Can anybody tell me what is the length of a BCR 2003 model, front shock.
I contacted 2 BMW dealers and BMW UK themselves and nobody could tell me. I really find that hard to beleive, I would have thought they might know, it is alittle worrying to say the least.
Andy Stemp states on his web site, a pre 2001 Sport model is 330mm, so I want to know what a post 2001 model is. I have been told 319mm, if that can jog somebodies memory.
Andrew
A man can fall many times in life but is never a failure until he refuses to get up
..Andrew,
As far as I know all sport/BCR variants use a front shock length of 330mm The rear is the one that may change. Early sport models had a long paralever arm (385mm) and a shock length of 314mm and later models have a 365mm para arm and a 310 rear shock length ,HTH Peter.
I have just received an Email from the supplier of the front Wilber Shock I have on ordered. He states that all Wilber front shocks are 319mm in length.
The rear that arrived was set at 318mm, although I have ride height adjustment on it, to change it.
If the front comes at 319mm and not 330mm what difference will that make Andy. Is there an offical source I could contact. Or has anybody taken a front shock off and still have it to measure for me, hopefully a 2003 Sport model.
HELP,
Andrew
A man can fall many times in life but is never a failure until he refuses to get up
The long front and rear shocks on the sport models are to increase ground clearance. There is no 'better' shock. Both the sport and standard shock are have the same innards, only the length is different. At the end of the day, BMW had to do something to justify labeling the bike 'sport', so they put on longer shocks and a steering damper.
I can't be sure, but you maybe able to pack out the top mounting of the front shock if you are not happy with it's length. I'm sure once you have the superior ride quality of the new shocks you will forget all about which is what length. Fit them and try it, then if you find it isn't behaving how you would like that's the time to start fiddling.
I wouldn't worry too much about putting strain on the drive shaft, it should be fine within the normal working range of available shock lengths, i.e. between 310mm and 320mm
Once you've tried the 319 F with the 318 R there'll be no going back unless you want slower steering.
I was running 314 R (short para) with a 330 F and it needed too much counter steer at speed so I had the rear wound up to 319 and some preload wound off the front to bring it nearer 325 - it's tall but quick steering, a 319 F would be even quicker
I'd be interested to know the shock and para arm lengths on the new BC. Anyone know?
Adam
Forgive me father for I have sinned... ex S owner moved onto pastures new with four cylinders and a chain... and back to a twin, albeit in a V.
The rear shock legth does nothing to the UJ angle.It's only when you change the paralever arm that the Uj angle changes.
The best handling S is one with a short/standard length front shock and a nice tall rear shock(preferably with ride height adjuster).Trust me...I've tried it all ways....and definately wasn't impressed with the tall front shock!
Bailey.
Thanks for all your comments. As the saying goes "I'll suck it and see" (no sexual replies please) when the front arrives.
Going of to France in 3 weeks so will get plenty of oppurtunity to test the new shocks out (wife willing) as she will be on the back. Any of you recommend a loaded sag measurement for the front and rear solo and 2 up.
Thanks,
Andrew
A man can fall many times in life but is never a failure until he refuses to get up
There's now't wrong with the standard front shock,in fact the more miles you put on it the better it gets,as far as set up go's the only person who can sort that out is you,start with basic amount of sag on the rear go out and ride it and ajust untill your happy,just take a pen and paper so you can right down different ajustments,just hope that rear shock has got at least a 160 rear spring other wise you'll be on as very steep learning curve on you hols!!!.
Chris- I have set the rear loaded sag at 35mm. I took it out on a twisty and bumpy course past Knockhill Race Ciruit, it went alright but only managed to take the bike out once as the weather has been cr*p, and been in work. Hopefully I will get out in the next week and fiddle with the rebound, although I don't think I need too much adjustment.
As regards the rear spring it is a 59/59-140-130. I have been told that it is a 14kg spring by these figures. When you say a 160 do you mean a 16kg spring. If so why am I going to have problems?
Any help would be greatfuly received.
Cheers,
Andrew
A man can fall many times in life but is never a failure until he refuses to get up
Chris is on about two up riding. A 140 spring will struggle to cope unless you are both real light weights, meaning you will have to dial in excessive amounts of preload. Mines got a 160, which is about right for me @ 13 stone. In a ideal world you would have two shocks, one for solo and one for two up, but obviously reality is somewhat different and you have to compromise depending on whether you do more riding two up or one up.
Andy covered just about all the corners!!!,Ohlins come with a standard 150 and thats a waste of time two up,went to a 160 should have gone 170 really just means when were two up with some gear have to put a tad more preload than i'd like but it'll do.
I gave my weight and my wifes weight and gave them my 2 up ratio of riding when I ordered the shock. Wilber placed the 140 Spring on the shock, so I can only assume that is what they thought was right (I hope so).
As I said, I have not been out on the bike that much, well in fact once since I changed the rear so can not comment on how things are. Although the first ride did not throw up anything major.
Andy, what have you got your front loaded sag set at?
I have only a little preload set on the rear shock at the moment and still have about 12mm left to adjust with the hyd adjuster. If I need more I have been advised that I need to remove the shock and adjust it on the shock body itself. The rear shock was set with 17mm Spring Preload/ Spring Rate at the factory. Andrew
A man can fall many times in life but is never a failure until he refuses to get up
