I'm looking to pick up a used Ohlins 46 HRCS locally. I believe it came off a 3rd gen VFR. How can I tell if it will fit, and if it will, what mounting kit(s) I will need? We have a thread talking about using a 4th gen shock on a 5th gen, but not starting with a 3rd gen.
I've tried looking at both ohlins.com and ohlinsusa.com and can't find anything of interest for our 5th gens. :( I will have the shock rebuilt & resprung once I get it.
the Ohlins on my bike (taken from the shock) is S46HR1C1S model number HO801.
Here's the back and forth with the Ohlins Rep on the stock spring and modifying it for a #220lb rider,--let me know if this helps. Matt:
From email Sept 2014:
Thank you for getting this serial number for us Matt. The Öhlins shock for the 1998-2001 came with the 01092-59/150 spring stock! This spring is best for a dressed rider weight of 176# (dressed) + 132# load (308# max weight capacity). The next available spring is part number: 01092-64/160: $91.95, currently out of stock. This spring is for 220# rider (dressed) + 132# load (352# max weight capacity).
Please call us to order. Back –ordered parts usually take about two weeks to get from Sweden.
How much will this be to put on a new spring and the cost of the new spring. You pay for the spring only ($91.95). No labor cost to install it if you send your shock here.
How long will it take upon receipt of my shock? It literally takes about 10 minutes to change out the spring. 1-2 days overall turnaround time usually!
Thank you, Jerry
Jerry Wohlgemuth- Technical Sales Representative-
Motorcycle Division
Öhlins USA, Inc.
703 S. Grove Street, Unit C
Hendersonville, NC 28792
Phone: (828)692-4525 ext. 313
Fax: (828)692-0595
You could have the Ohlins off my 5th Gen, but I suspect the postage would be a bit exorbitant.
SkidsYou could have the Ohlins off my 5th Gen, but I suspect the postage would be a bit exorbitant.
How much would you want for it mate? My employer does a lot of international shipping...
I also wonder what you (skids) want for the Öhlins,
Sorry for the grammar in the question ;)
zupatunthe Ohlins on my bike (taken from the shock) is S46HR1C1S model number HO801.
Here's the back and forth with the Ohlins Rep on the stock spring and modifying it for a #220lb rider,--let me know if this helps. Matt:
From email Sept 2014:
Thank you for getting this serial number for us Matt. The Öhlins shock for the 1998-2001 came with the 01092-59/150 spring stock! This spring is best for a dressed rider weight of 176# (dressed) + 132# load (308# max weight capacity). The next available spring is part number: 01092-64/160: $91.95, currently out of stock. This spring is for 220# rider (dressed) + 132# load (352# max weight capacity).
Please call us to order. Back –ordered parts usually take about two weeks to get from Sweden.
How much will this be to put on a new spring and the cost of the new spring. You pay for the spring only ($91.95). No labor cost to install it if you send your shock here.
How long will it take upon receipt of my shock? It literally takes about 10 minutes to change out the spring. 1-2 days overall turnaround time usually!
Thank you, Jerry
Jerry Wohlgemuth- Technical Sales Representative-
Motorcycle Division
Öhlins USA, Inc.
703 S. Grove Street, Unit C
Hendersonville, NC 28792
Phone: (828)692-4525 ext. 313
Fax: (828)692-0595
Just call Jerry or another tech at the Hendersonville office and they can set you straight if it will work or not.
I spoke to Jerry at Öhlins and he was incredibly helpful. Unfortunately for me though, the 4th gen shocks are not a worthwhile swap into a 5th gen. The 5th gen shock is longer, it has less stroke, it has a different spring rate, it has different valving, it has a different mounting eyelet, it has a different body, it has a different shaft, it has a different length adjustment system...
It might be worth it if you can get a 4th gen Öhlins for free. Otherwise, go to a 5th gen.
Edited August 4, 2015 by number9seth89I also wonder what you (skids) want for the Öhlins,
Sorry for the grammar in the question ;)
M8, number9 clearly has first dibbs on it. If he decides he doesn't want it, I'll get back to you if that's ok?
Skidsseth89I also wonder what you (skids) want for the Öhlins,
Sorry for the grammar in the question ;)
M8, number9 clearly has first dibbs on it. If he decides he doesn't want it, I'll get back to you if that's ok?
no problemo
Awe, dang, always late to the party, if by a slim chance #9 doesn't pick this up, Let me know please, thanks in advanace ;)
Edited August 6, 2015 by RVFRI have a 5th gen Penskie shock for sale had about 500 miles on it ,pm me if your interested . I can deliver to Sumsum .$500
The 2000 VFR I just purchased from a board member with an Ohlins and it is really good. It was a major factor in my purchase of the bike. Ohlins verified the spring for me and let me know that I could indeed reach my sag setting without an issue. I tweaked the settings before I changed the tires on the bike and I have to say every Ohlins is worth the money. Its my third bike with an Ohlins and I've been stupidly happy with all of them.
Where are you guys installing the remote canister for the shock? The Ohlins instructions are here. I've found a guy on a Spanish VFR site that's here and his install looks a little different to mine.
With the remote canister pulled back as far as the braided line will go, here's how it looks:
[image: IMG_7339%201_zpsfisqcmqy.jpg]
I think I've got the shock oriented correctly. Both the spring preload and canister line are pointing back towards the tail of the bike:
[image: IMG_7343%201_zpsyfwgadcm.jpg]
I guess I could put the canister in the undertray itself.
Edited October 18, 2015 by number9I looked up the installation manual for the Ohlins HO 801 which I assume you have. This is the recommended positioning they show:
[image: Ohlins.jpg]
TerryI looked up the installation manual for the Ohlins HO 801 which I assume you have. This is the recommended positioning they show:
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Cadbury64/Ohlins.ljpg
That is how mine is installed...
TerryI looked up the installation manual for the Ohlins HO 801 which I assume you have. This is the recommended positioning they show:
[image: Ohlins.jpg]
That looks right.
Is the line routed the best way to get it into that position? It looks a little low.
SkidsTerryI looked up the installation manual for the Ohlins HO 801 which I assume you have. This is the recommended positioning they show:
[image: Ohlins.jpg]
That looks right.
Is the line routed the best way to get it into that position? It looks a little low.
I think it's the best way, but I can try again to get it higher. That'll get it basically right through the battery tray, if that makes any sense
IIRC, I had to squeeze it out of its rioting so it was tucked behind something. That would probably explain why the hose seems a little short.
Perhaps someone who has an Ohlins fitted to a 5th Gen could take some photos of the routing of their remote reservoir and post them for you to see. :491:
Not sure if this helps
[image: post-24302-0-29445200-1445483409.jpg]
[image: post-24302-0-75982500-1445483431.jpg]
deltaboxiiNot sure if this helps
DB
It's the remote reservoir beneath the seat that he needs to see, in particular the routing of the braided hose from the shock to the reservoir.
If you have any pics of that, I'm sure he'd be grateful.
I think I'll be selling the Ohlins rear shock off my 5th gen. It was rebuilt this year by GMD Computrack in Boston, I have the receipt.
Anyone interested? I'm putting the bike back to stock before selling it. :blush:
1 hour ago, number9I think I'll be selling the Ohlins rear shock off my 5th gen. It was rebuilt this year by GMD Computrack in Boston, I have the receipt.
Anyone interested? I'm putting the bike back to stock before selling it. :blush:
Yes, interested. Sending pm!
number9, 8/4/2015 at 8:06 PMI spoke to Jerry at Öhlins and he was incredibly helpful. Unfortunately for me though, the 4th gen shocks are not a worthwhile swap into a 5th gen. The 5th gen shock is longer, it has less stroke, it has a different spring rate, it has different valving, it has a different mounting eyelet, it has a different body, it has a different shaft, it has a different length adjustment system...
It might be worth it if you can get a 4th gen Öhlins for free. Otherwise, go to a 5th gen.
I did some research before buying a second-hand RC36 Ohlins for my RC46, using Ohlins' own data, and I decided it would be possible to use a 4th-gen shock on a 5th-gen bike, and it could probably be made perfect with a re-valve and re-fresh. Of course, if I'd found a good second-hand HO 801 I would have gladly used that, but Ohlins doesn't (officially) make them anymore and there aren't many around!
RC36-II
Total length: 324mm
Stroke: 57mm
Spring: -79 (1,085lbs)
[image: images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRbYmQuqMDk9GTjwi3VdSG]
RC46-I
Total length: 325mm
Stroke: 58mm
Spring: -59 (857lbs)
[image: shock02.jpg]
So, the earlier shock is 1mm shorter in both length and stroke. Length can be adjusted, howewver, using a shim on the top shock mount on these bikes, so 1mm is not an issue with regard to total length. Stroke cannot be changed without opening up the shock, but I have been told that there is a small amount of adjustability internally, so I wouldn't expect that gaining 1mm to be a huge problem. The earlier spring is stronger, but could be just right, depending on the rider--I weigh 95kg and need a stronger spring, anyway (1,200lbs, according to Ed Sorbo at Lindemann). It's not clear from the crappy found-on-internet pics above, but the mounting eyelets look the same from here! (Perhaps Jerry was thinking of the earlier RC36 shock, which has a clevis at the bottom? And neither shock has a length adjuster, so what's he talking about?)
I plan on getting my 4th-gen Ohlins re-valved anyway, so any valving differences should be able to be changed then. I will find out soon enough...
Ciao,
Öhlins shocks are assembled according to a very precise "Specification Card" such as the attached.
I'm pretty sure official Öhlins techs don't bother to look beyond that and may even be under a strict contractual obligation to stick to it.
So if the shock shaft and shock body are 1 mm longer, they will replace them even though it's a perfectly trivial difference and so on.
[image: Shock-Spec_Card-Ohlins-01.png]
Interesting... OTOH, there is a French Ohlins shop that is always listing "old" Ohlins models on eBay (for silly money), so they certainly don't mind building up obsolete shocks from parts. As you say, everything is on the spec card anyway, so there's nothing stopping any Ohlins shop from doing the same thing (except, perhaps, a contractual agreement with Ohlins).
Ciao,
9 hours ago, JZHI did some research before buying a second-hand RC36 Ohlins for my RC46, using Ohlins' own data, and I decided it would be possible to use a 4th-gen shock on a 5th-gen bike, and it could probably be made perfect with a re-valve and re-fresh. Of course, if I'd found a good second-hand HO 801 I would have gladly used that, but Ohlins doesn't (officially) make them anymore and there aren't many around!
I went through the same process last year. I asked my local Ohlins expert (GMD Computrack in Boston) if I could convert a 4th gen. shock to fit a 5th gen shock. He went through all the work required, and we decided that unless you could get the 4th gen. shock for basically free, it's not "worth it" financially. You end up swapping an awful lot of parts over!
I probably have the notes from when I spoke to him if you want me to try and dig them up.
59 minutes ago, JZHInteresting... OTOH, there is a French Ohlins shop that is always listing "old" Ohlins models on eBay (for silly money), so they certainly don't mind building up obsolete shocks from parts.
I guess you are referring to Mecadata.
It's always been a bit of a mystery to me why Öhlins seemingly won't build shocks for obsolete models.
Other aftermarket manufacturers don't sneeze at the money from assembling a one-off and they all use some sort of modular system of components.
But then, Ö don't assemble to order for each customer, they build to stock. Standard models with a standard spring and standard valving.
It's possible that Mecadata sell NOS items. Dunno for sure of course.
number9, 11/11/2016 at 8:23 PMI went through the same process last year. I asked my local Ohlins expert (GMD Computrack in Boston) if I could convert a 4th gen. shock to fit a 5th gen shock. He went through all the work required, and we decided that unless you could get the 4th gen. shock for basically free, it's not "worth it" financially. You end up swapping an awful lot of parts over!
I probably have the notes from when I spoke to him if you want me to try and dig them up.
Yes, please do. I already have the shock, so I may as well see if it's worth trying.
Cheers,
23 hours ago, JZHI already have the shock, so I may as well see if it's worth trying.
Naah! Waste of time. Sell it to me. I'll take it as is. :goofy:
Seriously, shim it a few mils and just use it as is. I'm sure it will perform great. The stroke difference is nothing, the heavier spring will suit your weight, the valving is surely not that different...
OTOH, I'm equally curious about what the Öhlins rep had to say.
Edit: The only thing I might be worried about is the bottom out bumper as that is actually an integral part of the shock's normal operation (the quoted shock stroke includes the bumper). It matters if one shock has a significantly taller bumper than the other but i'd be very surprised if that was the case between a 4G and a 5G.
You mean internally, or the one you can see riding on the shaft inboard of the spring?
[image: 20160804_105114y.jpg]
Easily measured, with the spring removed.
Checking geometry and clearances on my RC30 swing arm conversion I'm getting quite used to removing and replacing Ohlins shock springs...
[image: 20160804_105047y.jpg]
(Using the Honda tools I've collected over the years.)
Ciao,
7 minutes ago, JZHYou mean internally, or the one you can see riding on the shaft inboard of the spring?
I mean the one you can see in your picture. The internal one is a top-out bumper (that's where you could gain the missing mm, I believe).
Under most riding circumstances, there should not be any contact but then you only use about 70-80 mm of wheel travel. Beyond that, the bumper becomes an integral part of the suspension.
3 hours ago, JZHI'm getting quite used to removing and replacing Ohlins shock springs...
[image: 20160804_105047y.jpg]
Oooh, a spring compressor. Me wanty. :laugh:
It was a bit scary using it at first, but I took solace from the fact that this was the very tool Honda specified in the FL-M workshop manual for use on the VFR's extremely stiff rear spring.
On the other hand, by the time Honda released the FN-P model, they no longer suggested the spring be removed at all (and stopped listing individual shock parts), so maybe there had been a few too many shock/tool explosions... :blush:
Ciao,
8 hours ago, JZHOn the other hand, by the time Honda released the FN-P model, they no longer suggested the spring be removed at all (and stopped listing individual shock parts), so maybe there had been a few too many shock/tool explosions... :blush:
I have a different theory.
Honda / Showa started using a better grade of spring steel which provides a service life that comfortably exceeds the service life of the damper unit thereby making it uneconomical to offer springs as a spare part.
You just toss the whole thing and buy an aftermarket item. Who buys a replacement OEM anyway ? :wacko:
Edit: Messing with the VFR's mighty rear spring without a sturdy compressor certainly scares me. :excl:
My Ohlins rear shock from my '00 VFR is now for sale. I've posted a thread over in the Classifieds section.
![[image: IMG_7339%201_zpsfisqcmqy.jpg]](http://s852.photobucket.com/user/chriswaltham/media/VFR/IMG_7339%201_zpsfisqcmqy.jpg.html){kind=link}
![[image: IMG_7343%201_zpsyfwgadcm.jpg]](http://s852.photobucket.com/user/chriswaltham/media/VFR/IMG_7343%201_zpsyfwgadcm.jpg.html){kind=link}