Time for a make-over

[marcmax]

The front fender is stock, just cut down. I used thin masking tape to try out different outlines until I got one I like the profile before cutting. The stock mounting holes in the fender/fork brace held the cut down fender to far away from the wheel. I ended up cutting about 3/4" from the ends of the fender mount and drilling new holes for the mount/ I purposely made them slightly oversized so that once I mounted the fender I had some leeway in moving the fender up/down, fore/aft to get it positioned where I wanted it before tightening in place.

[Ironhead2]

That headlight/speedo set up is great. Nice work!

+1 love that headlight combo

[marcmax]

Thanks! I live right on the Florida/Georgia border and checked in GA about the legality. I was told that GA code states you can not have blue or red lights visible from the front of a vehicle but white, yellow and amber is acceptable. All it says about the headlight is height and aiming but nothing about color. I have ridden past local, county and state law enforcement and they said nothing.

I was in Florida this weekend at Riding Into History (entered the Concours d'Elegance - no luck) but was right next to the guys from Dime City Cycles. I asked them about yellow headlights and was told they had all been stopped by FL State Patrol for having yellow headlights.

I will ride it and see what happens, so far nothing.

[marcmax]

Finally got around to replacing my starter cover. I was originally going to just remove the airbox and use a blocking plate. I didn't quite like the cut-off, angular look it left at the rear of the engine. Instead I went with a fiberglass cover that follows the lines of the engine and covers both the starter and the old airbox opening.

The problem was that the original starter cover had the BMW name badge cast into it. The fiberglass cover is smooth and ended up making the engine look like a big lump of aluminium.

I ended up making a silicone cast of the BMW badge, casting expoxy replicas, painting them and using 3M automotive adhesive to mount them to the starter cover. Gives it a more OEM look in my opinion.

Opinions and comments welcomed.

[NathanR65]

Looking good! Love the bmw logos on the cover is that from boxercafe? That was the one thing I didn't like about the cover but you have made it look oem well done. Do you have enough space under the cowl to fit the battery?

[marcmax]

Hi Nathan. Thanks for the kind words. That is one of the starter covers from Boxercafe. I was a little nervous of it being fiberglass and not wanting the smooth, glossy look. It is well made and does have a smooth glossy finish. I followed a tip suggested by our own RevLight and sprayed it from a slight distance with a high build primer. That paint spatter gave it a texture that looks remarkably like cast aluminium. Once sprayed with a cast aluminium engine paint it definitely looks the part.

As for the battery under the cowl I didn't want to put the extra weight that high up in the frame. When I built the seat cowl (steel) I built it on a stock seat pan so it still hinges on the stock seat hinges. I cut a latching trap door in the seat pan and now have a storage area under the cowl for my tool kit and even enough room for some rain gear.

I was intending to mount the battery under the gearbox but didn't want to give up my centerstand. Instead I stitched a leather bag over the original battery holder and "hid" the battery in place.

[steve hawkins]

What a great idea for the BMW Logos.  Both Tony and I have similar covers fitted.  And not only do you lose the logo, but what is left is a strip of casting that is a different colour from the rest, as it was covered by the old top cover.  It is not even a regular.  I was going to leave it in the hope that it would eventually blend in.  But I hope you don't mind if I copy your idea.

That is a tidy bit of pipe wrap as well.

Cheers

Rev. Light

[marcmax]

I tried everything I could think of to clean that strip of casting to that had been covered and never could get it to match. I used it as a guide for where to mount the logos as it showed just were the old top cover had been.

Just as an FYI the logo is slightly different on the left side from the right side. I didn't notice it until it came time to mount the new BMW logos. The BMW is just slightly biased toward the front edge of the logo. Also since the top cover does not sit exactly level when mounted on the engine but the logo is, there is a slight angle to the ends of the piece. It is only a few degrees difference. I only molded the left side and made two pieces from the mold. When I attached it to the right side there is a slight gap where the front edge meets the timing case casting. Also on the right side the BMW is now slightly biased toward the rear edge. Not enough for most people to notice but I know it is there.

I am flattered that you want to use my idea. Since joining this forum my direction on my R65 has changed based on seeing pics of your bikes.

A good friend told me to get the narrowest width wrap to do the pipes. Most wrap is designed for larger diameter automotive exhausts. This was only 1" wide. I also soaked it in a bucket of water before wrapping to allow it to follow the contours more easily. The first day or two after wrapping I would come to a corner and be enveloped in a cloud of steam. Got some interesting looks.

[Adrian]

Great looking bike and good story - loved the pictures  

[r80rt]

Excellent!