Ohlins Shock Install

[michael]

I just recently purchased and installed an Ohlins shock on my 94 vfr. Neither the vfr archives nor the installation guide for the shock were much help in getting everything just right the first time. What follows is my field-tested installation recommendations (as in-oh, oh, that's wrong, back up three steps). For anyone that is contemplating a shock upgrade, you may wanna clip and save for that future day. (As an infrequent guest on this list, I apologize if I'm repeating recent material that I somehow didn't find in the archives.) As you all know, this info would apply to all 94-97 US versions. Choice of weapon: Fox doesn't make a shock for this year model. WP makes one, but no one I know has any relevant experience (please do not deluge me with inf o now that I've already committed my money to Ohlins). Penske can custom-make yo u a shock, but you will need a considerable amount of technical knowledge to describe to the Penske techs just how you want your product-its totally custom. Ohlins makes an off-the-shelf shock that (literally) bolts right up. And-for those who are thinking ahead-the Ohlins has a remote preload adjuster, while th e Penske had none and very well may require removal from the bike for preload adjustments, or serious contortions at the minimum. The Penske comes in 3 flavors: good for $725, very good for $895, and ultimate for $1195. The Ohlin s is typically found for $875 after a 10% discount, and if you look around, you may be able to get it for less-I did. Doing battle: Put the bike on the center stand, and remove the rear cowling, gas tank, and battery. Mark the spark plug wires on the rear cylinder as 1 (left) and 3 (right) so you will know how they go back. Pull the plug wires and liberate the rear coil set from its mounting place and push to a position out of the way. Slide the main fuse off of its mount on the front of the battery box and push i t out of the way-no need to disconnect or remove it. Remove the rubber flap that covers the top of the shock and valve cover-2 bolts on the valve cover and 2 pop-screws on the subframe. Take out the 2 screws holding on the battery box front and remove it. Loosen the bottom and top shock bolts. Standing behind the bike, lift the rear wheel with your hand or with leverage from a 1 x 4 (inches). When you relieve the pressure on the top shock bolt, it will come right out. Now remove the bottom bolt. Secret attack plan: The line to the remote looks too short to attach in the place recommended by Ohlins. Do the following to make it fit right: Remove the 4 bolts that hold the rear fender in place and lower if to the point that the fender is level with the bottom rung of the subframe, right by where the regulator is located. Put the new shock in place with the compression line to the front. Put in the bottom bolt first, and lift or leverage-up the rear wheel until the top bolt slides in. Torque both bolts to proper setting. Put some spiral wrap on the remote line to prevent any paint scratching. Push the remote and line thru the INSIDE of the subframe between the subframe and the rear fender. After the remote passes by the regulator, feed it OUTSIDE the subframe between the frame rails. When finished, the remote will sit aft o f the rear brake reservoir on the outside of the subframe, but the line runs inside the subframe, between the subframe and the fender. The preload adjuster fits quite nicely in the place recommended by Ohlins without much fussing. Reassemble in reverse order, being sure to place the battery box front (which serves as a heat shield) BELOW the remote line exiting the top of the shock. Also place the rubber flap below the remote line to help isolate the exhaust header heat away from the shock. The first 150 miles says the recommended rebound, compression and preload settings are just right, so stay with these until you know for sure that they aren't right for you. Any questions, e-mail me, I will elaborate further.

Craig Daugherty cdaugherty1@austin.rr.com

[VFRKiwi]

Hi Craig,
Thanks for your Ohlins shock info. I have a '95 VFR but can't get any info from Ohlins website as to the correct model for my bike. Given your comments, I assume that your bike will use the same model as my one would require. If so, could you let me know the Ohlins model you have. Thanks.

[j.davis]

Craig sold his VFR last spring and now rides an Aprilia Falco (on which he installed a Penske shock).

CycleMall's website has this information:


Ohlins Street/ Roadracing Shock Absorber 46HRCS

If You are looking for the ultimate in performance, this is the right shock for you. Get the best from the start, This shock was specifically designed for your motorcycle.
Honda VFR750 1994 1995 1996 1997
Retail: $884.95 SALE: $745.95

jD

[RVFR]

Update; talked with a fellow there at cyclemall, cool dude but, shock is now $883 plus shipping and more than likely 4 weeks out as it has to be built at the Ohlins factory, Question now, is it worth the trouble with the possiblty of the penske model being slightly more avaliable? dession dessions, then there's the send the shock to Race Tech for a complete redo.. for less than half the cost. any feed back would be great

[racercosmo]

I have a newb question. What is the difference between 3rd and 4th Gens? I can't find a 3rd gebn listing. Will the 4th gen work?

[RVFR]

Nope! not sure just what is the difference, but they don't swap out.

Another late up date, well sorta from last Nov. almost a year ago, boy am I slowwwww Anyway, Ohlins no longer makes an Ohlins for the vfr later than 98 One of the reasons I went the way I did with WP and FWIW so glad I did, be hard to be any happier.

[racercosmo]

You "went with WP." What is that?

[RVFR]

Well after a lot of thinking after I found out there'd be no Ohlins in my life. I find that these guys are every bit as good as Ohlins. and at a price that took me by surprise.

http://www.wpsuspension.com/index.php got it through LE engineering

http://www.le-suspension.com/

even thou it took 2+ months to get it, was way worth the wait.

and here's the thread I had on how the install went.

WP Shock install

[fotomoto]

I had an ohlins on my first 6gen and it was good. It was the "bottom of the line" and only came with rebound and hydraulic pre-load. I got it several years ago for about $675. I'm sure it's gone up now.

I got a german wilbers 641 on a group buy for my second vtec for about $700ish. For only $25 more than the Ohlins, it came with both rebound and compression adjustments PLUS an additional hi-speed compression adjuster, remote reservoir, and was sprung/valved to my needs. I believe WP will do the same.

With the addition of a spacer, I now have that 641 on my 4gen and it works great.

[RVFR]

I've heared that you can adapt those Ohlins, just wasn't for me at the time Yep this WP is a full 3 way adjustable, funny thou once set I haven't touched it.