Lowering rear

[fettler]

Does anyone know if a R1150R rear shock is shorter than a Rockster shock?

[grwrockster]

I know this from one of my own early questions Fettler.

The 'R' shock is a bit shorter (something like 5mm) that the Rockster rear shock (thing the front-end is something similar - the shocks are specific to the Rockster.

As they are harder to find (Riceburner off here told me this, as he has an 'R' replacment shock on his 85k miles bike) some people fit the R rear shock, and then find that, once the length of the swingarm is taken into account, that the bike sits down at the back to the tune of 20mm or something. This of course decreases the steering head angle into more 'chopper-like' geometery if the front is left alone.

Again (courtesy of RB's knowledge) - the way to go if you fit an R rear replacement rear shock is to use the GS rear hub torque arm istead of the Rockster one. The GS one is shorter (so the GS can ride a lot higher with just a longer shock but otherwise identical running gear dims) and puts the rear ride-height back somewhere near standard.

I don't know but can guess that if a pair of R shocks were fitted, then there's the possibility that the whole bike would sit lower at both ends, but retain the original steering characteristics. I'm sure someone on here will know for sure!

[fettler]

Thanks.
This is the information I was looking for and exactly what I was thinking about the shock length

[riceburner]

Thanks.
This is the information I was looking for and exactly what I was thinking about the shock length

if you're looking to lower your ride-height, I'd be happy to swap shocks with you!

[fettler]

Thanks.
This is the information I was looking for and exactly what I was thinking about the shock length

if you're looking to lower your ride-height, I'd be happy to swap shocks with you!

I AM looking to do this.
What shocks do you have?
How many miles?

[riceburner]

Thanks.
This is the information I was looking for and exactly what I was thinking about the shock length

if you're looking to lower your ride-height, I'd be happy to swap shocks with you!

I AM looking to do this.
What shocks do you have?
How many miles?

I currently have a standard R1100R shock (with a GS1100 Paralever arm). Not sure on the exact mileage, but it was new (or barely used) when I bought it. I got it from a company in the UK that makes wheel-chair accessible trikes out of the R1100R. Unfortunately I don't know if they're still in business.
I can find out how many miles are on it by looking at my logs (at home, so will look tonight).

Where are you? I'm in the South East of the UK.

[fettler]

Oh bother!

I used to live in Preston,

I moved to Los Angeles California in 1981!

[riceburner]

Oh bother!

I used to live in Preston,

I moved to Los Angeles California in 1981!

LOL!

You wouldn't want my shock anyway.... I found out last night it's done roughly 45,000 miles on the bike! - Not bad for £65!

[fettler]

I just bought a pair from a R1150R for $50, I think that's about Seventeen pounds and sixpence!

[riceburner]

I just bought a pair from a R1150R for $50, I think that's about Seventeen pounds and sixpence!

fookin ell...


btw - I thought you said on another post you were"GS-ing" your Rockster .... how does shorter shocks work with that??

[fettler]

Well I'm going GS style, but have a 29" inseam!

I will modify a R1150GS Touratech headlight guard
The Touratech Zega panniers fit right on
The Touratech skid plate for GS fit's right on
Touratech valve cover guards for GS fit
The BrakingWave rotors from the R1100S fit right on
R150R shocks to lower
Pirelli Scorpion Sync Trail tires
I already have Pro-Taper Contour Fatty handlebars with Pastrana bend
Looking for suitable large windshield and hand guards. I have the BMW Touring windshield but it's not enough.
I already mounted aTouratech Zega top box, but I will modify that as I don't trust the Rockster rack.
I have a Remus and Y pipe but need to lower it for two full size panniers
So getting there. It is the copper/matt black version and I'd like to black out the instrument panel/oil coolers/valve covers.

[riceburner]

Well I'm going GS style, but have a 29" inseam!

I will modify a R1150GS Touratech headlight guard
The Touratech Zega panniers fit right on
The Touratech skid plate for GS fit's right on
Touratech valve cover guards for GS fit
The BrakingWave rotors from the R1100S fit right on
R150R shocks to lower
Pirelli Scorpion Sync Trail tires
I already have Pro-Taper Contour Fatty handlebars with Pastrana bend
Looking for suitable large windshield and hand guards. I have the BMW Touring windshield but it's not enough.
I already mounted aTouratech Zega top box, but I will modify that as I don't trust the Rockster rack.
I have a Remus and Y pipe but need to lower it for two full size panniers
So getting there. It is the copper/matt black version and I'd like to black out the instrument panel/oil coolers/valve covers.

Which rack do you have on the back? the OE BMW silver plate/black uprights one? If so, then that's a lot stronger than it looks. I've had a weeks worth of clothing/weeks shopping/case of beer (not all at the same time....well - not quite!) in the 35litr Givibox on mine and it's been absolutely fine. My setup has been on the bike for about 4 years now. There's some photos within the forum somewhere showing how it's setup.

[fettler]

Yeah the OEM plastic covered thing.

I rode from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania then back home to California with the Zega bolted direct to it, but it does wobble a bit.

When I fit the side Zegas I won't have the rack anyway as its part of the side pannier mounts.

I also carry a bag across the passenger seat and panniers, I may just get a bigger bag and do away with the top box.

[grwrockster]

Fettler - you're certainly living up to your name!

Just for a left-field screen thought..... I just put a screen off (of all things) an FJR1300 on my bike. With the higher GS bars I wanted a taller, wider screen than my MRA Vario. But... experimenting with screens (and finding one that fits with the 'eyebrow' above the lights) isn't simple, and can also be expensive.

I noticed that the 2001-2005 FJR screen had a cut-out so it might work around the eyebrow. So, I bought one s/h for £15 off the 'Net (the screen was surplus as the seller had put a larger aftermarket screen on his bike). Then, I simply used the handlebar clamp mounting kit off my Vario screen to carry it.

I've some fiddling with height and angle to see how well I can get it to work, but at £15 (and Vario mounts can be bought separately for 30-odd quid) it's a LOT cheaper than any Rockster aftermarket screen.

[riceburner]

Yeah the OEM plastic covered thing.

I rode from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania then back home to California with the Zega bolted direct to it, but it does wobble a bit.

When I fit the side Zegas I won't have the rack anyway as its part of the side pannier mounts.

I also carry a bag across the passenger seat and panniers, I may just get a bigger bag and do away with the top box.

yeah - my setup wobbles like hell (unless you have something strapped to the seat). But so far it's proven solid otherwise.

[fettler]

Yeah I strapped the top box to the bag that was strapped to the seat.