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oacmose
Australia
Registrace 14. 10. 2019
BMW F650GS (800) Spoked Wheel conversion
A quick outline of how to replace the standard cast rims on a 2008 to 2011 BMW F650GS with a set of spoked rims.
This info would have been handy 10 years ago when the model was new, but there's still plenty kicking around second hand.
Front hubs can be sourced from the older model F650GS or G650GS singles. The 19" rim will go straight on, but will need to be flipped around as the disk brake is on the right. If the rim already has a directional tyre on it then this will need to be turned around.
If you want to go to a 21" rim (same as the F650GS Dakar or G650GS Sertao), then they will just fit in but require a custom fork brace with a slight arch. The off-road handling is greatly improved with a 21" front wheel.
Rear hubs can be sourced from the F800GS of similar vintage. Going to a different rim (narrower or taller, 18") will require custom drilling due to the direction of the spoke lacing. Off the shelf drilled rims are laced in a more common opposite direction. I believe some bikes were laced this way so I think a rim from a KTM690 would work.
If you're in the Perth, Western Australia region you can get custom spoke work done by Spoked Wheel Services: spokewheelservices.com.au/
If you have the very similar F700GS then I'm afraid it's bad luck. Twin disks at the front mean that the old model hubs are no good. You could still do the rear but not really much point. Best thing I can recommend is protecting your rims by running very strong sidewall tyres like the Mitas "Dakar" versions of their E07 or E09.
This info would have been handy 10 years ago when the model was new, but there's still plenty kicking around second hand.
Front hubs can be sourced from the older model F650GS or G650GS singles. The 19" rim will go straight on, but will need to be flipped around as the disk brake is on the right. If the rim already has a directional tyre on it then this will need to be turned around.
If you want to go to a 21" rim (same as the F650GS Dakar or G650GS Sertao), then they will just fit in but require a custom fork brace with a slight arch. The off-road handling is greatly improved with a 21" front wheel.
Rear hubs can be sourced from the F800GS of similar vintage. Going to a different rim (narrower or taller, 18") will require custom drilling due to the direction of the spoke lacing. Off the shelf drilled rims are laced in a more common opposite direction. I believe some bikes were laced this way so I think a rim from a KTM690 would work.
If you're in the Perth, Western Australia region you can get custom spoke work done by Spoked Wheel Services: spokewheelservices.com.au/
If you have the very similar F700GS then I'm afraid it's bad luck. Twin disks at the front mean that the old model hubs are no good. You could still do the rear but not really much point. Best thing I can recommend is protecting your rims by running very strong sidewall tyres like the Mitas "Dakar" versions of their E07 or E09.
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Video
BMW F650GS fork upgrade using YSS PD Valves
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I decided to upgrade the forks on my F650GS(800 twin) by installing a set of YSS PD Valves. This video was intended to document what's involved and the end result, which it did, but it also morphed into a bit of a "how to". The process was not too onerous and, as demonstrated, can be completed with just basic tools. I do however recommend using a torque wrench to re-assemble anything on a BMW m...
Thank you for sharing this very useful content
Hi. I know this is an old video, but I'm looking to do a similar upgrade. Did you have any issues with the ABS when converting to the larger front as the ratio would have changed?
Hey! Thanks for the video. Exactly what I was looking for. If I switch to F 800 for the spoked wheels I lose "the lighter weight" benefit of the 650. So, caring for that I am sticking to my 650 Twin. Are the spoked wheels aluminum or steel? I'm trying to get my 650 as light as possible and with spoked wheels, looking for info if it will be lighter or heavier afterwards.
Hi the spoked rims are aluminium with stainless steel spokes. I didn't do a weight comparison but might slap them on the scales next time I pull a wheel off. If I had to guess I'd think spoked would be slightly heavier due to the addition of a tube.
Great video with excellent technical content. Covered the all important drilling of tdamper rods to completely negate the effect of the standard compression damping so that this is controlled by the valve emulators. Best video I have seen on this subject and principles will apply to fitting these pd valves to any bike having damper rod/ orifice bleed type forks. We done Sir, brilliant video.
Thanks for the feedback.
Brilliant 👍
so if i understand correctly, the G650GS front rim can be used as it is, and we have to make a custom wheel using hubs from f800gs and rim from g650gs for the rear?
Hi, yes the front is compatible with the front hub from the 650 singles and it uses a more common spoke pattern that appears to be the default for aftermarket rims. The rear needs the F800GS hub then custom drilling and spokes for the size of rim you want.(or entire wheel if you're happy with a 17", 4.25" wide rim). I believe the pattern matches the rear rim from a KTM690, so then you would just need the custom spokes.
Can you tell what model are they? And what diameter is the fork leg on the twin F650? 41mm ?
PD335 and the fork leg is 41mm. Now the YSS web site only lists the whole upgrade kit if you filter by that model, but if you search you can get to the PD335. I don't know what size adapter you need. yssaustralia.com.au/universal-products/32956-pd-fork-valves.html
@@oacmose281 My bike is a F650GS single 2004. Same size fork, apparently the PD335 are good for mine too. I'll bite the bullet and order a pair, I got tired of vague front suspension. And I can't access that site from my location.
So I ordered mine and they came but the instruction leaflet is just a small page and the oil height is not mentioned at all. How did you get yours? I see something on the site, "Oil height (mm): 140". But 140mm measured from where? Can you post a link with a more detailed manual, please? Also, mine don't have the adaptor collar mentioned in the link above posted by you.
@@rationalityfirst Hi, you'll have to contact the supplier for a model appropriate adapter collar. I'm afraid I don't have a record of the exact size but the supplier should know from the model of your bike. The fork oil is measured from the top of the fork leg (see video) with the fork compressed. I set it at 150mm as per documentation that came with the valves but have since blown the fork seals. May or may not be related but I'm reluctant to make any definite recommendations. 140mm means more fork oil (than 150mm) so I'd put in a bit less then test ride it. If it bottoms out too easily add a little more but don't over do it.
@@oacmose281 I had no mention in my documentation about the oil height, just on the Thai site I found a mention of 140mm. I took it for a few short rides and I also hit some big square bumps and no oil leak for now. the strange thing is that I had different volumes of oil for each leg, just going by the oil level measurement, the left one took less, no idea why.
Great viy. Very helpful. My valves arrive next week. Cheers.
Glad it helped.
Thanks mate, great video.
Thanks, that was good to see
What 21" rim you have on front? (Product code?) Is it some Excel rim?
It's a clearance special from a now defunct online reseller and likely Chinese😀. The front is the common spoke pattern so I would expect any Excel or other aftermarket rim to fit.
Made in China BMW. 😢
Happily not. Despite the name it's the 800 twin. But I think some of the 650 singles were made in China. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_F_series_parallel-twin
Good work. Just a heads up, the serious looking bolt at the bottom of the fork leg is NOT drain bolt and should not be used as one, it is what connects the inside of the forks, the damper tube, to the lower leg. Oil changes must be done exactly as you demonstrated, ie legs out and tipped upside down.
Just brought the f800gs with spokes instead of this model
Do you still have cast rims ? Consider selling them?
I do still have the cast rims but I'm kitting them out with a more road biased tyre and will add disks and ABS rings. That way I can do a quick swap for road rides. Sorry.
Very helpful video, i'll make the same job in my Honda PCX
thanks for the video. Do you think the f650gs old model rear wheel Will fit like the front one? It will be perfect just mounting directly.
No the rear wheel from the old model F650GS single won't fit, it has to be from the F800GS. A pity as second hand old model hubs seem to be easier to find.
Hi how much oil in each fork? Im told 100mm from the top, fork compressed and no spring. or about 580ml?
Thanks for this video. You might have sold this bike by now but wanted to have your opinion about the front brakes. Have you considered put two disks at the front like the f800gs ? Thanks in advance
I really need to log in more often to check the comments. The updated model of this bike, the F700GS, had two disks on the front but that means the spoked hub from the older model will not fit. If you want a spoked front wheel and two disks it would be easier to just get the F800GS.
@@oacmose281 yeah You're right. Thanks for your response. : )
Hello. Thanks for the video. I'm about to buy a f650gs with 10 tousand miles on it and use it most on road though I'm found of offroad trails bikes but already using one like on my logo picture. Well I was wondering how well the upgraded fork performes now on the road. Thinking of riding it two up. Thanks and have fun !
Hi Lewis. You'll find it good on any small potholes and edges where the standard ones are harsh. It doesn't really help with the extra weight of going two up. Might be worth replacing the springs to help with that.
Just the video I was looking for! Thank you so much! I have the same bike and I am shocked (haha) at how easily it bottoms out the front. I am relatively lightweight (62 kilos), and whenever I encounter an incline with a bit of a step up, the fork bottoms out. I have been all over the internet to find the solution and found the YSS kit. It looks good. Would you say the PD valves helps the fork for offroad duties? I like the bike, but feel that the offroad-worthiness is very lacking, because of the poor suspension. The 19'' front wheel is fine for me, but the bike gets thrown around so easily. And the bottoming out is so harsh and sudden that it scares me to death. Do you think the kit would help with these issues? Greetings from Copenhagen where spring is beginning to heat up :D Best, Peter
Hi Peter, glad the video helped. The real benefit of the valves is the plush action in say the first half of the stroke. Compared to standard that harsh action from square edged ruts just disappears. They are not really going to help with the bottoming out, however you could remove less or even none of the spacer and then there will be added preload. Might be worth checking your oil levels. I added a little extra after putting it all back together because it bottomed out too easily. More oil means less space for the air to compress at the end of the stroke so less harsh bottoming. But don't over do it as I think that can lead to too much pressure on the fork seals. The full YSS kit with new springs and adjustable preload caps may help address the bottoming. Regards Neil
Thank you so much for how to get the sodding little clip out!!!
It is usual this change into spokes. But now you have tube…… which is a bit dangerous
Yes, that is the sacrifice. There are some options to seal spoked rims but I'm not sure it's worth the effort.
@@oacmose281 so true!
@@oacmose281 Tire pressure sensors? Or is there a way to disable the RDC? Looking awesome!
@@ernielo4134 My bike didn't have the tyre pressure sensor option so I didn't have to worry about it. However I'm betting that because it was an option it will be easy to disable.
Great video, thank you!
Hello great video, I noticed you you have spoked wheels, are they off another bike or somewhere else. Thanks
Hi Tony, well spotted. Custom built spoked wheels using an F800 hub on the rear with a 2.5/18" rim, and an older model F650GS single hub on the front with a 1.6/21" rim. Both hubs fit without modification. I also just recorded a video detailing this and will put it up soon.
czcams.com/video/ZtBU2-keWMg/video.html