Mystery part in clamshell airbox

[MatthewH]

I am retro fitting a clam shell airbox from a 1978 R45 to my 1984 R65.  I have all the internal bits from the airbox that I need except for one missing part, which is part number 5 in the fiche below:

http:// http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0353&mospid=51896&btnr=13_0480&hg=13&fg=71

Can anyone tell me what it does/why it's necessary and what its measurements are please?  I think I could make one in a few minutes if it's a simple flat piece of metal.  

[donbmw]

It is just a piece of metal that sits on the shim. It is bent a little so you can slide the LH side of the airbox on and this also holds it along the center screw.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

This picture has a pretty good shot of it, if not the sharpest.
As you can see, there is no rounded cut-out, just the bend.

Click for a larger image:



In order of assembly:
Spacer
Metal piece
Wave washer
Hex socket-head screw

The spacer is the same thickness as that part of the shell.

[MatthewH]

That's a very helpful picture Rob many thanks.  If anyone happens to be delving into their airbox any time soon and they have a ruler handy, maybe someone would be kind enough to measure the part's length and width so I can fabricate something similar.  Thanks for all your help.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

That's a very helpful picture Rob many thanks.  If anyone happens to be delving into their airbox any time soon and they have a ruler handy, maybe someone would be kind enough to measure the part's length and width so I can fabricate something similar.  Thanks for all your help.

width is 16mm
length is 31mm

10mm hole in 1/2 of it.
Thick, gold-colored material that is about 1mm thick.

I may have a spare, soon, as I am buying a complete engine/gearbox from a fellow, and I suspect it will come with all of the fasteners.
Worth a trip to England?  I doubt it.  But if I do get it, it is yours if you want it.

I'm not sure what the bend is there for (or the bit, for that matter).  Possibly to hold the air filter in place while you get the left half in place?

[MatthewH]

Fantastic Rob - thanks again.  With your measurements I'll knock one up in my shed...
Best
Matthew

[tvrla]

They're all the same from 1970 to 1980, so it shouldn't be hard finding one. I've never seen one bent quite like that, but guess it works. The ones I've got are bent a little differently with just the leading edge folded up a little - the idea being that it's got a 'bevelled' edge to make it easier sliding the cover under it. All it does is retain the cover.