Mounting Crash Bars

[Liam]

Hi,

I'm breaking in a new R12R. I'm about to install a set of Hepco & Becker engine guards. I've read the argument
against guards, but I think, for now, a low speed or tip-over is more likely in my case than a high speed crash.

My question is about whether to use anti-seize, loctite blue or nothing at all on the mounting bolts.

Anyone have experience or opinions?

Thanks,

Liam

[Lost Rider]

What do the directions say?
Torque values?

My gut feeling is to say no, don't use that stuff, just get it torqued right.

Please post some photo's when your done, I've been thinking about that H&B guard and would appreciate some different views of them.
It looks like it should do the trick ( I know where the damage occurs in many different situations )
and still sort of blend in with the bike.



-Joe

[Liam]

ChiTown,

I'm leaning that way too.

I looked for anything about this subject before I posted. I just overlooked reading the instructions. Mostly it's more fun not to but they do give the torque values needed. They also said to use locktite blue.

At some point after specifying locktite, the instructions said to re-torque after 30 miles of riding. Seems like a contradiction since the locktite would be dry by then and re-torquing would bust the bond.

I'm leaning toward following the instructions but there's something about putting a bolt into an engine casing without anti-seize on the threads that strikes me as wrong.

Thanks,
Liam

P.S. Your pictures are an inspiration and a confirmation that buying the RR was the right thing for me to do. It's a great ride and a real UGM.

[vodka]

re crash bars, IMHO arent ya glad ya got em when ya need em. Check out SW-Motech http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... /3076/594/. They also have good intallation diagrams at site.

also fully carbon fibre bike for approx US$3,700 http://www.shift-tech.com/shop/enter.ht ... pt_89.html

If ya let rip ,lets us other lemmings at the back know!!

[TT RDHS]

re crash bars, IMHO arent ya glad ya got em when ya need em. Check out SW-Motech http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... /3076/594/ . They also have good intallation diagrams at site.

also fully carbon fibre bike for approx US$3,700 http://www.shift-tech.com/shop/enter.ht ... pt_89.html

If ya let rip ,lets us other lemmings at the back know!!

[Lost Rider]

The HB crash bars are back-ordered at A&S, where did you buy yours?

thanks


joe

[ka5ysy]

Check these out... IMHO they work and protect much better than the H&B bars..


http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.c ... stcount=87

[Liam]

The HB crash bars are back-ordered at A&S, where did you buy yours?

thanks


joe

Can't be much help here. I got them as part of the purchase when I got the bike. I think the dealer went to A&S. It took about a month after the bike arrived for the bars to arrive. That's why they aren't mounted now.

Looking at the mounting instructions I'm starting to get uneasy feelings about doing the work. My workspace and toolkit aren't BMW ready yet. My last three bikes were Hondas (ST1300A, 919, CB750). There's a mounting step which requires removing bolts on a strut that connects the rear suspension pivot to the engine. It isn't clear how or where what parts of the bike should be supported to avoid misaligning something, like maybe the input to the final drive. If I go ahead with the bars I think I'll have the dealer do the mounting at the 600 mile service just to avoid giving them plausible deniability.

FYI, When I was riding a 919, I mounted a set of SW-Motech engine guard bars on it. The bars were OK, maybe a little lighter than the HB's for the R12R, but the bolts in the kit were, IMHO, inferior. That and the dealer's service guy's advice about the SWM's getting in the way (read as "more chargeable hours for the valve service") swung me to the HB's. Anyway, it's been seven years since the 919 so who knows what SWM is like now.

Liam

[PhilSB]

Does anyone use the "Drive shaft crash bungs" (Touratech 610-0007 £38.50)?
I toppled my bike over at standstill and put a deep scratch under the sticky out bit where the hole goes through. Afterwards I thought perhaps I ought to have anticipated that happening. My vision is perfect in hindsight!

[tobes]

I haven't used the drive shaft slider bung yet but it is on my list to get in the near future. I saw it mounted on a GS at the Long Beach moto show.

[Lost Rider]

Check these out... IMHO they work and protect much better than the H&B bars..

They do look like they would protect better, but the wrap around tube that adds the protection would not go so well with my white valve covers.
Honestly I'm really just wanting a classic BMW crash bar up there so I can mount things to it; video camera, DSLR, maybe some lighting... I can clamp to the telelever or fork tube, but then I get too much camera shake without the great suspension coming into play. If it helps in one of my get offs, even better.
Too bad A&S doesn't actually stock them, I was going to install them for an upcoming adventure.

[celticus]

How are you that have the SW-Motech engine guards liking them? I am considering getting some.

Mark

[Mollygrubber]

I like the SW-Motech's quite a bit. Installation was painless, and they're really rugged. People have commented that they may crack the engine casing during a hard fall, but I think if you hit THAT hard, you've got bigger problems than a busted motor. In a low mph tip-over, they would be hard to beat IMHO.

They look great (to me), not obtrusive, and match the frame tubing really well. Kind of like a GS, if you like that look. I like to think of it in this way: I'm riding Catherine Zeta Jones, and she' wearing knee pads... really hot, with appropriate protection.

Ladies, commence busting my chops.

[bobw]

Could you give her some thigh high leather boots for protection instead!? Thanks in advance for my very visual mind!