► Bashplates, crash bars and other protection

[robhar54]

Adv-Spec crashbars installed

I got mine installed this weekend. I followed the excellent directions exactly, that is, order of inserting and tightening the bolts included. I'd been riding through mud at times during my first 1000 miles, and found I needed to test fit the bolts in all the holes prior to hanging the bars off the top 100mm bolt. I had a bit of trouble with the aft lower bolt on the right side, but loosened the 100mm bolt to "in (only) a few turns" as suggested in the directions, and it went in fine after a couple tries.

Here is a link to some pics and more thoughts: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8535180&postcount=33

I did not use Loctite. Kinda wishing I had, but it wasn't in the directions.... Wonky, what's your take on that?

Rob in Seattle

 

[Aretsukusu]

Bar fitting?

Suggest you PM Aretsukisu as he appears to have fitted them without any problems!

Mine went on like a dream, so I don't know how much help I'll be able to give.

They work btw! I dropped mine on Sunday when my foot slipped off the stupid centre stand. Nice dink on the bars and a few scuffs on the panniers & hand guard, but no expensive plastic to replace!

So as far as I'm concerned they've paid for themselves already, cheers again Chris.

A.

 

[nikp]

Loctite

I did not use Loctite. Kinda wishing I had, but it wasn't in the directions.... Wonky, what's your take on that?

Rob in Seattle[/QUOTE]


Rightly or wrongly, but personally I use loctite on all metal to metal fastenings, albeit small amounts, ever since the day I was out on my old VFR blasting down a country lane when I became aware of a knocking from the front end - looking down, my offside brake caliper was hanging only by the brake line and bounicng off the spokes of the mag wheel... lady luck was with me that day and ever since loctite has flowed freely onto all threads.

 

[Aretsukusu]

Loctite

loctite has flowed freely onto all threads.

Absolutley, loctite always.

 

[robhar54]

Absolutley, loctite always.

Crap. Guess I have to undo everything then...

Wonky, add Loctite to the instructions, so pedantic direction-following sheep like me will get it right the first time!

(And sign me up for a rear rack!)

Rob in Seattle

 

[Tony Lunnon-Wood]

TLW and his Adventure Spec Crash bars

Evening gang,
just had a phone call from Chris at Adv Spec how about that for superb follow up service!Bottom line we are both baffled why the bike will not accept either 100mm bolt yet the BMW Torx bolt screws in without any problems. It might be swarf or a problem with the thread which is unlikely as both 100mm stop turning at the same place. I think it is probably my bike engine block. Chris is kindly sending two new bolts and I will then refrain from trying my pathetic DIY skills and seek help from a proper "spanners" expert down at the local bike shop.
Have no fear those of you waiting, the assembly instuctions are crystal clear and even my assembly went incredibly smoothly until that last 100mm bolt, really, pi**ed me off! No complaints about Adv Spec kit or follow up service which has been outstanding it is just bad luck.
I will keepyou all in the loop with the next thrilling installment after letting a proper engineer have a go.
Safe riding
TLW

 

[Tengiz99]

Tools needed?

I'm hoping my bars will be at home by the time I get there on the 19th, this being my first bike, and never having done anything of this sort to a bike, can someone tell me what tools I'll need to put the bars on? They are the adventure spec bars for the F800 GS.
Thanks!

 

[Aretsukusu]

can someone tell me what tools I'll need to put the bars on?

From memory; 13mm socket for bolts, 13mm spanner to hold up the nylocks nuts on the crossbar & 6mm allen key for the allen bolts into the frame (oh & loctite!).

I think that was it, I am sure someone will pitch in if not. Job was a good 'un in about 30-40 minutes

Cheers,

A

 

[Tony Lunnon-Wood]

Tengiz you will also require a T50 Torx tool to remove the BMW bolts, after tightening you will be setting some of the bolts to a Torque setting so borrow a bar the settings are reasonably low so you do not need a massive one. In the instructions it will tell you what you need. Be advised the instruction size for the rear left bolt is wrong, but if you ensure all the bolts for the cross bar are the same size you will end up with the correct bolt.
Good luck!
TLW

 

[pacix]

I want to install the adventure-spec bashplate but I already have the Touratech crash bars on. Checking pictures it seems the bashplate is wide in the bottom part so I do not expect to have problems but, has anybody install this set up before? Any know problem?

 

[chrisjk]

I have just installed the Adventure spec bashplate, my BMW version having cracked along a weld. Seeing the two side by side, it's very clear that the BMW version is a very inferior thing.

The black AS plate on the left is welded inside and out whilst the BMW plate is mostly welded only on the outside. Where the split occurred on the BMW plate I can see only very limited penetration of the weld metal. Also, the AS plate is made from 4mm ally whilst the BMW plate is only 3mm thick. Also, the BMW plate has a welded seam running up the middle, whilst the AS plate is a single piece of metal at that point. See the pop rivets too..

 

[maddaddy]

I have just installed the Adventure spec bashplate, my BMW version having cracked along a weld. Seeing the two side by side, it's very clear that the BMW version is a very inferior thing.

The black AS plate on the left is welded inside and out whilst the BMW plate is mostly welded only on the outside. Where the split occurred on the BMW plate I can see only very limited penetration of the weld metal. Also, the AS plate is made from 4mm ally whilst the BMW plate is only 3mm thick. Also, the BMW plate has a welded seam running up the middle, whilst the AS plate is a single piece of metal at that point. See the pop rivets too..

That sells me on AS. look for my TT bash plate on ebay.

 

[Tony Lunnon-Wood]

TLW's Adv Spec Crash Bars

They are on and look great! The "Spanners" experts ended up having to re-thread, rebore and shorten the 100 mm bolt but we figure its my engine block not the kit. Be extremely careful abouit the initial line up before screwing in, but as no one else seems to be having any snags it is more than likely that my "Mechanical " bad luck has struck again.
Safe riding and "Happy Christmas" to you all,
TLW

 

[Tengiz99]

Just on the home straight now after test fitting the adventure spec bars. They look great, very beefy, and easy to fit. Couple of scrapes and scuffs on the bars when arrived though.
Can anyone tell me what the 'Manufacturer's Torque Setting' is for the top bolt?
Thanks,
T99.

 

[Tengiz99]

That would be 40 Nm, according to 'another' site.

 

[Tengiz99]

Bars paid for themselves today. Got on the bike parked crossways on a slope. Went to put my right foot down (the downhill side), and by the time it touched the ground, I was leaned too far over to hold the bike up and dropped it. Bars well scraped, and the rear footpeg, but that's it!!

 

[everywherevirtually]

I haven't dropped mine yet with the bars but I wonder what people will use to cover up crash bar scratches? As they are steel I'm thinking they will rust pretty sharpish after a good scratching. Certainly my stock centre stand is rusting badly where it has made contact with the ground.

My first thoughts are towards hammerite? anyone else got better ideas?

 

[nikp]

Spare Bolt?

My Adv Spec crash bars arrived yesterday (thanks chris) and got them fitted in about 30 mins.

I seem to have ended up with a spare bolt and washer - 20mm lg allen key fixing. It was the only one this size so just wondered if you guys have any clues or if it's a spare put in by mistake.

I'll make my excuses now by stating that I did fit the bars in a poorly lit garage (honest)

NB
I've got the 2 upper bolts through the frame in, 4 lower bolts into the engine casings and the 4 cross bar fixing bolts but I can't see anywhere else this lonely item could go.



BTW I would just like to echo other comments about these bars. I work in the steelwork fabrication business and have got to say that the quality and fit up of the bars is superb. So top marks Adv Spec

 

[robhar54]

I seem to have ended up with a spare bolt and washer - 20mm lg allen key fixing.

Have a look on the left front side of the engine block, just above the lower case. The hole faces forward.

Rob in Seattle

 

[nikp]

Spare Bolt

Have a look on the left front side of the engine block, just above the lower case. The hole faces forward.

Rob in Seattle

Cheers buddy.