F700 Screen Solution

[katyotter]

At last, after the failure of Plans A,B, and C - the latter being the BMW screen adaptor kit, don't bother - a solution to replacing the abysmal screen that comes with this bike: Plan D ! My husband has a 58 plate F800 with a replacement screen, we took the redundant original screen from his and he simply cut the sides off and polished them (multi-talented man) to match the outer profile of the 700 bikini (thong?) one. The four dimple screw holes match exactly but he thought he might need to make up some small support struts for the inside - not necessary as it turns out, the screen works really well as it is. No more of the appalling front buffeting. I've brought the bike to work today in really windy weather but only got blown from the side!!! Oh joy, and just in time for our trip . Also I can add a screen extender now as it will fit, none of them fitted the top of the 700 screen. I hope this will help anyone struggling with the same problem

 

[GunZenBomZ]

Images or it didn't happen

 

[katyotter]

I can well understand your scepticism . Herewith proof, complete with insect splats from yesterday.

 

[Reggie P]

Hello Katy, sorry to go " off thread " .... But I'm interested in your GPS solution. What unit do you have and how is it powered ?

 

[katyotter]

Hi, Zumo 660 and wired into the bike

 

[katyotter]

I also have 6 gnomes
on a v. small treadwheel just below the dash

 

[chas820]

If anybody is interested I have a F800gs original screen for sale if you want to do the same.It`s like new as it was on the bike for just a month before I changed it.£35. PM me if you want it.
It was off a 59 plate.

 

[freelancer2011]

Great idea!

 

[katyotter]

Thank you . I suppose I must also give some smidgeon of the credit to husband .

 

[katyotter]

Perfection achieved . This screen with the addition of a Touratech screen extender to fit is absolutely perfect . It not only keeps the wind off but now, in even heavy rain, it drives the drops down my visor so that I can see without any effort on my part . My husband's had screens that do this (current one included) but I never have so this is just great and the only cost has been the extender, magic!

 

[Dean]

in even heavy rain, it drives the drops down my visor so that I can see without any effort on my part .

Amazeballs



I have the same effect but when I tilt my head at a jaunty angle
clears like Moses shaking a stick at it


Are the gnomes in the Dry ?

 

[katyotter]

I'm sure the jaunty angle is endearing . The gnomes are definitely in the dry - they don't like wet at all. They have a canopy made out of a redundant pair of goggles draped with an old rainmate, the tabs securely tied to avoid its loss. They say it's like a gnome from 'ome .

 

[kiwi_mark]

Hi all,

Katy, in case it's any interest: you can buy a mounting unit which allows the Zumo 660 to sit nicely at the top of your steering column. Better visibility and less intrusive.

Chas: I'm not yet a subscriber (just discovered there is such a thing!), but I'll buy that screen off you if you've still got it mate. I'm in exactly the same camp as Katy and for the sake of a bit of perspex filing this sounds like a great solution.

Off to find another form of plastic to subscribe to the site!


M

 

[kiwi_mark]

Postscript:

My turn to go off piste. Katy, where'd you buy those bars and are you happy with them? Or are they factory options?

 

[katyotter]

Hi all,

Katy, in case it's any interest: you can buy a mounting unit which allows the Zumo 660 to sit nicely at the top of your steering column. Better visibility and less intrusive.

Chas: I'm not yet a subscriber (just discovered there is such a thing!), but I'll buy that screen off you if you've still got it mate. I'm in exactly the same camp as Katy and for the sake of a bit of perspex filing this sounds like a great solution.

Off to find another form of plastic to subscribe to the site!


M

Hi Kiwi Mark . Thanks for your info but I have to say the position of my 660 is perfect and the standard mount is too. My husband has a Zumo 550 on a Touratech mount at the top of the steering column and, after a 1500 mile trip (got back yesterday), it took only the first 30 or so miles for him to envy mine. It's really quick to put on and take off and the position is perfect for just glancing at and isn't affected by tank bags etc!

 

[katyotter]

Postscript:

My turn to go off piste. Katy, where'd you buy those bars and are you happy with them? Or are they factory options?

Now to the screen Kiwi Mark! You don't need perspex filling, just mark the outline on the old 800 one using the original to draw round, cut with a piercing saw (jewellers have these, my husband is a goldsmith) then tidy the edge with a file followed by two grades of wet and dry - perfect! We thought of putting a supporting strut either side but decided to see how it went. We've just got back from a 1500 mile trip, 1400 miles of which were ridden in 70MPH gusts from all directions! The screen was absolutely fine so no struts needed ! How good is that??? John would no doubt go into production for suitable alcoholic remuneration .

The bars are a work in progress! They are made by Adventure Spec. and are actually for the 800, they've lent them to me while they develop the ones for the 700. I put them on and then did loads of pics for them so that their R&D guys could get on with adapting the design. They're great bars, my husband bought his 800 from here and it came with them on.

Cheers,
Kate

 

[kiwi_mark]

Nice one Kate.

OK, so (again, newbie question I'm afraid but thought it best to ask) where would you guys suggest I buy an 800 screen to modify? Order one from BMW I guess, if the aim is to retrofit a factory F800 screen (hmmm....I'm sure their margins are entirely reasonable!)

I shall seek out and keep an eye on Adventure Spec. I think some bars can only add to the general excellence and versatility (and London lunatic protection) of the F700.

I just started some work for the first time in two months.....needless to say that I would rather be flinging the bike into sweeping corners in the Basque Country (which was my plan if this job didn't come up). Still, gotta pay the bills eh.

M

 

[katyotter]

Hi Mark, good luck with the work. I thought you were buying a second-hand screen off this thread? I wouldn't order from BMW, do they even still have the original screen for a 08 - 12? I suggest you put a wanted ad in the right section on here, I'm sure someone will have one kicking around the garage. Yes, the Adv. Spec bars are the best, I'll give them a ring today to see how they're doing. Have you got brushguards? Let me know how you get on with the screen.

Kate

 

[kiwi_mark]

Cheers Katy. If I find one I will come bearing booze to barter for jeweller-alchemist skills!

I didn't realise you had converted a screen for the 08-12 F800 for your F700...that could have been an 'oops' moment as I kinda assumed (duh) that they were unchanged.

I shall endeavour to find one from that epoch, anyway, and if I do I may come hustling for help with that nip and tuck.

I've got hand guards on the bike, yeah, with spoilers. Handy enough (so to speak) but they're a new addition and I forgot about them (and their additional width) the other day when filtering. Let's just say that I'm glad the car's mirror was spring loaded.

Drop me a message if you speak with Adv Spec and have some news. Happy to give them the business based on your recommendation! Did you put any protection on your engine undercarriage? Bash plate or whatever?

 

[katyotter]

Hi Mark, not the best of news on the bars I'm afraid . Someone lent Adv. Spec another new bike of a different make (can't remember what he said it was now) and so they downed tools and set about doing things for that as they only had it for three weeks. I fear they don't see things for the 700 as a priority as there aren't enough around - they're only a small firm as well which doesn't help. They need jollying along I think, the more enquiries they get the more likely they are to get on with it, it might be worth giving them a call as another 700 owner. If you feel like it they're on 01422 882997 and the guy to ask for is Dave (really nice bloke).

The next thing on my list is a sump protector - pretty easy to get as that area hasn't been changed so the ones already out that fit the F650 twin or the F800 will do; I'm keeping an eye out on here for a decent second-hand one. John will definitely sort your screen out for you if you can find one, what happened to the one that someone offered on this thread for £30?


Kate