BMW Newby seeks advice

[florabunda]

This first-for-me R100RT, newly acquired out of storage (w/former owner deceased,) has side wind fairings that seem to fit over the cylinder heads,-- they apparently get installed partly by temporarily removing the exhaust pipes. Am I missing something? What tools are best and safest to use in getting that nice neat finned pipe collar off from the cylinder head?
Thanks in advance fo your help coaching, getting this sweetheart back on the road helps put Harleys in their place. Floribunda :german

[dbrick]

I'm not sure what you mean about "side wing fairings over the cylinder heads." How about a picture?

To get the exhaust nuts off, you need a special wrench, something like CC Products No. 88105 available from San Jose BMW here:
http://www.sjbmw.com/parts.asp?searchtype=0&cat=Tools

You should also read about what to do if you can't break the nuts loose:
http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-1644.html
(sometimes, with heat and time, the finned nuts cannot be unscrewed without fatally damaging the threads; in these cases, the nut must be carefully sawn and chiseled off to preserve the threads)

Have fun with your new airhead!

[ltljohn]

I can't help you with your problem but I can extend a hearty welcome to the board!

[20774]

Could a moderator move this to the Airheads forum? Possibly someone over there might have heard of these add-ons.

[shire2000]

What I think he is talking about are the lower parts of the fairing. Some of the early ones did not have the split in the bottom and you had to remove the exhaust to get them on and off.

As others have stated, the Exhaust nuts can be very difficult to remove, especially if they have not been removed in a long time. Try soaking with some penetrating oil for a few days and then try the special wrench. If they don't want to move, do not force them. You will ruin the threads and have a very costly repair to the heads. Use a saw or dremel to cut most of the way thru in a couple of spots (I usually do 3 different spots around the nut. The use a cold chisel to break them off. Replacement nuts are way cheaper than fixing the heads.

The lowers attach to the bottom of the fairing and the holes in them show pretty much how they attach. They also attach to a bracket on the bottom below the cylinder. You should also have a centre piece that fits between them that goes in front of the fairing. Be careful aligning it with the oil cooler. Again the holes in the parts will line up and use appropriate screws.

Also, photos would help us to help you as well as what year your RT is.


:ca

[florabunda]

Thanks to all for the advice, especially to Shire2000. My R is a 1983, with lower fairings that do have the split. Resulting from your advice I'll try to spread the slit enough to install w/o removing the exhaust. This interchange makes one glad to belong. :german

[shire2000]

OK, if you have the split, be very careful. Those lowers are fiberglass and they get brittle with age. Just like we do ;) . I would suggest, warming them up some by sitting them out in the sun, or a warm garage. And bend them very slightly and slowly. They will split enough to slide over the exhaust pipes, but just do it enough to get them over. Don't go for a huge gap.

Good luck and welcome to the group. We are a weird and wonderful bunch. You will find all kinds of good advice on here. Some of it may actually be useful. :doh

:ca

[535is]

Thanks to all for the advice, especially to Shire2000. My R is a 1983, with lower fairings that do have the split. Resulting from your advice I'll try to spread the slit enough to install w/o removing the exhaust.

That will work, but just take your time and fiddle with them a bit to find the best way to ease them off. They go to some weird angle that I couldn't describe to you, but even as a complete noob, I managed it within a minute or two. Lots easier (and safer) than screwing with the exhaust nuts.

Even if you break one, it isn't the end of the world. There are spares around and the RS lowers are identical to the RT's.

FWIW, if you are in a particularly hot locale, take a ride with the lowers off to see how you like the air circulation. It makes a surprising difference.

[paulfinney2]

Is it hotter or cooler without the lower fairings? Don't the lower fairings push the hot air from the cylinder heads away from the feet?

[milo]

Is it hotter or cooler without the lower fairings? Don't the lower fairings push the hot air from the cylinder heads away from the feet?

Cooler.

[88bmwJeff]

Is it hotter or cooler without the lower fairings? Don't the lower fairings push the hot air from the cylinder heads away from the feet?

Cooler.

+1 In fact the fairing tends to channel the hot air to the feet and lower legs. At least that’s the way it feels on my bike.

With the lowers removed, the fairing does have a tendency to rattle more with the lowers off.

[535is]

+1 In fact the fairing tends to channel the hot air to the feet and lower legs. At least that’s the way it feels on my bike.
Agreed. The RS/RT gets really toasty down there in cold weather. Unpleasantly so in very warm weather.
With the lowers removed, the fairing does have a tendency to rattle more with the lowers off.
I didn't notice that. Maybe your upper parts aren't screwed together tightly?