suspension BMW MOTORRAD F 650 GS DAKAR 2003 Rider's Manual (in English)

111
5
General information and controls
General view, right side
7Fuel tank/fuel filler cap
(
b 26, 27)
8 Toolkit storage space
9 Fuse box
10 Air filter (
b Maintenance
Instructions)
11 Brake-fluid reservoir for
front brake (
b33)
12 Type plate 13
Primary spark plug
14 Secondary spark plug
15 Adjusting knob for spring
preload, rear suspension
(
b36)
16 Shock-absorber setting
(
b35)
17 Brake fluid reservoir, rear
brake (
b34)
( ) Figure in bracketsbpage number for
description
91011712
1716151413
8
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1
35
Safety check
2
Adjusting shock absorber
d Warning:
If the suspension of your mo-
torcycle has been lowered,
the reduction in ground clear-
ance reduces the maximum
possible angle of lean for cor-
nering.
Lowering the suspension re-
duces spring travel. This might
result in a less comfortable
ride.
Consequently, before setting
off you should always adjust
suspension travel and damp-
ing to suit load (
b 38, 39) as
accurately as possible. • Adjust the shock absorber
with a screwdriver
Firm setting "H":
 Fully tighten adjusting screw 1
Basic setting:
 Back off adjusting screw 1
through
3/4 of a turn to one full
turn
Soft setting "S":
 Fully back off adjusting screw 1
Shock absorbers
1
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36
Safety check
2
Spring preload
Adjusting spring preload
d Warning:
If the suspension of your mo-
torcycle has been lowered,
the reduction in ground clear-
ance reduces the maximum
possible angle of lean for cor-
nering.
Lowering the suspension re-
duces spring travel. This might
result in a less comfortable
ride. Consequently, before
setting off you should always
adjust suspension travel and
damping to suit load (
b 38, 39)
as accurately as possible. Soft setting
(for light rider):
Turn knob 1 as far as it will go
counter-clockwise in the
direction indicated by the
" LOW " arrow
Basic setting (one-up):
From the soft setting, turn
knob 1 five clicks clockwise in
the direction indicated by the
" HIGH " arrow [Dakar: twenty
clicks]
Firm setting:
Turn knob 1 clockwise in the
direction indicated by the
" HIGH " arrow
1
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1
37
Safety check
2
Drive chain
Checking the chain
e Attention:
Chain tension has an effect on
the rate of wear of the drive
chain and the chain sprocket,
and it also affects travel of the
rear suspension.
Lubricate the chain regularly.
Before riding off, always check
the chain tension and check the
drive chain for damage and
wear.
Always make sure that there is
no load on the motorcycle when
you check the chain.  Place the motorcycle on its
main stand [Dakar: side stand]
– Make sure the ground is level and firm.
 Chain stretch is not uniform, so turn the rear wheel until
you find the point at which the
chain is at its tightest
 When the chain is at its tight-
e s t , p u sh it f u l ly u p a t po s it i o n 1
 Check chain slack: specifica-
tion
A 35...45 mm
(1.38...1.77 inch)
[Dakar: 40...50 mm
(1.57...1.97 inch)],
adjust the drive chain as
necessary (b Maintenance
Instructions)
A
1
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