Hacksaw + BMW = Blasphemy? (Fender Elimination Revisited)

mcavotta · Post by **mcavotta** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:20 pm

Forgive me if I should have lumped this in with an old thread I started on the topic of the ugly license plate bracket/mud guard on the R12R.

Anyway, after a month of staring at the thing, trying to ignore it, and coming up empty on an OTC remedy, I did the "unthinkable": I took out a hacksaw and started chopping.

The angle is a little steep, but it's WAY better than stock (IMHO) Regardless, I am a very happy camper.

Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ Black plate frame: $5.95
Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ Black "round top" bolts: $1.53
Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ Rear view makeover: Priceless

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: No matter how good Hans & Franz are at engineering, don't be afraid to make your bike your own.

PS: If I get around to it, I'll post a direct side view. Too busy riding

Post by **celticus** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:30 pm

By yiminy that IS better looking by far but I am SOOOOOOOOO scared.
I was thinking about that just today.
Mark

Post by **Dauntless** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:55 pm

Where is the light?

fly · Post by **fly** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 8:31 pm

There is sufficient light from the bottom of the taillight...I've been looking at this myself by like Mark, I'm waiting for someone else to be the test rat. I've done it on the V-Rod in the past - but replacement brackets and frames are essentially free from forum members who go to otc solutions. Not yet so with the BMW.

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:28 am

Wow - your bike looks really nice - have you removed the decals too? Looks good!

mcavotta · Post by **mcavotta** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:19 am

R4R&R wrote:Wow - your bike looks really nice - have you removed the decals too? Looks good!

Yeah, I tend to remove anything from my vehicles that isn't bolted on or under the clear coat. I don't know why, I just do. Maybe it's the tweaker in me

As for the light, it was a casualty of design and practicality: My feeling about the ass-end of this bike is a less is more affairÃ¢â‚¬â€plus, it would have made access to the seat release lock cumbersome. So, in the scrap bin it went.

Thanks to all for commenting.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:56 am

Nice job..

...and I like your license plate..

DJ

mcavotta · Post by **mcavotta** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:58 am

DJ Downunder wrote:Nice job.. ...and I like your license plate..

DJ

Thanks. Just a standard issue Ohio plate. Does it mean something to you?

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:18 pm

Thanks. Just a standard issue Ohio plate. Does it mean something to you?

I thought it said BIMZY (personalized plate)...or is it just 81MZY..if so..I take it back..

...maybe I need my eyes tested..

DJ

Post by **celticus** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:45 pm

There is a bracket being sold for K1200Rs which I think might be the same .

http://piratesk12site.net/EvoSplate.htm

The Pirate is a stand up (if not upright) guy.
See what you think. Much less scary.

Mark

mcavotta · Post by **mcavotta** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:48 pm

celticus wrote:There is a bracket being sold for K1200Rs which I think might be the same .

http://piratesk12site.net/EvoSplate.htm

The Pirate is a stand up (if not upright) guy.
See what you think. Much less scary.

Mark

Nope, they don't have one that will fit our bike. I tried that, and was left to solve the problem for myself. There is no bracket involved in my "solution" - only a license plate frame.

Post by **celticus** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:55 pm

Did they say it would not fit or that they didn't know? The tail light is the same , I was hoping that the lighting and other bits were also the same.
If nothing else an enterprizing fellow might take a look at the braket there and make his own that WILL fit our bikes.
Mark

mcavotta · Post by **mcavotta** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:57 pm

celticus wrote:Did they say it would not fit or that they didn't know? The tail light is the same , I was hoping that the lighting and other bits were also the same.
If nothing else an enterprizing fellow might take a look at the braket there and make his own that WILL fit our bikes.
Mark

Perhaps so. But in the end, it's going to involve cutting thanks to the oversized, gangly monstrosity they made out of one piece of plastic. *sigh*

Post by **celticus** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 4:25 pm

Can you give us some close up pictures?
Have you ridden in the rain fenderless yet?
How did you get the R1200R decals off?
What is the capital of Maine?
Mark

mcavotta · Post by **mcavotta** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 4:33 pm

celticus wrote:Can you give us some close up pictures?
Have you ridden in the rain fenderless yet?
How did you get the R1200R decals off?
What is the capital of Maine?
Mark

1. I'll try to snap some this weekend.
2. Not yet.
3. Fingernails (seriously)
4. Augusta? :-)

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 4:50 am

The easiest way to remove the stickers is to warm them up with a hairdryer and then when the get softer due to the warmth peel them of with your hands. No use to make it to hot and wouldn't use a paintstripper start of with keeping some distance with the hairdryer.

Post by **celticus** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 7:29 am

Augusta it is.

Byrdguy · Post by **Byrdguy** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 3:37 pm

That's the best looking R12R I've seen. What do they call that color? It looks slightly blue. I also like the non chrome can. Good job on the rear end treatment.

mcavotta · Post by **mcavotta** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 3:55 pm

Byrdguy wrote:That's the best looking R12R I've seen. What do they call that color? It looks slightly blue. I also like the non chrome can. Good job on the rear end treatment.

Thanks for the props, Byrdguy. The color is Granite Gray. The satin stainless can was a must-have for meÃ¢â‚¬â€even though my bike came with the chrome one, I made the dealer swap it for the standard can off another bike and ate the $120 or whatever it cost. To me, it wasn't an option

Post by **celticus** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 3:59 pm

Let me know how that new shortened rear end works after the first ride in the rain. Don't get me wrong I wish you well but that is why I put a hugger on my bike. Whatever was rearmost on my bike whether it was luggage or wife/passenger would be covered in the roostertail of debris. On the other hand that nice clean looking rear end might look better with a hugger. I like the way mine looks. I like the way yours looks. I have been thinking about taking the decals off of mine also.
Mark