Ohlins shock 916.........

[DukeDesmo]

OK so I've been 'shopping' Ohlins this time; got an Ohlins steering damper and a couple of Ohlins shocks - bid on one on ebay and in the meantime I bought one from a guy breaking up a 998, then ended up winning the ebay one also - So like Buses, nothing for ages and then 2 show up together.

Now I'm trying to determine exactly what shock/spring combination I've got, both shocks look almost the same except the one from the 998 (which I believe to be newer) has a different shaped top casting (part that holds the 'can').

Does anyone know what the part/ref numbers on the top casting relate to as I can't find them on Ohlins website? The numbers on the top part are;

Shock # 1; (from a 748/916/996?, year/model unknown?) V-639 DU3420, there are no markings on the spring, I believe that it is the original spring.

Shock # 2; (from an '02 998S Biposto) DU8440, this shock also has the code 1091-21/75 081 on the spring.

Is there any way of determining spring weight? from thickness or other identifier?

Thanks for any help.

[NCRick]

That -21/75 spring is a good size for a 200 lb rider. That is assuming the bike is close to stock weight and sees street duty. I weigh more than that and use the same size spring on my 385 lb 748 track/race bike.

The Ohlins PN are for the OEM shocks I believe. I have not seen Ohlins springs with out numbers. Is the spring yellow?

I am happy to help out in any way I can. We service those shocks and have a good amount of parts and info.

[DukeDesmo]

Thanks for the info NCRick, is the 21/75 spring equivalent to the spring in my stock Biposto Showa shock?, which I'm told is a 75 (or is that 0.75?) and, I'm told, pretty much ideal for my weight (around 205-210lbs). FYI the bike is a 916 biposto with some minor weight loss; CF parts, Mono seat & Marchesini 10 spoke wheels - I guess the only significant weight loss is due to the wheels, street ridden and with Showa forks with 10 (1.0?) rate springs.

Would you advise that I setup the ride height & sag exactly as per the Showa to get the same results or is there a different recommended setting? due to the shock being a different unit.

As for the other shock without any numbers, the spring is the same shade of yellow as the one with the writing and actually measures very slightly thicker - 21/75 spring measures around 10.8mm whilst the other measures around 11mm - I don't know what (if anything) this relates to?

At this point I'm looking to see which shock to use (probably the 21/75), I'll sell the other one once I've sorted which way I'm going but was curious to know exactly what I've bought and which, if any, is more suitable for my bike.

Another thing - The shock with the 21/75 spring came from an '02 bike with only 7,000 miles on it, do you think it would need servicing? (oil/gas etc).

Thanks again

[DukeDesmo]

Originally Posted by NCRick

I have not seen Ohlins springs with out numbers. Is the spring yellow?

OK solved this problem, (in case anyone's interested), I took the shock to my local Suspension specialist (sorry I can't bring it to you Rick but I'm 4000 miles away!!). I've decided to get the shock serviced before fitting it to my bike (seals, oil, gas etc) - seems stupid just to fit it, not knowing if it's 'fresh' or not.

But I took the other shock with me and they identified it, from the part no as OEM Ohlins for a 916 (or 748?) '94-'98, presumably a strada or SP as the Biposto used a Showa, they measured the spring on some test gauge as a 6.4 (64, 0.64?) which, they said would be the correct OEM mono setup - the reason there's no numbers on the spring is that it has been re-painted, presumably to cover stone-chips etc.

Anyway all in order now, I'll be fitting it to my bike as soon as I get it back and the 'spare' will go back to the wonderful world that is ebay, unless someone on here is looking for a 916 type Ohlins shock.....