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U.S. MT500 Ohlin rear shock rebuild
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 5:28 pm
by mt500-006
I have a 1992 U.S. Harley MT500 that has Ohlin rear shocks. Number stamped in shock is either AG4072 or AC4072. Local Ohlin repair facility ( Ohio, USA) told me that number doesn't correspond with anything in their parts catalogue.
Does anyone have any Ohlin part numbers for this shock?
Was trying to find a rebuild kit.
Thanks for any help.
Re: U.S. MT500 Ohlin rear shock rebuild
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 5:38 pm
by lardmarc
mt500-006 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 5:28 pm
Number stamped in shock is either AG4072 or AC4072. Local Ohlin repair facility ( Ohio, USA) told me that number doesn't correspond with anything in their parts catalogue.
Does anyone have any Ohlin part numbers for this shock?
Was trying to find a rebuild kit.
That's all I've got.
Re: U.S. MT500 Ohlin rear shock rebuild
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 6:17 pm
by Wirralman
It might be worth asking Ohlin, they have a website with a link for queries
Re: U.S. MT500 Ohlin rear shock rebuild
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 6:18 pm
by lardmarc
Genius.
Re: U.S. MT500 Ohlin rear shock rebuild
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 8:33 pm
by mt500-006
Wirralman wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 6:17 pm
It might be worth asking Ohlin, they have a website with a link for queries
Sent email months ago to Ohlin USA asking if they knew what Ohlin shocks were installed on Harley MT500. NO response from them.
I asked USA Harley Davidson museum if they could search their records.
thanks for responding.
Re: U.S. MT500 Ohlin rear shock rebuild
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 11:04 pm
by Wirralman
If you use the forum Search facility, top right, and Search on Ohlin , you'll find a few posts most of the very old now but there was more than one UK company who would supply parts for Ohlin shocks fitted to MTs . I don't know if they were widely used in USA
There are many posts about riders fitting rear shocks with softer springs to give a more comfortable ride. If you wanted to keep the Ohlin casing, changing the internal springs for something softer may be worth considering
Also, I've searched on 'USAF' and found references and a photo of an early MT500 believed to be in Kenya. It shows rear pannier bobbin. Later American bikes had a gun box fitted , as per the MT350
Re: U.S. MT500 Ohlin rear shock rebuild
Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 2:50 am
by mt500-006
lardmarc wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 5:38 pm
mt500-006 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 5:28 pm
Number stamped in shock is either AG4072 or AC4072. Local Ohlin repair facility ( Ohio, USA) told me that number doesn't correspond with anything in their parts catalogue.
Does anyone have any Ohlin part numbers for this shock?
Was trying to find a rebuild kit.
That's all I've got.
Thank you.
That was what I needed to verify Ohlin shock information!
Re: U.S. MT500 Ohlin rear shock rebuild
Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:08 am
by mt500-006
Wirralman wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 11:04 pm
If you use the forum Search facility, top right, and Search on Ohlin , you'll find a few posts most of the very old now but there was more than one UK company who would supply parts for Ohlin shocks fitted to MTs . I don't know if they were widely used in USA
There are many posts about riders fitting rear shocks with softer springs to give a more comfortable ride. If you wanted to keep the Ohlin casing, changing the internal springs for something softer may be worth considering
Also, I've searched on 'USAF' and found references and a photo of an early MT500 believed to be in Kenya. It shows rear pannier bobbin. Later American bikes had a gun box fitted , as per the MT350
Mine actually was acquired through gov auction (2007) from bikes being disposed of at a USAF base (Malmstrom) in State of Montana, USA. It only came with one pannier but had mounts for three plus gun case? I fabricated new rear rack replacement supports with no mounts since I didn't have the gun case. Still have all the original parts. Also, Infrared driving light was removed before I got the bike.
Thanks for all the information.
Re: U.S. MT500 Ohlin rear shock rebuild
Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:20 am
by yaka
Here in the UK falcon shock rebuild these for a good price, might be worth contacting them for advice
Re: U.S. MT500 Ohlin rear shock rebuild
Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:39 pm
by mt500-006
Thanks.
I'll do that since that appear to have associate branch in the States.