what the hecis this thing!

[Armo]

I've had my bike for a few months now and i still havent figured out what this thing is for...



it looks like it could be a tool pouch bu it clearly isnt that considering the tubes and hose coming out. Any one know what it is? the only manual i have been able to find on the net has pictures, but that things not in them, lol.

[OU812]

Aux gas can. No really some extra weight that you may do with out. Collects gas fumes. Do a search and you may find it.

[NoRRmad]

That's an anti-pollution cannister that contains activated charcoal to absorb gasoline vapor that is emitted by the gas tank -- particularly when sitting in the sun on a hot day. The absorbed vapors are condensed, collected and re-routed to the engine when it's running. It keeps the bike from making your garage all smelly, and reduces the vapor's contribution to smog. It's required by law, though many remove it for esthetic reasons, and I've never heard of anybody being ticketed.

[Beemeridian]

11

[boxermania]

And only German product planners will think about placing that ugly canister in the middle of the beautiful side of the R259....do you know where your battery is.....you'll love the location!!!!

Just letting off a bit of steam.....as I'm old and cantakerous, or so they tell me.

[redline999]

Okay, there are many reasons to either keep or remove this charcoal canister. Here's my story. I was driving down the highway at about 80 mph in the pouring rain in high commuter traffic and the real wheel just stopped. I began a controlled skid and got the bike off the freeway only to find the canister had come loose and caught between the swing arm and the tire, which it shredded with the split canister casing. very scary. I was in possession of the bike for two weeks when this happened, so I took it in and the BMW dealer mechanic told me that it is installed on the bike for 50 state emissions compliance, but only California requires it for import, and they do not require it for smog test or licensing. They very happily pried it out of the pinched position it was in, replaced the tire, and basically rerouted the lines that went into the canister to bypass it, under warranty. Thus, I take the Canisterectomy as a sanctioned BMW action. In my opinion, any part that is able to fail and possibly kill you and has no functional purpose except to allow import into California needs to be removed and immediately. it's ugly, too and hanging on an otherwise lovely machine is an obvious afterthought. Counter to what the exceptional design team at BMW Mottorad had in mind. Safe travels, HP

[redline999]

Oh yes and the fact that they get clogged and create a vacuum in the tank requiring their replacement. cut it off.

[R4R&R]

Looks like a final drive to me...

[grnpnzer]

Its the Hyper drive unit. It farts gas fumes and you go faster!

[Armo]

i got it! turns out its the flux capacitor, if i can get my bike up to 88.8MPH...

thanks for the replies!

[maduko]

Don't let them poo you... it's a toolbox.

It's just the tools have to be extremely tiny to fit through those tubes!