ohlins vs progressive
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
TJ's bike
In the picture tj316 has a set of JRI B 12" shocks. Since that day he commissioned a pair of one off Hose Mount, externally adjustable separate compression and rebound valving with a threaded body. The body is shorter, the shaft is shorter, the piston is the same, same bottom **** and same end eyes you have except the membrane is removed and the hose is installed where your screw cap is. This change was done after that picture was taken of the forks, the reason for the picture. The picture is of poor quality as far as shocks goes and most can not see it except those of us who were there. I think it was done either last or very early this month. The days all run together for me.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,542
Likes: 161
From: Booming metropolis
In the picture tj316 has a set of JRI B 12" shocks. Since that day he commissioned a pair of one off Hose Mount, externally adjustable separate compression and rebound valving with a threaded body. The body is shorter, the shaft is shorter, the piston is the same, same bottom **** and same end eyes you have except the membrane is removed and the hose is installed where your screw cap is. This change was done after that picture was taken of the forks, the reason for the picture. The picture is of poor quality as far as shocks goes and most can not see it except those of us who were there. I think it was done either last or very early this month. The days all run together for me.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Just spoke with Howard a couple of times. I could tell he knows what he's doing and very knowledgable about suspension set ups. I'm really looking forward to getting his shocks. I was originally gonna get the progressive rears. Not sure what I'm going to get for the front end now.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: NYC
I am in the process of doing my research on the front suspension. I don't get any dive from braking so I'll wait until I get some miles on the 3's I will be getting next week. I have 10w in the front on my Road King now.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
Ohlins Warranty
I will do this in two parts
>>> "What kind of warranty do the ohlins have"
<<< I will copy & past the Ohlins Official warranty when I get it as I just asked so you get it right from Ohlins.
This is the reply I just received from Ohlins: "I'm out of the office Wed 7/16 thru Fri 7/18, returning on Monday 7/21. Should you need assistance prior to then, please call 800-336-9029 and ask for Motorcycle Service.
Thanks,
Gary "
>>> how often do they need a rebuild?
<<< That I am qualified to answer. I am a factory certified/authorized trained service suspension technician and factory service center with a piece of paper in a frame:
>>> "What kind of warranty do the ohlins have"
<<< I will copy & past the Ohlins Official warranty when I get it as I just asked so you get it right from Ohlins.
This is the reply I just received from Ohlins: "I'm out of the office Wed 7/16 thru Fri 7/18, returning on Monday 7/21. Should you need assistance prior to then, please call 800-336-9029 and ask for Motorcycle Service.
Thanks,
Gary "
>>> how often do they need a rebuild?
<<< That I am qualified to answer. I am a factory certified/authorized trained service suspension technician and factory service center with a piece of paper in a frame:
- That depends on many factors
- Where do you ride your bike ie: live right on the ocean or in the dessert, travel regularly on dirt roads, or severe conditions.
- How regularly you clean the shafts of your shocks (all shocks, just not Ohlins that do not have a boot). This is very important!
- If the end user followed the installation instructions I provide my customers via e-Mail (for my clients only).
- If you follow the above tasks and do not live right on the ocean or in the dessert, travel regularly on dirt roads, or severe conditions than I have taken many shocks apart at 30,000~35,000 miles and there is significant dirt build up and the oil needs to be changed due to heat & dirt. The wear parts are always replaced along with fresh oil and the shocks are than, after a rebuild with changing inexpensive wear parts are as good as new.
- For those who do not install their shocks properly and/or do not clean their shafts regularly:
- Case 21,000 miles: The shocks were not installed properly and the shock bodies were worn on one side making a wallow in the shock body on both shocks, making the shocks (at the very least) not work properly. The oil was filthy but the shafts could be polished out by me saving them. I purchased new bodies and the total bill was around $325.
- Case 16,000 miles. The shop that put the shocks on did not read the install instruction and the shafts were scored requiring the shafts to be replaced. The seal head on one side was leaking. The oil was still somewhat clear but a bit brown due to heat but not needed to be replaced (which we always do when a shock comes apart). This also cost around the $300 to replace the parts & rebuild the shocks like new.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 489
From: sunny florida
Howard is correct , in the picture it is my JRi B 12" , below is my new Ohlins #6
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,542
Likes: 161
From: Booming metropolis
What did you end up doing with the JRI's?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 489
From: sunny florida
I knew they were not Ohlin shocks by looking at the photo and deffinately no way to confuse the shocks featured in that photo as 6's. grbrown is not alone as a lot of people regurgitate info seen as fact or truth when it isn't. It is their desire to help and I believe the information proffered is without malice aforethought. Unfortunately the info doesn't help.
What did you end up doing with the JRI's?
What did you end up doing with the JRI's?