So, OK, the Ohlins are on
and we have two days of good old NE weather so not conducive to giving them a work out. Glad to share my thoughts ... just so you know, I have very limited mechanical ability and a useless set of tools. On the plus side, I have a very smart wife!
~ Product: received very well packaged including instructions. They look great and too bad the saddle bags will hide them
~ Howard's extras: Emails you detailed instructions over and above the Ohlin instructions including what tools you should have on hand. Explains set-up and theory on how shocks work. He also includes in the box all the various nuts, bolts, brackets, tie wraps, spacers, etc., that you will need for the install. Wants to be on the phone with you during the install, and in my opinion, you should definitely take him up on the offer.
~ Things I needed to buy: aforementioned J&S jack (or whatever jack you choose) - J&S is an easy-to-use jack and once you get past the bike tipping onto and off the jack (very scary) works as advertised. Check out their video on youtube. I also had to buy an electric cutting tool (for removing a bracket on the left-side saddlebag support) and a longish measuring caliper - both bought at Harbor Freight and very inexpensive. I had on hand, believe it or not, a pretty good selection of wrenches, ratchets and even a fairly good Torque wrench. I also had my wife ready with note paper and pencil to capture Howard's hints and also to take sag measurements while I sat on the bike.
~ A word about Howard: Howard has an abundance of patience - he spent most of Friday on the phone with us and then another half day Saturday to set up the shocks. Spent enough time with us so we had a good understanding of sag, compression and rebound and how important it is to check your settings after riding until you get the right combination of settings that feel good to you. I found him to have a good sense of humor and could take it as well as give it out. He knows his stuff and is most concerned that you are happy with your purchase. I know I can call him at anytime should I have any questions or concerns. "nuff said - he's a good guy"
~ Difficulties: The only part that I was concerned about was the mounting of the canister on the left side of the bike. I have a FLTRXSE (the rear lights are installed on the skirt between the fender and the saddlebag) and on the left side there is not enough room to mount the bracket that holds the canister. That's the reason I needed a cutting tool. I had to cut through the weld of the bracket on the saddlebag that is designed to attach bad guard surrounds. First time using a cutting tool and I set the dogs blanket on fire - I was using the blanket to protect my bike - not a good thing. I owe our dogs a new blanket!
~ Conclusion: Anyone with rudimentary skills (or none) can do this job. I would not attempt to do it, however, without the help, coaching, and swearing that Howard heaped on me - he taught me a lot including to have more faith in my skills. Little does he know! So here are some pics of the final product - the weather is supposed to be up to 60 degrees Wednesday so I'll give them their first run then.
First two pics are right side - the side you can use the mounting bracket to attach the canister.
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Topic: Ohlins #6 (Read 13681 times)