Ignition Cover Replacement

[gocytocis]

Thanks for the help folks! Total job took ~15 min. I could access the front 2 tabs on the chrome piece without removing the ignition plate below. This allowed me to simply unhinge the assembly from the top & remove it. The original spring & remains of the original black plastic slide cover were still inside. The pin that the spring loops around is fastened (riveted or screwed from below) to the headlight shell. Here's what it looked like:

Here's the replacement cover & spring I got from Hucky. I understand that the original covers were made of a more brittle type of plastic prone to snapping off. The new one appears to have some flex in it.

And here it's all reassembled. Even though the new cover has more flex to it, I'm still not confident I won't break it back off eventually with normal use. It seems like it's just begging to be broken with a gloved-hand as the key is being grasped & pulled up on to turn the bike off.
On an editorial note, when BMW engineers something well, they do an amazing job. But when they decide to design a component that's needlessly complicated, mechanically awkward, & flimsy, they are/were clearly skilled at that too!

[Texer]

I like to slide the cover and then push/pull the key pin. Seems less can go south that way.

[Duane Ausherman]

Texer, yes, that is the way. I like to put one drop of oil in the hole once a year. I also wiggle the key into place gently while holding it straight. Back in the day so many just banged the key into place. That quickly wears out the indexing slot.

Most of the money that I took to the bank was due to owner error.

[gocytocis]

I like to put one drop of oil in the hole once a year. I also wiggle the key into place gently while holding it straight....

Done & done.

I like to slide the cover and then push/pull the key pin.

Thanks for the tip; this is what I'll endeavour to do. I'm just picturing too many real-world situations where it's not going to be possible, practical, or safe to use both hands to operate the ignition. I'll be surprised if I don't have that cover broken again within a year...

[Major Softie]

Yeah, I always used two hands, and my 40+ year-old original plastic cover was still working fine when I sold the bike

[Rob]

Yeah, I always used two hands

I had a R60US for a while. I couldn't imagine doing it any other way.