Lowered 650

[fritz]

Is there a categorical way of identifying whether a 650 is factory lowered? If anyone has any info I'd be grateful. Seem to think the difference is fork internals and shorter shock and therefore not really identifyable?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Is there a categorical way of identifying whether a 650 is factory lowered? If anyone has any info I'd be grateful. Seem to think the difference is fork internals and shorter shock and therefore not really identifyable?

Ring a BMW Main dealer

Give them the frame no...............

They'll tell you the exact spec it came from the factory, when it was serviced and all the warranty work done to it

Easy peasy, Fritz

 

[fritz]

ah....slight technical difficulty - I don't have the bike

 

[Den]

If Bevs feet can touch the ground ........... Its lowered.

 

[fritz]

If Bevs feet can touch the ground ........... Its lowered.

Or chopped hmmmm

 

[VAL. H.]

Is there a categorical way of identifying whether a 650 is factory lowered? If anyone has any info I'd be grateful. Seem to think the difference is fork internals and shorter shock and therefore not really identifyable?

Factory lowered 650gs:

The bike will have shorter fork stanchions (the chrome bit)

A shorter rear shock.


Standard 650gs lowered:

The fork yokes will most likely have been slid down the stanchions.
If this has not been done, the bike will look odd 'the fork angle will be wrong thus the odd look'. It will also have heavy unbalanced steering at walking pace.

Lowering links fitted to the rear suspension linkage (get on your knees and look under the swing arm in front of the rear wheel). They are straight sided and gold in colour.
Alternatively an after market 'short rear shock will have been fitted' (not very likely as they are very expensive).

If you buy one, adjust the front forks through the yokes to approximately the same drop as the rear IE 1" at the back, (the link will be marked with the amount it will lower the bike) then 1" at the front 2" at back 2" at front

Which ever has been done, I would expect the value of the bike to be about the same.

Val.

 

[Colt]

the side and centre stands will be scuffed

you have any pics? may be able to tell by the gap between the beak and front wheel.

 

[VAL. H.]

the side and centre stands will be scuffed

you have any pics? may be able to tell by the gap between the beak and front wheel.

Jase, you missed one The angle of the swinging arm 'almost parallel to the ground.

 

[fritz]

Thanks Val (all)

The forks are not through top yoke, and I can see no sign of a linkage (Kouba etc).

I can sit with feet flat and knees well bent, Bev all 5Ft 1" can get her toes 'flat' on ground.

From this I guess it's a factory lowered model. Pics if any assistance.

 

[VAL. H.]

Fritz,

This is a standard bike IE: Not lowered.

I'm guessing that Bev has an inside leg measurement of about 29" ??


My partner Jill, is 5'3" with a 29" in-seem, a Friend is 5'1" also with a 29" in-seem. Both have standard 650GSs with the forks slid up through the yokes by 20mm. Both can reach the ground with the balls of their feet.

If Bev is shorter in the in-seem than this she will probably be better off with lowering links fitted (you need to look under the bike just in front of the rear wheel. They look a little like Dog bones and are attached to the bottom of the rear shock and the swing arm) get on your knees and have a look. You will need the 1" links, as well as dropping the forks as above.

If you need any help/advice drop me a PM.

Val.


BTW where's the bloody beak???????


PS: You could get them to knock off £200.00 for that

PPS: Catch up Val Just looked at the photies. If your considering it. Drive a hard bargain IE No more than half the probable retail value from a private seller. If you need to change the fork stanchions, you will probably need to change the lower yoke too. You might as well do the head stock bearings an-all.

Looking at the pics, it's unlikely there will be a problem with the frame 'they're very strong and can take quite a hefty head-on'. Jills bike was quite a mess when we got it. Very bent at the front. Anything your not sure of, just walk away.

As I said PM me if you have any questions.

Thanks Val (all)

The forks are not through top yoke, and I can see no sign of a linkage (Kouba etc).

I can sit with feet flat and knees well bent, Bev all 5Ft 1" can get her toes 'flat' on ground.

From this I guess it's a factory lowered model. Pics if any assistance.

 

[fritz]

Val cheers for that. I'll measure Bev up
This bike is a (as you noticed) crash damaged 06, seems good value at £2.5K, only 1500m. But needs a fair few bits and bobs of bodywork+ to sort. As its ABS it's a bit heavy too which deters Bev. I'm amazed how low the 650GS is as standard then, it almost felt like a low rider to me. Seen a few about (obviously older) for £1500 or so which may be better idea as lighter. Was also tempted for myself but I think I'll stick with the current old uncivilised monster. Thanks for the comments though, looks like a 650GS for Bev then, modded by yours truly. Ta