Non kidney rocker cover handedness

[cheb]

The older kidney shaped rocker covers are for either side, which is nice.

The newer squarer ones are handed but seem to fit either side quite adequately. At least they do on mine and I hadn't noticed they were wrong until recently.

What if the difference between the LH and the RH, apart from the moulded in letter and writing denoting they are for the relevant side?

Are they thicker at the bottom for more strength in case of droppage? I can't think of much else really.

 

[Captain Black]

Not sure but they will have subtle differences. Why put something on the left and vise versa when It clearly states they are handed ?

 

[Benjamin M]

Not sure but they will have subtle differences. Why put something on the left and vise versa when It clearly states they are handed ?

Well, should you want to carry a spare, as many do, it would be handy to know if there was any reason as to why they shouldn't be used upon either side

 

[cheb]

It wasn't me who fitted them to the wrong sides. They were like that when I got it and it was only when I bought some kidney shaped ones that I found out the others were handed.

 

[Box’a’bits]

Fitting them the wrong way round just makes you look like a muppet who doesn't know that something isn't right. If you can stand that, then there is no difference. Its all in how the lines are cast in.

 

[Benjamin M]

Fitting them the wrong way round just makes you look like a muppet who doesn't know that something isn't right. If you can stand that, then there is no difference. Its all in how the lines are cast in.

Yeah, it must just be that. I remember seeing someones bike on here a while ago with mis-matched rocker covers, it really did look shit but still, it's good to know a spare will service either side as a temporary measure

 

[Richard A]

Fitting them the wrong way round just makes you look like a muppet who doesn't know that something isn't right. If you can stand that, then there is no difference. Its all in how the lines are cast in.

Yes, that's right, it's all down to the quite subtle angle of the four 'horizontal' lines that run across the top/side of the head. Because the engine sits up at the front slightly, the lines are angled down at the front relative to the axis of the engine accordingly. So when they're the wrong way round, they run up noticeably at the front.

Here's an example on Flickr.

I suppose it doesn't look like the end of the world even on highlight-on-black rocker covers, but the lines are supposed to line up with 'BMW' / starter cover casting, and it definitely seems a bit skew-eyed.

 

[Beemerboff]

The OEM square covers are much thicker and stronger than some the pattern rounded covers currently available.

The old square jobs will easily survive a trip down the road at at 30 MPH, some of the pattern round ones wont survive a fall off the side stand.

Must save a bit of weight, though.

 

[Padmei]

Fitting them the wrong way round just makes you look like a muppet who doesn't know that something isn't right. If you can stand that, then there is no difference. Its all in how the lines are cast in.

well said. I've been running two lefties for years & it hasn't caused the bike to stop yet.

 

[Captain Black]

well said. I've been running two lefties for years & it hasn't caused the bike to stop yet.

Don't you find all your trips are In a anti clockwise direction though ?

 

[Benjamin M]

Don't you find all your trips are In a anti clockwise direction though ?

Does it affect slow speed handling?

 

[Padmei]

Don't you find all your trips are In a anti clockwise direction though ?

Yep - that's how I always find my way home