So, when I was ready to install my Ohlins I spoke with Howard on the phone. He said that on '09 RK's I didn't need to use the spacers that came with the shocks. They are for '08 and older he said and are used to move out the bottom mount location so the shock is vertically straight up and down.

For the heck of it, I just went out, pulled my bag and held a level along the spring (up and down). It is slightly tilted IN at the TOP. So - If the spacer were put in at the TOP, it appears that it would straighten it up.

I am confused - Howard said it isn't used typically on the 09+ and if it is used, the spacers go on the BOTTOM (which would of course only make my issue worse - if it's an issue).

Again the TOP is slightly IN (toward the bike) from level.

Anybody have input on this? Should I not worry about it?

Yeah, I'll call Howard tomorrow, but thought I'd ask you guys tonight...now that it's warming up I cant stay out the darn garage!

Thanks!

 

I had the same situation on my 06 SG, Howard said it shouldn't need the spacers at the top, but it did. 1 spacer on the top mount on both sides and my vertical alignment was almost perfect. 6 months and 2k later no problem. Do what you gotta do to get the vertical right.

 

Thanks fabik8r! Yeah, that's what my instincts tell me but if you've ever spoken to Howard, you'll know what I mean when I say that I don't want to do ANYTHING counter to what he said! <grin>

 

It's not critical at all to get the shocks plumbed perfectly vertical as far as shock action is concerned. But as far as the mounts are concerned, you will have to be the judge of that. The shock eyes usually will have some ability to move laterally and in the rubbermounted application this lateral movement will happen due to the swingarm being rubbermounted along with the rear of the motor/trans. Just look at the clearance issues, frame, swingarm and saddlebags.
Remember the shocks are canted forward anyways and they are pressurized and can be mounted in any position and will work in any position.

 

Well, I officially need to get more sleep! I woke up in the middle of the night and the answer occurred to me (or likely answer)...Is the BIKE perfectly plumb? That is, on the J&S jack, yeah...but my garage floor is likely not 100% level! Sooo...start with checking the BIKE's level! Sure enough...just SLIGHTLY off...exactly the same amount as my reading vertically along the spring. DOH!! Haha.

Howard called me first thing this morning though...and just confirmed things. Of course, if there was a GAP at the top eyelet, that wld be easy to see that I'd need to fill it with a spacer...not the case...this was just a 1/4" out of plumb...or so I thought!! Ha.

Thanks for the notes.

 

I went through the same thing when installing my #3-#3's. The issue has to do with installing the shocks so that there is no unnecessary binding of the shock shaft within the shock housing. I was able to install my shocks on the 08 RK without the need of any spacers.

What Howard instructed made sense: install the bottom eyelet with the bolt only finger tight and leave the top bolt off the shock. Check to see if there is any space between the top eyelet and the top mounting hole without any pressure being applied to the top eyelet. If there is a gap, use the spacer.

Hope this made some sense!