Im in the garage right now trying to install my Ohlins from Motorcycle Metal and the swingarm travels too far down and is hitting my Slip Ons? This is happening on the right side (Air Cleaner Side)?

I can remove the exhaust and install the shocks and the sag would probablly clear it but if the rear end ever gets light the axle will hit my slip ons?

 

I talked to Howard and he said he has never heard of this before. Here are a few photos of it hitting.

I've adjusted the mufflers the most I can by twisting them to rotate them away from the bike and snugging up the clamp. Its close but it still hits.

The only other thing I can think of is getting longer bolts and shimming the end of the muffler that attaches near the tip on the bag support tube to lower the tips down which might provide more clearance...?

 

It looks like your shock is upside down?

 

I checked with Howard and he confirmed the Adjusters should be on top. Here is a link to an Ohlins thread you can see another member mounted the same way https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...-shocks-8.html

 

Aren't most slipons dimpled there to make more clearance for the nut?

 

Shocks are mounted correctly..

On my Monster Ovals, I had to trim the heat shields so the shocks would clear, plus on the brake side, I had to indent the muffler itself about 1/2"...It didn't hurt anything.

Of course I went from the 12" stock shocks to 13 1/4" Ohlins....

If need be, use a ball peen hammer and tap the area in where the shocks are hitting.....With the bags mounted, your never see it. Just try to not crack the chrome finish..If you do, use some clear coat on the area....

 

HOWARD from Motorcycle Metal called me on my cell, on a Sunday, when he saw this post to confirm mine are installed correctly.

The adjustment nut side needs to be on top like shown in my photos in this post.

Howard said " If these Emulsified Shocks are installed upside down they will not work at all and anybody who does so bikes are probably riding very poor". Anybody who does not have theirs installed this way needs to flip them and will probably be Very Happy with the results Howard said.

I did just that... I had to hammer a dimple on my right slip on to clear the axle nut. The originals were dented in for this same purpose so I figured it was ok.

I also had to use the supplied spacers on top and bottom on the right side to clear the brake caliper. I used them on the left as well just to keep them even.

THANK YOU HOWARD for taking time out of your day on a Sunday. Your a good guy.... I will let you know about the sag after I ride 300 miles.

 

Now that's customer service.

dd

 

Okay, now that they're installed....whaddya think??? How's the ride?

 

Great photos and I'm glad you solved your own problem! Helps those of us sitting on the fence to better understand Ohlins and see what we may be letting ourselves in for. Great credit to Howard for helping out. We are all holding our breath to hear your impressions of riding on your Ohlins, especially 2-up. Which model and length did you buy?

Any other Ohlins owners got photos we can enjoy?