Bendy crashbars, rattling topbox, seat mount

[Tim Cullis]

Just had my bike in for its 6000 mile service.

I wasn't impressed with the 'coverage' of the BMW crash bars as I could see that in some circumstances the cylinder heads could still be damaged, so I bought some Touratech cylinder head protectors. The left-hand one fitted easily but when I came to fit the right-hand protector I found the crash bar was deformed.

I asked the dealer to fit the protector but the service technician reported, "unable to fit guard due to crash bars being bent." When I spoke to the dealer, the comment was, "well the bar did its job then."

I'm not impressed as my 'offs' have been more like laydowns than anything. Looking closer, there's a weak point at the join that's held with just a screw! I would welcome any ideas how to bend the bar back again...

I also pointed out the way the top box moves around on the plate. The service technician reported "top box plate bowed." But it's plastic. And looking at other bikes they are all the same. In fact most of the top boxes also move around.

IMHO "They all do that" is not a valid excuse. In the meantime I've stuffed a couple of thin sponges between the plate and the top box to pad it out and prevent movement.

Problems with getting the seat correctly mounted have been reported by several people. Often there's a gap between the seat and the tank. In my case the service technician found one of the seat catches broken. It's been replaced but getting the seat properly mounted is still hit and miss.

Tim

 

[Tim Cullis]

Went and bought a T-55 torx tool (not in the 2004 toolkit) so I could remove the bars. I placed the bent section on the ground and then reversed the car onto it. This seemed to help a bit and I was able to fit the Touratech protectors whilst the bars were off.

The main problem I believe is the weak point at the join. Bad design I think.

The two sponges under the topbox were difference colours so I went and got a couple of new ones in matching pink. Saves having to make room in the panniers for cleaning sponges whilst on tour.

Tim

 

[TheJoker]

I've got H&B bars, but I'm sure that someone with BMW bars would like to see a piccie... or someone about to buy bars...

or someone like me who just likes piccies... of bars...
Glad you found some use for the car too!

 

[birdseye]

The mechanic is quite right - the bars did do their job. By deforming, they absorbed some of the impact. Had they not deformed, then they would have transmitted all the impact to the engine castings - which are not as robust as on the 1150 thanks to weight reduction.

I have no probs with the moving topbox. The one on my old Honda moved about by design, but the BM one doesnt. True the plastic isnt totally flat - it bends where the box puts pressure on the rubber buffers.

Again no probs with getting the seat mounted. Fiddly but with care..............................................

 

[Fanum]

Went and bought a T-55 torx tool (not in the 2004 toolkit) so I could remove the bars. I placed the bent section on the ground and then reversed the car onto it.

Absolutely superb Tim....made oi larf........ran over the fekker with a car rofl......

I was going to post about gentle heat and subtle pressure using a cloth to prevent scratching, but no, I now prefer your method

Bill