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All Öhlins shock absorbers are based on Öhlins successful
application of the "de Carbon" concept. The de Carbon
concept means that the damping oil is placed under pressure by gas
and separated from the gas by a floating piston. This concept has
many advantages. It prevents the chance of cavitation, which happens
when the oil can not move fast enough and becomes hard as a rock
(compare with an unsuccessful dive into water). It offers better
cooling, especially if the shock absorber has an external reservoir
(the external reservoir is in fact an extension of the shock absorber
and more oil, larger cooling areas improve performance and durability).
Gives more consistent damping, regardless of the shock absorber's
working temperature. And it makes the shock absorber last longer.
But there are two exceptions, some extremely short models of Öhlins
Type 36 and 46 are emulsion type of shock absorbers (oil and gas
mixed in the shock absorber), see "Two concepts, three types"
to the right.
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| More than 300
Models |
| Öhlins manufactures more than 300 different
shock absorber models, each model tailor-made for one specific bike.
The basic set-up of each shock absorber model, both the design of
the shim stacks and the calibration of the adjusters, is tested both
on road and track. They are the results of true tests with your bike
and not guesswork! All Öhlins shock absorbers have one or several
adjusters. The minimum is an adjustable spring and the maximum number
of adjusters you will find on the top-of-the-line models of Öhlins
Type 36P, 46P and 46H. These shock absorbers feature a double-acting
rebound/compression damping adjuster in the piston shaft, an independent
compression damping adjuster in the external reservoir, adjustable
length and a clever little hydraulic adjuster for the spring preload. |
| Your own set-up |
| You can fine-tune the shock absorber with the
adjusters. You optimise it for your weight, your riding style and
the road conditions. Compensate for extra load or a passenger with
the spring adjuster. This means that you keep the balance that your
bike was designed with. If the shock absorbers bottom when you are
riding with a heavy load on rough road and, the trick is not to increase
spring preload. That might cause your bike to ride high in the rear
and have a negative effect on the steering. Instead you should increase
compression damping with the adjuster in the external reservoir. This
adjuster increases compression damping without changing rebound damping.
The double-acting rebound/compression damping adjuster in the piston
shaft modifies the damping at a ratio of approximately 90% rebound,
10% compression. 10% effect on compression may seem like very little
but feels like a lot. Remember that the spring absorbs most of the
load transferred during a compression stroke. And you need the 90%
on rebound to stop the spring from extending too fast during the rebound
stroke! |
| Riding flat
out |
Too much compression damping will give you a harsh
ride as your bike "jumps" along the road.
With too much rebound damping your bike will have difficulties with
several bumps in a row. The suspension will not extend fast enough
between bumps, your bike will ride lower and lower and eventually
the suspension will bottom. By changing the length of the shock absorber
you can effect the sensitivity of the steering without effecting anything
else. For flat-out race track performance, adjust your bike lower
at the rear end. A nice amount of understeer makes you a lot happier
than a lot of oversteer, especially if you end up in a corner a bit
too fast! Learning how to use the adjusters will take time but you
will quickly appreciate them once you know the tricks. Even Max Biaggi
and Troy Corser sometimes need a specialist! Your own internal set-up
is also possible. The Öhlins shock absorber is not a "disposable"
shock absorber but one you can take apart, revalve, readjust and overhaul. |
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