How do I get the fairing off of my '04 RT?

[dkaag]

Guys:

I have an '04 R1150RT with a battery problem, and I am 40 miles from my nearest dealer. The bike only has 3000 miles on it, and it was plugged into my BatteryTender all winter, but the battery doesn't have sufficient juice to kick the bike. My old '88 RT, with a WesCo gel battery, had exactly the same treatment over the winter, and starts like a Bad Dog, so I ordered a new WestCo for the new bike. The problem is that I just discovered where the battery is on the '04. Is there any way to get the battery out without taking off the entire fairing? If so, how. I haven't got a clue. And if not, is there anywhere on the Net I can find instructions on how to get the fairing off without buggering it up? The manuals BMW gave me with the bike are useless, and the Clymer manual I ordered isn't here yet. And I want to ride!

[CJM]

I had to remove my 04 RT fairing to install engine guards and I found the instructions in the owners manual. The tool kit has the correct Allen wrench,
but I used a speed wrench. Just remember that there are 2 longer screws and pay attention to where they came from! I marked mine with some touch-up paint around the threaded insert.

Take your time when you do it, once you see it apart it doesn't look nearly as difficult as it does now. :thumb

MTBATP

[BklynPete]

i'm a bit confused, isn't the battery under the gas tank on the 1150? it is on my 1100rt. you just take off the screws on the gas tank cover and prop up the real fuel cell underneath and you should have access to the battery.

pete :dunno

[dkaag]

Pete:

Obviously I haven't had the fairing off yet, but I can see the back of the battery when I remove the seat. From what I can see, it is behind the tank but under the fairing.

[BradfordBenn]

i'm a bit confused, isn't the battery under the gas tank on the 1150? it is on my 1100rt. you just take off the screws on the gas tank cover and prop up the real fuel cell underneath and you should have access to the battery.

pete :dunno

They changed the layout on the R1150. You have to take off at least the left side panel to remove the battery. I have done it a few times as when wiring up stuff I have found it easy enough to do from just the left side. The key is to be careful putting the air cleaner back on. I have already broken one.

[rcryan]

Brad's spot on. :thumb Here are a couple of hints that helped me.
1. As you remove the screws note that some are long. These go back into the aluminun plate on the bottom of the fairing.
2. Open the glove box - it's easier to remove and install.
3. With all the screws off lift the fairing off the edge of the tank. Life gets easier after that.
4. Two non-obvious spots - remove the mirror. In the air cooler intake - fun to reach.

The battery removal is a cinch. There is a jump start connector availale for this bike. It got installed on later production models and is available as an add on.

Rich

[ChrisF]

is there anywhere on the Net I can find instructions on how to get the fairing off without buggering it up?

Try this -

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/256875/an/0/page/0/gonew/1#UNREAD

I haven't had to take the tupperware off my '04 RT, yet, but I've already made a template. I scanned the picture from the manual, enlarged it to fit on a piece of cardboard, and affixed it with tape. When I do have to remove the screws, I'll punch holes in the template in the appropriate places and store the screws there until I'm ready to reinstall the tupperware. Given the number of posts I've seen on tupperware screw issues, I figured the template was cheap insurance for a noob like me. :)

[BobFV1]

I had to remove my 04 RT fairing to install engine guards and I found the instructions in the owners manual. The tool kit has the correct Allen wrench,
but I used a speed wrench. Just remember that there are 2 longer screws and pay attention to where they came from! I marked mine with some touch-up paint around the threaded insert.

Take your time when you do it, once you see it apart it doesn't look nearly as difficult as it does now. :thumb

MTBATP

Mike - Where do the two longer ones go? I never marked mine before the first time I removed the tupperware, and I noticed that there are some holes that the long ones will NOT go in to, but I'm not sure where they actually belong. Thanks.

[rcryan]

This might help. http://bmwsporttouring.com/faq/fasteners1.htm

It really doesn't matter as long as you don't put the long screws into the tank.

Rich

[fish]

4. Two non-obvious spots - remove the mirror. In the air cooler intake - fun to reach.


I think you mean "oil" cooler.


BTW, this problem is fixed with the 1200RT...just remove the seat and there's the battery. No tank liftage.

[CJM]

Mike - Where do the two longer ones go? I never marked mine before the first time I removed the tupperware, and I noticed that there are some holes that the long ones will NOT go in to, but I'm not sure where they actually belong. Thanks.

The long screws go on the "dash" where the speakers would be mounted. They need to be longer to fit through the panel for the dash. Good luck.
:thumb


MTBATP