Ohlins Shocks for Commando?

J

JAS001

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Jan 1, 2019
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Hello all,
Looking for the best high end performance shocks for my 1975 MKIII. Does Ohlins offer a model that fits and if so where to source? I understand there may be clearance issues on the left side due to the chain guard? TIA
 
I bought a mk 3 interstate with Ohlins on it over the winter. I don't really know much about how the Ohlins were acquired but I can answer any question determinable from inspection of the bike. I have only ridden it about 150 miles, most last week, as I had the tank out to my painter for repair as the riding season began. Nice bike I plan to use. Both it and my combat roadster are black and gold but are quite different in temperament.
 
ilikevelos said:
I bought a mk 3 interstate with Ohlins on it over the winter. I don't really know much about how the Ohlins were acquired but I can answer any question determinable from inspection of the bike. I have only ridden it about 150 miles, most last week, as I had the tank out to my painter for repair as the riding season began. Nice bike I plan to use. Both it and my combat roadster are black and gold but are quite different in temperament.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the reply. Is there any interference on the left side with the chain guard or are there any apparent modifications that were made to obtain clearance? Could you post a few pics, esp of the left side? Any idea what model the shocks are?
 
I will try to check tomorrow. Will try to post but not computer savy. No idea what model shocks. Is there a number on ohlins?
 
If it’s performance you’re trying to optimise, Maxton or K-Tech are amongst the best. Maxton having the advantage of being custom made to your weight etc.
 
The only source of useful information regarding currently available Ohlins shocks that could work on a vintage Norton that participated here passed away. His name is/was Dan Kyle. I could be wrong but don't think Ohlins ever gave a rat's rear end about making suspension components specifically for old Norton motorcycles, but there are Ohlins shocks with the right length and eye design. Try the search function and read any information posted by Dan Kyle. Also try a search in the P11 N15 Atlas forum. Some P11 owners have put Ohlins shocks on P11's.

You might waste less time finding something that works going with FE's advice and try Maxton and or K-Tech since both of those companies are still supporting vintage motorcycles like the Norton and know what should work. Unfortunately they are not on the North American continent, and you know who will want your pound of flesh added to the price.
 
These are picatures of the Ohlins shocks I fitted to one of my Mk3 Commandos.

This is my first fitting, with no mods to the shocks.

Ohlins Shocks for Commando?


Ohlins Shocks for Commando?


I was concerned about the clearance between the chainguard and the spring adjuster, so I made a new set of top hats to raise the spring for more clearance. This is the current configuration.

Ohlins Shocks for Commando?


Ohlins Shocks for Commando?


The new spring top hats.

Ohlins Shocks for Commando?


Ken
 
Lots more info here in the late Dan Kyle's post on fitting Ohlins shocks to Commandos:

D

Thread 'Building an Ohlins Shock'

I have wanted to make an Ohlins shock fit the Commando/Roadster for a long time.

I am hoping to get feedback form people on the forum as to what you would want in a replacement shock.

Ohlins has been making them for the "New" Nortons since 2010.
While I was looking for info, I came across this forum, Lots of Good info, as well as some threads on Shocks and some pictures of various Ohlins Shocks on Bikes.
So I am going to give it a try.
First I learned a lot on this forum, the first issue was the fitment problem with the chain guard.
The OEM shock is very small diameter by today's...
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Ken
 
Looked at my bike and took pictures. Need another day to overcome tech dificulties and upload them. Mine are basically the same as lcrken bike though. Seem to fit without interference. Best.
 
ilikevelos said:
Looked at my bike and took pictures. Need another day to overcome tech dificulties and upload them. Mine are basically the same as lcrken bike though. Seem to fit without interference. Best.
Click to expand...
Great input from everyone here and I now have some options. I am really looking for a “plug and play” solution without mods so I will check out the other brands mentioned. Shame-when upgrading to Ohlins on my modem bikes it’s been a dramatic improvement.
 
FWIW, I had installed a pair of Hagons way back when and was perfectly happy with them. About 5-6 years ago I decided - for no REAL reason - that I should have "better shocks." I bought a pair of top quality (per all the experts), infinitely adjustable rear shocks. First time out on an "spirited" ride I entered a corner at a speed I had always entered that corner and the rear started pogo-ing and I ended up crossing the divider and running into an adjacent field. Luckily there was no oncoming traffic and the only witness to my embarrassment was my wife on her Africa Twin! ;)

The next day I reinstalled the Hagons!

I'm sure it wasn't the shocks themselves but the adjustment. The preload was an infinite threaded section, not the three position "cam" of a typical Norton shock and I probably did not have it set correctly despite being careful in doing so re sag, etc. But I decided that I wasn't interested in doing a bunch of testing to come up with the "perfect" setting when the Hagons worked fine. I'm sure the new shocks would have been better on the race track after sorting but racing was well in my past.
 
Here the picture of the Mk 3 with Ohlins. The shocks work well but are let down in my opinion by the K81s. Also improving the front end would result in a better balance. Still, did about 125mi today and happy with bike.
 
I put a set of new Koni shocks on my Norton way back in 1978 ($245 at the time) and still have them fitted now, so Ikon are Koni and I have only rebuilt my old Koni's about 15 years ago when one main seal blew and Ikon supplied the rebuilt kit for both Koni shocks $40 at the time, I ended up also buying a new set of Ikons for my Manxman and a set for my 2016 Thruxton, both bike now gone but the Koni shocks are still going strong and it wasn't a hard job to rebuild them, I also was given a new set of Ikon shocks for my Norton, they are the same as my Koni shocks so I have a spare set if my old Koni's do wear out, 48 years on my bike and they still good with about 160k miles on them.
I think I got my money's worth out of them.
 
JAS001 said:
Great input from everyone here and I now have some options. I am really looking for a “plug and play” solution without mods so I will check out the other brands mentioned. Shame-when upgrading to Ohlins on my modem bikes it’s been a dramatic improvement.
Click to expand...
The Ohlins choir is pretty thin here. I agree the Ohlins kits for modern bikes are a dramatic improvement. This Ohlins kit front end for my 996S was an unbelievable improvement over the Showa junk. My bike already had an Ohlins on the rear. Never put any Ohlins on a Norton, and I actually did have a Commando for a couple of months.

96-996S_In Garage.jpg

96-996S_In Garage.jpg

  • Media owner Schwany
  • Date added
My 1996 Ducati 996S with a few modifications. Located in my garage many moons ago. I miss not...
 
Ohlins can be great, they can also be average if not set up properly for the riders weight. The Ohlins on my Ducati 999R were 7 out of 10 IMHO however I once had a Honda RC51 fitted with a set of Road and Track forks modded by Dan Kyle and they were fantastic, 10 out of 10, soooo plush. I do think they are overkill for an old Norton though, each to his own.
 

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