Suspension serving – update

[Anonymous]

#4322

Well, after years of mucking around, I finally got in touch with Robert Taylor in New Plymouth and booked a day in to get the rear end of the R1200ST dialled in. What a day.We arrived at 8.30am and left about 4.00pm. The shock got taken out approx. 6 times, the springs were changed the valving was altered to suit the spring and all wearing parts replaced. The results, a shock that suits the bike, the loads and my riding style much better, and is responsive to adjustment. As with much about suspension "less is more, and more is less". Robert started by determining the spring was too light (despite being 3 Nm stiffer than standard), and was topped out. He put the shock on to his shock dyno, obtained a graph of dampening for rebound and compression, then cleaned everything. We started with a 21 Nm spring as the first replacement (still too light), the we went for the 24 Nm spring. Static sag with and without rider and pillion was now appropriate and without so much base preload we were now no longer topped out.Next step was too adjust the valving. One advantage of the dyno was we were able to identify one further problem not obvious to the eye. The top mounting eye was flogged out, queue a new top and bearing for the shock. Next Robert got his pen and paper out and "figured out" some new shims for the valving, we needed more low speed compression to get rid of squat and to retain ride height, less high speed for bump compliance, and more rebound to control the spring. Back in the bike and a quick trip to Oakura and back, finding asmany bumps as possible. What a difference, firm but compliant. Back out of the bike and onto the dyno. The dyno told the whole story, and Robert reduced the compression and we put it back into the bike. Another trip to Oakura, and we were happy campers.The squat and fall through the spring is gone, it is compliant and the bike is predictable. Worth every $ spent. Roberts spring graphs even show that with a stiffer spring and less base compression the 24 Nm spring is more compliant than the 20Nm spring. As Robert says, if it's on the bike to do a job, then it should do it properly. I wish I'd taken that advice earlier.Greg

[Anonymous]

#17875

Hey Greg,What sort of $$s are you talking about?  My '06 R12RT has 130k of touring under her belt, so I'd be curious to see just how flogged my suspension is.Scott

[Anonymous]

#17876

Hi ScottMacThe rear shock is an Ohlins. I replaced it on the R1200ST at approx 6,000 k's. We now are approaching 115,000 k's. Even with Ohlins you should be servicing the suspension every 20,000 or so. The original Ohlins shock cost around $1500 if I recollect correctly. I've mucked around with springs and valving, but I hasten to add, not with Robert Taylor. If I'd taken the trouble to get in touch with him sooner I would've got what I have now much ealrier, so my fault. The latest upgrade cost approx $800, but was worth it, there was a lot to do. I'm assuming you have a standard BMW rear shock? If yes, then if you wanted to upgrade that shock it is possible (despite being non-servicable), but you need to know what you want. Do you need more spring, more dampening etc. A simple refresh of oil, gas and seals, may keep you happy. In which case, it may be only $200-300 (just my guess). It is surprising even with the Ohlins how much deterioration you can notice when it is serviced.If you have an Ohlins shock already and want a bigger spring, I have two I am selling that are slightly stiffer than standard for my R12ST and probably for other R11-R12's. Check out the for sale section of the ForumHappy to discuss further.Greg

[Anonymous]

#17877

A quick further comment. When I compared the original shock on the R12ST with the Ohlins, the differences in reservoir size for oil and gas is significant, which means it doesn't heat up so fast, which hopefully reduces or stops fade. I ride two-up most of the time, so have erred on that side with setting the shock up (finally). As I was informed, to have a shock that does every type of setting and ride and load conditions requires a magic wand… Never too old to learn or to admit mistakes  😉

[Anonymous]

#17878

to have a shock that does every type of setting and ride and load conditions requires a magic wand…

Or mebbe an appropriate hat, like Rincewind the Wizzard?

[Anonymous]

#17879

Still running original BMW shocks, Greg, but always looking for new way of reallocating the mortgage repayments.

[Anonymous]

#17880

BwucieNot sure about the head wear, but hey......SottmacIf you think the current spring is appropriate (determined by sag values of the bike when loaded and unloaded) (I was going to say sag at the rear end, but that's a whole 'nother problem...) then a refresh of the oil, gas and seals might be the go. Particularly if the mortgage broker failed to factor in the hour or so of life we like to have fun... There are people that will service allegedly non-serviceable shocks. Mark Patterson at Patterson O'Connor (KTM dealers) in Rotorua is one, and Kiwi Suspension in New Plymouth is another. Each are experts in their brands. There are obviously others, but these are who I have used to good effect in the past.

[Anonymous]

#17881

What sort of $$s are you talking about?  My '06 R12RT has 130k of touring under her belt, so I'd be curious to see just how flogged my suspension is.

130k?  😮 I could feel the difference in my GSA suspension after 60k.Go on... dooo eeeet  ;D

[Anonymous]

#17882

I agree with Gremlin, you know you want to

[Anonymous]

#17883

I had Norm Cobb fit Ohlins to my bike  about two years ago , out of the box they converted my R1100S  with choppy handling into a modern version of a soggy R90S – wobbled and wallowed all over the road. Quick chat with Robert and they were back down for a supplier warranty tune up. Came back with stiffer rear spring 2 steps up from memory and changed valving - the bike has been magic ever since.Robert knows his stuff and supports what he sells.Norm does rebuilds on just about anything and is in Ellerslie  so if you have a sluggish stock shock or forks I can recommend Norm , for new stuff and specialised rebuilds Robert is tops.

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