Well people, after all my griping, moaning, snivelling and generally being a pain about the Tenere's terrible rear shock, I finally put my money where my whinging is and fitted an Ohlins yesterday.

I found the job easy but time-consuming thanks to the top shock bolt requiring a bit of meccano work. Preload adjustment once the shock's fitted is difficult to say the least, but I think it will improve when I shorten the C-spanner a fair bit.

Has anyone got any suggestions as to the preloaded spring length for a 100kg rider? I figured on 205mm, but any advice would be appreciated.

I won't get a chance to ride my bike for a few days, but that's good because I'm going to change the fork oil to 15W before I go out... The original stuff has lost any damping it might have had.

Btw, I noticed the original shock is showing the first signs of a leaking seal. Only 10,000km. Nasty. My experience with Ohlins (Husky 390, TT600R, both std fitment) suggests that it, too, will leak early-ish, but once the seal is replaced it should be fine for ages. In any case, the ride quality will be great to have!