Page 1 of 3
Hacksaw + BMW = Blasphemy? (Fender Elimination Revisited)
Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:20 pm
by mcavotta
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.
• Black plate frame: $5.95
• Black "round top" bolts: $1.53
• 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

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:30 pm
by celticus
By yiminy that IS better looking by far but I am SOOOOOOOOO scared.
I was thinking about that just today.
Mark
Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:55 pm
by Dauntless
Where is the light?
Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 8:31 pm
by fly
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.
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:28 am
by R4R&R
Wow - your bike looks really nice - have you removed the decals too? Looks good!
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:19 am
by mcavotta
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 affairâ€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.
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:56 am
by DJ Downunder
Nice job..

...and I like your license plate..
DJ
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:58 am
by mcavotta
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?
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:18 pm
by DJ Downunder
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
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:45 pm
by celticus
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
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:48 pm
by mcavotta
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.
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:55 pm
by celticus
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
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:57 pm
by mcavotta
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*
Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 4:25 pm
by celticus
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
Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 4:33 pm
by mcavotta
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? :-)
Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 4:50 am
by Skippy
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.
Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 7:29 am
by celticus
Augusta it is.
Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 3:37 pm
by Byrdguy
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.
Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 3:55 pm
by mcavotta
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 meâ€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

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 3:59 pm
by celticus
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