I need to get a new spring for my newly acquired 2001 748R. It comes with a 1091-21 spring which is way too stiff for my dainty weight (155 lbs with gear, soaking wet, after eating several burgers). Even with the preload wound all way out, the bike barely moves when I sit on it. So I have been using this chart to figure out what spring I need. According to this I should be using a 1091-16 spring. Yes? https://imgur.com/PyEeOQ6 I contacted Ohlins to see what springs they have for my weight and here is the reply I got which confuses me. It would seem that the 1091-19 spring is still way to stiff for my weight. Thoughts? Also I dont understand the comment about Ohlins not making a 1091-16 spring. I see it that on my 1999 996 SPS. The standard spring that comes on the Ohlins shock is for a dressed rider weight of 176# - 220#. For rider weights: 132# - 176# you can order the following spring: 01091-19: Spring 57/160/70 (Y): $100.00. We do not stock these lighter rate springs here. So it would have to come from Sweden. The typical lead time is 2-4 weeks. If you are in the USA please call to order the ‘01091-19’ Spring. *Ohlins does not make a ‘16’ spring, etc. That is too soft spring rate for modern single-shock suspension design. Thank you, Jerry
Got a reply from Ohlins which only makes more confused: The “2001 Ducati 748R” & the “1999 Ducati 996 SPS” use different geometry, swing-arm length, linkage leverage ratio, etc. Jerry Wohlgemuth
From what I think I know from my experience with the longer, race swing arms, that statement is correct. The suspension linkage attachment point is different between the 748 and the 996. In the scheme of things, what is $100 US, a night out with the girlfriend/wife ? I’d go with the recommendation and if it’s wrong, sell the spring on eBay. Andy
Thank you for the reply. I just did a search on the part # for swingarm and rocker arm for a 2001 748R. They are exactly the same as all 748/996 models so I dont think the statement made by Ohlins is correct.
That confuses me because the 748R was used to homologate a frame for racing and that frame is different to the 996 base model I had. I’ll ask the question of my parts guru tomorrow. Andy
Agreed the frame is different for the 748R but the overall swingarm and shock geometry is the same, as I understand it. I am far from an expert so would be very interested to hear what your parts guru friend says. BTW, $100 no way would be enough for a night out with the ladies! I go bigtime!
Have you verified that the linkage pivots are all freely moving? I have stood next to a man having his 748 suspension fettled, claiming that the spring was too stiff. Spring was adequate, pivots were all seized!
Good suggestion! Its hard to tell if the linkages are moving when I can hardly even get bike to move when I sit on it! In all seriousness, if I bounce up and down on the bike the linkages moves. Given the spring is 1091-21 I am certain it is much too stiff for me.
Why don’t you start by removing the shock? You will have to anyways, if you decide to change your spring. And doing so, you will know whether the pivots are seized or not.
I dont want to remove it until I am sure I know what spring is required and its available, otherwise the bike will be in an inoperable state like all my other bikes!
Have u got a chunky friend that could sit on it to see if it moves more, coukd be the bushings like mentioned.
Chunky...how I like my women but thats for another forum. Yeah I will see about getting a friend to sit on it.
You may already know this but removing the rear shock on these Tamburini bikes is a 30 minutes job, provided you have the tools and you can easily hang the rear of the bike. Waiting to find out whether the appropriate spring for your weight/use/experience exists before removing it seems a bit restrictive imho. First, because the rest of the shock may need to be overhauled (oil, gas, gaskets). If it hasn’t been done in the past 10 years, it’s empty and all you are left with now is the suspension (spring) without the dampening (gas/oil). Which may considerably alter your perception of said shock performance. In other words, you need a fully functioning shock before tinkering with the spring. When I first get an older bike and if it is due for maintenance, I personally like sending my shock to a specialist with my user characteristics and ask them if the spring is adequate. They find the right spring for me as part of the maintenance job. Just my 0,02, of course…
All öhlins springs manufacturing is outsourced to Eibach. Just go to demon tweeks or whoever and buy the aftermarket spring weight that you want.
I think the rocker in the rear shock linkage on the 748r is different, could be wrong but it’s because there is less squat on the power than a 996 because less torque… this is what I read so could be wrong!!
The 749r is different but I think they are otherwise generic across all 748,916,996,998 street bikes.
