Ohlins Shock Absorbers

Although the Showa shocks that come standard on the GS are very good, they can be improved. Lisa and I require shocks that have a greater degree of adjustment and will handle the rutted piste's of the Sahara and the vast array of other brutal surfaces we will comes across on our trip. The other major benefit of the Ohlins is that they are rebuildable.

 

Instructions:

1. Start by removing the rider and pillion seat. Next make sure you have on hand something to place under the swing arm i.e.. Jack or a couple of blocks of wood. The swing arm isn't heavy but when the rear shock is removed you'll need something to support the arm.

2. Remove the adjusting knob, which resides down by the pillion foot rest. this unit is held in place with a Alan bolt. Once undone leave the adjuster to dangle but remember to keep the bolt. This is important as it is used to hold the new Ohlins adjuster in place.

3. Remove the back wheel and the rear brake calipers.

4. You should now have clear access to the base of the Showa shock. A single bolt at the base of the shock connects the suspension unit to the swing arm. Using a 13mm wrench and spanner undo the nuts holding the long bolt in place. The swing arm will not drop until you have completely removed the bolt. When you have the swing arm should be resting on the jack/block you readied earlier.

5. There are two plastics bracket which hold the riders seat in place, you'll have to remove one of them as they sit either side of the upper bolt which hold the top of the shock in place. Without removing one of the brackets you can't remove the bolt.

6. With the bracket removed, now undo the nuts holding the upper bolt in place. An extra pair of hands is useful at this point as when the bolt is pulled out the shock will drop.

7. With every thing undone, you can now remove the rear Showa shock

8. Installation of the new shock is simply a reverse of the above

9. If you have a torque wrench use to do up the upper and lower bolts holding the new shock in place. Sorry I can't remember the settings but there in the instruction booklet that comes with the shocks.

Instructions:front

1. Remove the tank: If you haven't already got them, it's a really good idea to fit some quick disconnecting fuel lines. There easy to install and means you can safely remove the tank in just a few minutes.

 

2. Place a jack under the bash plate of the bike. When you remove the front shock the bike will drop as nothing is left to support the bike at the front. Unlike conventional bikes the GS has nothing in the front forks, all the work is done with the front shock and paralever.

3. Remove the nuts either side of the front shock retaining bolt (bottom). Carefully remove the bolt. The front of the bike will drop ever so slightly. It has to drop just enough to provide the angle to allow you to remove the front shock.
4. Undo the top (single) nut. With the nut undone you can slide the front shock out.

5. Again installation of the new shock is simply a reversal of the removal procedure. Important: make sure you keep the nut you remove form the top of the showa shock as you'll need to reuse to secure the new Ohlins shock. The nut is a metric fine 10mm 1.25mm thread.

A big thank you to Glynn for all his help and picture taking.

Supplier: Harris Performance Parts