Help with my 05 BCR

[Daz]

Hi folks, just purchased an 05 Boxer Cup Replika after lusting after one for years. Low miles, 8k, and seemingly well looked after. However the first owner (I am the 3rd), replaced the rear shock to lower it considerably as he was only 5'5". I want to get the back end up again, and get back to stock specs. I had read that the 05 BCR differed dramatically in increased ride height than previous years. You can see how low it sits low. Originally I had thought that maybe a shorter spring had been installed (an Eibach), but the gas reservoir is totally different that anything I have seen before.

Here are my questions:

Were the 05 shocks different from previous years
Were they manufactured by Ohlins
Should I just go OEM or are there better options (OEM running about $950 at the dealership)
Could I simply raise the rear with a new longer spring?


Also:

Can someone also give me a tire recommendation; I ride fairly aggressively but would like an all weather tire.

Thanks for any help......lastly if there is anyone out there that would like to lower their 05, we could do a shock swap

[VetteRacer]

Looks like a works shock? They should have info on their site about the shocks.
If rear was done the front might have been as well.

If your willing to spend that much $ on a factory shock, go for an Ohlins or WIlbers setup. Stock shocks suck..
Matt

[tanneman]

Standard shock was a Showa.

BCR and sport package had yellow springs

Yes there are better shock out there, Ohlins & WP = top notch, Wilbers, Nitron = good & adequate.

Yes the bike looks like it has been lowered. Normally the BCR is as tall as a GS Adventure.

Recommend Michelin Pilot Road 2 or 3. Neutral tyre and good grip wet or dry.

[Mitch1100]

Not familiar with those shocks, mine has standard factory shocks but will fit Wilbers front and rear as my 2001 R1100s has them and roadholding difference is huge!

[BrianG]

Ooops....... wrong year!

[brentw1]

do a search for the various shock and arm lengths used, there is a post covering it already,
the ride height will not change from the shock length alone, or at all depending on the spring
and sag set up. it will just set the wheel off the ground height.
if you want oem ones I should have a pair, or pick them up off ebay should be under 400 for the pair.
also I think the side stand on the tall bcr are longer, it gets pretty tippy with the short side stand.
it does look like a works shock

[Daz]

Originally Posted by brentw1

do a search for the various shock and arm lengths used, there is a post covering it already,
the ride height will not change from the shock length alone, or at all depending on the spring
and sag set up. it will just set the wheel off the ground height.
if you want oem ones I should have a pair, or pick them up off ebay should be under 400 for the pair.
also I think the side stand on the tall bcr are longer, it gets pretty tippy with the short side stand.
it does look like a works shock

When you guys say "works shock" does that translate to BMW factory?
Been looking on ebay, and what makes me nervous is the descriptions that say fits all R1100S inc BCR. Well clearly they might fit, but is it the right one.
If you have an 05 BCR specific shock in great shape I would be interested, otherwise I guess its just choosing between OEM, Ohlins and Wilbur

[bradzdotcom]

i believe by works, they meant Works Performance Products.

gil vallencourt owns the place.

[brentw1]

works , we are referring to works performance. not bmw factory,
the stock ones do not have a external reservoirs.
they will all fit they shipped a combination of different lengths, springs and arms
I should have a pair of yellow spring shocks which should be correct.

[Daz]

OK, well looking at the other bike pics, pretty sure that the PO lowered the front end too. Arrrggghhhhh!!!!

[brentw1]

yes if you only lowered the rear you would seriously slow up the steering.
Ive seen a shorter spring on the front with the works rear shock as a lowering
solution on other r bikes

[Daz]

Originally Posted by brentw1

yes if you only lowered the rear you would seriously slow up the steering.
Ive seen a shorter spring on the front with the works rear shock as a lowering
solution on other r bikes

So what do i do?

[brentw1]

change both the front and the rear but you need to measure the length of the torque arm on the
paralever, you probably don't want the short paralever arm and the longest shocks.
that will make it very tall, and it will depend on what works for you, you need to be able
to reach the ground.
Do a search here there is lots of info on the rear ride height. and you will need to set up
the suspension preload to get the sag in the correct range.

[Daz]

Originally Posted by brentw1

change both the front and the rear but you need to measure the length of the torque arm on the
paralever, you probably don't want the short paralever arm and the longest shocks.
that will make it very tall, and it will depend on what works for you, you need to be able
to reach the ground.
Do a search here there is lots of info on the rear ride height. and you will need to set up
the suspension preload to get the sag in the correct range.

Thanks, basically I want to get back to 05 stock

[Chris Canning]

I'll digress!!

The problem you have is getting info the majority of folk on here over the years did their tinkering with earlier models the people who came in at the end and bought the Boxercup version didn't do that and hence there's a lack of info,and to get any of the Boxercups to steer like they should!!! means jacking up the rear and on the likes of yours means ending up with a seat height close on a GS.

When the 1100s came out in 98(I'll just deal with the rear) the shock length was 315mm at that time BM did an option that you could buy which were Sports shocks the rear was 318mm and came with a yellow spring which means nothing apart from it's yellow the shock itself was exactly the same as the stocker inside and out the difference in length came from the casting at the bottom and BM sold a complete bike in that spec.

There where two Boxercup's the Mamola rep and the Red/white/Blue version you need someone off here to take their's off and do an eye to eye measurement if you cannot find it in the search,do the two Boxercups use the same length shock?? I don't know.

The shock yours has is a Works the same as you have Ohlins/Wilbers and other makes.



Where it gets complicated around 2001 BMW went from a stock rear shock at 315 and a long para arm to a 310 and a short arm the height of the bike was the same they just arrived at the same answer a different way so always be carefull when buying second hand.

When Ohlins and the other manafactures started making aftermarket s shocks for the S the built them at 315 if you wanted at Ohlins at 318 you had to ask as they didn't have a ride height adjuster that later ones do.

I've an idea your Boxercup has a rear shock even longer than the old sport shock lengths??,what has happened with yours someone has fitted a stock length shock on your boxercup just look at the length of the casting at the bottom do a search to look at either sport or boxercup you'll see how much longer the casting is.

A search tells me 04/5 Boxercups were 324mm

[tanneman]

Thanx Chris, clears up some of the confusion.

BCR model info

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by Daz

Here are my questions:

Were the 05 shocks different from previous years
Were they manufactured by Ohlins
Should I just go OEM or are there better options (OEM running about $950 at the dealership)
Could I simply raise the rear with a new longer spring?

lastly if there is anyone out there that would like to lower their 05, we could do a shock swap

Hi Daz,

I PM'd our moderator Roger Albert, who does bike and suspension work professionally, and who obviously knows these bikes really well. He should chime in soon. I also e-mailed Tony M, who owns an '05 BCR and is technically up to speed.

From what I know, the rear shock was taller and I think the extra height came from a different bottom bracket on the shock itself. The stock "comfort" seat was also thicker and taller as well. I doubt the front shock was different, but I think the fork legs were longer and from a different model, probably a GS.

The BMW shocks are not too good and inferior to probably all aftermarket versions. I suspect your shocks are good and the question is can they be modified to be the correct length. Hopefully they can be serviced and rebuilt with correct springs to get your stock height back.

Your idea to swap components with someone who wants to lower their bike is a good one, but I think you'll wind up with inferior shocks.

The information about what makes an '05 BCR taller is here, but as I recall what made the rear taller wasn't too clear.

[bradzdotcom]

seems like the cheapest/easiest and fastest solution would be to call Works Performance and get the "how much" to change components and bring it back to stock levels.
you could also get the oil changed and nitrogen charged, plus change spring rates if you need to.
they know what they're doing, and they've got parts out the wazoo.
shouldn't be too hard or expensive.

[PFFOG]

Originally Posted by bradzdotcom

seems like the cheapest/easiest and fastest solution would be to call Works Performance and get the "how much" to change components and bring it back to stock levels....................

But that would eliminate the hours of searching, arguing, taking apart, measuring, putting together, flipping coins etc.

Common sense spoils fun again...........

[Chris Canning]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Hi Daz,



Your idea to swap components with someone who wants to lower their bike is a good one, but I think you'll wind up with inferior shocks.

This the type of quote to avoid at all costs it's incorrect,all the shocks are the same(as in schit) never mind length or colour the only difference is the casting at the bottom.

The cheapest way to rectify the situation put a short para arm(GS) on or a Verholen and leave the shock in situ that's if it's any good,do the above will take you back to around stock baring in mind you have to make 9mm up,if you go the Verholen route then you certainly will and some.

Oh and the BC front shock is 10mm longer than stock.