Tupperware Removal To Check Battery Water - R1150RT

[b52bombardier1]

Hello,

This is my first post but I have been lurking quite a while. I want to check the battery water in my 2004 R1150RT and can see it under the tank but obviously, I cannot reach it. I have looked at the dealer purchased "Repair Manual CD" on how to remove the panels to get to the battery and this was both a waste of time and a waste of money for the CD.

Does the fuel tank have to be removed just to add a little demineralized water to the battery? I have a good dealer here in Shreveport but I would really like to avoid a trip to see them for something like this.
Given that I will need to be low on gas to do this, is it just the removal of the screws that I can see to pull the tank off?

Many thanks and I appreciate the help.

Rick

[Boxer]

Deleted on counta the author was dumb.

Thought we were talkin' 'bout a Roadster.

[beemer-biker]

Actually, you don't have to remove the tank. The left side panel does need to come off, loosen the strap, and the battery slides out to the left side. It is still a pain, which is why I went with one of the Odyssey batteries on my RT, when I had it. Check on ebay, usually you can find a good deal on new ones. I believe it is number PC680. It is the same for most all of the BMW motorbikes.

[johnt650]

If I'm not mistaken you need to remove the air filter cover and the air intake tube to slide the battery out. After the tupperware is removed of course.

[johnt650]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that mine is an '03 RT and may be slightly different.

[morrie]

I was able to service my 02 RT battery by removing the left-side tupperware and sliding it out.

But I thought that all 04 BMWs shipped with gel batteries. My 04 R has one. Can anyone shed some light on this?

[Jax]

If he has an 04 RT, he has a sealed, Gel battery. No water needed.
But keep a trickle charger on it if you don't ride it a lot. The Gel batteries are notorious for going bad if not kept at full charge.

[b52bombardier1]

Hello Again,

Thanks for the quick response from everyone and I am happy to hear that I already have a maintenance free battery. I have only had this bike since the first week of December. But I am still interested in learning how to remove the fairings/Tupperware because I still do most of the maintenance (oil/tranny/diff/brake/radiator fluid plus fuel filter changes) on my 95 BMW M3 and got an incredible nine years out of its first battery with periodic demineralized water topoffs. The motorcycle is a little more tightly wrapped than the car but none of this is rocket surgery.

I have searched the FAQs and other web sites for guidance on laying the 1150 bare but have found no advice. Is it just the stainless steel star screws I can see? Do I need to remove the black plastic around the electrical ports on the left side near the silver center stand "assist" handle? What is the trick after getting all of the screws out? Any of 'em an oddball screw length?

And since the dealer's so called "repair manual" on CD was a waste of good plastic, does Haynes or Chilton make a good manual on paper?

Rick
95 BMW M3
2004 Suzuki GS 500
2004 BMW R1150RT

[Jax]

Go to BMW Sport Touring and do a search. They have the info you are looking for.
http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php