OEM BMW engine guard question

richenry · 07-14-2009, 10:09 AM

I recently purchased a set of OEM BMW engine guards for my 2000 R1150GS and I'm getting conflicting info about maintenance with them installed.

A buddy of mine swears that an oil change can be performed with them installed. But I did a search and some on this site think they need to be removed to perform an oil change. If this is true then WTF were the BMW engineers thinking?

Thanks.

rtortore · 07-14-2009, 10:39 AM

Well, an oil change CAN be done with them installed (at least my 2000 1150GS has a access hole in the bashplate for the oil drain). However I need to remove them to remove the bottom bashplate to access the oil filter. This requires me removing the engine guard bars, and thus remove the gas tank!

I hope someone out there has more information that would allow me to get around this horrid setup?! But I doubt it, so I'll continue removing the tank.

Cheers

Richard

JRP · 07-14-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richenry

I recently purchased a set of OEM BMW engine guards for my 2000 R1150GS and I'm getting conflicting info about maintenance with them installed.

A buddy of mine swears that an oil change can be performed with them installed. But I did a search and some on this site think they need to be removed to perform an oil change. If this is true then WTF were the BMW engineers thinking?

Thanks.

The bars for the Adventure model have the uppers and lowers as separate pieces and come apart with set screws. You just need to remove the skid plate and 4 set screws. If you have a skid plate those are the ones you should have ordered.

rtortore · 07-14-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRP

The bars for the Adventure model have the uppers and lowers as separate pieces and come apart with set screws. You just need to remove the skid plate and 4 set screws. If you have a skid plate those are the ones you should have ordered.

I beleive the OP doesn't have the adventure model, just the stock GS - I'm in the same boat

lousy Bavarian setup .. argh ...

JRP · 07-14-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtortore

I beleive the OP doesn't have the adventure model, just the stock GS - I'm in the same boat

lousy Bavarian setup .. argh ...

I'm sure that's true. There is no skid plate in the 1150 GS parts list, only the optional crash bars. The oil and filter can certainly be changed with that set up. If a skid plate is added then the Adventure bars should be used. I'm sure you could have a sleeve fabricated and cut the bars to act about the same way as the Adventure set. Touratech also makes the two piece bars which are the ones I have.

richenry · 07-14-2009, 11:59 AM

Actually my 2000 GS does have a skid plate and looking at photos of my crash bars installed they will certainly get in the way of changing the oil. I may drill a hole in the skid plate to access the drain plug and maybe even a larger hole for the filter.

Who knows?

On the other hand, anybody want to buy a used set of OEM engine guards?

AE-22 · 07-14-2009, 12:06 PM

My advice would be to return or sell them. Get a set of SW-Motech bars. They have a small cross-piece underneath that has to be removed in order to get the skid plate and what not - it's pretty simple.

rtortore · 07-14-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richenry

Actually my 2000 GS does have a skid plate and looking at photos of my crash bars installed they will certainly get in the way of changing the oil. I may drill a hole in the skid plate to access the drain plug and maybe even a larger hole for the filter.

Same here - factory skid plate and crash bars.

R

Steptoe · 07-14-2009, 04:52 PM

Only the early BMW standard GS crash bars were one piece -the later type have the same set up as ADV bars and you can detach the lowers.

rtortore · 07-15-2009, 07:34 AM

So, what does everyone else do?? REmove the tank each and every oil filter change?

Richard

richenry · 07-15-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtortore

So, what does everyone else do?? REmove the tank each and every oil filter change?

Richard

That's a ridiculous amount of work for a 20 minute oil change. I am seriously thinking about machining 2 holes in the skid plate. One for the filter and one for the drain plug. Either that or selling them.

rtortore · 10-09-2009, 12:34 PM

Anyone else have any solutions to this little problem?
R

lawnmowwer · 10-10-2009, 07:37 AM

Holy crap dude!!!

Glade I hit this thread I was looking at crash bars not 5 min. ago. I will have to take notes on this one.

Any more suggestions one a good set for an 08 1200 GS.

I will sit back and watch to see what happens around this one.

Kev1 · 10-10-2009, 09:40 AM

Two words. Hepco and Becker

rtortore · 10-14-2009, 09:36 AM

Bump?

I am thinking of drilling out a whole - then bolting a plate over it to cover. I know there won't be that much strength, and the bolts will likely seize, but I cannot keep removing the tank for an oil change!!

R

07-14-2009, 10:09 AM	#1
richenry ^OP Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Location: San Diego Oddometer: 88	OEM BMW engine guard question I recently purchased a set of OEM BMW engine guards for my 2000 R1150GS and I'm getting conflicting info about maintenance with them installed. A buddy of mine swears that an oil change can be performed with them installed. But I did a search and some on this site think they need to be removed to perform an oil change. If this is true then WTF were the BMW engineers thinking? Thanks.

07-14-2009, 10:39 AM	#2
rtortore '00 R1150GS Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Oddometer: 463	Well, an oil change CAN be done with them installed (at least my 2000 1150GS has a access hole in the bashplate for the oil drain). However I need to remove them to remove the bottom bashplate to access the oil filter. This requires me removing the engine guard bars, and thus remove the gas tank! I hope someone out there has more information that would allow me to get around this horrid setup?! But I doubt it, so I'll continue removing the tank. Cheers Richard __________________ "From the point of ignition To the final drive The point of the journey is not to arrive Anything can happen."

07-14-2009, 12:06 PM	#7
AE-22 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2008 Oddometer: 178	My advice would be to return or sell them. Get a set of SW-Motech bars. They have a small cross-piece underneath that has to be removed in order to get the skid plate and what not - it's pretty simple. AE-22 screwed with this post 07-14-2009 at 12:12 PM

07-14-2009, 04:52 PM	#9
Steptoe steptoe Joined: Feb 2004 Location: london, England Oddometer: 2,150	Only the early BMW standard GS crash bars were one piece -the later type have the same set up as ADV bars and you can detach the lowers. __________________ www.gsshop.co.uk

07-15-2009, 07:34 AM	#10
rtortore '00 R1150GS Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Oddometer: 463	Bump ... So, what does everyone else do?? REmove the tank each and every oil filter change? Richard __________________ "From the point of ignition To the final drive The point of the journey is not to arrive Anything can happen."

07-14-2009, 11:59 AM	#6
richenry ^OP Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Location: San Diego Oddometer: 88	Actually my 2000 GS does have a skid plate and looking at photos of my crash bars installed they will certainly get in the way of changing the oil. I may drill a hole in the skid plate to access the drain plug and maybe even a larger hole for the filter. Who knows? On the other hand, anybody want to buy a used set of OEM engine guards?

10-09-2009, 12:34 PM	#12
rtortore '00 R1150GS Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Oddometer: 463	Anyone else have any solutions to this little problem? R __________________ "From the point of ignition To the final drive The point of the journey is not to arrive Anything can happen."

10-10-2009, 07:37 AM	#13
lawnmowwer Watch this! Joined: Sep 2009 Location: Mooooody, AL Oddometer: 314	Holy crap dude!!! Glade I hit this thread I was looking at crash bars not 5 min. ago. I will have to take notes on this one. Any more suggestions one a good set for an 08 1200 GS. I will sit back and watch to see what happens around this one.

10-10-2009, 09:40 AM	#14
Kev1 Live Life Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Perth, Western Australia Oddometer: 25	Two words. Hepco and Becker

10-14-2009, 09:36 AM	#15
rtortore '00 R1150GS Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Oddometer: 463	Bump? I am thinking of drilling out a whole - then bolting a plate over it to cover. I know there won't be that much strength, and the bolts will likely seize, but I cannot keep removing the tank for an oil change!! R __________________ "From the point of ignition To the final drive The point of the journey is not to arrive Anything can happen."

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