R65 Side Panel Attach Bushings

[montmil]

Searched a few R65 parts fiche pages but had no luck finding the rubber attach bushings that secure the side covers to the frame. So I devised my own.

There are three “pins” welded to the frame at each bushing location. The pins are approx 3/16” in diameter. There are three matching locations on each side panel that allow the panels to snap onto the frame-mounted rubber anchors.

 I found readily available rubber grommets at Lowe’s. They are a Hillman-branded product #881254. The grommets are 5/8” OD x 5/16” ID. $1.06 per pair. You’ll need six grommets. I bought a couple extra as “droppers”.
The outside diameter fits the side panels perfectly. However, the inside diameter is too large for the R65 frame mounting pins. So...

A 12” length of 3/16” ID x 5/16” OD vinyl tubing ran all of sixteen cents. The vinyl tubing, when slipped over the frame pins and the grommets over the vinyl tubing, brings everything together.
The aft frames pins take a 5/16” length of tubing. The single forward pins takes a 3/4” length.
A touch of silicone lubricant in the grommet’s groove facilitates installation. It makes the panels easy off, too. Zip tie ‘em.

The only thing left to do is to secure the side panels with a small zip tie so they don’t go missing during a ride. There is a frame member directly behind the louvered vents on the panels that’s a perfect spot for an almost invisible zip tie anchor. All in all, a tidy installation. Almost factory.

Monte



Vinyl tubing and rubber grommets yield side panel attach hardware. Longer vinyl tube goes on the forward attach post.



Rear pair of attach points.



Front end is longer to facilitate adjustments in installation.

[nhmaf]

You get an "A" for  innovation Monte, though I was able to just order these through Capital Cycle.

Still have to paint my new $70 sidecover (still in primer) since one fell off somewhere along the 200 miles I logged with Sue and Stewart back in June - it is good to remember to  use zip ties !

[suecanada]

Thanks for the memory!  Did you and I both know you lost a sidecover back then? I can't remember that I did.   LRB went to the mechanics without his sidecovers and anything else I didn't want to lose off the bike. The black elastic I had around the sidecovers needs replacing with "new" black elastic. I really don't know why I keep using the ealstic but it lasts and is easy to tie on.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

VERY hard to find, but I knew I had found them as I replaced mine last spring.

Under FRAME / FAIRING => STICK-ON LABEL

#1

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0363&mospid=47851&btnr=46_0039&hg=46&fg=75

[montmil]

VERY hard to find, but I knew I had found them as I replaced mine last spring. Under FRAME / FAIRING => STICK-ON LABEL #1 http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.domodel=0363&mospid=47851&btnr=46_0039&hg=46&fg=75

Dang, Rob... I visited Realoem but didn't suspect to find the panel attach pieces under "stick on label". The #2 item is the tiny rubber bumper pad that's glued to a post on the panels and rides against a frame member. Looks just like a little ol' grommet from Lowe's.  Ah, the German mindset.

At least mine are more economical and closer at hand. A cheap and fun project. I carry a couple spares in a 35mm film canister, plus my ever-present zip ties.

And yes, Justin... A few of us diehards still shoot 35 mike-mike film. I do the digital thing mostly but when I want true replication of images, correct color rather than dot-on-dot matrix, I go with my Nikons. A pity they don't fit in a shirt pocket as does my digi.  

Will post a photo topic on my rehabed side panels as soon as the last coat of gloss black is polished out. Way shiny...

Monte

[Altritter]

An elegant solution, Monte!

Dang, wish I'd known you were looking for the grommets. I don't have any myself, but I bought a set of 6 this spring from Bob's. They knew exactly what I wanted & shipped them to me posthaste (at a hefty price for 6 rubber micro-bagels, to be sure).

For benefit of others needing the things: I tried to find my receipt showing the part number, but no luck. Despite being woefully understaffed at peak times, the parts people at Bob's are very good when you can reach them by phone. The phone number is 301-497-8949 ext. 504.

If anyone is desperate, I *think* I have the 6 old ones. (They are complete, but hard and brittle from oxidation.) PM me & I throw them into an envelope for you.

John

[montmil]

...at a hefty price for 6 rubber micro-bagels, to be sure... John

Total cost for the Lowe's Beemer parts came to $3.34 plus tax... no shipping costs [smiley=clap.gif]

Monte

[Allred]

Found 'em online at Max's BMW, even a diagram to make identification easy.  Being a designated "Heritage" BMW center, I have found that Max usually has most everything I have needed for both my R65 and R100RT!

Google 'em, and give 'em a try!    

[Yikes]

I was at Lowes this weekend and picked up the materials Monte listed to make the side cover grommets.  Works great!  And if one gets lost, who cares?

Great engineering job Monte!  Thanks.

John M.

[montmil]

I was at Lowes this weekend and picked up the materials Monte listed to make the side cover grommets.  Works great!  And if one gets lost, who cares? Great engineering job Monte!  Thanks. John M.

"And if one gets lost, who cares?"

I'm thinking here, John, that you're referring to the low-ball grommet attach pieces. Right? I paid a price to get the panels and I'd be pretty ticked if, "...one gets lost..."     I installed the side panels on my scooter today and secured each with a zip tie.

Thanks for the kind words...  [smiley=beer.gif]

Monte

[Yikes]

Oh yes, I was referring to the home-made grommets.  I lost one of my side panels a month ago which is why I was so glad to see a home fabricated, super secure way to attach those panels.

Funny thing though, after shelling out 30+ bucks for a replacement, my lost panel mysteriously appeared on the ground behind my bike last Sunday.  Some kind hearted soul (who is still unknown to me) must have found it in the neighborhood and dropped it off.   Unbelievable!  Luckily I had not yet put the black primer on the new side-cover, so I repacked it and sent it back for the refund.

But the mystery of the side panel deepened.  As I was checking the newly returned panel for damage I noticed what looked a blob of chewing gum on the inside.  I began to scrape it off with a screwdriver and ran into something solid under the gum.  As I continued scraping, I found a key.  The side panel was an unknown PO's stash location for a key, and it's not a spare key for the bike.  So I'm wondering what the key goes to- gun cabinet?  Safe deposit box?  Chastity belt?   but the real mystery is why someone would put something important in an Airhead side panel?  Probably one of the least secure places I could think of put anything you wanted to keep.

But anyway, now that the prodigal side panel has returnd home, Monte's grommet fab turned up like one more lucky find, at just the right time.

[Altritter]

From montmil: << I'm thinking here, John, that you're referring to the low-ball grommet attach pieces. Right? >>

Right, *but* I don't trust the lowball grommets for anything. Pants-and-suspenders insurance policy is one black twistie tying on each battery cover, then the ends tucked out of site inside the louvers.

I intend to print out your description and photos. If I get some time during the winter doldrums, I'll try to make some like yours.

Your "brass rubbing" of the side cover, decal, and louvers for positioning purposes is inspired. I didn't have an example when I mounted mine; had to SWAG it. Came pretty close, but if someone has a calibrated eyeball, it's possible to see that the left decal is just a skosh cockeyed from parallel to the horizontal reference point (in this case, the (more or less horizontal) divider splitting the louvers into two sections). It bugs me, but I'm not about to try removing and reapplying the decal—at least until I get my eyes repaired. (First one 10 November, then begin with the second. Like waiting for Christmas.)

From Yikes: << I'm wondering what the key goes to- gun cabinet?  Safe deposit box?  Chastity belt? >>

Hmmm. His side squeeze's apartment key, maybe?    

[Yikes]

I was relying on black twisties to hold on my side covers when I lost the one.  I think the twisties are OK for a while, but over time the vibration may tend to loosen them.  From here on out I use zip ties cinched tight.  If the side covers are coming off thr zip gies have to be cut to get them off.  I carry a small set of diagonal pliers just in case that becomes a necessity.    

[Altritter]

From Yikes: << I carry a small set of diagonal pliers just in case that becomes a necessity. >>

Point well taken about the vibration.

If your only anticipated use of the diagonals is to cut the zips, have you considered slipping a fingernail clipper into your tool kit? It does the same job, with the advantage of space and weight saved.