Links Und Rechts Rocker covers

[rickloader]

It has been a puzzle that my 1980 rocker cover has an R cast into the left one. And the other side (R) is lettered "L". A valve clearance check being over due, I find  the interior of the cover marked Links on the one with L on the outside . And the other says Rechts.
I guess that even with the bike having documented proof of professional sevicing, the dealers seem to have swapped the covers. I have put them  on the "correct" sides. No oil leak or mechanical disaster yet.

So if the covers can be transposed Why did BMW specify right and left?

I mean left as you sit on the bike ie port side. nearside uk. Surely BMW can`t mean left and right as you stand in front looking backwards?
Rick

[wilcom]

  (  I believe, I've been told, I think,)

The fins are parallel to the ground when on correctly. Transposed, it makes the fins droop to the rear.

[georgesgiralt]

Exact.
And the R or L markings are only on one face which should be put underside for not be shown when in concour ....

[rickloader]

Thanks for your help. So i need to turn the covers 180 degress so that the R, L are underneath .
Thinking some more : left - right transposed but numbers uppermost will be the same as the correct left - right , letters down. So i am now wrong  ( letters up) and the dealer was right! ( but wrong)
I can not see any droop of the cover lines. They appear symmetrical
The Haynes manual says that at high revs the rockers will hit the cover. Surely this can only be when valve float is occuring, and you are in trouble anyway?

[Tony Smith]

It doesn't matter a damn.

Some people count washers too.

I just ride and enjoy my bikes

[wilcom]

Droopy fins............

[Justin B.]

Yeah, they work either way but upside-down they look kinda dorky... 

[dogshome]

It comes with mileage too. Bike or owner 

[Justin B.]

Oooh, I not touching that one!