3
1. Design principles
2. Spring preloading
C-spanner
Hydraulic preloader
Adjuster
Mechanical adjustment
1
2
3
4
1.
Emulsion shock absorber
2.
Internal gas reservoir
3.
External piggyback reservoir
4.
External reservoir
with hose connection
Gas and oil
Gas
Oil
Separating
piston
Shock absorber
piston
Gas
Oil
Tuning the suspension
Motorcycle road holding qualities
All motorcycles are designed with a suspension
geometry that includes height and fork angle. The
changing of components can affect this and it is
therefore essential that both the rear and the front
ends match each other.
Changing to Öhlins suspension gives optimum
performance only when both the front fork and
the rear suspension interact properly. It is of the
greatest importance that the front and rear loaded
height are within the specified values.
See section: Setting the spring preload.
Design
Most of the Öhlins shock absorbers are of the
De Carbon type. The fluid is put under gas pres-
sure and the gas and the fluid are kept apart by a
separating piston. The separating piston is often
fitted in a separate fluid chamber, connected by
hose, or fixed direct on top of the shock absorber
(piggyback).
There are also types of shock absorbers where
everything is fitted inside the main cylinder tube
(internal gas reservoir), and even a small number
of emulsion shock absorbers that do not have a
separating piston. Pressurization of the fluid is
made with nitrogen. The pressurization prevents
cavitation of the fluid and the shock absorbing
action is therefore more even. The external
reservoires also contribute to better cooling of the
fluid, giving longer service life for both the fluid
and components.
Öhlins shock absorbers have integrated tempera-
ture compensation. As the temperature in-
creases.and the fluid flows more easily the flow is
controlled accordingly. The shock absorbing effect
is therefore independent of the temperature.
The more advanced models permit individual
adjustment of compression damping and re-
bound damping, and also certain adjustment of
the length of the shock absorber.
Öhlins shock absorbers provide the possibility
for adjustment, making them adaptable to most
motorcycles, riders and ranges of use. All of the
shock absorbers have adjustable preloading of the
spring action; either mechanically or hydraulically.
