Re: Ignition Cover Replacement
Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2015 3:26 pm
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!
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!