Can't get the "cushy" Ohlins ride
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
From: Gold Canyon, Arizona
Can't get the "cushy" Ohlins ride
Despite unending and patient help from Howard, I still can't get the cushy ride (even solo) from my 3-3 Ohlins on my 2000 EGC that many of you describe. Hate to keep calling him. I have his progressively-wound springs and have adjusted the sag he instructed: with rear wheel in air, compress springs 3-5mm. Due to my short inseam I have the Pingel 1" lowering blocks. I've adjusted the rebound up and down, but still feel the bumps that many Ohlin riders on the forum say their bike "floats" over. Perhaps it's due to my weight at 140, or that I am expecting too much, but I hope not. Any suggestions?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
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From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Until you get that preload adjusted correctly, compression and rebound damping adjustments are a waste of time. +1 on those lowering blocks...with the limited travel of HDs, taking an inch away from that travel is huge. Thats 25.4 mm worth of shock travel GONE. You need to tell Howard about those lowering blocks and see what he advises.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
Well, this worries me. The #3-3's have 3" of stroke, so are these lowering blocks cutting it down another inch? That would leave about the same travel as you have with stock SG shocks, which isn't much. Try removing the Pingels and try it.
I weigh 170# and have the #2-3 with no lowering blocks and >4" of travel. Smooooooth.
Perhaps it's due to my weight at 140, or that I am expecting too much, but I hope not. Any suggestions?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,699
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From: Qualicum Beach, B.C. CAN
Steeper angle, more torque on the springs....
I think
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
You should have full travel with the 3s..are you setting sag, with you on the bike, and the bike on the ground?,mthatnismhow it should be done, your 3 s should measure about 13 inches eye to eye, bolt to bolt center..with you on the bike, this should be reduced by approx, 1 inch....then the other variable, is you can adjust the compression with the adjuster on the shock,,
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 228
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Lowering blocks should not make abig difference,unless they are extreme.. My estimate is you should be able to run blocks in the second hole with 3-3 s without bottoming...
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Gold Canyon, Arizona
Thanks for the input. For Shooter5074 and Lowcountry Joe, no, I haven't told Howard about the lowering blocks, but I know he'd advise to remove them. For iclick, my problem is my 30" inseam. For dstrati, Howard advised the different way of setting the sag for his progressively-wound springs; that's what you see in my original post. Also, my Pingel lowering blocks have only one hole; for 1" of lowering.
If I remove the lowering blocks I won't be flat-footed when seated, and this balancing problem's made worse when riding two-up. I'm wondering if i should've got the shorter 2-2s instead, and then not use lowering blocks.
If I remove the lowering blocks I won't be flat-footed when seated, and this balancing problem's made worse when riding two-up. I'm wondering if i should've got the shorter 2-2s instead, and then not use lowering blocks.
Last edited by Arizona Mike; Mar 17, 2012 at 11:38 AM. Reason: addition of info