's out at the top. When I recieved the shocks the springs were set a lot lower than that.
Howard offers very generous discounts to HDF members.
