The Ohlins Type 36PRCLB shocks feature the innovative Ohlins “piggyback” external reservoirs, which improves shock cooling and delivers consistent damping. The 36PRCLB is length-adjustable, and also features externally adjustable rebound and compression damping, with an integrated hydraulic spring preload adjuster.

ot familiar with Ohlins? You will be. This premier suspension specialist just turned its attention to the Harley market.
Don Hotop sure didn’t waste any time. Notice the shocks he chose to include in that “bolt-on” custom Sportster he just finished, the one featured on page 72 of this issue? They’re Ohlins, brand-new Harley shocks from the very same Swedish company Kenth Ohlin began in the ‘70s when he decided to manufacture a world-class motorcycle suspension. There’s little question about his success, too; Ohlins has all but dominated two- and four-wheel racing ever since. Ohlins shocks–originally developed for motocross but quickly expanding into racing of all forms–quickly gained a “cool part” status because of how they perform. Valentino Rossi, the 2004 MotoGP World Champion, uses Ohlins. So do companies and race teams ranging from Lamborghini to virtually the entire Formula 1 field, as well as most of the NASCAR and CART racing teams here in the U.S. Even Denis Manning’s “Lucky Number Seven” uses Ohlins shocks in its quest to become the fastest motorcycle on earth.
     And now all of this, all those decades of Ohlins technological know-how, is available for Harley-Davidsons. Ohlins shocks, in both conventional designs and the signature Ohlins remote-reservoir “piggyback” style, are available for a wide range of Harleys. The FXD Dyna, The V-Rod, the Sportsters, the Softails and even the Buells all have premium Ohlins shocks available for them. Those shocks are offered in a variety of lengths and finishes, too. Ohlins carefully studied the Harley market, making sure these shocks would look as good as they work, and they work great!
     Improving a bike’s suspension can do as much, or more, for the overall performance of that motorcycle as anything else you’ll try–engine mods included. A suspension upgrade is something you’ll feel immediately, right in the first corner. Add world-class suspension control and you’ll get better traction, better handling, you’ll be able to ride faster, more safely and with more comfort. That’s what Ohlins is offering here, and not only are these shocks comfortable for one-up riding, they’re so perfectly set up two-up riding isn’t a compromise, either. The Type 36 Harley-Davidson shocks, in all their styles and sizes, and the Ohlins replacement shocks for Softails bring a level of suspension control to a Harley previously enjoyed exclusively by road racers and sport riders–bikers you’ve known about, and used, Ohlins for years.
     The Ohlins Type 36 shock absorbers, the ones Don Hotop put on that Sportster, are the Ohlins replacements for dual-shock applications. There are a number of options here, too, beginning with the standard 36E model that Hotop chose. There’s also the 36K shock absorbers for cruisers, the length-adjustable 36PLs with those piggyback reservoirs and the totally adjustable 36PRCLBs featuring external adjustment knobs to regulate both compression and rebound damping, spring preload and overall length.

The Ohlins Type 36E is an emulsion-type shock absorber, mixing the oil and gas in the shock body. Applications available for both the Dyna and Sportster, in five different lengths.

     The Ohlins Type 36E is a familiar looking design. It’s an emulsion-type shock absorber, mixing the oil and gas in the shock body. The 36E is a great choice where space is limited, and like all Ohlins shocks the body is precision drawn steel and the springs are chrome silicone. Ohlins’ six R&D departments and its team of 50 suspension engineers overlooked nothing in the development of the 36E. With applications for both the Dyna and Sportster, the shock is offered in a number of different lengths. There’s an 11 1/2-inch model, a 12 1/4-inch model, a 13-inch model, a 13 1/2-inch model and a 14 1/2-inch model.
     The Ohlins Type 36K is another look familiar to the Harley market, as least externally. The 36K is a brand-new shock from Ohlins, designed and developed especially for high-performance cruiser bikes. This is a high-tech design wrapped in a package that’s right at home on a Harley. Like the 36E, the 36K is an emulsion type shock, but here the cylinder head, spring seat and eyelets are aluminum. As an extra touch there’s an etched “Ohlins” logo on the stainless steel spring adjuster sleeve, too. Of course spring preload is adjustable (with a clever little pin tool) and the 36K has applications for V-Rods and Dynas.
     The Type 36PL and 36PRCLB come with the look and features most familiar to Ohlins pure-sport shocks. They both feature the Ohlins trend setting “piggyback” external reservoirs. These are shocks that dramatically improve shock cooling and deliver consistent damping and longer damper life. The Type 36PL also offers an adjustable-length feature; it can be lengthened up to 1/2-inch. The Type 36PRCLB has that “piggyback” external reservoir, too, and the shock is length-adjustable, but the 36PRCLB also features externally adjustable rebound and compression damping and an integrated hydraulic spring preload adjuster. This fully adjustable Ohlins “piggyback” shock just might be one of the most advanced twin-shocks on the market.
     And there are Ohlins shocks for the Softails. The HD 203, HD 204 and HD 205 Softail shocks are all monotube, high pressure, gas-type shocks, and they’re all length adjustable. They allow the bike to be lowered approximately 45mm. There are optional spring rates available, spring preload adjusters are standard and there’s a wide preload adjustment range. The HD 203 comes with a gold-anodized spring cover, the HD 204 has a silver-anodized cover and the HD 205 is black-anodized.
     Ohlins, the worldwide performance standard for shock absorbers, is now available for everyone’s favorite V-twin, and they’re available through Drag Specialties. Contact your rep today for more information.

The Ohlins Type 36E is an emulsion-type shock absorber, mixing the oil and gas in the shock body. Applications available for both the Dyna and Sportster, in five different lengths.