Wilbers Shocks Questions

[rattso]

The shocks on my 2005 have not changed much from new in 12K but I am anticipating a purchase of Wilbers. The Wilbers stock size is 1/4 inch longer that the stock shocks. I was thinking of ordering the Wilbers 1/4" overs stock for front and 1/2" to 1/4" below stock for the rear. I figure that will slow the steering down slightly and help with the slight wallow at very slow speeds especially loaded two up. Anybody out there do this? There was one other person on theis board awhile back that said he dropped the rear 1/2". Trying to find if done this was helpfull in smoothing out the slow speed wallow.

Thanks, Walt

[Shogun54]

Walt,

I run Wilbers on my '03, but just went higher on both ends 1/2" for more ground clearance due to my hefty butt and aggressive riding style. The Telelever isn't a standard fork by any means, but wouldn't you be adding rake and trail by the adjustments you describe? Quicker steering generally means less rake and trail ( more vertical orientation ). I will say that the range of adjustment available on the Wilbers may be enough to make alterations that will please you. I would think that your two-up problem might be helped significantly by ordering the correct spring on the rear shock. You can specify your weight loads when you order the shock, and they come adjusted pretty well spot on. I ordered mine for two-up and a full load of baggage, and it put the static sag on the rear of the bike right where I wanted it when riding solo. The heavier spring on the rear greatly reduces the squat when I'm fully loaded. Just some food for thought...

[motorhead]

Can't speak about "05" handling issues .... but can about Wilbers in general, have them on my Y2K LT.

You are incorrect about eye to eye lenth on Wilbers differing from stock shocks, (unless ordered that way) The wilbers will however raise your bike @ 1/2" at each end because of a better matched/stiffer spring that is correct for bike & load weight.

The wallowing is from the stock shock itself having very soft compression & modest rebound damping values.
Wilbers will because of being a "performance" shock have both stiffer compression damping overall, yet fully adjustable rebound controll.

Your overall ride quality (Plushness) will be slightly harsher with wilbers than stockers , Yet far more solid feeling to the road with virtually NO WALLOW!!

IMHO, order your new shocks as standard lenth units, You will be VERY happy with the ride quality and differant handling traits because of formentioned reasons.

Good Luck.
Scott

[Tallyho]

The lower seal on my rear Wilbur blew recently and had to send it back to NJ for rebuild. During the time it was gone, I reinstalled the factory shock. Jeepers, Beav, what a difference! It is very easy to get used to the quality performance of the Wilburs. I had forgotten about the wallow which seems to have some of its roots in the rear as well as the return of bottoming out. My stock shocks had 18K miles on them when I changed them out. I ordered mine for two full size people plus luggage and had them increase the height by an extra inch due to my height and inseam. I agree with Motorhead in ordering them equal length. The ride improvement and handling will be shocking!

[rattso]

Thanks for the input.

[DaveDragon]

Just for future reference:

I have been in touch with Klaus Huenecke about Rebuilding Wilbers.

From my email thread:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dave,
the rebuild intervals are between 20,000 to 30,000 miles depending upon usage.
The rebuild costs are $ 85.00 for 630 or 640 model and $ 110.00 for 641 model shock.

Please send them to :
Wilbers USA
77 Pension Road, Suite 16
Manalapan, NJ 07726

Send us you shocks with a description of what needs to be done and the return address and phone number and we will contact you for the payment details.


Turn around is one week.

Regards
Klaus Huenecke
sales@wilbersusa.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[messenger13]

OK proud Wilbur owners...a question for you, (if I may).

Currently, I grind hardware (both the hard stuff, and Tupperware) when riding the likes of Deals Gap (US129) with my OEM shocks. This really has me wanting to get the Wilburs. My concern is that it will allow me to lean the LT past the point of available traction. Is this a valid concern or not?

[rmg08057]

Joe

It doesn't appear to push the bike past its limits. I have 60,000 on Wilburs and the grinding (plastic and metal) continues but at angles increased over OEM shocks because, even though they are the standard length, they aren't as compressed etc as the OEM's are in the same circumstances. I have taken the front tire all the way to the edge and ground off the rubber thingy's which is hard to do on OEM shocks (I couldn't previously manage it).

[rmg08057]

Bob

I am uncertain how the increase in height on the shocks was a benefit to you given your inseam. Since the pegs are attached to the frame, the increase in suspension height wouldn't change the seat-to-peg distance, so all it might do would be to raise the general height of the bike which isn't an issue with tall people, and even then only when stopped. Can you give further insight? I am thinking of increasing the height of the rear shock myself but for other reasons, so I am keen to hear.

[DaveDragon]

Well I just sent the Rear Wilber Shock to New Jersey for Rebuild.

Particulars:
Installed last March at 57,000 miles
Removed Sunday at 89,300 miles
Returned for rebuild at 32,300 miles

No rebound dampening at all even at max setting.

Put the Stock shock back on for the week or so the Wilber will be gone.

Getting ready for STCII http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

[DaveDragon]

I sent the Rear Wilber Shock up to New Jersey for Klause to rebuild.
I sent it 2nd day trying to get ahead of the process as I needed it back before the STCII trip coming up in a few weeks and Klause had indicated it would take them a week to turn it around.

The Shock arrived wednesday 10:00am and Klause called me at 2:30pm to tell me it was rebuilt and ready to be returned.
WOW Same Day Service!
He told me he found the shock had been leaking and thats why there was zero rebound dampening.
He said the rebuild price was $42.00 total.
I indicated the price I had been quoted was over $100 and he told me that since a seal failed it would have been completely covered by warranty if I had returned it 2000 miles sooner.
In the documentation I sent him I indicated it had been in use for 32,000 miles
Klause indicated the shocks are warranted for a max of 30,000 per rebuild interval.

Any way, got a newly rebuilt rear Wilber on the way back, should be here today and it cost less than half the normal rebuild charge since there was a seal failure.

What a great company and person to do business with!

[DaveDragon]

I received the rebuilt rear shock Monday here at work (for my convenience) and promptly tore into the box to check it out.
Clean and Shiny like new with an additional cone shaped rubber washer/bumper installed on the cylinder shaft between the spring head plate and the cylinder.
Not sure what it's for at this point other than possibly a crush gage to show if the shock reaches maximum compression.
I'll install it tonight when I get home, got to be ready for STCII http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

[tmgs]

The shocks on my 2005 have not changed much from new in 12K but I am anticipating a purchase of Wilbers. The Wilbers stock size is 1/4 inch longer that the stock shocks. I was thinking of ordering the Wilbers 1/4" overs stock for front and 1/2" to 1/4" below stock for the rear. I figure that will slow the steering down slightly and help with the slight wallow at very slow speeds especially loaded two up. Anybody out there do this? There was one other person on theis board awhile back that said he dropped the rear 1/2". Trying to find if done this was helpfull in smoothing out the slow speed wallow.

Thanks, Walt


I run the wilbers and got the adjustable ride hieght option but I added height to my bike for more ground clearence, raising the rear a tad more than the front so it handled a tad quicker, I have no problems with slow speed on this bike .

Tom

[tmgs]

OK proud Wilbur owners...a question for you, (if I may).

Currently, I grind hardware (both the hard stuff, and Tupperware) when riding the likes of Deals Gap (US129) with my OEM shocks. This really has me wanting to get the Wilburs. My concern is that it will allow me to lean the LT past the point of available traction. Is this a valid concern or not?

you know I raised mine, so.
yes for you it might be!, i have feathered the edges off my tires (aka 0 chicken strip), but have not had it slip yet! you know what tires I run, your welcome to ride my bike once and see how you like it, we can turn up my preload to adjust for your weight compared to mine

Tom

[DaveDragon]

you know I raised mine, so.
yes for you it might be!, i have feathered the edges off my tires (aka 0 chicken strip), but have not had it slip yet! you know what tires I run, your welcome to ride my bike once and see how you like it, we can turn up my preload to adjust for your weight compared to mine

Tom
Tom, be sure to send the Wilbers in for rebuild before the 30,000 mile mark.
Keep the warranty coverage on the shocks.

[tmgs]

Tom, be sure to send the Wilbers in for rebuild before the 30,000 mile mark.
Keep the warranty coverage on the shocks.



shoot that's not good, looks like that will put me down in middle of season this summer!

Thanks for that info!

Tom

[DaveDragon]

shoot that's not good, looks like that will put me down in middle of season this summer!

Thanks for that info!

Tom
Klause turns them around quickly, same day in my case, and if I had sent them in before the 30,000 mile point the rear rebuild would have been free!