Help with 650gs parts after MOT failure

[Mrs Radar_UK]

My 2003 650gs failed its MOT recently the rear shock has had it, I need a new deflection lever (lower strut), a new rear brake disc, F & R pads and new chain and sprockets.

I’ve been given an estimate by the BMW dealer for the parts and labour which comes to just over a grand, as most of the work is relatively easy I'm going to repair the bike myself.

The estimate they gave me had part numbers I’ve been going through the BMW microfiche and familiarising myself with the parts and have found an independent part supplier and pretty much priced everything up, I could save myself around £200 on parts alone and the same again in labour costs.

I’m doing the bike back up for off roading as I have the new 650 for road riding.

I thought I’d post on here to ask opinions about aftermarket shocks and brake discs and to see if anyone has any bits lying around they don’t need?

My bike has been lowered so I need a shorter shock, the BMW short shock is £417, I know I can get a standard aftermarket shock cheaper but I wonder if Wilbur, Hagons etc do a shortened shock?

How easy is it to replace the rear shock, I've replaced ones on sportsbikes but the BMW looks a bit complicated with the underseat fuel tank and separate preload adjustment, is it relatively easy to do or should I just buy the part and get the dealer to fit it?

I’ve also looked at rear brake discs, I could go for a decent 2nd had one but Motorworks do the PFM cast iron disc for £82, would running a cast iron disc on the back and a standard SS one on the front be ok?

Thanks

 

[Micky]

The only thing I can help you with here, and dependent on your mechanical prowess, is that changing the rear shock is quite easy.

Exhaust off, rear subframe lower mounting bolts out, top lose, and lift the whole rear of the 'bike upwards, slackening wiring cable ties etc as required... the tank goes up with it... it's just nuts'n bolts



www.adventure.gs

Sorry about the quality of the piccie, lifted it from the web site... couldn't findthe original!

 

[Mrs Radar_UK]

Thanks Micky

I'm pretty good with mechanics actually, rebuilt a couple of sports bikes so not afraid to get my hands dirty.

I've got a workshop manual on CD but I find they're usually aimed at someone who knows their way around the bike quite well but I've got loads of time to do this so if I get stuck I can always ask for help on here

Does anyone know if Haynes do a manual for 650 single spark, I find those much easier to work with?

 

[Hustler]

...........Does anyone know if Haynes do a manual for 650 single spark, I find those much easier to work with?

According to their website, afraid not.

 

[Mrs Radar_UK]

Anyone understand part numbers

Can anyone help me understand a part number on the BMW microfiche please?

Its for the rear spring strut, on the estimate BMW gave me they have listed the part number as

33 53 7 668 653

When I collected the bike after it failed the mot, I was told by the service person that the bike looked as if it had been lowered and so it would need a shorter shock. To be honest I wasnt paying much attention as I was about to order the new 650 so wasnt in any hurry to get the old bike fixed.

This has been bothering me a bit as I bought the bike off another GSer member who was a big bloke and there was never any mention of it being lowered.

I've checked all the original sales paperwork (which is in portugese so not easy!) and the owners manual says the standard seat height is 780mm, so today I went out to the garage and measured the seat with the bike upright and yes its 780mm, the forks havent been dropped, there are no koubalinks fitted so what the heck are BMW on about?

Can someone clarify what this part number means, I have underlined the part number they gave me but I have no idea what NIEDRIG X499A means?

Oh and if anyone is wondering why I havent just rung up the service desk and asked them to clarify things its because the chap I usually deal with is a bit of a jumped up twit (IMO) and I really cant be arsed with the sarcasm I usually get

 

[oblertone]

I seem to recall ...

... that the 'factory lowered' version had shorter fork stanchions and a shorter shock bringing it to 740mm, plus a low seat; at 780mm yours would appear to be a standard bike.

If it helps the factory lowered 'new' F650(800) with a low seat is the same height as the 'old' factory lowered F650

 

[Mrs Radar_UK]

Thanks for clarifying that, I'm not sure why BMW thought the bike had been lowered then?

I'm not going to order a BMW shock as they're quite expensive, can anyone recommend a good aftermarket alternative, Motorworks do the Hagon shock for £248, Ohlins are too pricey, are there any others?

 

[Spout]

These pages may well assist you, re part Nos etc:

http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/MainDiagrams.asp?mospid=47973

 

[Mrs Radar_UK]

Thanks Spout that list is much clearer...so it looks like BMW have listed the lower strut on my estimate???

Weird....well I'm going with the standard size shock, just in case I am wrong I will check when I buy it that if it is the wrong size I can send it back for an exchange.

 

[rc mad]

wilbers do good shocks, but they are as pricy as ohlins, but better in my opionion, best bet is the hagon or getting yours rebuilt if possible

 

[Mrs Radar_UK]

Thanks for the advice guys

I did read another thread about getting shocks rebuilt but TBH the bike has done nearly 77,000kms so I reckon a new shock will be a good investment if I want to get another 77k out of it!