BMW K bikes (Bricks)


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1Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Height Adjustment Mon Feb 15, 2016 11:16 am

diveshadow

diveshadow
active member
active member
I'm just too short to be comfortable on the bike. I can ride it but I'm almost on my tip toes when I stop. It's not comfortable. Is there an easy solution to lower the bike?


__________________________________________________
96 K1100LT 0302263
30,000 miles
    

2Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Mon Feb 15, 2016 12:09 pm

Point-Seven-five

Point-Seven-five
Life time member
Life time member
You can drop the front end about 1/2" or a little more, and there are shocks that are shorter by about 3/4".  I just had a Works Performance rear shock rebuilt and lengthened from a short rod version.  If you have a Works shock, give them a call.  They can do stuff to other makes of shocks too.

Thicker boot soles help as well.


__________________________________________________
Present: 1991 K100RS "Moby Brick Too"
 
Past:
1994 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
1988 K100RS SE "Special Ed"
1994 K75S "Cheetos"
1992 K100RS "Moby Brick" R.I.P.
1982 Honda FT500
1979 Honda XR185
1977 Honda XL125
1974 Honda XL125
1972 OSSA Pioneer 250
1968 Kawasaki 175
    

3Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Mon Feb 15, 2016 1:04 pm

duck

duck
Life time member
Life time member
You can also use tires with a lower aspect ratio.  Won't buy you much though but if every mm counts....


__________________________________________________
Current stable:
86 Custom K100 (standard fairing, K75 Belly pan, Ceramic chromed engine covers, paralever)
K75 Frankenbrick (Paralever, K11 front end, hybrid ABS, K1100RS fairing, radial tires)
86 K75C Turbo w/ paralever
94 K1100RS
93 K1100LT
91 K1
93 K75S (K11 front end)
91 K75S (K1 front end)
14 Yamaha WR250R
98 Taxi Cab K1200RS
14 K1600GT
http://www.ClassicKBikes.com
    

4Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Mon Feb 15, 2016 1:34 pm

92KK 84WW Olaf

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duck wrote:You can also use tires with a lower aspect ratio.  Won't buy you much though but if every mm counts....

Maybe not but changing a rear tyre from an 80 to a 70 can be worth 12-15mm at the rear and on front you might be able to get 10-12mm.

I would seriously look at getting an extra 12-25mm on the boots soles too.

I just changed the seat on my RT and now I find it's a small bit higher than I like but comfortable. I just got new tyres in November and haven't used the bike since so they are new. Next time I will get lower tyres and am now going to bring the fork stanchions up about 15mm.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

5Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Mon Feb 15, 2016 4:19 pm

indian036

indian036
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Life time member
In addition to the fork adjustment and shorter rear shock, I had my seat rebuilt to be lower. Also much more comfortable and a big improvement on the bodgy work done on it by the previous owner. Done by a specialist bike seat upholsterer who also happens to be local to me.

Bill


__________________________________________________
1985 K100RT  VIN 0028991  My original Very Happy ROB the Red Old Bike   (Historic rego)
1985 K100RT  VIN 0029036  BOB the Blue Old Bike  (Historic rego)
1990 K100LT  VIN 0190452  Work in progress
1984 K100RT  VIN 0023022  Work needing lots of progress

1986 K100RT  VIN 0090542  Work needing lots and lots of progress
1993 K1100LT  VIN 0183046  Work in progress
1993 K75S  VIN 0213045  Tom the Triple (now on Historic rego too.)
    

6Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Mon Feb 15, 2016 4:45 pm

88

88
Life time member
Life time member
What about a low seat option? Is there one for the k1100? 

I got this Reynolds Day long for the K100LT. I didn't use it in the end.

Height Adjustment 2015-010

A low seat conversion might be a way to go. Someone who knows more about the K11 LT layout will be along shortly most likely!


__________________________________________________
Height Adjustment Ir-log1188....May contain nuts!Height Adjustment Ir-log11

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." - St. Augustine from 1600 years ago & still true!

K1 - 1989 - AKA Titan (unique K1/K1100RS hybrid by Andreas Esterhammer)
K1100RS - 1995. AKA Rudolf Von Schmurf (in a million bits)
K100RS - 1991 AKA Ronnie. Cafe racer project bike
K75RTP - 1994
K75C - 1991 AKA Jim Beam. In boxes. 
K1100LT 1992 - AKA Big Red (gone)
K100LT - 1988 - AKA the Bullion brick. Should never have sold it.
    

7Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Mon Feb 15, 2016 5:06 pm

92KK 84WW Olaf

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88KE wrote:What about a low seat option? Is there one for the k1100? 

I got this Reynolds Day long for the K100LT. I didn't use it in the end.

Height Adjustment 2015-010

A low seat conversion might be a way to go. Someone who knows more about the K11 LT layout will be along shortly most likely!
'I didn't use it in the end?.....course not =, it doesn't fit. You use it under the end.......

I remember looking at that one close up......its nice.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

8Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Tue Feb 16, 2016 4:12 am

Gaz

Gaz
Life time member
Life time member
Our good friend Rosskko has fitted a BMW low seat option onto his K1100RS.

The bike is the Smurfette and here it is on our way to the Alpine Rally last year.

Height Adjustment Img_1517

I believe the K1100RS & K1100LT are the same in the seat mounting area of the frame so Rosskko's mod should work on an LT. I'm sure Rosskko would help with details if contacted.


__________________________________________________
Gaz
1990 K75 6427509; 1987 R80G/S PD 6292136; 2010 G650GS ZW13381; 95 K1100LT 0232224
    

9Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Tue Feb 16, 2016 1:09 pm

Born Again Eccentric

Born Again Eccentric
Life time member
Life time member
Of course, if you try to lower the back end too much (shorter shock, lower profile tyres etc.), you will quickly find that you can no longer get her up (easily) on the centre stand and will have to resort to using the side stand all the time. Using the side stand is fine, most of the time, but even that is affected by lowering the back end and you will find the bike is much more upright (and less stable) when on the side stand.

I speak from recent experience:


  • Last Aug while on the camping week with the Irish Eccentrics, I noticed my bike was sitting much more upright than the other bikes when on the side stand - and was getting difficult to put on the centre stand at all. At one time, when it was blowing a hoolie, I was concerned that the bike would actually blow over. I put it down to the heavier than usual load of camping gear, but on getting home, I found that the rear shock had come to the end of it's natural days. A new (Realm) RAM shock soon fixed that issue and once again the bike hops easily onto the centre stand and sits over at a stable and jaunty angle on the side stand again.



  • Then, a few weeks back, when out for a "Let's Play Tag" photo op ride into Wales, I picked up a screw in the rear tyre followed by a fairly rapid deflation (at 70mph). My puncture repair kit failed (I've since replaced the glue and grommet version with a glue-less mushroom variety which seems much better) so I injected the back-up tyre weld repair gunk into the tyre. Rode for the stipulated 6 miles+ to allow the gunk to go off and seal the hole, but the tyre would not hold any pressure and I had to pull over and call for help. With the rear flat, I could not get the bike up onto the centre stand at all (need more spinach perhaps?) and, by quirk of fate, the road and the lay-by (roadside parking area/pull off) where I stopped was cambered/sloping towards the middle of the road rather than the more usual camber towards the kerb. This meant that, with a low back end, I couldn't even get the bike onto the side stand (stand bottomed out with the bike still upright). My only option was to turn the bike 180 deg to face in the direction of the on coming traffic and only then could I get her on the side stand. It would have been a very long wait for the breakdown man if I had to hold the bike up throughout.


So long story short, some adjustment of rear shock will help you, but don't over do it or you'll cause yourself more problems. Best bet - go for a lower seat option and/or get some platform boots.



Last edited by Born Again Eccentric on Tue Feb 16, 2016 1:11 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : its a hoolie not a hoodie - curse that auto correct for not knowing that I meant what i typed!)


__________________________________________________
Height Adjustment Uk-log10 Height Adjustment Sco-lo15
                              Paul  Height Adjustment 905546712

"Heidi" K100LT 1991 (Grey) (VIN 0190172 Engine No. 104EB 2590 2213) - 5th owner. January 2014 (34,000 - 82,818 miles and counting....)
"Gretel" K100LT 1989 (Silver Grey) (VIN 0177324 Engine No. 104EA 2789 2211) - 4th+ owner. September 2015 (82,684 miles and counting....). Cat C Insurance write-off rebuild Feb 17
"Donor" K100LT 1990 (Red)  (VIN 0178091 Engine gone to Dai) - 6th & final owner (crash write-off now donor bike).   June 2012 (73,000 miles) to November 2013 (89,500 miles)
    

10Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Tue Feb 16, 2016 1:43 pm

Dai

Dai
Life time member
Life time member
Reducing the seat height (not the seat-to-ground height) introduces a follow-on problem; your knees are suddenly at a much tighter angle and that's gonna cripple you on long runs. I've spent way to long trying to figure out how to drop the footpeg height but the exhaust system always gets in the way (literally). I haven't given up on that one just yet.


__________________________________________________
1983 K100 naked upgraded to K100LT spec after spending time as an RS and an RT
1987 K100RT
Others...
1978 Moto Guzzi 850-T3, 1979 Moto Guzzi 850-T3 California,1993 Moto Guzzi 1100ie California
2020 Royal Enfield Bullet 500
    

11Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Tue Feb 16, 2016 3:07 pm

JR_K100RS

JR_K100RS
Life time member
Life time member
G'day Diveshadow , just how short are you ( if you don't mind me asking ) ? . On a good day I'm only 5'6" but have never had problems with my KRS , my technique is that I only ever put my right foot down when stopped ( sliding my bum off the seat slightly ) this way my foot is virtually flat on the ground , left foot is on the peg ready to select 1st & go . I've done this my whole riding life & with all my bikes not just the K , try it

John Re


__________________________________________________
Diamond Grey ( 617 ) 1987 K100RS ( European Delivery ) Original owner
    

12Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Tue Feb 16, 2016 4:17 pm

92KK 84WW Olaf

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JR_K100RS wrote:G'day Diveshadow , just how short are you ( if you don't mind me asking ) ? . On a good day I'm only 5'6" but have never had problems with my KRS , my technique is that I only ever put my right foot down when stopped ( sliding my bum off the seat slightly ) this way my foot is virtually flat on the ground , left foot is on the peg ready to select 1st & go . I've done this my whole riding life & with all my bikes not just the K , try it

John Re

That's pretty much how I get by. Its always been like that for me and never been able to get both feet flat on the ground at the same time.

 But the key is the inside leg measurement and that can vary significantly. Seat height at 810mm is 32.5 inches and doesn't leave a lot of room.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

13Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Wed Feb 17, 2016 12:06 am

duck

duck
Life time member
Life time member
Another thing I forgot to mention is that having the seat reshaped to cut down the foam in the sides of the thigh area can also help for those with shorter lower appendages. A shorter friend of mine with a K75 Corbin said that really helped.

And I've never understood why a country with a bunch of short fat people would make such a bike.


__________________________________________________
Current stable:
86 Custom K100 (standard fairing, K75 Belly pan, Ceramic chromed engine covers, paralever)
K75 Frankenbrick (Paralever, K11 front end, hybrid ABS, K1100RS fairing, radial tires)
86 K75C Turbo w/ paralever
94 K1100RS
93 K1100LT
91 K1
93 K75S (K11 front end)
91 K75S (K1 front end)
14 Yamaha WR250R
98 Taxi Cab K1200RS
14 K1600GT
http://www.ClassicKBikes.com
    

14Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Wed Feb 17, 2016 12:59 am

indian036

indian036
Life time member
Life time member
duck wrote:Another thing I forgot to mention is that having the seat reshaped to cut down the foam in the sides of the thigh area can also help for those with shorter lower appendages. A shorter friend of mine with a K75 Corbin said that really helped.

And I've never understood why a country with a bunch of short fat people would make such a bike.
Seat re-shaping certainly helped for me.

Its not just the country with short fat people (You're talking about Oz and me, right? Wink) that make such bikes.
I think far too many bikes are made far too tall these days. Doesn't matter the brand or country of origin.

Bill


__________________________________________________
1985 K100RT  VIN 0028991  My original Very Happy ROB the Red Old Bike   (Historic rego)
1985 K100RT  VIN 0029036  BOB the Blue Old Bike  (Historic rego)
1990 K100LT  VIN 0190452  Work in progress
1984 K100RT  VIN 0023022  Work needing lots of progress

1986 K100RT  VIN 0090542  Work needing lots and lots of progress
1993 K1100LT  VIN 0183046  Work in progress
1993 K75S  VIN 0213045  Tom the Triple (now on Historic rego too.)
    

15Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Wed Feb 17, 2016 1:41 am

duck

duck
Life time member
Life time member
Nah, I was just poking fun at the Germans.


__________________________________________________
Current stable:
86 Custom K100 (standard fairing, K75 Belly pan, Ceramic chromed engine covers, paralever)
K75 Frankenbrick (Paralever, K11 front end, hybrid ABS, K1100RS fairing, radial tires)
86 K75C Turbo w/ paralever
94 K1100RS
93 K1100LT
91 K1
93 K75S (K11 front end)
91 K75S (K1 front end)
14 Yamaha WR250R
98 Taxi Cab K1200RS
14 K1600GT
http://www.ClassicKBikes.com
    

16Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Wed Feb 17, 2016 1:59 am

rosskko

rosskko
VIP
VIP
For a visual idea on heights look at this post.

Seat Heights


__________________________________________________
1986 K100RT VIN 0093801K100RT with summer fairing for a northern visitor

Basic/2 6308802K100CJ  05/1988

K1100RS 0194321
    

17Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Wed Feb 17, 2016 4:00 am

indian036

indian036
Life time member
Life time member
duck wrote:Nah, I was just poking fun at the Germans.
Quite appropriate. (Notwithstanding I have some good German friends.)

Bill


__________________________________________________
1985 K100RT  VIN 0028991  My original Very Happy ROB the Red Old Bike   (Historic rego)
1985 K100RT  VIN 0029036  BOB the Blue Old Bike  (Historic rego)
1990 K100LT  VIN 0190452  Work in progress
1984 K100RT  VIN 0023022  Work needing lots of progress

1986 K100RT  VIN 0090542  Work needing lots and lots of progress
1993 K1100LT  VIN 0183046  Work in progress
1993 K75S  VIN 0213045  Tom the Triple (now on Historic rego too.)
    

18Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Height Adjustment Tue Feb 23, 2016 9:40 pm

diveshadow

diveshadow
active member
active member
Thanks for all of your input.
I did adjust the front forks down about 3/4 of an inch and also set my rear shock to its lowest setting. 
I'm 5'8" so I guess I'm not that short, thanks for the advise John Re. My Uncle who gave me the bike was shorter than I and I wondered how he was able to ride the bike.
Although I must admit I do enjoy the extra height while riding down the rode. I'm used to riding the Suzuki and Yamaha cruiser bikes so at a stop you are flat footed with your knees bent. Now I'm barely flat footed as long as the ground is even. So yes I'm learning to adjust my stopping and feeling a little more comfortable with the bike. I have put my first hundred miles on it. Yeh!!


__________________________________________________
96 K1100LT 0302263
30,000 miles
    

19Back to top Go down   Height Adjustment Empty Re: Height Adjustment Tue Feb 23, 2016 9:46 pm

JR_K100RS

JR_K100RS
Life time member
Life time member
All good ! , I've had my K for 29 years with 270,000 k's travelled , it still feels great & very comfortable

John Re


__________________________________________________
Diamond Grey ( 617 ) 1987 K100RS ( European Delivery ) Original owner
    

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