Side panel bungee cord

[montmil]

I have seen the ad and image (Bob's BMW, as I recall) for the bungee cord R65 side cover "insurance" accessory but really don't see how it is to be attached. I can fab one at home but need an idea as to the length and how it functions. Is anyone using this item or similar? Ideas and tips... anyone? Thanks.

Monte

[NC Steve]

I bought 2 of these from Bob's a couple years ago, and they can't be used with the R65 covers. They're designed for the R80/100 side cover, which Bob fails to tell you, as the bigger bikes have a "hook" on the backside of the cover for such an item.

The easiest and best way I found to keep the R65 covers in place was to run a small zip tie thru one slot and back thru the next, then tighten around the frame member there. You never need to take them off anyway for servicing, but should you need to, snip the tie and use a new one when reinstalled.

My covers were black and a black tie was invisible, but I'm sure there's a cheap solution out there for folks that need to color coordinate.  

[montmil]

Thanks, Steve. At least I didn't chop up my bungee stock. Me likee zip ties. Basic black.

Monte

[MrRiden]

Monte
I think you've hit it. Zip ties get it done, Grey ones for me. A couple in the tool roll fer spares and you're set!
rich
who also carries bailing wire and a hunk of Bazooka as a backup

[suecanada]

Believe it or not I used black elastic to tie them thar things on!  Went "boingy, boingy" and only needed to be untied.  But hey, zip ties are the thing too!

[Allred]

   + one for the black zip ties  -  hardly noticable against the black side covers!

[Altritter]

I've used black zip ties since learning about them on this (I think) forum shortly after I bought my bike and discovered that one of the fastening prongs on my right battery cover had been snapped off. (The cover was hanging on by nothing but friction and slight resistance from the remaining two prongs.) I learned the hard way that Bob's' bungie does not fit the R65. Luckily, it wasn't a lot of $$, so I wasn't upset. (I believe that the parts folks at Bob's (except possibly Bucky, the Parts Manager) really don't know this little piece of arcane R65 information.)

Finding black zips can be a hassle, for they aren't grocery-store items. I've found the best tactic is to check every cord-bearing appliance, electronic,  or yard-tool item I buy. (Some of the ties accompanying the latter are quite long, enabling custom-fitting.)

FWIW, I've heard that strips of black pantie hose make a good bungie for battery covers. I don't have easy access to those, so I'll have to stick with zip ties.

<< hardly noticable against the black side covers! >>

If tucked inside the louvers after being twisted, they are completely invisible. (Just remember to inform another person who has reason to remove the covers -- like a service department technician.)

[Darwin_R65]

i've never found a problem acquiring black zip ties, but then I'm an electronic technician and they're in my tool box. But all the hardware stores here have the black ones, they use them in gardening as well. Black ones are better for outside applications as the other colours generally tend to break down quicker with UV light.

John

[montmil]

...Finding black zips can be a hassle, for they aren't grocery-store items. I've found the best tactic is to check every cord-bearing appliance, electronic,  or yard-tool item I buy. (Some of the ties accompanying the latter are quite long, enabling custom-fitting...

Might you be confusing the nylon locking zip ties for the plastic covered wire twisties that close up the bread bag?

And what is it with women and those silly twisties? I get ragged on if I don't replace the twistie on the bread-hotdog-burger bun plastic bag. Every guy inderstands the correct way to close up... Spin the bag to twist, then tuck the end under the bag when you shove it back in the drawer! Guys, am I right here?

Twist, then Tuck. Jeez, darling. It can't get much simpler. OK, ladies. Let the flaming begin. [smiley=argue.gif]

Monte  

[suecanada]

Montmil I can't flame ya because I agree with you...I do the same and the very worst tie out there in Canada is not the wire tie which is bad enough but a plastic wee tiny square with a groove/slice out of one side which slips over the twisted end and is suppose to keep things closed. They use it on the large bag that contains 3 one litre bags of milk-in-plastic-bags" Derek and I hate those things.

[Altritter]

Sorry to cause a controversy, folks. I misspoke.

I was thinking twisties, not zips. (Brain flatulence on my part.    )  Some of the black twisties are quite sturdy, as opposed to the bread-bag variety.

Actually, a black locking zip tie would work, although it would require an instrument like a nail clipper when the time came to unfasten it.

BTW, on the Washington, DC, club's forum (www.bmwbmw.org), there's a running gag about "The Zip-Tie Bandit." Seems that at the annual rally this summer, this "Bandit" zip-tied shut the tent flap of the club president during the night, while she was occupying it. Amusing to sit on the sidelines and enjoy the message threads.  

[montmil]

Montmil I can't flame ya because I agree with you...I do the same and the very worst tie out there in Canada is not the wire tie which is bad enough but a plastic wee tiny square with a groove/slice out of one side which slips over the twisted end and is suppose to keep things closed. They use it on the large bag that contains 3 one litre bags of milk-in-plastic-bags" Derek and I hate those things.

Milk in plastic bags? I'd have it all over the kitchen floor trying to pour from a floppy bag.

Can it be too far in the future when aluminum beer cans will give way to those goofy foil juice drink pouches? And what's up with the little straw? I'll have to get my 5-year old grandson to "punch" a bag of Miller Lite for me.  [smiley=1drink.gif]

[nhmaf]

Somehow, the image of a bunch of cowpokes with 10 gallon hats sitting on a fence sipping Coors or Lonestar out of a juicebox is really funny to me right now !

[Ed Miller]

Somehow, the image of a bunch of cowpokes with 10 gallon hats sitting on a fence sipping Coors or Lonestar out of a juicebox is really funny to me right now !

You didn't have a few, did you?  It really enhances your sense of humor.

[Darwin_R65]

speaking of soft containers for beer have you seen the "beer belly"
http://www.thebeerbelly.com/Beerbelly_Deluxe_p/200-002.htm
and the "wine rack"
https://www.thebeerbelly.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=200-007

hmm have I drifted off the original topic somehow sorry

John