Lowering the 650s

[VAL. H.]

Back in the day, BMW made a Low Chassis version of the 650 and I'm wondering what they did to the front forks to achieve this?

I know the bikes fairly well, as we had three of them some years ago, one being a Dakar. I lowered the other two as far as the standard bike will allow. ie sliding the yokes down the stations and winding the spring weight down, compensating that with extra rebound adjustment. This worked well at the time, but it was never quite low enough for the rider to feel 100% comfortable with the bikes. I know too that the difference between the three models is simply use of different forks and shocks.

Moving on ten or more years and with the current bike now becoming too heavy and still a tiptoe bike, we're considering another 650 single and I'd like to do the job properly with the correct front end. The rear is a simple shock replacement.
Finding a factory lowered 650 when we are ready will be pretty difficult, and possibly more costly than I want to go. So for now it's research time.

 

[Snaf]

Forks are the same but internals are different, we did this once and if I recall the parts were not very expensive the GSL model used the following parts.
Spacer 31427661613
Spring 31427658887
Tube 31427658886

 

[steve hughes]

Forks are the same but internals are different, we did this once and if I recall the parts were not very expensive the GSL model used the following parts.
Spacer 31427661613
Spring 31427658887
Tube 31427658886

Snaf is spot on , I had my F650 twin lowered by revs suspension in Halesowen. They just used shorter progressive springs. I had previously raised the forks through the yokes. They reversed this when they did the front and rear.

 

[VAL. H.]

Forks are the same but internals are different, we did this once and if I recall the parts were not very expensive the GSL model used the following parts.
Spacer 31427661613
Spring 31427658887
Tube 31427658886

Snaf is spot on , I had my F650 twin lowered by revs suspension in Halesowen. They just used shorter progressive springs. I had previously raised the forks through the yokes. They reversed this when they did the front and rear.

Thanks guys. Did wonder if it was just a lowering kit in the oe stations.

Snaf; Some very useful numbers. Thanks.

 

[Sertaowner]

Back in the day, BMW made a Low Chassis version of the 650 and I'm wondering what they did to the front forks to achieve this?

I know the bikes fairly well, as we had three of them some years ago, one being a Dakar. I lowered the other two as far as the standard bike will allow. ie sliding the yokes down the stations and winding the spring weight down, compensating that with extra rebound adjustment. This worked well at the time, but it was never quite low enough for the rider to feel 100% comfortable with the bikes. I know too that the difference between the three models is simply use of different forks and shocks.

Moving on ten or more years and with the current bike now becoming too heavy and still a tiptoe bike, we're considering another 650 single and I'd like to do the job properly with the correct front end. The rear is a simple shock replacement.
Finding a factory lowered 650 when we are ready will be pretty difficult, and possibly more costly than I want to go. So for now it's research time.

How much are you trying to lower it? I used a lowering link and lifted the forks in the stanchion. This'll give you ~1" (or more). I had no issues with the handling after and have used the bike for commuting as well as fun. I've subsequently put in progressive springs to improve dive mostly. Unless you need a lot more lowering, I suggest this would be perfectly fine.