Shortening a fork just a little bit

[ohiorider]

I want to lower my tall 1991 model R100GS a slight amount, perhaps no more than 3/4".  I'd like to be able to reach the ground without using my boots with the thick soles.

Unfortunately, I cannot take the conventional approach to this, ie, sliding the stanchions up thru the triple trees, because:
a. they'll only slide 1/8" before hitting the handlebars.
b. if I raise the handlebars with spacers, to permit raising the stantions 3/4", the tops of the stanchions will hit the dashboard at full left or right lock.  So shortening the forks (lowering the bike) seems to be my only solution.

Anyway, give me your opinion on the mod as shown in this video.  3/4" isn't much, and I can probably drop the rear the same amount playing with shock preload.  If not, Ted Porter at The Beemershop can shorten it 3/4".  Start video at about 3:25. 

This is the only video I could find that discussed shortening damper rod forks.

Bob

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoMQtK4M42M

[LesP]

The video was an ad fest so gave up.
No doubt it is relocating a spacer to inside the damper unit, Suzuki do that as stock on the DR650SE to lower the height as an option (with two mount holes on the rear shock linkage to do the same)

3/4" is not much to lose on the travel.

[ohiorider]

LesP, thanks for the response.  You're right about modding the front forks with spacers, and shortening the springs the same length as the spacer.

Thanks for mentioning the DR650SE.  I was able to find some useful info googling 'lowering the DR650SE." 

Bob

[Rough Edge racing]

Shortening springs increases the spring rate, but 3/4 inch may not be noticeable..

[LesP]

LesP, thanks for the response.  You're right about modding the front forks with spacers, and shortening the springs the same length as the spacer.

Thanks for mentioning the DR650SE.  I was able to find some useful info googling 'lowering the DR650SE." 

Bob

I don't know what is in a BMW fork but if there is already a spacer at the spring, it could be shortened a 3/4" then 3/4" added at the damper to reduce the travel/lower the bike (over cutting the spring if the option is there and also reversible)

(The 3/4" lowering spacer would go in the location of the top out spring inside the damper body)

I have RMZ450 Showa USD forks on my DR650SE and had wanted to take some travel out of those perhaps by some form of similar method but found nothing (damper rod forks look to be faiirly easy to do so)
I have a ride height adjustable Ohlins on the rear so that end is easy, the forks not so much.

[LesP]

I found this blog.

http://rapiddog.net/RDBARBACKS/BLOG/FORK%20IT.htm

It looks doable based on picture #13.