windshield question

[Buckeye Beemer]

I (think) I have an aftermarket windshield on my R1150R (2004) that I have removed (don't ask why). Anyway, I popped it off of the four mounting locations (I think the bike has the BMW touring brackets. Now I need to put it back on but there are rubber sleeves that (I thought) would come out of the bracket that I would push thru the windshield holes from the outside back into the bracket. Of course the rubber sleeves have lips that I could not imaging trying to get thru the windshield holes.

Before I bugger this up anymore does anyone know if these rubber sleeves come out?

Thanks for any help.

Larry

[Biff's R]

Larry,
The sleeves are threaded on the inside, and if you loosen them, they should slide in and out fairly easily.

[Buckeye Beemer]

Jeff, thanks for the info. At least I have figured out that it is a BMW windshield; looks like the "Speedster" from the accessory catalog.

THe sleeves do not want to move though. I agree with your assessment; somehow they should come out. If you needed to do any maintenance behind the windshield. I may need to make a trip to the local dealer to get their ideas.

[Eqyn Dad]

Larry,

I have the smoked sport windshield on mine and when I take it off I just leave those sleeves in the brackets. Believe it or not, you can easily slip them back into the holes in the shield. Sometimes they take a little tweaking by using the end of a small screwdriver to collapse the flange ehough to squeeze them in the hole. I broke one of mine trying to force it out of the bracket.

Good luck.

[pebmr]

I had the same problem with 1 of the four rubber inserts on my bike (it came with the windshield off and one was stuck). I placed the windshield flush against the stuck one, and persuaded the rubber flange to come through with a needle nose pliers. I did not try and pry it out because I figured it would break. Seems to have worked fine so far.

[maduko]

I think I would thread a screw into the well nut and use it as an extraction tool. Just a couple of threads will do- you don't want it to expand the rubber.

I had never considered popping the screen over the lips of the well nuts. If you go that route you might try the old VW windshield trick- wind a piece of string around the rubber thingy, then pass the string through the hole. Pull the string starting at one end and it will draw the rubber lip through the hole.

The rubber well nuts are quite common at hardware stores. I bought a dozen extra in case mine get buggered. I even bought a few that are longer than normal so I could add spacers under the upper mounting. It makes a wee bit of difference in the wind blast.

Somewhere (maybe here?) I read a suggestion to drill through the bracket and use longer screws with a nut.

[Dr. Strangelove]

They are called "well-nuts" and can be found at home depot in the drawers that have screws, and washers and nuts.

Can't recall the size, but in the file that has alternative replacements for things like the oil filter etc, there is a listing there.

For some they are a real PITA to deal with, they come out of the well. YMMV

John

[Buckeye Beemer]

Oh, yes, I am so glad I have done this to myself. They are 10SL well nuts, with 10/32 thread. This job is a real joy. I have messed up the threads on the one so I am going to try and use a tap to clean up the threads and leave the damn thing in there. For the other three I am going to try the VW trick with the string.

The worst of it is this is a job I didn't have to do.

[NAIAD]

So, are they called that because of what you say when you lose or break one?

Oh! Well, NUTS!!!

Sorry...I've just always thought that was the story.

I'll go away now.....

BJ

[P_Jensen]

The wellnuts seem to expand to a point that removal will result in destruction and a fun time trying to remove the debris from the mounting bracket. I have found the best way to remount the windshield is to:

1.) Thread the bolt back into the wellnut and push it in, this is done to expand the wellnut. As you tighten the screws the wellnuts compresses and expand to create a friction fit to keep it in place.

2.) After you have expanded the wellnut you should then be able to wiggle it out some (but still in the bracket) to give yourself a little length to work through the windshield hole.

3.) With the windshield in one hand and starting with the front mounts pinch the head of the wellnut in half and work through the hole in the windshield (you can use neddle nose pliers or small screwdriver from the inside, but be carefull not to scratch the shield).

4.) After all 4 wellnuts are through the holes reinstall the screws and washers. Once the screw is started again push on the screw to get the wellnut seated as far in the bracket as possible and tighten.

This system is designed to breakway in event it is hit from behind.

[Buckeye Beemer]

Thanks to P_Jensen for that tip. Well, managed to get a 10/32 tap in there and cleaned up the threads on the one I had messed up. Now to get the windshield back on...will have to wait until Friday..too much work stuff going on. Home Depot actually does carry the 10SL wellnut (chinese of course, and totally generic, but it does fit). Bought two last night just to play around with them.

[Beemeridian]

44

[Buckeye Beemer]

Well, the windshield is finally back on the 50R. Whew....now, just to recap for any other hapless souls out there. BTW, I thought I had the BMW speedster shield..I know it is a BMW shield but it may be something different. It does have the four separate brackets.

1. You do not need to remove the windshield to tighten the mirrors. Don't even think of doing this. Check for the wee capscrew under the mirror first.
2. If you have made the mistake of removing the windshield to tighten the mirrors, stop, don't do anything else (well, tighten the mirror at least). But don't dis-assemble anything else! Once you are done kicking yourself find someone to help put the windshield back on.
3. With someone holding the shield push the opening in the shield firmly on top of the wellnut and, using a small thin screwdriver, move around the lip of the wellnut and work it thru the hole. Repeat three more times. Should take 10 minutes if your and careful---. Just put it all back together and you have dodged an annoying bullet.
4. Don't even think about removing the wellnuts! They are removable in name only! They really are made to stay in the blind holes.
5. Finally, don't think that by removing the brackets off of the bike to mount them to the shield that this is a good approach. Yes, it is easier to get the wellnuts back in their holes but it is impossible to put the damn thing, with brackets attached, back on the bike. Realize this was a desperate man thinking here...

Now I can finally get back to enjoying this most excellent ride! BTW, the torque is awesome. A very different ride than the K1100RS--much more flickable in the corners.

Enjoy!

Buckeye Beemer

[gillum]

If one wanted to remove a windshield and all four brackets, how do you get those bottom brackets off? There seems to be a piece of curved black metal behind the instrument cluster that blocks access to the single hexbolts that need to be removed. Do you have to somewhat remove the cluster to then remove the windshield brackets?

[Keppelj]

The hex bolts can be undone using the appropriate allen wrench - 15-18 inches long - with a ball type end. That allows you to get to the bolt at an angle. Shop for ball tip allen wrenches.

[Beemeridian]

28

[gillum]

Thanks for the replies. Will get the right tool and see what happens. To clarify, based on Beemeridian's response, I can't simply take off the brackets and not replace the the hex bolts? Once the brackets are out, why do I need to have a bolt in there not holding anything?

Once the windshield brackets are removed, you must replace the longer hex bolts with the OEM size - M8x12, I believe.

[Beemeridian]

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