How Do They Lower the Suspension of F650 Twins?

freelancer2011

freelancer2011

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Hi All,

I've had a slight accident on the way back from my first trip abroad. I think I was de-hydrated and momentarily lost concentration going round a bend. I'm OK and bike is pretty much OK. I've spotted things that need replacing.

There is one thing which I need advice on. Does anybody know how BMW lower the suspension of the F650 Twins? Is it through the shock absorbers and/or forks?

If it's the front fork springs or the forks themselves that need replacing are there any aftermarket ones I could look into or would it be purely proprietary?

Reason I ask is because there's something wrong with the front forks. When I get on her and level the bike, the front fork/s dip forward. I don't know if it's lost fluid or something inside is damaged. They were out of line after the crash.

Thanks,
Lab.
 
I'm confused (easily done) :nenau
Are you asking because you want a lower bike, or is it because you think you've damaged the forks?
A bit more detail would be good, what happened to the forks in the fall, what do you mean by "dip" etc.
Mark
 
Forks

Sorry about your 'off' as earthmover says some pics or a better description of the damage might help. I've lowered an 800 twin via a shortened rear spring & dropping the front forks through the yokes about an inch or so to match up. I guess the principles the same for 650? With regard to the damage and spares you might want to play it safe and take them out then get them to a fork specialist to give them a once over to determine the extent of the damage. There's also a used set on ebay £320 or offers AL
 
Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the recommendations, so far.

Yes, I'm asking because I've got a BMW Lowered Suspension F650 Twin. And I'm asking because I'm getting them looked at, tomorrow. So, if the advice is that they need replacing, I just want to know what options there are other than BMW.

The legs were 'skewed'? So, one fork was further out than the other. both forks also seemed to pop-up from the fork bridge. The 'support bracket' under the mud guard was twisted to the point that two of the corners broke-off. Also, if I'm looking at it correctly, the stop of the Lower Fork Cross Brace that stops the steering wheel going full-lock right has almost been completely sheered off:
http://www.ascycles.com/Illustrated_catalog2/MicroList.aspx?id=51596&catID=31&catname=Front_axle,_front-wheel_control&bindName=Fork_bridge&bindCat=31_0822

I was going round a left corner on the D8 coastal road heading back from Dubrovnik. When I lost concentration, I was just focusing on the bend and then I was creeping closer and closer to the bend. Before I knew it I was on the rocky gravel, lost balance and I dropped the bike. During that very quick moment, looking at the damage afterwards on the guards and from the above, it's almost as if the handlebars hit the rocks (right), then possibly the kerb (left) and then the final drop (on the right-handside).

When the HAK? (like the AA) showed-up, they took it to their local depot and they managed to help me get it 'balanced' again. And I managed to ride home from there with it but I know I need to get it safe and roadworthy again asap.
 
I think you'll find ...

... broken or damaged lock stops to be an MoT failure and possibly warrant a new frame. That being said, it is 1:20am and I could be talking bollocks.

The factory lowered bike is achieved by shorter stanchions (shiny bit) and shorter shocks.
 
Ouch!
That sounds like a heavy impact! :eek:
You really need them looking at by someone who knows what they're talking about.
Mark
 
Yeah, it was horrible. I've got a few bruises, left sprain thumb, some light lacerations though they've healed. Was very close to packing it all in when on the roadside...

I went to the great Oval Motorcycle Centre, yesterday. :) We had a look at it and measured the stanchions with dialler gauges. They are both screwed. One leg has about 7/9 revolutions at one point. :(

BMW are saying only the forks are different between standard and lowered-suspension but that the stanchions are the same between. I asked them twice explicitly. So, that there was no confusion. With this in mind, I'm having a mare finding the equivalent stanchion leg on WeMoto's search engine. I've noticed Motorworks carries an 'Italian replica'. Is it safe to assume they're Tarozzi?

https://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/Parts.php?T=5&NU=15&M=72&Ct=KA&SbCt=BA_15_72_KA_55

Can anybody help?

Cheers,
Lab.
 
I'm stating the obvious , forgive me ... but if the "lowered " parts are expensive and hard to source , why not make a (normal) well engineered repair with standard parts. Then sell the bike and buy yourself a "lowered " bike again. Its a good time of year to sell and F650GS are always in demand.
 
Well, I mean (and perhaps I'm looking at this wrong - it's been a long week ;) ) but if those stanchions are the same on both standard height and lowered suspension (as 2 dealers' parts dept have seemed to have implied), then the total parts and liquids should only be about 250-300 at the most. Let's say I use-up 3 hours of workshop time + on-hand assistance, it's only about £36 for bench time. So, you know, for £340 I have a roadworthy bike again. And I get to learn how something works.

...Plus, now there's flippin' sentimental value attached to it (it was my first trip abroad on her). ;) It took me 13 months to save-up for and attach stuff like crash bars, sump guards, first bike, too, etc. She was the one I adored for such a long time and it was tough waiting for her to come onto the 'Approved Used' market. It must sound silly! :barf

It's a really nice gesture, though. Thank you. :)

Lab.
 
Just out of interest how did you resolve this? I have the lowered version too and they are so hard to get hold of that I waited an age to get one.
 
Littlepeahead said:
Just out of interest how did you resolve this? I have the lowered version too and they are so hard to get hold of that I waited an age to get one.
Click to expand...

Hi,

I got this in the end:-
http://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/Parts.php?T=5&NU=15&M=72&Ct=KA&SbCt=BA_15_72_KA_55

I was put onto WeMoto and www.allbikeengineering.co.uk. I couldn't find a any stanchions for the Twin using the former's catalogue 'model-finder'. And it's one of those websites where they blur the production years of the Single and Twins. I called-up and asked specifically but they said they didn't do it. I wasn't quick enough to ask if they could special order it (may be worth a shot for you?) ABE also didn't have them in stock (they had Singles tho). I was told I'd either have to remove them, measure them, take a note of the drainage holes(?)/number of them and tell them what they looked like. Or, to take the bike to them and leave it with them. As my bike's my commuter, too, I weighed it up and took a gamble on the Motorworks one. I'm hoping they're Tarozzi-made ones. -Everything's still packaged. Hoping to get it all done at the Oval M/C centre in London in the next 2-3 weeks.

Will let you know how I get on and the exact kit. :thumb2

Lab :)
 
LittlePeaHead (loving that name btw!),

Sorry for the delay, but work commitments and gathering all the bits together, I can finally now confirm that the stanchions I bought from Motorworks listed below WORKED for my factory-lowered suspension (2008).

http://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/Parts.php?T=5&NU=15&M=72&Ct=KA&SbCt=BA_15_72_KA_55

Motorworks quoted 6 weeks to deliver but it arrived in about 3 weeks. Also, looks like they've uploaded a pic of them, too, compared to last time.

Finish of the product looks identical to OEM. Same kind of opaqued shiny finish. Quality felt solid and seals fit no problems.

I just need to get some run-out fixed on the front wheel and then she's back to the way she was! :O)

Lab.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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