Ohlins help!

[yellowfever]

I’ve been hunting for years for a DU 333 Ohlins shock (that is the only correct Ohlins fitment for the S4R with remote adjustment). This model shares the exact same length (305mm) and stroke (65mm) as the standard shock on my 2006 S2R 1000 and Ohlins have confirmed the DU 333 works for my bike, even though they don’t officially list it as such (they only list the DU321 S46DR1 - ie no remote pre-load and no compression damping adjustment). Sadly Ohlins don’t make the DU 333 anymore hence a long and fruitless search for a second hand one, or a new one still in stock somewhere. I found one in Japan but couldn’t get it shipped (hazardous goods) and the USA (ditto).

I recently spotted an Ohlins shock on eBay in the EU of the correct 305mm length and flexible hoses that was advertised as caming off an S4R that I therefore hoped was a DU 333 (the model number wasn’t mentioned, nor clear in the photos).

It was being sold at a comparatively cheap buy it now (approx £400) so I took a punt and bought it before it went. I also sent the seller a message asking him to send me a photo showing the model number as a double check before posting it. But he sent the shock straight away and later replied saying he’d only just seen my message and sending a photo of the shock on his S4R assuring me it would fit.

I was dubious it’s fair to say. Anyway it turned up today and sure enough it’s not DU 333. It’s DU 0150, which from some internet research appears to be from a Ducati ST4S. It has the same 305mm length and hoses for remote reservoir and preload adjustment, but the stroke is only 63mm.

As I paid by PayPal, and have screenshots of ohlins website showing DU333 as the only official S4R fitment and that the stroke should be 65mm I could probably just return it and get my money back and get back to searching again.

So after all that, my question is: should I return it? Or should I keep it?

I know some folk have used DU 150 on S2R bikes (I’ve seen threads on here I recall). The shorter remote reservoir hose on the DU 150 doesn’t bother me as I hate the standard DU 333 positioning sitting alongside the engine attached to the trellis on the RHS and planned to adapt the reservoir mounting position anyway. And of course I fully factored in I’d need an expensive service/rebuild and maybe a new spring too (no lettering visible on the spring, so not sure if it’s the same as on DU 333 or not - correct standard fitment would be Spring Rate N/mm:95*N/mm Mounted spring:01092-31). So I know the shock will physically fit on my bike.

But the stroke issue bothers me. It’s only 2mm less travel at the shock, but the normal 65mm travel at the shock gives rear wheel travel of 148mm, so the reduced travel will be magnified at the wheel... and let’s face it, properly functioning suspension is important for safety so not something to take lightly. Ohlins confirmed DU 333 is ok for S2R, but I’ve no such reassurance for the DU 150... I presume the stroke cannot be altered. That said Ohlins official fitment for the S2R - the DU 321 - has a travel of 66mm, ie 1mm MORE than stock! So maybe I shouldn’t get too hung up on small differences in shock travel?

Your thoughts opinions and offers to sell me a freshly serviced DU 333 for cheap gratefully received!

[Luddite]

I had a DU333 on my S2R 1000, and the stroke of 65mm was 1mm less than the 66mm of the official S2R specific shock, the DU321.

One of the other forum members fitted the DU150 to his S2R apparently with no problems.

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=45203

[yellowfever]

Thanks for the fast reaction. I’m jealous of your DU 333!

Yeah I’d seem the ohlins official option the DU 321 had 1mm more travel than the original shock (Sachs?) which is 65mm, the same as the DU333... wasn’t sure about going 2mm shorter though not least as it gets magnified at the wheel...

Thanks for the thread link, I thought I’d read something on here in the past on this but I couldn't find it...

I’ll have a read.

[Kato]

The DU 0150 will fit and unless you are doing jumps TT style at 150mph you will not miss the 3mm travel
Personally I'd keep it

Alternatively you could purchase a DU321 (S46DR1) and have either Ohlins or in fact any suspension guru's you choose K-Tech maybe plenty of others mentioned on here add the remote for you.

3rd option take your newly acquired DU0150 to you favorite Ohlins guy and have them rebuild it as DU333 you can specify what travel/stroke/fitted length you desire, along with whatever length remote hose you desire

[yellowfever]

Hi Kato, many thanks, that all sounds like good advice and I didn’t realise stroke could potentially be altered (if it’s even necessary which from what you say it isn’t). So that’s reassuring to know... I’ve got a helpful official Ohlins guy out here in Belgium that I believe is well regarded. I’ve previously been in contact with him a few years back when (unsuccessfully) trying to source a DU 333, so I’ll reach out to him. It will need a service anyway (and possibly a new spring) so I’ll see what he advises on whether stroke worth changing or not whilst they’re at it.

Anyway main thing is the DU 150 will fit and should work, so worth keeping it and getting it serviced and set up for my bike... rather than returning it and continuing my endless fruitless search for DU 333 (or indeed going for less adjustable but new DU 321, with an added hydraulic preload adjuster).

Thanks again

David

[Kato]

Where in Belgium are you ?

There is Biggelaar who is very good in Tilberg Holland about an hour from Antwerp

[Blah blah]

I have an ST4s ohlins on my S2r 800.

After a bit of fiddling with the hoses, I managed to get both remote reservoirs under the seat, it's a bit tight though.

It's been refurbed but nothing has been changed.

[yellowfever]

I’m in Brussels, yeah I might be using biglaar down the line for engine work (my gf is Dutch and lives in Rotterdam so he’s on the way there). So good to hear you think they’re a good shop. But for the shock I was planning on a guy near Ghent who’s one of 3 official ohlins shops in Belgium.

http://www.emc37.be/wat-doet-emc37-eng.html

Suspension specialists, they only do ohlins and seem to have a good rep and he was very helpful on my previous efforts (even looked into building a DU 333 for me from scratch from parts but it was not viable in the end, so he suggested I keep looking for second hand one...

[yellowfever]

Thanks Great to know you’re successfully running this shock on your S2R800 with nothing but a refurb, so should be fine for me too. And I think I’d want to do something similar with the remote reservoirs (as I said I don’t like the DU 333 set up with one on the trellis next to engine). The hoses on my shock don’t look in the best condition so may need changing anyway and if so I can get them made to suit anyway.

I planned to have the preload adjustment on the foot peg using a bracket (so as per the DU333 set up) and the other remote somewhere more discrete in rear frame/under seat. If you can point me at any thread/photos you may have posted on your set up that would be good inspiration...

[Darren69]

There is a bracket which, if you can get one will allow you to fit the pre-load adjuster to the frame under the seat. I believe it was part of the DP kit or may be standard on an ST4s. Here's mine



I'll see if I can dig out a part number

[Darren69]

It took me a few years hunting for one but you're in luck if you want one as they have some stock at Forza moto.

https://www.forza-moto.com/en/p/1052...r-ohlins-shock

Which is where I got mine from.

[Darren69]

An old thread:-

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=33836

[Flip]

Apologies for the thread hi-jack yellowfever and probably not going to help with your suspension issues but do you know this shop not far from the Ducati main dealer?



The chap who owns the shop was a legend when we were over a few years ago and the regulator rectifier failed on my mates Honda Hornet.

He makes his way over to the UK most years for the Revival at Goodwood which is only a few miles from where I live.

[yellowfever]

Many thanks Darren, that’s all super helpful! For the remote preload I’ll probably first try to DU 333 standard mounting point at the top of the pillion peg hanger using a bracket (if I can get one - if not frame mounting it with this bracket you kindly sent the link for looks a good alternative). It I can get a bracket the top of the footpeg hanger is a nice out of the way position whilst also being handy enough for easy adjustment when taking pilions/luggage.

I see your shock has compression as a piggy back, mine is on a hose (as it needs to be to fit the frame). I’d want to mount the compression reservoir to the rear frame and here I’ll probably need some of those rubber mounting bits that fit the curve of the frame on one side and the curve of the reservoir on the other if I can get them) and cable ties or maybe jubilee clips. I guess we see what fitting bits I or my suspension guy can get hold off, plus what he thinks on the hoses condition. If they need replacing then that gives more options to get bespoke lengths of hose to work with various reservoir placement options. Otherwise I may have to get ingenious!

So if anyone knows where to get the “L” shaped preload adjuster bracket and the rubber mount things please point me in the right direction. Hopefully this picture appears? Shows the bracket and rubber mounts I’d need.

https://imgur.com/mpvBI4Z

[Darren69]

Originally Posted by Flip

Apologies for the thread hi-jack yellowfever and probably not going to help with your suspension issues but do you know this shop not far from the Ducati main dealer?



The chap who owns the shop was a legend when we were over a few years ago and the regulator rectifier failed on my mates Honda Hornet.

He makes his way over to the UK most years for the Revival at Goodwood which is only a few miles from where I live.

Ah, yes that ever reputable Honda build quality, strikes again! Suzuki also suffer the same and yet somehow unreliable only sticks with Ducati? The only electrical items to fail on my bike were made by Nippon Denso and Bosch!