Air Suspension for the RIIIT

concours · Sep 1, 2023

Kevin frazier said:
What did you go with?

Stock for now.

concours · Sep 2, 2023

So the Nimbus is made in France as well?
I smell a rat.

pocarles · Jan 11, 2024

Hi there,

It seems I've been mentioned a lot, not in a very positive, so I thought I should show up and try to bring some context. I'm Pierre-Olivier Carles, former US rep of Fournales Suspensions. I remember very clearly that warranty case because I handled it personally and it's - among many others - one of the reasons we simply stopped working with Fournales.

We did not send back one of your shocks to be serviced because it was easier, faster and cheaper to get a brand new one directly, so of the two I sent you, one was fixed and the other one was brand new... and I actually still have the one we did not fix here.

We have terminated the contract with Fournales because your case is not unique, and my family and I didn't want to represent a company providing such a mediocre quality of service. We even tried to acquire Fournales - which was for sale at this time - as we knew we could fix these flaws but we could not reach an agreement. That's the reason why we have decided to found our own company, with our own products and processes, and that has nothing to do with Fournales.

I would be happy to tell you that I can fix your issue, but I can't. We don't do suspensions for Harley Davidson, and the plans are their Intellectual Property.

That said, your suspensions are still under warranty and they have to take them in, and fix them. Will they do it successfully ? I have no idea. Last time your suspensions have been serviced, you have been pretty clear on the outcome in this forum.

I'm sorry for what happened to you, and I'm sorry I could not help you more... but it doesn't mean I lied to you at any point. You don't have to believe me, but we - on the US side - genuinely and honestly tried to help you and fix that problem.

And the fact that I still have one of your suspensions here, should at least prove that you that we had one of them replaced - if the second one has been poorly fixed.

I don't blame you, nor the other members of this forum, for what they said about me without even knowing me, the insults and the judgements... because none of you could have known, and, well, it's pretty common on the Internet.

But it is important, for me, to share what really happened in your case, and unfortunately, others cases too.

I'm not running from anything as I have read it here, nor hiding or whatever, and I'll be happy to answer any question you might have about it.

pocarles · Jan 11, 2024

concours said:
So the Nimbus is made in France as well?
I smell a rat.

It is where we have our factory, yes, but the headquarters are in Florida.

Ishrub · Jan 11, 2024

pocarles said:
Hi there,

It seems I've been mentioned a lot, not in a very positive, so I thought I should show up and try to bring some context. I'm Pierre-Olivier Carles, former US rep of Fournales Suspensions. I remember very clearly that warranty case because I handled it personally and it's - among many others - one of the reasons we simply stopped working with Fournales.

We did not send back one of your shocks to be serviced because it was easier, faster and cheaper to get a brand new one directly, so of the two I sent you, one was fixed and the other one was brand new... and I actually still have the one we did not fix here.

We have terminated the contract with Fournales because your case is not unique, and my family and I didn't want to represent a company providing such a mediocre quality of service. We even tried to acquire Fournales - which was for sale at this time - as we knew we could fix these flaws but we could not reach an agreement. That's the reason why we have decided to found our own company, with our own products and processes, and that has nothing to do with Fournales.

I would be happy to tell you that I can fix your issue, but I can't. We don't do suspensions for Harley Davidson, and the plans are their Intellectual Property.

That said, your suspensions are still under warranty and they have to take them in, and fix them. Will they do it successfully ? I have no idea. Last time your suspensions have been serviced, you have been pretty clear on the outcome in this forum.

I'm sorry for what happened to you, and I'm sorry I could not help you more... but it doesn't mean I lied to you at any point. You don't have to believe me, but we - on the US side - genuinely and honestly tried to help you and fix that problem.

And the fact that I still have one of your suspensions here, should at least prove that you that we had one of them replaced - if the second one has been poorly fixed.

I don't blame you, nor the other members of this forum, for what they said about me without even knowing me, the insults and the judgements... because none of you could have known, and, well, it's pretty common on the Internet.

But it is important, for me, to share what really happened in your case, and unfortunately, others cases too.

I'm not running from anything as I have read it here, nor hiding or whatever, and I'll be happy to answer any question you might have about it.

Appreciate you having the gumption to show up and explain your position and address the comments and posts earlier.

I apologize if I have 'jumped the gun' with my sarcastic comments in my earlier posts but your eclectic interests on your Linked in web site jumped out at me.

I have two sets of the Fournales shocks for the Rocket III dual headlight models myself that I have never fitted. One used in good condition and the other set refurbished by Fournales in France a few years ago. I bought both sets off members here and still intend to try them out on one of my Rockets.

pocarles · Jan 11, 2024

Ishrub said:
Appreciate you having the gumption to show up and explain your position and address the comments and posts earlier.
I apologize if I have 'jumped the gun' with my sarcastic comments in my earlier posts but your eclectic interests on your Linked in web site jumped out at me.

I have two sets of the Fournales shocks for the Rocket III dual headlight models myself that I have never fitted. One used in good condition and the other set refurbished by Fournales in France a few years ago. I bought both sets off members here and still intend to try them out on one of my Rockets.

Thank you for your message; I appreciate it.

And there's no need to apologize. I've actually invested, among other things, in real estate, in a small chain of restaurants named Grilled Cheese Gallery, and in a dairy company called Hart Dairy, so I understand it might be confusing "from outside".

My main focus remains the development of Nimbus, the company I founded with my oldest son in 2023, and of our own suspensions.

Fournales is an old company that was once very well represented in Australia; their suspensions have been praised for years, especially in the Harley Davidson community. I still believe they were good products (that's why we tried distributing them in North America, and then, to acquire the company that was for sale). Unfortunately for us, the relationship with them became difficult to manage, generating many situations like the one mentioned here (everything he said is true, sadly).

You should definitely try them on your R3, assuming the seals of the ones you have aren't compromised.

If yours are still in good condition, the main benefit of their technology is that the spring is actually the air inside the shock. Because air has a progressive (not linear) compression rate, it eliminates vibrations and minor bumps on the road, feeling like riding on a flying carpet. Additionally, as air can only be compressed to a certain extent, it's virtually impossible for them to bottom out when filled with the right level of pressure (unless they are leaking, as in the case you read about on this forum). On the long rides, your body will thank you.

As I mentioned earlier, I can't legally assist with maintenance or service anymore. However, if you need guidance for the level of pressure needed for your specific R3 and riding style, feel free to send me a private message.

GPMAZ · Jan 13, 2024

Please see the following under Prohibited Activities:

Executing a retaliatory strategy towards other individuals or companies. We welcome open communication here, including issues; but with an intent on helping to resolve. R3Owners.Net is a forum, not a virtual weapon.
Personal attacks against other members.

You have stated your issue, its time to let it go. At least as far as using this forum as a vehicle.

concours · Jan 14, 2024

Ishrub said:
if you haven't sworn off anything French by now , another high end maker (Nitrogen not air) from France is Matris
These have spherical bearings too and high finish etc that comes AT A COST!

Available in Chrome or Black finish and should fit with Touring panniers and they include 2008-2011 Tourings in fitment list.
Chrome
MPN: M40DCHROME37

Their Chrome Rocket III ABS Roadster version does have a different manufacturers code.
MPN: M40DCHROME38

Matris M40D Shocks
Product Description
Matris M40D shocks are the first step in making your bike handle the way it should, built to the riders weight and riding style these shocks can transform your bikes handling
Full range hydraulic rebound damping control
Millimetric preload adjustment
Internal Nitrogen expansion tank for a smooth compression stroke
Built to suit the riders weight and type of riding
Ride height adjuster built in when possible
Chrome spring with a black cylinder

Key Details:
CNC machined to achieve the lightest weights and lowest friction possible
Fine damping adjustments ensure the rider has the most feeling and confidence possible
Very precise and positive adjustment "clicks"
Each "click" makes a perceptible difference to the damping
Billet aluminium 40mm diameter piston with specially designed flow dynamics to improve damping control
High tensile alloy steel 16mm diameter piston rod, with a hard chrome coating
External Nitrogen expansion tank to prevent internal corrosion and cavitation whilst allowing for a smooth compression stroke
Linear Si-Cr Alloy Steel spring matched to the bike and rider weight
All components made from Aluminium alloy are lapped and oxidised or anodized, to ensure they are lightweight, and long lasting
Orange or Black springs also available

"Ride height adjuster built in when possible" - the photos are generic so I am not sure if that height adjustment feature comes with the Rocket III model.