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CVO Technical => Wheels/Tires/Suspension/Brakes => Topic started by: Indenial on February 15, 2020, 10:46:03 AM

Title: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: Indenial on February 15, 2020, 10:46:03 AM: I see that Howard Messner is the recommended supplier of Ohlin shocks to a lot of the the HD Forum members. How does he compare to Smarty? As I'm getting ready to pull the trigger for front and rear upgrades to my years old Works Shocks rear and Ricor Intiminators front.
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: lyn.husen on February 15, 2020, 10:54:51 AM: You can check out his website at motorcycle metal.com
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: rayson56 on February 15, 2020, 11:05:10 AM: https://motorcyclemetal.com/
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: Major Tom on February 15, 2020, 11:51:05 AM: G’day Indenial,

Not sure who or where Howard Messner is but I would give Carol Burks a chance mate.

He is in Texas & super helpful, competent & goes the extra yard.

Carol put Ohlins on Lucille front & back & it’s like night & day. Price was reasonable for what I got.

PM me for his contact if y’all are interested.

Cheers
Major Tom

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: Unbalanced on February 15, 2020, 06:20:45 PM: Carol “Smarty” Burkes

+2 on calling Carol, you can reach him @

+1 (469) 268-423two

He is on many of the forums as Smarty.
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: DOCGSS on February 16, 2020, 07:36:09 AM: Howard is in Ft Lauderdale. He did my shocks for my '14 RK CVO. I went to his shop. He builds the shocks for you and your bike using the appropriate springs, etc. Very knowledgable and does nothing but Ohlins shocks. I was very happy
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: SDCVO on February 17, 2020, 01:01:55 AM: Howard has 3 bikes for me and all have turned out great. On my 12 Roadglide I lost 165 lbs after getting my bike set up and I sent shocks back to him and he redid them for just cost of parts which was negligible. I have been loyal to him since.
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: Indenial on February 17, 2020, 02:25:14 PM: Alan, congrats on the weight loss. I'll bet the bike runs faster too. Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: Bobs14Limited on February 17, 2020, 08:47:08 PM: Seemed to remember he was an actor on some sitcom from the 80's.
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: Ironhorse on February 18, 2020, 12:54:01 PM: Quote from: Bobs14Limited on February 17, 2020, 08:47:08 PM
Seemed to remember he was an actor on some sitcom from the 80's.

Are you thinking of the character "Dr. Johnny Fever" on "WKRP in Cincinnati"?
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: Bobs14Limited on February 18, 2020, 09:03:39 PM: Quote from: Ironhorse on February 18, 2020, 12:54:01 PM
Are you thinking of the character "Dr. Johnny Fever" on "WKRP in Cincinnati"?
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[/size][size=78%]That does sound familiar.[/size]
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: bobbym on February 24, 2020, 08:47:26 PM: Does anyone know when they are releasing the fronts for 2018 ?

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Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: Tail Rider on March 01, 2020, 06:43:29 AM: Quote from: Ironhorse on February 18, 2020, 12:54:01 PM
Are you thinking of the character "Dr. Johnny Fever" on "WKRP in Cincinnati"?
Lol...me thinks not :oops:...I believe he's thinking of Howard Hesseman
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: Indenial on March 07, 2020, 06:01:10 PM: Thanks guys. It all came together. I called Carol Burk and ordered the rear shocks. He sent them and I installed them. He is a great guy and we talked during the installation. He even wanted me to call back and he walked me through setting the sag on the shocks, as we were doing it. I'll ride down to Texas this spring and have him do the fronts as well. Thanks for all the input.
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: JMK on March 19, 2020, 01:01:58 PM: I installed Ohlins on the rear a few months ago and they seem to bind some on the rubber inserts at the mounting bolts. I have some wear already on the plastic at the bottom of the shock tube under the spring . I used the Ohlins supplied spacers and washers. are you seeing any signs of the same?
Thanks
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: OBB on March 19, 2020, 06:24:55 PM: Quote from: JMK on March 19, 2020, 01:01:58 PM
I installed Ohlins on the rear a few months ago and they seem to bind some on the rubber inserts at the mounting bolts. I have some wear already on the plastic at the bottom of the shock tube under the spring . I used the Ohlins supplied spacers and washers. are you seeing any signs of the same?
Thanks
Nope. Side note. I didn't use the spacers. Found them in the box after I had them on.

Sent from my boring Droid phone.
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: r0de_runr on March 19, 2020, 09:43:39 PM: Quote from: JMK on March 19, 2020, 01:01:58 PM
I installed Ohlins on the rear a few months ago and they seem to bind some on the rubber inserts at the mounting bolts. I have some wear already on the plastic at the bottom of the shock tube under the spring . I used the Ohlins supplied spacers and washers. are you seeing any signs of the same?
Thanks
I might suggest you check to make sure your upper and lower shock mounting points are square to each other. You might have to shim either side, or either the top or the bottom to get them lined up.

This is in Howard's setup instructions.
Title: Re: Who is Howard Messner?
Post by: JMK on March 19, 2020, 10:44:11 PM: Thanks, I think it is the mounting bolts/washers compressing the rubber. This doesn't allow the shock to pivot as it compresses. it was enough that with one bolt tight it was tough to swing into position to line up the other bolt. trying to get a pic to upload.