Crash bar removal

[Scotsrick]

I’m taking the BMW factory fitted engine bars off to get them powder coated.

Turnover time is about a week so can I simply screw the bolts back in and use the bike as normal or would they be longer bolts than a bike without bars and therefore require spacers?

If they do require modification I’ll just leave the bike sitting for the week.

 

[Wapping]

Put the bolts back in or put them in a jar or push them through a piece of corrugated cardboard, the choice is yours.

Don’t go berserk tightening them up.

The advantage of not putting them in a jar is, if one or two are of a different length, you’ll remember where they go.

Be sure to tell your insurer of the modification.

 

[LBL]

And unplug the spot lights if you have them

 

[M931a2]

The bars do not attach to any weight bearing part of the bike, just some holes designed for just them. Snug them in to keep the holes clean or put them on your counter till they get back, makes no difference.

Would your insurance really want to know about this or was that in jest? I know the UK has different insurance rules than the US but that seems a bit much.

 

[CPJS]

Some insurance companies will try and use any excuse to wriggle out of paying out for a claim.

 

[rjwojcik]

What coluour are you thinking of?

 

[Wapping]

What coluour are you thinking of?

I don’t think the colour makes a difference when it comes to answering whether it’s best to put the bolts back in or to leave them on the floor or in a pocket of your shorts. However, I’d bet on fuschia.

 

[Scotsrick]

I don’t think the colour makes a difference when it comes to answering whether it’s best to put the bolts back in or to leave them on the floor or in a pocket of your shorts. However, I’d bet on fuschia.

Nah not something as manly as that.

I was just thinking boring old black. I dropped the bike last week and scraped them and it’s annoying me.

Actually I had a senior moment with the mounting of them. For some reason I thought they were using at least one of the mounting points of the engine to the chassis instead of actually bending down and having a look.

On a similar theme what is the consensus of wrapping the radiator cowls in black carbon fibre? I quite like the thought myself, anyone done it?

 

[Smartbazza]

Reggie 353 had his cowls carbon dipped.

Barry

 

[Pukmeister]

On a similar theme what is the consensus of wrapping the radiator cowls in black carbon fibre? I quite like the thought myself, anyone done it?

The previous owner of my 1250 GSA Rallye had the front silver rad side panels under the crash bars repainted in satin black. Not sure if I am 100% sold on them just yet, but they look okay. I can't upload pics as I don't collect the bike until next Saturday.

 

[Santa-2512]

The previous owner of my 1250 GSA Rallye had the front silver rad side panels under the crash bars repainted in satin black. Not sure if I am 100% sold on them just yet, but they look okay. I can't upload pics as I don't collect the bike until next Saturday.

SO you have succumbed , kept the old un or moved it on??

 

[Pukmeister]

SO you have succumbed , kept the old un or moved it on??

Traded in at Bahnstormer after 13 years, only 52k on the clock and still looks as good as the day I bought it. Still a great bike and was a sweet ride home from the dealers that made me a little sad to think she is being retired next weekend.
I took the 1250GSA out for a test as I need cruise control due to my carpal tunnel, I was blown away by it to be honest.

Selling my Tmax soon and going down to just one bike.

 

[rjwojcik]

For those that have repainted their OEM BMW engine bars, how did you remove and re seat the existing rubber bits? Looks like some sort of rivet?

 

[Scotsrick]

Just drilled the heads off them and the rubber comes off. The bit of rivet that fall inside just drop out the ends on the bars.

To fit back on just use pop rivets.

 

[Piggers]

If not yet done, have you tried sanding the scratched part with Fine wet and dry and WD40 (or similar), I did it on mine due scratches from dropping it and they are almost impossible to see now.

 

[rjwojcik]

Just drilled the heads off them and the rubber comes off. The bit of rivet that fall inside just drop out the ends on the bars.

To fit back on just use pop rivets.

Thank you.

 

[rjwojcik]

If not yet done, have you tried sanding the scratched part with Fine wet and dry and WD40 (or similar), I did it on mine due scratches from dropping it and they are almost impossible to see now.

Thank you. Gonna change the colour to match the frame.

 

[rjwojcik]

Just drilled the heads off them and the rubber comes off. The bit of rivet that fall inside just drop out the ends on the bars.

To fit back on just use pop rivets.

Perfect , exactly as you said, thank you. Bars now off the bike, rubbers off. Being dropped off to the powder coaters tomorrow.

 

[rjwojcik]

Engine bars and protectors now back on...