Ohlins FG 8600 fork spares list and specification card

[Fupped Duc]

For your entertainment, here are the Spare Parts list and the specification card for the FG 8600 forks on the 1200S. I'm trying to get Ohlins USA to send .pdf files of the Workshop Manual and/or the Owner's Manual for the fork spring removal and replacement procedure. There is a step-by-step procedure in the Ohlins FG R&T 43 owner's manual. The end cap servomotor/actuator rod/damper valving assembly makes spring servicing a slightly more confusing proposition, so I'm hoping that the same information is available for the version on our bikes.

Since the MTS 1200S ABS workshop manual states that the shock and the forks are Ohlins service items, I wouldn't think the workshop manual would be considered proprietary to Ducati service departments. If both Dolph Lundgren and Sylvester Stallone were to show up at my door, however, I might have to rethink that thought.

[oleary]

Originally Posted by Fupped Duc

For your entertainment, here are the Spare Parts list and the specification card for the FG 8600 forks on the 1200S. I'm trying to get Ohlins USA to send .pdf files of the Workshop Manual and/or the Owner's Manual for the fork spring removal and replacement procedure. There is a step-by-step procedure in the Ohlins FG R&T 43 owner's manual. The end cap servomotor/actuator rod/damper valving assembly makes spring servicing a slightly more confusing proposition, so I'm hoping that the same information is available for the version on our bikes.

Since the MTS 1200S ABS workshop manual states that the shock and the forks are Ohlins service items, I wouldn't think the workshop manual would be considered proprietary to Ducati service departments. If both Dolph Lundgren and Sylvester Stallone were to show up at my door, however, I might have to rethink that thought.

Cool! Thanks.

[getagripman]

My understanding is that no additional special tools are required so there may be a small change in procedure, but servicing them should be very similar to other Ohlins forks.

[Fupped Duc]

Originally Posted by getagripman

My understanding is that no additional special tools are required so there may be a small change in procedure, but servicing them should be very similar to other Ohlins forks.

You're right.
Ohlins in Sweden said this:
"There is not one done yet (manual), we working on it. No big deal to change the springs. Just disconnect the electric wire and turn of the preload by hand tool.
Remove the top cap as any other R&T forks and replace the spring.

Assembling top cap: Damping shaft should be bottoming into top cap first, then tighten the lock nut #1 towards the cap."

They sent along a diagram of the spring guide and lock nut #1 (attached), and the FGRT owner's manual (too large to attach). Looks easy enough, but the tools are going to be $$$. WTH, it's my hobby...

[TAftonomos]

Did Ohlins ever send you the info you requested? I ordered the 7.0's and a 100 rate for my 10', but I havn't been able to find specific info.

I'm wondering how to disconnect the actuator rod from the servo....I'm assuming it would be better to leave it attached to the cap?

A specific set of instructions on how to pull the fork apart for a spring change would be very nice!

[amullo]

Let me know if i can help.. I´m 10 minutes from Öhlins headquarters here in Sweden and i have some contacts in the R&D department there..

//A

[TAftonomos]

It would be awesome to have the instructions for dis-assembly of the fork! The E-manual/draft has a set of older ohlins forks shown, which are different than the "30NIX" setup found on the MTS.

[Dr. Greg]

Regarding fork disassembly: do you folks change your own fork oil? I've all but given up any DIY work on the MTS1200S, but with the Showa forks on my Uly (and '92 Duc 900SS) I partially disassembled the fork (spring compressor, etc.) to change the fork oil. Had springs out, etc. Did it all with "homemade" tools.

Are the Ohlins at least similar? Just curious...

--Doc

[Fupped Duc]

Originally Posted by TAftonomos

Did Ohlins ever send you the info you requested? I ordered the 7.0's and a 100 rate for my 10', but I havn't been able to find specific info.

I'm wondering how to disconnect the actuator rod from the servo....I'm assuming it would be better to leave it attached to the cap?

A specific set of instructions on how to pull the fork apart for a spring change would be very nice!

Ohlins USA contacted Ohlins Sweden about specific disassembly instructions and was told that none would be available. It seems to be typical of Ducati's business strategy that they obtain non-compete agreements from their OE parts suppliers for what then becomes Ducati-proprietary parts and service.

Ohlins USA does not seem to be so bound, and are fairly free with their advice. The only caveat about removing the fork caps that Matt Sage of their racing support offered was "pull the cap straight up, so that you don't accidentally bend the servo actuator rod". There is no reason to remove the rod from the cap, he said.

I haven't done it yet, but I got an Ohlins USA fork cap socket from Kyle USA, which was probably made in NC, and I intend to pull the caps this weekend to see what is under them. If it's not freezing cold n the garage, that is.

Fork oil ought to be changed every two years, I have read. Excessive mileage would increase that frequency, I suppose. MotionPro makes a shock fluid extraction kit - a big syringe with a length of tubing and a hollow metal rod to simultaneously suck out and measure your old shock oil. You might not get all of it with such a device, but don't let perfection stand in the way of good enough.

Refill and ride.

[torxhead]

Originally Posted by Fupped Duc

Ohlins USA contacted Ohlins Sweden about specific disassembly instructions and was told that none would be available. It seems to be typical of Ducati's business strategy that they obtain non-compete agreements from their OE parts suppliers for what then becomes Ducati-proprietary parts and service.

Ohlins USA does not seem to be so bound, and are fairly free with their advice. The only caveat about removing the fork caps that Matt Sage of their racing support offered was "pull the cap straight up, so that you don't accidentally bend the servo actuator rod". There is no reason to remove the rod from the cap, he said.

I haven't done it yet, but I got an Ohlins USA fork cap socket from Kyle USA, which was probably made in NC, and I intend to pull the caps this weekend to see what is under them. If it's not freezing cold n the garage, that is.

Fork oil ought to be changed every two years, I have read. Excessive mileage would increase that frequency, I suppose. MotionPro makes a shock fluid extraction kit - a big syringe with a length of tubing and a hollow metal rod to simultaneously suck out and measure your old shock oil. You might not get all of it with such a device, but don't let perfection stand in the way of good enough.

Refill and ride.

I spoke to Matt Sage a year or so ago and found him very helpful. I wrote up what I learned from him and Andy has it posted here: Motorcycle Info Pages - MTS1200 Technical > MTS1200 Ohlins / DES Suspension

It could be marketing, but he was pretty insistent that only Ohlins fluid (he said Ohlins doesn't call it "oil") should be used in their products, as they are specifically designed for it and vice versa. It's also interesting that Ohlins doesn't offer various weights of "fluid", believing that washer stack adjustment is the proper way to tune dampers.

One of the selling factors of the Mutley, for me, was the Ohlins suspenders. I truly believe them to be the finest on the market, and I think there must be a reason. I've never felt compelled to use only the fluid a bike manufacturer recommends, but in this case I choose to believe the product manufacturer. I'm just sayin'...