How To Shorten Motorcycle Forks - BMW R80 Build

[@RestoreMore]

Brother, this is a joy to watch. This will surely be people’s go to video when wanting to lower the forks. The clear detail of every step is so refreshing to watch, you missed nothing out so it’s impossible to be left wanting! Bike definitely looks more aggressive now the forks have been lowered! BRAVO!

[@MotoWrenchers]

Dude, thank you so much! I'm happy that it's helpful. Can't wait to see more community bikes with lowered forks - because it definitely does make a big difference.

[@michaelelse9328]

Absolutely perfect video and super explained.... Thanks Joshua. 👍🏻

[@MotoWrenchers]

Thank you so much! I appreciate it.

[@dommy114]

The simpler way to determine the volumetric displacement of the spacer would be to add water to a measuring cup, note the volume, then drop the spacer into the measuring cup with the water and subtract that volume from the original volume.

[@MotoWrenchers]

Oh, that's a very good tip. Will do that before finally rebuilding the forks soon. Next week I'll get all the parts back from the powder coater.

[@bachkim4485]

In my case, i used the spring instead of a spacer that I cut from the main spring. I don't know if it was a good idea though.

[@MotoWrenchers]

Oh nice! Sounds like a good idea if you don’t have a lathe accessible. I’m not sure if any of these fork shortening procedures are a good idea…but it just looks better 😂

[@HeavyMetalParkingSpot]

I wouldn't go as far as calling that easy, but the result is surely easy on the eye! 🔥 Great job!

[@MotoWrenchers]

Thanks man! Appreciate that.

[@ModernHypnotherapy]

You are getting very good at this Josh, it's a pleasure to watch.

[@MotoWrenchers]

Thanks Rich, I appreciate that. I definitely notice that my skills are slowly getting to a level where I feel more and more comfortable with the basics.

[@maxpowers402]

Moin, was für ein Material hast du denn für die beiden spacer genommen ( VA, was gehärtetes oder Wald und Wiesenstahl )? Gruß maxpowers

[@MotoWrenchers]

Moin, hab VA genommen. Ist glaube ich gut keinen x-beliebigen Stahl zu nehmen. Welches Bike willst du tiefer legen? Schöne Grüße Joshua!

[@maxpowers402]

@@MotoWrenchers möchte das bei meiner R80 machen. Ich hab da auch VA Material gedacht, davon hätte ich auch noch was passendes hier bei mir. Gruß maxpowers

[@MotoWrenchers]

@maxpowers402 nice, viel Erfolg! Hast den Luxus einer eigenen Drehmaschine?

[@maxpowers402]

@@MotoWrenchers leider nicht zuhause, aber auf der Arbeit ist alles vorhanden, sägen, drehen, fräsen 😁

[@MotoWrenchers]

@maxpowers402 geil! Das hätte ich auch gerne 😍

[@hanscallenbach2189]

That is a lot to take out of the fork tube length, I think your teeth will hurt when you hit small bumps. Looks much better though!

[@MotoWrenchers]

I'll have to see how it rides once the bike is finished. Can't really tell how much impact it will have on the riding comfort, yet. But thank you, looks wise it is much better, I agree!

[@andybeahan]

Great video! The stance on the bike looks perfect now 👌

[@MotoWrenchers]

Hi Andy, thank you so much. I'm happy with the look as well 🙏

[@eemhh]

Hello! I have a same model. Do you also need to shorten the spring by 30mm?

[@MotoWrenchers]

I haven’t done that (yet). I saw videos where people shortened the springs. I’ll see how it works out when I rebuild the forks and have oil in them. They do close at the moment, so I hope it works without having to shorten them but I need to try that out once I have all the parts back from the powder coater. Also, need to see how much less oil it takes. I’ll probably make an update video down the line. Have a great one!!

[@eemhh]

​@@MotoWrenchers thanks for the answer. Good videos!

[@MotoWrenchers]

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback 🙏

[@bunny68h]

Schön kurz und knackig, so muss das. Witzige Methode, ohne die Rohre zu kürzen, gefällt mir super. Durch Deine Videos getriggert werde ich das Schweißen jetzt auch anfangen. Da kann ich an meiner BMW auch noch eine paar mehr Customgedanken umsetzen. Benutzt Du das Mig Gerät überhaupt noch, wo Du jetzt das Wig Verfahren hast? Ich tendiere jetzt als Erstes mit Wig anzufangen. Das sieht so schön sauber aus und lässt sich im Keller machen 😊. Kannst Du Dein Stahlwerkgerät empfehlen? Liebe Grüße aus Kiel. Eike

[@MotoWrenchers]

Moin Eike, sehr nice...Schweißen lernen lohnt sich auf jeden Fall! Damit wirst du Spaß haben. Es eröffnet so viele Projekte. Mit dem MIG hast du ganz recht. Für's Moped habe ich das letztendlich glaube ich nie benutzt...das kommt jetzt nur noch bei Rosenbögen und so zum Einsatz :D Also, auf jeden Fall TIG für deine BMW. Und mit dem von Stahlwerk (ich habe das AC/DC WIG 200 ST IGBT) bin ich für den Preis voll zufrieden. Das ist gerade sogar runter gesetzt und kostet nur noch 375. Ich wohne gar nicht so weit weg von Kiel und mein Bruder studiert da, also solltest du mal Hilfe brauchen beim Lernen...sag gern Bescheid. Solltest du dir das Schweißgerät von Stahlwerk kaufen ist das hier das Fußpedal welches ich auch habe (HST Fusspedal für TIG WIG Schweißgeräte 3 pol./ 2 pol. Fußregler Fußfernregler). Liebe Grüße von der Schlei - Joshua

[@MotoWrenchers]

Ich habe letztens auch für Aaron (der das "1000-Abo-Giveaway" gewonnen hat) eine Liste mit allen Sachen gemacht, die ich ihm für den Start empfehlen würde zu kaufen. Falls du willst kann ich dir die gerne weiterleiten. Schick mir am besten ne Email an [e-mail], falls die für dich interessant ist.

[@bunny68h]

Danke für die prompte Antwort, das Stahlwerk schau ich mir mal genauer an 😊. Ich schreibe dir morgen mal eine Mail wegen des Zubehörs. 🎉

[@mickaelf.2638]

Hello ! Thanks for this video, i'm less scared to do it now ! One question : How many milimeters did you remove on the fork ? Thanks

[@MotoWrenchers]

Hi, that's good! Which bike are you going to lower the forks on? I've lowered mine 30 mm, just by adding the spacers. Good luck with your project! - Joshua

[@mickaelf.2638]

@@MotoWrenchers Almost like yours ! I have a BMW R100RS from 1978. Thanks for the answer. At the end of the video you said that next time you'll try 40mm but do you think that more you lower the forks more the stearing/turning angle will be impacted ?

[@MotoWrenchers]

I have also just done it once, so...I can't really say how it will affect the steering angle but I thing the 10 mm more won't have a dramatic impact. I have a friend who lowered his triumph 130 mm and it rides fine. I guess if you have the means to make your own spacers or you can find a tube with the right dimensions you can always make a second pair of spacers and change them if it's too aggressive. Let me know how it's going. What is your overall plan for your R100RS?

[@mickaelf.2638]

@@MotoWrenchers Well i will lower mine juste like yours first. Your R80 looks a lot better with the shorten forks ! My plan is to make it Bratstyle. I have bought a customize subframe, a pair of YSS rear shocks, a new handlebar, mirrors, mudguards,... I also want to rebuilt all the wirings with a M-Unit to make the electric stuff more simple and reliable. Also install a new master cylinder for the ATE front breaks because it's a must do ! Of course firestones cafe racer's like tires and a pair of ( not so loud ) mufflers. I will follow your work from now !

[@MotoWrenchers]

Hi Mickael, How's your project going? If you want, send me a few pictures on Instagram. Would love to see it and follow the progress.

[@paulwood3867]

Nicely done

[@MotoWrenchers]

Hi Paul, thank you very much. I appreciate it 🙏

[@lukasztarsinski9258]

Class video. Thanks

[@MotoWrenchers]

Appreciate it, Lukasz! Do you have a project where you want to do the same?

[@lukasztarsinski9258]

@MotoWrenchers hi Josh. Yes. My project is in progress. I won't shorter the front fork yet. Plan for future however I have also fitted progressive springs

[@MotoWrenchers]

Nice, sounds like a good plan. One thing after the other :)