brianbmw Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I'm putting ohlins on my R1200ST and was wondering if anyone has any advise with the installation. I have the plastic off my bike so that's out of the way. The rear seems very easy to get at so i'm not really worried about that one, but i assume there are a few tricks to getting at the front one. Also what are the torque specs for the shock bolts? Thanks, Brian Link to comment
Chris K Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Brian, Go to the website www.ohlinsusa.com, click on the motorcycle link in the main menu, then click on the motorcycle products link. Enter in your bike and it will take you to a window with recomended shocks for your bike that includes a link to the mounting instructions. Link to comment
MikeB60 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Here one for the RT. http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=377017&page=1 http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=377017&page=1 Link to comment
cali_beemer Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 This is for a GS but similar to an RT. Jim rocks for pictorial explanations: JVB installation of Ohlins Shocks Link to comment
brianbmw Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 Thanks guys, i have Jims DVD. I'm sure the RT GS and ST are similar enough that i will be able to get it done using those instructions as a guide line. Brian Link to comment
grasslander Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 This is for a GS but similar to an RT. Jim rocks for pictorial explanations: These are close enough for a 12ST install if you are mechanical. Good write up. Link to comment
BigEasy Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I just breezed through JVB's write up and I will make one critical exception to his very well done/detailed procedure: a heat gun is highly desireable/critical to removing both lower bolts. I did my front shock first and thought I had it hot enough but the bolt still sqeeled like it was galled getting it out. I let the heat gun work for quite a bit longer on the rear and it came out quite a bit easier. Link to comment
brianbmw Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Thanks for the heat gun advise. Brian Link to comment
JerryF Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 When my mech. installed the front ohlins on my ST. He had to screw the shock through the hole in the a-arm due to the diameter of the ohlins spring. other than that. it was a snap. Once your shocks are installed. you will be amazed at the diff. in how your bike handles. My second seater even noticed how much less harsh the ride was. Mid corner bumps did not faze the bike at all. have fun and good luck Jerry New resident of Walla Walla WA. Link to comment
brianbmw Posted February 9, 2009 Author Share Posted February 9, 2009 The rear one is done, i'll start the front tomorrow. It looks like i can get at the top bolt without moving the tank back. Maybe it's because i have an ST. Link to comment
Limecreek Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 The rear one is done, i'll start the front tomorrow. It looks like i can get at the top bolt without moving the tank back. Maybe it's because i have an ST. Nope, the R12RT is the same. Don't forget to loosen the front brake line before lowering the front wheel. Link to comment
DoctorC Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 No need to move the tank back. Rear is a breeze. You'll notice a BIG difference in handling. Steve Link to comment
brianbmw Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 How did you tourque the nut on the top of the front fork? I can't get a socket on it with the allen wrench in it. I was thinking maybe i could just tighten it as much as i can with a regular wrench while holding the allen wrench to keep the shock from spinning, then when it's close i could pull the allen wrench out and tourque it the rest of the way with a socket and tourque wrench. I'm not sure if this will work, or if the shock will just rotate when i am trying to tourque it down. Brian Link to comment
grasslander Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Yes, I believe the ST is unique in the tank clearance. Still, watch the top nut doesn't drop down. I had to search for a fair amount of time before I found it in the nest. Link to comment
brianbmw Posted February 12, 2009 Author Share Posted February 12, 2009 I got the front one done, wow that was a little bit of a pain. Even with the front brake line bracket undone it was still a tight fit, the ohlins are so much bigger diameter. Now my only question is how do you toruqe that top nut. It starts to spin the entire shaft and on the ohlin it has two small flats to grab onto with another wrench, but that's kind of hard to do. Plus i'm not sure what 34nm feels like with a wrench. Brian Link to comment
Bernie Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 You could use a crowfoot wrench with your torque wrench. Then you could hold the stud with a allen head socket at the same time. Link to comment
brianbmw Posted February 12, 2009 Author Share Posted February 12, 2009 Ya a crowfoot wrench would probably work, the ohlins don't have the allen head feature on the top of the shock, but there are 2 flats on it so i can probably use a small wrench on that. Link to comment
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