System Cases Mounting Bracket Question?

[joejeweler]

I bought a used set of BMW City Cases on ebay and put them on my bike about a month ago. They fit my R1150R perfectly, as do the cases.

However, I ordered and recieved a Hepco & Becker rear rack part # 650.632 01 01 from http://www.eurotechmotorsports.com , intended to fit my 2004 BMW R1150R motorcycle WITH the BMW system cases installed.

In eyeballing the new rear rack,.....i realized immediately that something was wrong with my setup. The hole spacing on the new rear rack was MUCH wider than the two holes that mount the side case mounting brackets that i thought were the mounting points for the new rack.

When i checked Max's BMW parts fiche,......i noticed that the normal side case mounts have an upswept section that the photo that came with the rear rack shows is the mounting point for the rack.

My side case mounting brackets do not have this upswept section on them! What gives guys?

Is there another set of side case mounting brackets out there that fit the R1150R perfectly (as long as you're not planning on adding a rear rack),........yet are not the usual brackets that are fitted to these bikes?

I've checked over my side brackets,......thinking perhaps someone has removed the upswept section, No indication of any altering having been made on the brackets.

Any ideas?

[ruddy]

I think you have the mounting rails for a GS model. I'm in the same boat. I bought cases on eBay, and they came with the rails. They were from a '02 R1150GS. I would like a luggage rack, but I also like the clean look these mount give you.

[joejeweler]

Thanks for the info,,......since i already have the rack (much more solid than the BMW version),......i may try to have some brackets made to fit this setup.

....and you're right,......the lines are super clean! I guess i can't complain for getting near mint City Cases and mounts for $375.00 with shipping.

[P_Jensen]

The difference between the GS and R rails are that the R rails also have the passenger hand grips vs the GS which are straight and use a simple hoop behind the seat as a passenger grip.

[wncbmw]

I actually did the reverse. Bought a set of GS mounts and sold my standard ones, since I did not carry a passenger and without the upswept area, I think it looks better. Plus, I thought the rear rack was sort of flimsy.

Of course, I later saw the rack you got and regretted selling the stock mounts. It looks like it might actually be useful!

[joejeweler]

...........Of course, I later saw the rack you got and regretted selling the stock mounts. It looks like it might actually be useful!

Yeah,......that's the problem,.......the rack is built really well,.......and i thought it would be mounting solidly thru the same 2 bolt holes going into the frame.

I don't think it helps having a heavier duty rear luggage rack,......

...........that then attaches off a nylon or plastic mounting point as on the hand rail section of the 1150R saddlebag mounts.

Geeze,.....what was BMW thinking?...............NOT!


I'm still going to keep the rack and somewhere down the line i'll have custom mounting brackets fabricated that mount to the frame mount holes.

As there is already a good size spacer between the GS system case mounts and the frame,........i think i should be able to replace the spacer with a decent aluminum or stainless steel bracket that will connect to the new rack.

[pneuby]

I just mounted my Sargent back-rest to the bike. With the tail rack having to come off, I decided I ought to check the screws holding on the mounts, two little ones at the rear, and a large one at the front. All four of the rear screws were loose to some extent, and ONE of the front screws was slightly loose. I'll check them again in a few months, and I'll Lok-Tite if need be.

I just wanted to give everyone else a heads-up about this.

[Biff's R]

There is a spacer that ZBMW makes for the GS rails. It gives the left bag more clearance around the muffler. Try MAX BMW online. their parts fiche should have the part.