RM85 - spanner wrench - raising forks

No Steph, because by doing so, he would have altered the bikes geometry, and handling. Would have turned it into an ill mannered pig. As far as the spanner wrench, I wouldn't bother, and I doubt most others would either. Break the lock ring loose with a hammer and punch, and see if you can spin the spring and other ring by hand. If you can't, spray some lube on the shock body, let it sit, and try it again. If it still won't budge, it would be best to take the back end apart and free it up. You don't want to trash the threads on the shock body. I bought a bike that had it seized on so bad, I had to use a zip cutter wheel on a grinder to get it off.

1. Just use channel lock pliers opened enough to grab at least 2 of the tongs on the preload adjust nut, you don't need a special tool. Go slowly and carefully, don't force it, should spin on the shock fine.

2. The way those forks are installed will negatively affect handling at speed. Lower them to so that the line just below the cap is flush with the top of the triple clamp. The shock preload also should not be used to adjust seat height, your child will benefit more from having it set so the bike has proper race sag (plenty of info out there on this). Usually around 100mm of difference in measurement from rear axle to fender from when the bike is on stand unweighted to when your child is on the bike in full gear. Shaving the seat down would be a preferable option. Suspension companies also offer lowering service if that is not enough, but I would not suggest improper sag and fork height to achieve it- although it may help your child touch the ground it will handle like a rock.

Your last sentence is correct. The picture shows the fork tubes moved all the way up in the triple clamps. This would lower the bike. This also makes the bike turn quicker, and makes it harder to control on on a long fast straight away. You see a thin line at the top of the fork tube. That's the factory position of the forks in the triple clamp. Need a picture of the rear shock. Hard to believe the spring could be that compressed. You don't need that wrench. To loosen the rings on the shock what you need is a long punch, or drift pin, and a hammer. As the bike sits now, it can't be very comfortable to ride for her, and possibly dangerous. I would hate to see your little girl get hurt on it. You can buy aftermarket trailing links that are a little longer and lower the bike, but don't know if they are available for an RM85. You can also have some one shave the seat. What you need is the local suspension guy to check it out for you. He can put in softer springs in it and set it up properly for her. With it set up properly, the bike will squat a little with her weight on it and be a little lower. And don't forget, she's is growing all the time. Have to say this too. That's the factory graphic on that shroud, and from the little I can see in that picture, the bike looks great.

Great job mom.

Just to clear one thing up here, you're getting good advice on set up with a little bit of misinformation.

Those forks are designed to be at the level they are at it your picture. That chassis is used for the 85 and 100, In 85 form with small wheels and the short swingarm, the forks go way up in the clamps like that and there is actually a line there to set them at. If it is the RM100, the forks are designed to be slid down to that other line near the top cap to accommodate the larger wheels and longer swingarm. The CR85/CRF150 is the same way.

With the RM, it's actually the 85 and the 85L, they don't make a 100. There was a RM100/KX100 from 2003-2005(?), but no longer.
The longer fork mark is designed to be used in conjunction with the longer 85L swingarm, both so that the larger L (aka supermini) wheels will fit. Yes, the small wheels will work great with the longer swingarm and extended forks.

Steph, the best way to lower that bike is to add shock and fork spacers. The forks are particularly easy to do, though the shock does require require recharging the nitrogen. If it's been a while since the shock has been serviced, now might be a good time to do so, particularly given that the little RM is prone to having the shock seal go out. Another option for the rear of the bike is a lowering link.

Sag on the RM85 is 85-95mm.

The RM 100 was actually a KX 100 during the Kawasaki and Suzuki alliance years, 2003-2005. For that bike to handle safely. the forks need to be set at the line near the cap or 5mm up or down from that point,

I always did that on my CR's. Just lean back and pin it!