New or Old - suspension

[Rossvickicampbell]

another silly question I suppose that I am gaining a reputation for.  As I get older I value suspension more so than motor.  If you had the choice between say Fox Shox or modern Ohlins (insert other brand name in here also) I suppose the modern Ohlins would win out for performance.  If you wanted the best you could get?

regards

[smed]

Fox Shox for the bling factor on a resto & Ohlins etc for a race bike

[Mike]

Stick to the theme Rossco.  OLD bike, OLD rider, OLD suspension.  Although looking at the photo from Crystal Brook you could use a suspension upgrade.  By the way I think the no shit certificate you got for your 50th has expired!!!

[Rossvickicampbell]

mate - talking about suspension upgrades how about you start being fair to your TM!!!  Bloody hell pud 

Oh - and I gathered the certificate had run out??

[Marc.com]

Modern Ohlins will be like adding 10 hp in their ability to hook up. Plus you can get parts readily and can tune them without a drama.

[Kenneth S (222)]

Hi Ross and Vicki,
I agree with marcFX. Back in the day I rode a CR250 RZ with Fox Shox and at the time I couldn't fault them. I thought they were the Ants Pants. When I bought my current CR250 RZ it came with Works Performance Steel Body shocks. My plan was to change to Fox again........until I rode the bike! I was extremely surprised at how well they worked, so well that I don't want to change a thing. The bike has a longer than stock aluminium swing arm which I am sure adds some stability to the handling but while the old Fox Shox look great, if Ohlins are anything like the Works Performance shocks, you will never look back.
KJ

[Tahitian_Red]

I ran Works on my 79 CR250 Fox Replica and 77 RM125B and they work well on both.  I run modern Ohlins on my Can-Am MX-6B and my 78 Husqvarna 250CR and they work great.  Works are good shocks, but the Ohlins are just a little better for the longer travel bikes, but for 5 lap races on smoother tracks I'm not sure you have to spend the extra money.  

The Works shocks are gas emulsion while the Ohlins are true DeCarbon type shocks.

1. Suspension
2. Brakes
3. Carb tuning
4. Tires
5. Tricking out your motor  

[Kenneth S (222)]

I ran Works on my 79 CR250 Fox Replica and 77 RM125B and they work well on both.  I run modern Ohlins on my Can-Am MX-6B and my 78 Husqvarna 250CR and they work great.  Works are good shocks, but the Ohlins are just a little better for the longer travel bikes, but for 5 lap races on smoother tracks I'm not sure you have to spend the extra money.  

The Works shocks are gas emulsion while the Ohlins are true DeCarbon type shocks.

1. Suspension
2. Brakes
3. Carb tuning
4. Tires
5. Tricking out your motor  

Good call TR!

[Rossvickicampbell]

I agree - hence my comment about not needing more motor.  Thanks for the info - my thoughts but as for a lot of us I didn't have Fox Shox as a kid and would like a set now but was thinking why!!!

Walter - am planning to buy an RM370B - so chasing something in that length and size.

regards

[Marc.com]

I agree - hence my comment about not needing more motor. 

Ohlins will definitely cost a bit more, but shop around, also if you don't need feel you need dual springs or piggy backs that will further reduce the cost of 36 series. The other advantage of using them on an RM370 is you will have no frame clearance issues at the top mount. If you Fox for an RM you have to be careful to score the correct long version top shock mount.

[Rossvickicampbell]

thanks Marc - whilst waiting for Walter to jump back in - where do you get Ohlins now adays?  I have heard of 2 places - one with not so good a report?
cheers

[Rossvickicampbell]

thanks Walter

[Marc.com]

thanks Marc - whilst waiting for Walter to jump back in - where do you get Ohlins now adays?  I have heard of 2 places - one with not so good a report?
cheers

I tend to buy used ones in Japan but most of them are shorter travel .... Marks Vintage Swapmeet has someone selling ready to go new Works Performance RM370 shocks for $400USD at the moment. Plus there is a guy on there with a source of cheap Ohlins.

[eric318]

I rebuilt a pair of period Ohlins bought off eBay with all new parts from Ohlins USA. Everything is available. They look good, still not tested in the wild though.



You can get new ones built for you that almost look like period ones from here:
http://www.huskyclub.com/ohlins.htm
or here
http://www.vintageohlins.com/index.asp
and certainly many other places.

Somehow the words "cheap" and "Ohlins" dont seem to go together... unless they are bundled with "worn out" or "damaged"...