Parts/pieces you wish you had, but no one makes

[johnnyjs1]

Alright guys and gals, I have some machines (lathes, mills, cncs etc.) at my disposal. I was thinking of maybe starting up a small manufacturing bizz for Beemer custom parts. I don't want to do small runs of parts, because as you know the price per part goes way up. I'm looking to do at least 20 of each part. I'd appreciate any info or ideas on what would make the R1150R a better bike. Thanks guys and gals, looking forward to hearing your input.

Johnny

[Airman]

Alright guys and gals, I have some machines (lathes, mills, cncs etc.) at my disposal. I was thinking of maybe starting up a small manufacturing bizz for Beemer custom parts. I don't want to do small runs of parts, because as you know the price per part goes way up. I'm looking to do at least 20 of each part. I'd appreciate any info or ideas on what would make the R1150R a better bike. Thanks guys and gals, looking forward to hearing your input.

Johnny

I'm looking to make some improved pieces for the sidecase latch module assembly. I'm working with another guy to get the prototype latch arm made. I don't lnow who's going to interested in these, but both of mine broke so I doubt if I'm alone in this. At this point we have cut the pivot pin and removed the broken lock arm. I was forunate to recover the piece that broke off on my first case. I have 3 modules and intend to make new arms for all three. If you want, I'll get you some pictures of the arm. My intent is to make the new ones from some nice thick T6 aluminum

[johnnyjs1]

Sounds good to me you can send pics at your convenience to johnnysaric @ hotmail . com. Or a simple sketch with dimensions would work as well.

[riceburner]

How large would you be making this stuff, and can you do either very neat fibre-glassing, or plastic injection/blow moulding??

Reason I ask is that I have some ideas for a WATERPROOF*, Bagster-compatible, lockable tank-"box". I'm fed up with tank-luggage that is not water-resistant.



*ie, ALL DAY DOWNPOUR proof, not just dog piss proof which most bags seem to struggle with.

[johnnyjs1]

Sorry Rice, thinking more in regards to metalwork, aluminum, s.s. copper nickel carbon steel etc. Any ideas regarding that?

[philm35]

I would love to have clip-on style handlebars adapted to my R, fully adjustable for height, grip angle, fore/aft distance. Been thinking about talking to a machinist to get this done.

I've tried bar-backs and Wunderlich Touring Comfort handlebars, but still can't find the comfort zone.

--Phil

[CycleRob]

I agree about making machined billet replacement parts for the stock BMW pot metal linkage/latching parts hidden inside the system cases. Your market would be huge!! Especially if the parts were priced the same or less than the less than durable stock parts. On the plus side, those parts would fit many years of many BMW models!! Some guys would replace them even though they haven't broken yet.

.

[johnnyjs1]

If you guys can get me a sketch with some dimensions, I can probably get some made up in a few days or send me an example of a broken one and i can just reverse engineer it

[johnnyjs1]

Cyclerob......do you have the part number?

[Boxer]

Can you make a part to replace whatever that is in your avatar? I don't know whether to be disgusted or amazed...yet I can't take my eyes off of it.

[johnnyjs1]

Maybe like an aluminum plate or something? If it bugs you that bad, I can remove it

[Boxer]

Au contrare! I find it intriguing...because I can't identify it.

Back to the subject. I think a good sturdy cargo rack for carrying camping gear without using the back seat would be a good thing to have. Something I could fairly easily install and remove would be an added plus.

[MikeCam]

Skid plate.

[mcollect]

I also would like a plate to store camping gear, or a top box but I would like it to replace the rear seat.

[johnnyjs1]

Au contrare! I find it intriguing...because I can't identify it.

Back to the subject. I think a good sturdy cargo rack for carrying camping gear without using the back seat would be a good thing to have. Something I could fairly easily install and remove would be an added plus.

You mean something to replace the stock rear luggage rack? Got an idea for the look or design of it? I'm pretty bored outta my mind during this crappy weather, so if you guys have some ideas brewing and can come up with a sketch, i'd be happy to make a prototype of your idea, get some feedback on it, then get rich off selling it

[johnnyjs1]

Ok.....gimme some input on this. Mind you, its rough as i drew it up in MSPaint, but you get the idea. What about something that replaces the rear seat, and adds waterproof storage behind you. I would try to make it fit the lines of the bike as well. I used a Rockster pic as it was handy on my computer. Maybe made out of aluminum or fiberglass or something light that could be painted to match your bike. Don't be too hard on me, but your honesty is much appreciated

[mcollect]

Now that is what I had in mind! just add a little in front so it would give some back support. Maybe add a rack to the top made of aluminum.

[johnnyjs1]

I like the idea too, but it might be a bit pricey . What would people be willing to pay for something like that. I know the Z-tech tailbag is like $125. Think peeps would pay a bit more for something like this?

[mcollect]

Look at the ugly Smuggler trunk at $799. So yes I think people would pay $150+ for this.

[riceburner]

If you're thinking in those lines - look at the DOKEN tail unit for the R11R/Rockster (see my post in this thread : http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.p ... ight=doken )

If you can make that up for a decent price I'd deffo be interested! (especially if you can make it a) fully downpour proof, and b) a clamshell opening for full accessibility to the contents).