After a BMW GS thought he could throw it up the right hand side of me tipping in to the goose neck at Cadwell I am in need of a front right ohlins fork for a 2020 RR-R SP. The rest of the damage can be taken care of quiet reasonably (I could rant more) by the local Honda dealer. The dent in the Ohlins is a bit steep. Any pointer to breakers or elasewhere I could get one? Have only found one in the states on eBay, which will incur massive import duty! 20 years of track days and this is the first ride in the Bikeulance! Cheers
I’d be having words with the GS owner…. Trackdays are a funny one. There seems to be a belief that you can behave without repercussion. You sign a disclaimer with the trackday operator, but not with other participants afaik. Happy to be proven wrong…. You can get 20% off parts from Saj at Dobles if you claim to be a member of the Fireblade owners group if that helps any.
Had a word with the GS rider, and then the organisers when I found out the bike that squeezed in ahead of him was his instructor. @NS400R I am not going to prove you wrong, in fact I think you are very right. It has taken 20 years for this to catch up with me. I stopped doing the ‘more competitive’ track days as I also found that some minority of the participants were as you may say less respectful of the rules. Don’t get me wrong on these road bike only days there are some who push the boundaries of their talent, but on the whole there is a lot less diving inside you to get to the apex first. I have a Fireblade that is capable of things that would surely get me a driving ban on the roads, and I would like to use that capability from time to time, hence the track days. I have Snetterton and Oulton booked for next month and should the bike be in a roadworthy state I will be there enjoying the thrill of the blade once again. So track days have a risk to them, I am happy to take that risk to get my enjoyment. I think I had reduced my level of risk by being selective of where I went, but that risk came home to roost. I was somewhat unhappy about what happened, but knew the risks. Then again, I also think there are a number of road users who also ‘belief that you can behave without repercussion’. So back to fixing the bike - DM gone to Vik. Will do a trawl of eBay, FB and other spares web sites. Any leads will be gratefully received.
KAIS are in Atherton near Leigh and did the suspension setup on my 2016. Very knowledgeable and helpful.
Funnily enough, I was going to suggest them! They did a custom rear shock for the NS. They know their stuff. Highly recommended.
When i have an accident on my 2014 SP Blade I managed to get the fork tube replace through an Ohlins dealer for 300 quid. The parts are available separately but I know Honda will only sell you the whole fork leg at 3 grand I'm guessing.
Items for sale by key121 | eBay This guy has a load of 2020 blade parts, I've had fairing parts from him in the past which have come off new bikes and he quick with his deliveries.
I would say if you want a safe fun track day do one of the James Whitham ones. I've just done 2 days on the Anglesey Circuit and although more expensive then usual track days there is only 20 on track in each group. Also you get instruction of BSB riders and over the 2 days we only had one red flag which was only for a bike which had broken down on track. Best track days I've ever done. Did a MSV road bike only track day at Oulton Park with red flags in each session and even one in the novice group on the sighting lap, go figure, fast road guys thinking they can just give it shit on track. Hope you get your bike sort ready for next track days. P.S. What bits are you after, I do have some stuff.
Just an update, the shock tube needs to come from Ohlins in Sweden (who were on 2 weeks summer holiday shut down) to Germany and the on to the UK. So from outside the EU in to the EU and back out again. It is taking a long time. Guys at Kais are keeping me informed, but the delay is out of their hands. Once they have the tube it will be about 3 days turn around and about £600 that includes the tube, fitting and a full service of both forks. Originally took the bike to the Honda dealer who just looked at the front forks and said that is £3,500 for 2 new forks. That is why I started the thread to see what else I could do. @Ritchierich - James Whitham is on my list, just they book up so quick. All places were gone on 1 Jan except the April and October dates (I am not called Fairweather biker for nothing!). I was there too at that MSV road bike day. We all got called in for another briefing after the second crash on Old Hall corner. I think the second one was not only on sighting laps, but after the chequered flag! You are never going to eliminate the risk, but you can reduce it (OK you can eliminate the risk, but I am not selling the bike). Key121 lives 4 miles away from Kais, so got most parts from him (fairing, exhaust) when dropping off the forks. Good bloke. Got the brake lever and small crank cover from Honda. Everything ready to go back together, except forks. Thanks for the offer of parts, but I think I am there now.
Just to finish the thread off. The Ohlins tube eventually arrived at Kais and they turned it around in 24 hours. £515 for the tube, fitting and a service on both shocks. A lot less than the Honda price for 2 new shocks. Kais kept me informed, so no problems there. Nothing they can do without the part. Just a long wait to get the part from Sweden. I suppose not many people damage the tube, so it is not routinely held in stock. So saved £3k, but off the road for over 2 months.
