How to re-attach front logo?

Eric2112 · Post by **Eric2112** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 3:32 am

Hello all,
Long time listener first time caller. Great forum! Unfortunately my first post is asking folks for some help :-).

So, I was giving my '03 R1150R a wash and wax over the weekend and noticed that the right front BMW logo was very loose. Being a moron, I thought, "Oh, that's helpful - you can just pull them out to wax the nook around the insignia". One tug later I realized that was not the case and that I now needed to find a way to re-attach the logo.

Truth be told it was really loose before, so it's probably a good thing I took it off since it might have blown off shortly afterwards. But for the moment, as nice as it looks on my night stand I can't help but think it would look even better back on the bike.

So yeah, I have one round 3 inch diameter or so BMW logo, and my bike has a circle of adhesive residue where it was once connected. Could anyone tell me the proper procedure for getting it back on? My specific questions are:

- How should I go about removing the adhesive residue from the bike? I figure I should clean it off, but it's pretty well on there and I don't want to do anything that will strip the paint off as well.

- What exactly should I use to re-affix it? Ideally I'd like to use whatever was originally there, but I can't say I have any idea what it is (and my limited search of the internet and this forum haven't turned up anything). I'm scared of just grabbing some glue without asking anyone first, since that seems like exactly the sort of thing I'll regret later on.

Or, should I just take it into the dealer and ask them to fix it? It's kind of a hike for me, and seems like just the sort of thing that seems incredibly simple but will end up being ridiculously expensive to have someone else fix.

Any advice for me?

If I sound a bit newbish here, I am. It's my first bike. I've been riding it for 2 years now (and am still in love with it), but it's been absolutely flawless so all I've needed to do myself is clean it, change the oil and take it in when maintenance time comes.

Thanks in advance for the help!
Eric

Hendrikus · Post by **Hendrikus** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 5:15 am

Hi Eric,

a verry warm welcome, and enjoy our recommendations.

just buy a new logo with original fittings and keep this one on your

night stand

Post by **challey** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:28 am

Eric --

Welcome. I'd tell you what a great board this is but you already know that!

By the "right front logo" do you mean the one on the oil cooler nacelle? I believe that these are the stick-on type, with a thin foam disc and adhesive. It may not be bad to follow Hendrikus' suggestion and simply buy a new one.

To make sure that all the old adhesive is removed from the mounting area, I'd use a blow drier and plastic scraper. Warm everything up and gently scape the old adhesive off (your fingernail might also be put to good use here). Some WD-40 could help - it is a pretty effective solvent but gentle on most finishes. Go easy on it though. After the adhesive is off, I'd make sure that there is no grease, oil or dirt in the area by wiping with alcohol. Finally, I'd reheat the area with the blow drier before putting the new logo on to ensure a nice sticky fit.

Again welcome.

Charlie

Post by **Buckster** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:55 am

I would go with challeys idea. I would put the WD-40 on first and get as much off with a rag. I probably would stay away from the plastic scraper if possible. I would put a rag over the scraper to help protect if neccessary. Heat always helps too.

Post by **Lobo1625** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 11:24 am

Welcome to the Boards!

As suggested, your Logo problem is a great opportunity to get a new Roundel and have a very nice paperweight or wall ornament.

However if the dealer is going to scalp you for an emblem, there is an alternative. Along the same lines as the stuff mentioned already, there are products out there specifically for removing glue/adhesive residue, "Goo-Gone" or "Krud-Kutter" or any of a handful of products out there should do a great job. From my memory they're safe on painted surfaces, but I'd try it on a small inconspicuous spot first. Since the Roundel was in a recessed area on the oil cooler cover, you should be able to keep this adhesive remover localized and off of any other surfaces. A good coat of wax before hand will make sure that none of it even so much as gets to the paint. If the back of the Roundel is clean already some 3M double sided foam tape will stick it back in place. They have many grades of this tape and there's a VERY good chance that is what was on there in the first place. Make sure to clean both surfaces with rubbing alcohol before putting the tape on to make sure it's clean. Hope this helps

Capt. Blackadder · Post by **Capt. Blackadder** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 12:05 pm

This reminds me of a cool mod that someone did a few years ago. He fitted BMW Z4 (Z3?) side turn signals in place of the oil cooler logos. Don't recall if he removed the existing turn signals, or if the bike ended up with six of them.

Post by **Lobo1625** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:04 pm

Capt.

That would be a very cool Mod. A little bit of tricky wiring to make them light as well. If you could find a set off of a Z4, you could really do something different, assuming they are the same size as the ones on the oil cooler covers. There ya have it Eric. A third alternative!

(I may have to look further into this!)

Samiam · Post by **Samiam** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:59 pm

I usually hate adding logos as something only a poseur would do. That said, the Z4 lighted roundel sounds really cool! If anyone does this, please post wiring details. Man, that would be SO NEAT!!!

Post by **OU812** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:17 pm

Samiam wrote:I usually hate adding logos as something only a poseur would do. That said, the Z4 lighted roundel sounds really cool! If anyone does this, please post wiring details. Man, that would be SO NEAT!!!

That would be different/COOL!

Eric2112 · Post by **Eric2112** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 3:42 am

Thanks for the advice everyone! And for teaching me the word 'nacelle' :-).

Sounds like this shouldn't be too bad after all. I'm going to look into what a replacement roundel (another new word for me) costs and if that's pretty reasonable go that route and keep my severed one as decorative home ornament.

It's definitely got a round piece of black foam adhesive on the back, so I'l look into finding the equivalent 3M piece if I need to as well.

Good thing I didn't break out the Elmers!

Thanks again all for your help and wisdom. I'll leave it to someone else to take on the task on converting them into auxiliary turn signals. I should probably be comfortable replacing decorative plasticy bits before moving on to anything that complicated :-).

Keep up the great discussions.

Eric

Eric2112 · Post by **Eric2112** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 3:00 am

I took a quick trip to SF BMW after work today and picked up a new roundel. It cost $17, which is way better then I was worried about.

I spent about 15 minutes working at the remaining adhesive with Goo Gone and it was very slow going. I assumed Windex wouldn't be much help but gave it a shot just before giving up on getting the remaining residue off; and it turns out Windex works like a charm for this. My new badge is now on and looking great.

I even took before and after shots to post, but I don't see a way to post them without hosting the images myself, and don't know how to do that, so oh well. Wouldn't have been very exciting anyway :-).

Thanks everyone once more!