Help with How to Lower R100

[jctwony]

My "new" 1980 R100 just arrived and I am a little short for it. Anyone know of a source of handlebar riser and setback? I had a 1981 R65 (ten years ago) and had the handlebars set back - current BMW dealer says he can't find riser/setback for 1980 R100.
Also, Any ideas on how to lower the bike? May not be necessary if I can find setbacks, but might not be a bad idea anyway - I'm tippie-toed and not 100% comfortable or confident. Looking for
suggestions for shorter rear shock, lower profile tire, or maybe seat other than standard (and any other suggestions).
I've been off of motorcycles for 10 years and am really out of touch... HELP please!!!

[The_Veg]

Sounds like you've got a bunch of good ideas already. I know I've seen shorter shocks advertised in either the ON or Rider Mag. Lower seat? Might have to get that custom-made. Rick Mayer might be a good source for that, as he takes your personal measurements into account when building seats. I've also heard of lowering the front end by loosening the triple clamps and allowing the fork tubes to slide up them. One inch is the MOST you want to try with this method. Also, THIS MAY AFFECT HANDLING- EXPERIMENT WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK!

But anyway, do a little 'Google research' and you may find more resources.

[tawill481]

I'm on my 3rd "R" model. The 1st 2 were airheads, this one is an oilhead. One really irritating item with all 3 is the difficulty setting it up to ride in an upright touring position.

No one makes a handlebar setback which goes up and back far enough for me, even though I'm a very average size: 5'10" tall.

After kludging a couple of bar-bax together and re-routing the cables, I got fed up a couple of weeks ago and contacted an industrial designer. He just finished shop drawings for a set of bar-bax which I'm about to send out to several machine shops to see if I can get a dozen or so fabricated.

These will move the handlebars some 2.5" back and 2" up. I added a 'touring wellness' handlebar to get a bit more up and back. I re-routed all my cables so they don't go throught the forks. This gives me a near perfect riding position without having to purchase and install new cables.

I used to own an R100 but I don't remember how far apart the holes are in the upper triple clamp for the handlebar clamp. If you are interested in a set of these clamps, I'll be glad to email you the drawings and let you know what they'll cost - as soon as I get the quotes from the machine shops.