Lowering XCountry

[barrym]

Hi Guys

Picking up a virtually new XCountry later today. Just 11 months old with, wait for it, 120 miles on the clock. And a very good price from a dealer too, believe it or not.

Anyway, I reckon the suspension is at it's highest setting, and I shall probably leave it like that for a while to see how I get on. But if I find it too high, I know it can be lowered by adjusting the 'lollipop'.

At the moment there is (from memory) about 10mm of thread below the lock nut. Am I right thinking that is the highest setting. If the lollipop is screwed right in so there is virtually no thread below the lock nut, that is the lowest setting. Right?

So changing it then. Can that be done in situ? There's plenty of advice on the advrider.com that this is the way to change the height, but not any step by step instructions.

My spannering skills have become non existent over the last few years (well since the 1960s really) with new reliable bikes with no real need to change things. The last time I pulled a rear suspension apart it had a spring on both sides!

TIA

 

[Stumpy]

At the moment there is (from memory) about 10mm of thread below the lock nut. Am I right thinking that is the highest setting. If the lollipop is screwed right in so there is virtually no thread below the lock nut, that is the lowest setting. Right?

I did this for SWMBO's X Country and it worked well. Remember you also need to drop the forks a wee bit as well(Just as easy to do) to balance the handling. If thats still not low enough BMW also do a low seat

BTW if you have a look the 09 X Countrys they have the forks dropped as standard and a lower rear shock/different rear sub frame

Stumpy

 

[barrym]

Thanks Stumpy. That's what I wanted to hear.

Was it an in situ job? Just a case of getting the bike off the ground, pull the bottom bolt, loosen the lock nut, turn the 'lollipop' to the required position, and bolt it all up again?

 

[Stumpy]

Thanks Stumpy. That's what I wanted to hear.

Was it an in situ job? Just a case of getting the bike off the ground, pull the bottom bolt, loosen the lock nut, turn the 'lollipop' to the required position, and bolt it all up again?

You can do it with the shock in situ on the side stand

I removed the mud flap thingie and rear foot rest to give me a little more room to work. I can't remember the spanner sizes off the top of my head but its a bit tight and I used a "thin" adjustable spanner.

The torques setting for the front forks are on ADV rider. If you can't find them let me know I have them somewhere

Here's a couple of quick pics

Stumpy

 

[barrym]

You're a star! Thanks very much.

Riding home today I was reasonably comfortable with the height - just a case of two feet on tip-toe or one flat with a bit of a slide to one side. If I don't get any heart-sinking moments I may leave it as is, but otherwise will be happy to have a go now.

 

[barrym]

You can do it with the shock in situ on the side stand

I removed the mud flap thingie and rear foot rest to give me a little more room to work. I can't remember the spanner sizes off the top of my head but its a bit tight and I used a "thin" adjustable spanner.

Just re-read this and are you saying you didn't even need to remove the bottom bolt that goes through the eye of the lollipop? You can adjust it just with the two nuts? I thought the whole lollipop had to turn. That does sound easy.

It was you saying you can do it whilst on the side stand that made me think. If you pulled the bottom shock bolt it would all fly apart like that:-(

 

[lady bikermouse]

Hi Barry

Congrats on the new bike! She is great to ride, a huge grin factor!!

As for lowering.. I own a 08 Xco, and on Saturday swopped out the rear shock with a friend who has an 09 model. There is a physical difference in the two shocks, giving you nearly an inch drop in seat height. So if adjusting the lollipop is not enough, considering finding someone with an 09 model, and get it done. Only cost will be labour, if you can't do it yourself.

It is not as simple as that though, you will also have to swop sidestands, oh and we swopped seats as well, the 08 seat is higher than the 09s.
After exchanging rear shocks, just adjust the front forks, to get the bike back into balance.

happy travels!
M

 

[shugie]

The 09 XCountry is quite low, I can get both feet flat on the ground with a narrow seat and a 29" inside leg. But it does tend to "catch" my boots on tight corners, so I guess that is the downside to the lowered version.

Suspension is quite good, I used to have an F650 and that was well lardy, this is quite different.

Narrow seat is very plank like mind.

 

[ARMA]

I swapped out my rear shock and it's a real eye-opener. I went with a Wilbers shock and the bike is transformed, the back is suddenly alive. I was happy enough with it before but I had no idea the difference it made. Cost me £300 built to my weights and measurements with a 5 year guarantee. It should outlast society or at the very least the global oil supply.
I also had a custom gel seat made. Now it's a very slightly different shaped plank. Oh well...

 

[shugie]

I swapped out my rear shock and it's a real eye-opener. I went with a Wilbers shock and the bike is transformed, the back is suddenly alive. I was happy enough with it before but I had no idea the difference it made. Cost me £300 built to my weights and measurements with a 5 year guarantee. It should outlast society or at the very least the global oil supply.
I also had a custom gel seat made. Now it's a very slightly different shaped plank. Oh well...

Got Wilbers on the 1200, they made a hell of a difference on that, but I think the stock XCountry suspension is better than that stock 1200 anyway. Might get a Wilbers sorted for it one day though.

Also tried the gel seat idea on my 1150, but wasn't impressed with the result, went for a Sargent instead, but they don't do G650 seats, in fact the amount of bling is generally thankfully low!

 

[Norton]

Hagon Shock

I got an Xcountry that had been lowered with a purpose built Hagon to make it 50mm lower. A bit low for me so I put the BMW unit back on with the lollipop screwed in (doesn't go right in; just 8mm shorter). Raised the forks an inch as per the book and it fits just fine.

If anybody is interested in the Hagon unit just ask and I post the specs.

xyzzy7709 at btinternet dot com

I used a couple of axle stands under the centre stand holes to get it off the ground but apparently you can do it with the side stand and one axle stand.