mandoonsouf
Registered user
..tell me that even a cack handed twot like myself can fit the BMW vario top box fixtures and fittings.
Picking one up tomorrow from Coopers.
Picking one up tomorrow from Coopers.
Put my mind at rest ... please!
- Thread starter mandoonsouf
- Start date
easy as buying a house 
'Nuffsaid
Registered user
Yup, can testify that a complete muppet like me could do this easily, just a few nuts and bolts and 15 mins later ( Thats with 10 mins reading the instructions ) and ... Say Hello to Uncle Bob ! Easy ........
only thing to watch out for........
Distance of mushroom head from locknut on each mount is fairly critical I believe.
It was explained to me by a BMW tech as being 8mm gap.
Other than that - eazy-peezy-Japaneezy
Al
Distance of mushroom head from locknut on each mount is fairly critical I believe.
It was explained to me by a BMW tech as being 8mm gap.
Other than that - eazy-peezy-Japaneezy
Al
mandoonsouf
Registered user
mandoonsouf
Registered user
easy as buying a house
Cruel
still homeless.As the locknut mushroom stuff
too complicated for me.
It's not that easy buying a house, it's a pain for me, and I'm only buying half of one my Dad already owns!
The mushroom gap is for the panniers only, if the gap between the locknut and the mushroom like top of the bolt is too small, the panniers won't lock into place on either side of the bike. In my case I got the gap fractionally too small on one side, it went on, but then I couldn't get it back off again
I don't have a topbox on mine, it's one of the things I would have got if I were able to keep it. The only other thing I will say is that you should make sure you've got the correct size Torx bits to fit the little screws which no doubt have to be undone and then tightened again.
Happy Travels, Tony B.
The mushroom gap is for the panniers only, if the gap between the locknut and the mushroom like top of the bolt is too small, the panniers won't lock into place on either side of the bike. In my case I got the gap fractionally too small on one side, it went on, but then I couldn't get it back off again
I don't have a topbox on mine, it's one of the things I would have got if I were able to keep it. The only other thing I will say is that you should make sure you've got the correct size Torx bits to fit the little screws which no doubt have to be undone and then tightened again.
Happy Travels, Tony B.
mandoonsouf
Registered user
Torx bits? Little screws? this stuff is way too complicated
(On the house front - once we get moved in, I am never, ever going to move again!)
(RIP) Bin Ridin
Registered user
Adjust the centre screw so there is a slight compression on the outer hangers - the box should not wiggle. I put loctite on mine, recommended to avoid any dramas.
SpyInTheCamp
Registered user
You'll need a dremel too to cut away the plastics in the tail for the supports. Unless they've sorted that small design flaw on your bike! 
Good luck
Kai
Good luck
Kai
mandoonsouf
Registered user
You'll need a dremel too to cut away the plastics in the tail for the supports. Unless they've sorted that small design flaw on your bike!
Good luck
Kai
I have only just seen this - I went down Coopers on Saturday to pick up the bits. Just as I was about to leave, I was asked "What year is your bike?".
"2005" I replied. This led to me being told that I would have to drill out a couple of bits from the rack and that I would need 2 allen bolts that did not come iwth the box (but he did supply them). I left for home £300+ lighter.
3 bloody hours it took me to install the rack. I did say I was a cack handed twot - add lame brained fool.
I took all the 3 racks off using a set of torx and allen keys - I then started (as told in the instructions ) to file out the necessary bits. After a few minutes I remembered that I had bought a mighty fine power drill with tork and allen bits which I have never used
Finished to job in 20 minutes after that - I'm just not sure I tightened up the 3rd bit of rack enough (the one with the lock attached).
deaninkl
Registered user
What shoild be a 15 minute easy job was not on my new (but 06 model) 1200. Firstly you will need the proper tools. Then I fould the the fixing points for the metal extention frame could not actualy be got at. Either I had to take offe the back plastic cowling (behind the seat) and cut out small half moons... or, as I did, tke the seat mounting frame competely off, then put the metal frame on and when tightening all the screws back up put the back cowling under stress.
Poor build quality or a shit design.. mine was done in 33 degree heat and I sweated my b*lls of. Took an hour and a half, and I know my way arround a garage.
good luck
Poor build quality or a shit design.. mine was done in 33 degree heat and I sweated my b*lls of. Took an hour and a half, and I know my way arround a garage.
good luck
And dont forget to check the distance between the grungle valve and the flange pin. It must be exactly 6.587213mm, a fraction out and your inlet trunion circlip will rub on your outlet trunion bush. And you dont want that to happen
Distance of mushroom head from locknut on each mount is fairly critical I believe.
It was explained to me by a BMW tech as being 8mm gap.
Other than that - eazy-peezy-Japaneezy
Al
Shouldn't that be eazy-peezy-Germaneezy
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