Lowering F700GS

[JimStone]

My F700GS is a little tall for my liking. I have replaced the seat with a lower one. What are the best options for lowering the suspension. I don’t plan to ride on difficult trails where reduced ground clearance would be a problem.

[Omega Man]

If you scroll through the F-Twin section, along with the "Index" you will see a fair amount of information on the lowering.

Here is one of them- https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread...options-please

Good Luck.

OM

[JimStone]

Omega Man,

I see from the previous thread that you lowered your F800 yourself. I just received the 30 mm Hyperpro lowering spring, and an getting ready to install it. Do you recall any problems or surprises in making the swap? I assume that the rear shock arrangement in the two bikes is very similar.

Thanks,

Jim

[Omega Man]

I think it was fairly straight forward Jim. It's been a while and I seem to recall the usual trouble associated with the spring change on the rear. I "think" I has to use a spring compressor.
The other surprise I do remember is that the caps on the top of the front forks need the fork clamps to be loosened before the top caps could be unscrewed. I haven't look at what info I had in my thread in a while.
I think I bought them from Touratech which at the time wasn't much help with any technical questions. I later found that Klaus sold them as well-EPM? I called him but he resisted helping me as I didn't purchase the kit from them.

Good Luck.

OM

[JimStone]

Omega Man,

Thanks! I think I ready to attack it now. I have arranged for my local service station to change the spring on the shock rather than building a spring compressor myself.

Jim

[Omega Man]

Omega Man,

Thanks! I think I ready to attack it now. I have arranged for my local service station to change the spring on the shock rather than building a spring compressor myself.

Jim

Great!
I happen to have a couple of ways to do the spring work. The service station may have a McPherson strut wall mounted rig that may help.

Post up how you made out.

OM

[jnrugg]

Don't forget about center and side stand clearances after lowering.

[Omega Man]

Don't forget about center and side stand clearances after lowering.

Yeah

That will be obvious

I shortened both of mine.

OM

[JimStone]

I’m trying to get to the top shock mounting bolt. The Haynes manual says to remove the center and side panels, then undo the two screws that hold down the seat bridge. Then ease the seat bridge up to access the shock bolt. Ease it up? It doesn’t want to move at all. Help!

Jim

[Omega Man]

Sorry but I don’t remember that aspect. Keep looking, you will figure it out.

OM

[JimStone]

OM,

You were right. I figured it out. After I clipped a cable tie, I was abe to move the seat bridge. But it doesn’t lift up, it needs to pull back. That allows access to the shock bolt. And it wasn’t necessary to remove the panels, just a couple a screws at the rear of the side panels.

Jim

[Omega Man]

Great!
If you decide to shorten the center or side stand, I can tell you what I did.
OM

[JimStone]

OM,

Yes, my centerstand was hard to use before i lowered the bike. I presume this involved a welder or a welding shop.

Jim

[JimStone]

The seat bridge is only held in place by a couple of screws. However, there are also a bunch of tie-wraps in the bridge that hold several cables in place. Once those tie-wraps are cut, there is one plug which also needs to be released. Then the seat bridge can easily be lifted out, giving you complete access to the top shock mount area.

I found a local shop that specializes in motorcycle suspensions. I’m getting the shock spring swapped out today. Then everything just goes back together...with any luck.

[Omega Man]

Great.
I still have the “slugs” removed from the center stand and a will post a picture for reference along with the why/how of it…….when I can get a minute.
I can’t find the “slug” removed for the side stand.

OM