When to Repair, When to Replace

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by EZ-RIDER

I found you this at Moto-bins http://www.motobins.co.uk/

Thanks - I had seen that but I've got ABS and a KPH speedo so I'm not sure that would be right for me.

[EZ-RIDER]

I didn't realize that you were in Canada

[squall_line]

I thought the instruments were actually intact, just the housing around them was broken? Don't the round bits interchange?

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by squall_line

I thought the instruments were actually intact, just the housing around them was broken? Don't the round bits interchange?

They most likely do interchange but I'd rather buy the housing itself than a whole other set of instruments. Or I may just make up a different housing for the idiot lights and tach as I won't need the speedo for track use.

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by EZ-RIDER

I found you this at Moto-bins http://www.motobins.co.uk/ [/B]+ VAT.

Did finally buy one of these instrument sets so thanks for pointing them out! The seller dropped 15% off since I didn't need to pay VAT, so it effectively works out as free shipping.

I gave up on trying to find a set closer to home after being quoted $595 US for a used set, then a couple of other equally ludicrous offers, as if I was negociating for the Crown Jewels.

Also, more good news! Found a front fairing sub frame on eBay for $49 US! I did manage to pull the one I already have into a more useable shape but it's going to be great to have a better one. Wouldn't surprise me if the seller also frequents this site.

I had the bike out on the trailer today, taking it around to the welder who's going to put a new seat sub frame tab back on and I couldn't get over how much attention the bike got. Seemed to draw a crowd wherever I stopped.

It had no fairing or rear frame on so it looked fairly different, I suppose. That beautiful alloy tank, the single sided swing arm and beefy frame look wild.

Funny how some bikes tend to attract attention.

I hope to have it together and running for a couple of track weekends at Calabogie Motorsport Park this summer, and it looks like it's going to be possible.

I can't wait to ride it - my last Boxer was a '03 R1150GS, and I put 100,000 kilometers on it in 3 years, but this is SO unlike that bike that it can't help but be a revelation.

[j_hurricane_y]

Looks like I may be a bit late with my input on how to go about bending back your front subframe, but if the one from ebay arrives tweaked, do this:
Am I a masochist?...repair & mods 4 my BCR

Mine still isn't perfect so next winter I'll probably bend on it some more, but it's good enough to ride now so that's all I care about.

Good luck!

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by j_hurricane_y

Looks like I may be a bit late with my input on how to go about bending back your front subframe, but if the one from ebay arrives tweaked, do this:
Am I a masochist?...repair & mods 4 my BCR

Thanks for the link - I think my sub-frame needed much more heavy pulling than yours.

Here's a picture of the rig I set up, using some scaffolding I happened to have kicking around:



My problem is that the accidental bends are very complex, and possibly beyond repair, but when I get my eBay one at least I'll have something closer to standard to compare to, if I ever hope to fix this one. One big problem is that the left side vertical is twisted, and the whole side is bent down as well.

The frame was so far bent it was touching the fork tubes when the forks were turned side to side.

That's a really sweet looking bike you've got there...

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by j_hurricane_y

Looks like I may be a bit late with my input on how to go about bending back your front subframe, but if the one from ebay arrives tweaked, do this:
Am I a masochist?...repair & mods 4 my BCR

Mine still isn't perfect so next winter I'll probably bend on it some more, but it's good enough to ride now so that's all I care about.

Good luck!

Just read the whole topic re: your BCR and I find it inspiring, and think it's going to be very helpful in my quest to refer to your trial and tribulations. The pictures will be especially useful. Don't know why I didn't see your topic before now.

There's likely no way I could do this without the information I've found on this site!

And I figured out who's sending me the eBay fairing subframe and he is on this board, for sure.

[j_hurricane_y]

As you read, I too found this forum to be invaluable and I realized I might be able to give back a little by detailing my trials and tribulations. I'm very happy the thread could not only be technically helpful, but in fact *inspiring* as you state. Thank you very much for your praise and compliments. I'm all all warm & fuzzy. Best of luck with your repair ... it sounds to me like you're off to a good start having given up on your twisted (deal killer that) subframe and procuring one via ebay. What other parts do you need? Here's a couple shots of a custom "1150S" I took at a bike show in Italy back in 2007 that may serve as further inspiration (I think that's a car headlight but not sure from what model ... ?)





BTW, Beemerboneyard.com was indeed a great resource for me ... you can email them with the parts you need and they will put you on a list and shoot you an email if/when they come in. Used parts aren't perfect, but doesn't sound like that's what you require.

Again, good luck!
JY

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by j_hurricane_y

... it sounds to me like you're off to a good start having given up on your twisted (deal killer that) subframe and procuring one via ebay. What other parts do you need? ...

BTW, Beemerboneyard.com was indeed a great resource for me ... you can email them with the parts you need and they will put you on a list and shoot you an email if/when they come in. Used parts aren't perfect, but doesn't sound like that's what you require.

Well the bike's not going on the road, at least for the foreseeable future, so I'm not too concerned about cosmetics for the time being. As long as I'm allowed to ride it without bodywork on track days, I'll be happy.

But eventually I hope to get bodywork, as listed on this screen capture from the pdf manual.



I have a CF front fender but it's damaged. Is the repair of CF something I might find locally, d'you think?

I do have a couple of requests in to Beemer Boneyard but haven't heard anything in the couple of months since, except for confirmation of my requests.

[markjenn]

I have a nose piece (#1) with a broken-off left lower tab that I've been told is repairable if you have a plastic welding outfit. You're welcome to it if you want to pay for postage.

When I repaired mine, the body panels in primer were remarkably cheap (I recall $150 or so for the big side panel #4), so if they're still available, you might just want to bite the bullet.

On the subframe straightening, I had to take the frame off and work on it with the vice and fixtures to isolate areas you want to straighten. Otherwise the thing just warps like a pretzel. It can be done - mine was fouling the forks too.

Good luck,

- Mark

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by markjenn

I have a nose piece (#1) with a broken-off left lower tab that I've been told is repairable if you have a plastic welding outfit. You're welcome to it if you want to pay for postage.

When I repaired mine, the body panels in primer were remarkably cheap (I recall $150 or so for the big side panel #4), so if they're still available, you might just want to bite the bullet.

On the subframe straightening, I had to take the frame off and work on it with the vice and fixtures to isolate areas you want to straighten. Otherwise the thing just warps like a pretzel. It can be done - mine was fouling the forks too.

Good luck,

- Mark

I'd love to get that nose piece - if you let me know by email or PM what it might cost, I'll send you the postage for sure. Would be nice to get a start on assembling the body parts. The offer is much appreciated!

The primer'd body panels - do you mean new from the dealer? Or does anyone make aftermarket panels?

I do plan to try to work on my current sub-frame once I have the replacement in place, and your advice of putting it on a bench to bend it sounds good. Part of my problem is that I have no idea what the dimensions should be, so hopefully I can take some from the other frame I'm getting.

[markjenn]

Originally Posted by Emmbeedee

I'd love to get that nose piece - if you let me know by email or PM what it might cost, I'll send you the postage for sure. Would be nice to get a start on assembling the body parts. The offer is much appreciated!

I'll PM you.

The primer'd body panels - do you mean new from the dealer? Or does anyone make aftermarket panels?

Dealer (or someplace like Chicago BMW). When I repaired mine, they offered primered or painted panels and the primered panels were pretty inexpensive as bodywork goes.

I do plan to try to work on my current sub-frame once I have the replacement in place, and your advice of putting it on a bench to bend it sounds good. Part of my problem is that I have no idea what the dimensions should be, so hopefully I can take some from the other frame I'm getting.

Having a new one to check against would be ideal, but I just trial and errored mine. But it took a VERY long time and as I said earlier, it's not perfect as there is one bolt hole that I have to push a panel a bit to line up. Having said this, the bike now has 10K miles since repair and looks/works good as new.

- Mark

[RBMann]

I have a #2 piece but it has some extra holes for LEDs and a switch.

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by RBMann

I have a #2 piece but it has some extra holes for LEDs and a switch.

What do you want for it?

[EZ-RIDER]

I Also have #2 piece ! no extra holes
Send me an e-mail

[j_hurricane_y]

Do you just need the left fairing? No right side? ... affordable buy-it-now right-side (BCR) on ebay now. Search for item # 390045189339.

As noted by others the primered new from a dealer is the way to go if you can't find decent used. I imagine Chicago BMW would have the best price. I ended up buying a primered front center fairing (#1) from Bob's for ~$115 if memory serves.

I actually have a wrecked #5 that could *possibly* be repaired. The way to do it (as I understand it, not having done it myself) is to repair the back side using fiberglass. Apparently Home Despot or the like sells a fiberglass repair kit but I should think any compatible mesh & epoxy would work. Anyway, you repair the back side with the fiberglass (perhaps challenging with this part since you can't go too thick with the repair in the front or the tire will rub), sand the damaged area on the "seen" side a bit, and repaint the entire part (multiple coats) in clear (sanding between coats I'd guess). Jeff Williams may have more tips. I could take some pictures of my damaged front fender -- probably not until Thurs -- and you could see if you want it.

JY

[onekiwi]

There's an instrument cluster on ebay at the moment.Be really careful with the tab on the steering head.... they break with too much pulling!

[RBMann]

Originally Posted by Emmbeedee

What do you want for it?

Go with EZ-Rider's no holes one. Mine has four or five extra holes.

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by j_hurricane_y

Do you just need the left fairing? No right side? ... affordable buy-it-now right-side (BCR) on ebay now. Search for item # 390045189339.
...

I actually have a wrecked #5 that could *possibly* be repaired.

I looked more closely at my fairing sides and think when the time comes, I'll need both. The areas which are under the mirror mounts are broken off and missing from the two sides...

But I'm also working on getting a Triumph TT600 ready, again as a track day bike, for my wife so I'm going to have to slow down on the bigger non-essentials. I also still need tires for both bikes and a complete fluid change, etc, so I can't get carried away.

Here's the other bike.


I already have a damaged front fender so there's no point in getting another. Either I'll repair mine or just run without it for the time being. It's still solid, but looks rough.