1299S Front Suspension Overhaul Surprise

Hello Gentleman;

At more than 16.000km (10.000 Miles), my 1299S just started leaking oil on the front suspension seals.

I've bought the original parts from the distributor and handed the Ohlins seals to my mechanic.

The next day he phoned me, a bit confused, told me on the phone that the 1299S workshop manual stated that each front suspension leg should contain about 155 ml of 7,5 W viscosity suspension oil.

But to his susprise, from each leg, came out about 350 ml of very dark coloured suspension oil.

So he asked me to find any usefull info on the subject.

I asked the question to the technical supervisor of Ducati service in Istanbul.

He checked all the manuals and replied me with same result: 155ml should be in each leg.

My mechanic filled each leg with 155 ml of 7,5 viscosity Putoline suspension oil and the system (shims) barely moved.

Upped the system with 200 ml, still no joy.

When he filled the suspension leg with 300 ml it started to work.

So now we have 320 ml of suspension oil in the front Ohlins and bike is as good as new.

Did anybody had the same issue in the forum?

Cheers & Happy riding,
Barkin (Barking Mad)

If your mechanic tells you you should have 155ml of oil in each leg, he hasn't read the manual. The manual states 150mm air gap as a starting point...

To be more specific
without the spring or the preload spacer
after bleeding oil into the fork,
you measure 155mm down from the top of the fully collapsed fork

Reviving an old thread--I'm currently servicing my 1199S Ohlins forks and have a question re: the above post--is the "preload spacer" the white hollow cylinder below the spring that acts as the lower spring perch? The one that falls out easily?

Looks like with both spring and lower preload spacer (white hollow cylinder?) out, gap should be 155mm. When adding those two parts, what will be the resulting air gap? 150mm?

I'm needing to add fork oil and checking out the correct procedure and fluid volume/air gap specs. So 150mm down from top of outer tube then once all parts assembled?

TIA,
Greg

greggiacona said:

the above post--is the "preload spacer" the white hollow cylinder below the spring that acts as the lower spring perch? The one that falls out easily?

Click to expand...

Yes.