Help: Front Fender Anyone?

[Houn]

Hello all,

I’ve really enjoyed daily lurking and learning on this site over the last 2 years. And while I wish I had something truly meaningful to contribute for my first post, I’m afraid it’s got to be all about me, me, me, and my immediate needs: You see, I’m in desperate need of a source for a new front fender for my 07 Crystal Gray Metallic steed.

I’ve checked with my local BMW dealer here in San Diego, and they are saying that there are NO Crystal Gray fenders to be found ANYWHERE. I’ve since checked with several other sources (like Reagan said: Trust but Verify) and confirmed this. I’m now with the dilemma of 1) waiting for months for BMW to create a new batch of gray fenders, 2) buying a black OEM one for $300 and having it painted, or 3) going the after-market route with carbon-fiber. After all, an Ilmberger will cost about the same, but the down-side is it’ll take as long as 5 weeks of prime riding time to get here. Conversely, I’m being told that the black OEM fender will likely arrive much quicker (but no assurances since there’s only 1 in the US and 30 in Germany).

I’ve done a bit of Googling and made a few calls to local junk yards, but as most of you would guess, R1200R’s are rare enough that finding unique parts like fenders can be nearly impossible. I’ve been riding my R around SoCal for more than 3 years and I’ve only ever seen one other (ironically, it was within a mile of my home in the Mount Helix area).

So, does anyone have the inside-track on the possible whereabouts of a front fender? Even a “fixer-upper” would allow me to ride while I pursue better, longer-term options. After all, isn't that the goal…To Ride!

Thanks in advance for your help. I’ll have to find some time to write-up just how my need came about.

[Houn]

As promised, my front fender saga:

My fender story isn’t as exciting as ChiTown’s recent desert experience, but then again I lean more toward the steady-but-sure riding style of Don E (Yes, I’m a fan). Yesterday, however, I was a risk taker. I actually DARED to take my bike out on its normal daily commute despite the fact that it’s San Diego, and it had just rained. Anyone who’s ever ridden in Southern California with even a hint of precipitation will understand my trepidation…People here just lose all sense of speed, distance, calm, coordination or mental clarity whenever it rains!

Having survived 3 years and 30K miles of SoCal driver inattentiveness, I thought I would be OK with a little water on the road. After all, my bike was due for its annual wash anyway, and I’d be able to lane split/share/filter my way past all the crunched-up cars and rubber-necking tourists. As it was, I never even made it onto the highway…

Stories abound of folks being rear-ended at stop lights. I know it’s been one of my fears (along with sharks) and I’ve added a Tail Blazer and aux lights in addition to my gaudy, high-viz fluorescent-yellow Olympia jacket in an attempt to be seen. On this day, though, that was not enough. Here I was on the same route I’ve taken almost every day for the last 10 years, waiting in line at a traffic light for my chance to merge onto the busy 125N on-ramp, when I see a car speeding toward me from behind. I immediately go into self-preservation mode checking my mirrors, checking that I’m still in 1st gear, identifying an exit strategy to the right, preparing to go, when all of a sudden I realize…The piece-o-crap pickup sitting in FRONT of me is now BACKING UP!!! I’m now thinking… S@#%, I’m going to get sandwiched AND… it’s even harder to find the damned horn button when you’re holding-in the clutch.

Well, long story short (too late, I know), the car behind me skids to the right just missing me, but the piece-o-crap pickup (without any reverse lights, of course) didn’t. I don’t what alerted him first. Was it my profound swearing, my blaring horn, or just the resistance of pushing around an additional 600 lbs. In any case, he didn’t stop until he had fully crunched my front fender and scraped-up both my fork tubes. I’m still amazed that I was able to somehow keep the bike upright and level as we rolled back about 5 feet.
Having survived the impact, my next goal was to survive dealing with a clearly insane escaped mental patient. After all, who else would back up in this location, under these circumstances? As I found out, I wasn’t too far off the mark.

I’ll call him Allen (because that’s his name). Allen just got his piece-o-crap truck. Allen doesn’t have any insurance. Allen just got his license BACK (I’m afraid to ask why - for my own composure reasons). Allen tells me about how he was in another accident just last week and paid the other driver off with $50. Allen thinks $50 should cover a new fender, right? Allen shows me his driver’s license and gives me his phone number saying he’ll make good on this.

Now fast forward 24 hours: I’ve just had my bike checked-out at the dealer ($103). I’ve gotten a quote to return it to as-it-was condition ($2600). I’ve got a quote for just a new OEM fender ($303, but not my color, so it’ll need painting). I’ve got an estimate for painting ($200), and an estimate for the dealer to install the part ($75, yeah right, that’s gonna happen). And I’ve also got a $1000 deductable on MY insurance.

So, I’m definitely not happy that my PRISTINE bike will now have battle scars due to someone else’s stupidity . And I’m not happy that I’ll miss out on a few weeks of good riding. But I’m ALIVE, and I’m a realist. So I’m probably going to just bite-my-lip, hope for the best, and tell Allen that $650 will cover it. Failing that…I’ve got his VIN, his picture, his plate number, his phone number, and the number of the local Highway Patrol office!

[deilenberger]

Rick, well since you're flattering me..

I might have a spare loaner front fender.

Have to look.. it has a scratch in it (it's black), and was a dealer repair takeoff. I seem to remember paying about $75 for it, so if someone wants to borrow it, and will pay shipping both ways, with a refundable deposit of $75 - while their fender is getting fixed, I could do that. Providing I can find it and find a box big enough to ship it in.

I do want to keep it - it helps keep Eilenberger's Law of Spares in effect (You never need what you have..)

[michael Tobias]

glad you were not hurt and were able to stay upright.....it is very frustrating to deal with some of the people we give auto licenses to.....

try beemer boneyard http://www.beemerboneyard.com

they may have something or know of something coming in

good luck with all this.

[Mike Figielski]

Wish I could help with a used fender but we don't have one in the Boneyard. After I went and bought a new Black fender for my personal R1200R I found out that Bestem has carbon fiber fenders for $169.95. Here is the link: http://www.bestemusa.com/index.php?cPath=1_172_171_222
Hope this helps.
Mike

[M249Joe]

Here are some Carbon Fiber Fronts
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-R120 ... ccessories

[Houn]

Thanks everyone!

Typical...the one time I actually WANT a back-ordered part to be delayed, it's not. Now that I have options, I thought I could just cancel the order I made yesterday for the Black OEM fender and consider the bling of a carbon fiber one. I stopped by the dealer at lunch today and sure enough, the parts guy happily exclaimed "your part is here!"

Well, I guess the good news is that I can now get it painted tomorrow and get back to riding by Monday.

I know it's only been a couple of days, but the jaunty commute home is my favorite part of the day. I must have a sickness or something...

[mogu83]

Houn -
Welcome to the group --- looks like you'll fit right in.