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Thread: Service interval on an Ohlins rear shock

  1. #31
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    Quote Originally Posted by GSVR View Post
    I think you and Shaun have read at that post the wrong way. It was about the Ohlins brand and the fact they are percieved as being the best money can buy then the company can sell the product at premium prices.

    As for whos got the knowledge of how to tune modern race suspension I'd say Red Fenton must have huge experience but he isn't doing it for a living.

    The guy with the best resources and contacts I can think of in NZ would have to be you. But if you charged $50 and hour with a minium of 1/2 hour increments for labour at the track (not an unreasonable rate) you would be garanteed to have plenty of spare time on your hands. Or are your paying customers subsidising the ones you help for free!

    Is the after sales service actually free or is it already incorporated into the initial cost of the shock?

    I thought Ohlins had a minimum retail price policy. Not RRP.
    http://www.ema-usa.com/suspension/su...n_ohlins.shtml
    http://www.hardracing.com/Shocks%20&...amp/Ohlins.htm
    Unfortunately, as of Jan. 2008 Ohlins has gone to MAP Pricing.
    That means, ALL CERTIFIED OHLINS DEALERS, MUST show Retail Pricing.
    If they are NOT Showing Retail pricing, then they probably are Not a CERTIFIED Ohlins Dealer.
    Or, they can No Longer purchase Ohlins Products. Those are the Rules.
    BUT, the Good news is, this is the U.S.A. where you can SELL it for a Fair SALE PRICE.

    Why did Ohlins do this?

    Ultimately the market sets the cost to the consumer.
    If you looked at Ohlins gross profit per annum youd ask wha do they put so much effort in for so little return. 7%

    Red runs his team ( Robbie Bugden, James Smith ) We ( CKT ) are responsible for doing internal setting changes to the suspension units that we supply to that team, invoiced to Suzuki NZ. Whilst Red is starting to look after some of our interests in the South Island we will still be looking after Robbies and James suspension when called upon.

    My paying customers are by no means subsidising free assistance to others. Over the winter months we have done a lot of development work with the Blue Wing Honda racebikes and now with Strouds new K9. Neither BWH or SNZ are invoiced for our time, only any parts used. And we have helped a lot of people besides, who have asked.

    We have service contracts for some of the distributor riders during the Nationals, it barely covers costs.

    If then it is percieved that our product prices subsidise subsequent setup then our prices are much too low.

    Ohlins instituting that policy is a first step in combating internet resellers who have no respect for appointed territories and the cost in infrastructure that each distributor has. There are to be further measures. It doesnt help that the US Ohlins distributor can purchase product in $US giving better insulation against currency fluctuation. It also dosent help that the $NZ is currently so strong, in the end event its no good for exporters and NZ business, the 2 biggest contributors to the welfare of our country. Its time more of us put the overall wellbeing of the country above self interest., and I make no aplogy for saying that.

    Ph: 06 751 2100 * Email: robert@kss.net.nz
    Mob: 021 825 514 * Fax: 06 751 4551

  2. #32
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    Quote Originally Posted by AllanB View Post
    Very interesting comment and certainly food for thought.

    I understand that Robert takes the time to setup each shock for the rider and NZ roads as a 'value added extra' in NZ.
    As a exercise I'd be interested to see the difference between a USA Internet purchased big O and a Robert setup one on the same bike.
    If anyone is prepared to finance my experiment feel free to PM me

    I think ACC should subsidize the cost of Ohlins suspension in NZ - surely this would help reduce the motorcycle accidents!
    This has actually been proven time and time again. I can well remember a guy buying an R6 shock off a US parasite and he was burning up tyres because it was neither sprung or valved for our conditions. If he had bought it off me and that was occuring I would have reset it foc. That shock did come to me and he paid the going rate. Did he save money or get a loyalty discount? No. Did he have his cake and eat it too? No!

    We struggled a bit with initial setup of SV650 rear shocks because they were only ever intended as a commuter bike. But we worked and worked at it and now have a very good internal and external upgrade spec that we automatically instal into each one we sell.

    When you crash on the road with good suspension it is usually at a higher speed!

    Ph: 06 751 2100 * Email: robert@kss.net.nz
    Mob: 021 825 514 * Fax: 06 751 4551

  3. #33
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    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Taylor View Post
    If you looked at Ohlins gross profit per annum youd ask wha do they put so much effort in for so little return. 7%
    All I can say is they must not have very good accountants as if they did they would report a huge loss every year and get the government to inject large sums of tax payers money to keep them afloat.

    Thanks for the reply Robert.

  4. #34
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    Quote Originally Posted by GSVR View Post
    All I can say is they must not have very good accountants as if they did they would report a huge loss every year and get the government to inject large sums of tax payers money to keep them afloat.

    Thanks for the reply Robert.
    I think the system in Scandinavia may be more transparent, but Im only guessing. FYI Elka are propped up by the Canadian Government.
    Im all for people at all levels of society not milking the system.

    Ph: 06 751 2100 * Email: robert@kss.net.nz
    Mob: 021 825 514 * Fax: 06 751 4551

  5. #35
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    Quote Originally Posted by GSVR View Post
    All I can say is they must not have very good accountants as if they did they would report a huge loss every year and get the government to inject large sums of tax payers money to keep them afloat.

    Thanks for the reply Robert.
    Good luck getting money from the Swedish government, unless you're building fighter jets.

  6. #36
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    Quote Originally Posted by johan View Post
    Good luck getting money from the Swedish government, unless you're building fighter jets.
    Fighter jets are cool Johan! At least they have those in Sweden.

    Ph: 06 751 2100 * Email: robert@kss.net.nz
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  7. #37
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    It's only nuts and bolts for krissakes, any mug can service shocks. All motorcycle shocks are the bloody same inside and they're all made from pretty much the same materials.

    Don't be conned by the experts, these are the same people who orchestrated the moon landings and convinced us of global warming. They're also withholding important evidence that proves without doubt that the motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi is and always has been, a robot clone.

    It's a well-known fact amongst us in the know that ohlins shocks are re-badged hagon shocks with many of their internal and external parts cunningly stenciled with 'swedish steel' lettering.

    The more expensive models actually have the lettering professionally stamped into the metal to complete the illusion of 'high-quality' without arousing suspicion.

    At home you can easily service these shocks yourself. Equipment needed is a vice, a packet of large ball-bearings, a fine-toothed hacksaw blade(shortened) 3 litres of water, 3 teaspoons of used baking soda, a rubber mallet, an axe-head, vaseline, two 155mm lengths of 10mm threaded rod, 2 large planks, a roll of black and yellow flecked sewing cotton, a vernier caliper and a red and white one-tonne car-jack.

    If any of you have trouble finding this equipment, you can alternatively send your shocks directly to me as I am currently running a complete ohlins shock re-build service operating off-shore. Why waste good money in NZ? We can accommodate any other brand of shock as well.

    I have good contacts in China and Calcutta, and can promise you some very good value for money. We also have some very good replacement components forged from large pieces of Air-India wreckage professionally dredged from the Ganges under strict supervision that ensures top quality control.

    Our workshop operates outdoors, saving you, the customer, even more money. Roofing has always been an over-rated part of the building code, but we do have a large collection of tarpaulins in use during the rainy season.

    Rusting of some components is always inevitable if the rainy season is a particularly long one, but hey, rust isn't all it's cracked up to be anyway. And we try our best to replace steel components with brass or copper for increased corrosion protection if we can.

    Currently materials are in short supply, but that could change at any time. We have been waiting on the next Air-India mishap, but we have agents keeping a close eye on Air Pakistan and the Chinese rail system and it's likely not long before a good influx of materials becomes available again.

    Yours faithfully, Viscount Montgomerys ohlins shock re-building enterprises inc.

  8. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by Viscount Montgomery View Post
    It's only nuts and bolts for krissakes, any mug can service shocks. All motorcycle shocks are the bloody same inside and they're all made from pretty much the same materials.

    Don't be conned by the experts, these are the same people who orchestrated the moon landings and convinced us of global warming. They're also withholding important evidence that proves without doubt that the motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi is and always has been, a robot clone.

    It's a well-known fact amongst us in the know that ohlins shocks are re-badged hagon shocks with many of their internal and external parts cunningly stenciled with 'swedish steel' lettering.

    The more expensive models actually have the lettering professionally stamped into the metal to complete the illusion of 'high-quality' without arousing suspicion.

    At home you can easily service these shocks yourself. Equipment needed is a vice, a packet of large ball-bearings, a fine-toothed hacksaw blade(shortened) 3 litres of water, 3 teaspoons of used baking soda, a rubber mallet, an axe-head, vaseline, two 155mm lengths of 10mm threaded rod, 2 large planks, a roll of black and yellow flecked sewing cotton, a vernier caliper and a red and white one-tonne car-jack.

    If any of you have trouble finding this equipment, you can alternatively send your shocks directly to me as I am currently running a complete ohlins shock re-build service operating off-shore. Why waste good money in NZ? We can accommodate any other brand of shock as well.

    I have good contacts in China and Calcutta, and can promise you some very good value for money. We also have some very good replacement components forged from large pieces of Air-India wreckage professionally dredged from the Ganges under strict supervision that ensures top quality control.

    Our workshop operates outdoors, saving you, the customer, even more money. Roofing has always been an over-rated part of the building code, but we do have a large collection of tarpaulins in use during the rainy season.

    Rusting of some components is always inevitable if the rainy season is a particularly long one, but hey, rust isn't all it's cracked up to be anyway. And we try our best to replace steel components with brass or copper for increased corrosion protection if we can.

    Currently materials are in short supply, but that could change at any time. We have been waiting on the next Air-India mishap, but we have agents keeping a close eye on Air Pakistan and the Chinese rail system and it's likely not long before a good influx of materials becomes available again.

    Yours faithfully, Viscount Montgomerys ohlins shock re-building enterprises inc.
    Heck if you put the same effort into typing a serious rather than flippant post youd be devastating!

    Ph: 06 751 2100 * Email: robert@kss.net.nz
    Mob: 021 825 514 * Fax: 06 751 4551

  9. #39
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    We are currently offering great deals on quality fork oil this month. Our used sump oil is some of the best available, and again, we've discovered a reliable supplier from the back-streets of Bombay.

    We have pioneered an exciting new used oil filtering technology. The pantyhose extraction method TM. The black oil is strained repeatedly through fine mesh pantyhose and stockings many times, and the final product is often reduced to a much nicer dark chocolate brown colour.

    Our pantyhose and stockings are carefully checked beforehand, and any with runs or ladders are discarded immediately, ensuring the minimum of contamination and metal filings.

    The contamination and carcinogen levels are often reduced to less than 700,000 ppm. (70%) allowing riders to breathe easily without overly serious health concerns.

    Our fork oil packs also include a cleaning kit consisting of two handkercheifs and one medium sized rag. This ensures quick and easy cleaning of the inevitable fork/shock oil seepage all motorcyclists will experience on most rides.

    We recommend cleaning twice a day for best results. We do understand that blackish oil stains can sometimes look unsightly. Customer satisfaction is important to us, and no other fork oil package brands contain cleaning kits like ours do.

    Our fork oil techs also operate in pyjamas, saving on over-all costs, which you, the customer, can reap benefits from.

    Yours faithfully, Viscount Montgomerys ohlins rebuild enterprises inc.

  10. #40
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    6th April 2007 - 19:10
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    Get Real OK

    This thread was a request for "service recommendations"

    A simple service checking if shock was performing to expectations, strip clean inspect, replace any worn parts and seals. reoil using vacuum bleeder.

    A roadbike shock service would rarely include updates or changes unless they were requested



    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Taylor View Post
    Race Tech training is several steps removed from proper Ohlins factory training. Are Race Tech privy to the very latest Ohlins updates and training information etc? Get real.

    Is a non Ohlins accredited suspension fiddler going to be first in line for those latest updates and more privileged information? Get real
    We all know some people who know some people... and if asked...
    are those "latest updates and more privileged information" actually helping you ?
    Authorised K-tech Sales and Service.
    http://www.motorcycleparts.co.nz/Sus...#mcnzstocklist

  11. #41
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    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Taylor View Post

    Are these guys well versed across all brands? Get real.

    Am I the Ohlins distributor just as versed in ( for example ) WP? Get real
    Who exactly are you referring to as "these guys" ?
    Mark P.atterson Rotorua and Norm C.obb Auckland, you don't feel these guy's are well versed in the suspension industry across multiple brands ?

    So by your own admission you don't consider yourself competent enough to do a service on a WP, Penske, Elka, or YSS ?
    Authorised K-tech Sales and Service.
    http://www.motorcycleparts.co.nz/Sus...#mcnzstocklist

  12. #42
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    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Taylor View Post

    Inherent flaws or setting changes to mostly allow for our road conditions? Get real
    Really, do you think bumps are different in Italy ?
    To quote someone, maybe you consider this guy just a tinkerer too.

    One thing I have found to be fact: Suspension tuners in every country on Earth think there is something special and hard to work with at the tracks in their country, and they convince their local racers of the same. A bump is a bump, a hole is a hole, a crack is a crack. They all exist in tracks all over the world.

    I do undertand that your bumps are pointing down from the earth and ours point up here in the States... but your bikes should weigh less, and hit the bumps with less force since you are hangin' off the bottom of the earth... ... seriously, though...

    I have worked at racetracks in the USA, Canada, Japan, Austrailia, Qatar, England, France, Italy, and Spain. It's not the black magic it's cracked up to be.

    Sincerely,

    Max McAllister
    President
    Traxxion Dynamics, Inc.
    Authorised K-tech Sales and Service.
    http://www.motorcycleparts.co.nz/Sus...#mcnzstocklist

  13. #43
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    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Taylor View Post

    We struggled a bit with initial setup of SV650 rear shocks because they were only ever intended as a commuter bike. But we worked and worked at it and now have a very good internal and external upgrade spec that we automatically instal into each one we sell.
    SV650's have been extensively raced in the US since 2001, why would you struggle when you have the "latest updates" from ohlins, this would read as though the knowledge sharing pool within ohlins is not working very well. Wonder if calling them parasites is hindering your access to the "real" latest information.
    Authorised K-tech Sales and Service.
    http://www.motorcycleparts.co.nz/Sus...#mcnzstocklist

  14. #44
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    Quote Originally Posted by _STAIN_ View Post
    Who exactly are you referring to as "these guys" ?
    Mark P.atterson Rotorua and Norm C.obb Auckland, you don't feel these guy's are well versed in the suspension industry across multiple brands ?

    So by your own admission you don't consider yourself competent enough to do a service on a WP, Penske, Elka, or YSS ?
    What you little realise is these guys lean on me a lot for service info for the Ohlins brand. The difference being that there is never a hidden agenda with these guys, I trust them.
    You misunderstand and twist. Yes we can service those brands but the WP specialist in NZ ( for example ) is Mark Patterson.

    Ph: 06 751 2100 * Email: robert@kss.net.nz
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  15. #45
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    Quote Originally Posted by _STAIN_ View Post
    SV650's have been extensively raced in the US since 2001, why would you struggle when you have the "latest updates" from ohlins, this would read as though the knowledge sharing pool within ohlins is not working very well. Wonder if calling them parasites is hindering your access to the "real" latest information.
    Again you misunderstand and twist. SV650s are raced in only a few countries and I have never had a request from the States re these or sought info. We share on occurence basis.
    Ohlins Sweden do not have update specs for RACING / TRACK DAYS for SV650, as they consider them only a commuter bike.
    I was not calling Ohlins parasites, you need a better command of the English language.

    Ph: 06 751 2100 * Email: robert@kss.net.nz
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