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Installing new engine housing cover

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Manhattan Matte

Manhattan Matte

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 25, 2024
Messages
196
Location
Fayetteville, TX
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Bike
R18, R9T
I'm working on installing a new, BMW billet two-tone engine housing cover on my 2023 Pure, which is turning out to be quite a DIY job. The engine housing cover I've ordered was deeply discounted from BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids (MI) for $315 USD - down from $1,179, so I couldn't resist. The OEM aluminum cover was getting badly pitted from the elements. With information gleaned from the forum, I found the BMW instructions for installation. First off, some kind of lift is needed - I have a Kern-Stabi which does the job. Removal of engine guard bars, foot controls, horn, oil cooler frame, right and left lower frame trusses are required. If you're doing this job yourself, make sure you have good tools, torque wrenches, and strong torx bits. BMW uses an excessive kind of thread locker which makes bolts and screws difficult to remove. I'm looking forward to the new look. I'll have the aluminum cylinder covers and air box sleeve covers powder-coated to match the Akra exhaust. Will add photos when the job is completed. :)

IMG_1496.jpg IMG_1494.jpg
 
The front cover sure is a lot different install experience than the cylinder covers--those take less than 2 min, ha! I took my time and had a couple beers so the front cover took me about 4 hours (mine is a TC, so had a few extra parts to remove as well)
 
Hello Larry77, Yes - that was a heck of a job. When looking at the engine cover, you first see 3 torx screws and think it will be an easy, quick job. And, then you see there’s no way to remove the screws and engine cover without removing the engine trusses, etc. first. It must have been even more difficult on a TC. I’m always jumping into things without realizing the complications. Dropped my aluminum valve covers and intake covers off at a local powder coater today to be coated with a satin black to match the Akrapovic mufflers.
 
Engine parts back from the powder coater this morning. Valve covers, intake covers, and old engine cover were powder coated a satin black to match my Akrapovic mufflers. The new BMW billet engine breast plate I ordered is supposed to arrive today, too. Can't wait to get my R18 back together again. Will post a photo when done.

Engine Covers.jpg
 
Manhattan Matte said:
Engine parts back from the powder coater this morning. Valve covers, intake covers, and old engine cover were powder coated a satin black to match my Akrapovic mufflers. The new BMW billet engine breast plate I ordered is supposed to arrive today, too. Can't wait to get my R18 back together again. Will post a photo when done.

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What are you doing with the old front engine cover?
 
Joflo, keeping the old cover to add to my spare parts collection if ever needed. The old cover was pitted from road grime, but the powder coaters sanded and buffed it out before powder coating, and now it looks brand new. :)
 
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Manhattan Matte said:
Joflo, keeping the old cover to add to my spare parts collection if ever needed. The old cover was pitted from road grim, but the powder coaters sanded and buffed it out before powder coating, and now it looks brand new. :)
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very nice, I want to install them on mine, but not sure if I should go all black or the machined finish, and weather to do the full-face plate or the strip that goes down the middle. I know it's all about the details but $315 for the blacked-out one may not stand out enough to justify the purchase. The strip that goes up the middle is $86 right now, may be what I end up with.
 
Joflo, For me, these engine covers have a good minimal sculptural design to them, even without adding another layer of trim or BMW/Roland Sands logos. They look good to me whether they're all black, chrome, aluminum, or whatever. I'm not a big fan of chrome on my bikes, so I went with the two-tone engine cover thinking it would balance out the few shiney parts with the blacked out engine. It's a personal preference for sure. Still waiting for UPS for delivery of the engine cover.
 
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Manhattan Matte said:
Engine parts back from the powder coater this morning. Valve covers, intake covers, and old engine cover were powder coated a satin black to match my Akrapovic mufflers. The new BMW billet engine breast plate I ordered is supposed to arrive today, too. Can't wait to get my R18 back together again. Will post a photo when done.

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Matte, any idea if the front cover must be remkved from the bike to install the RSD 'strip'? And if you don't mind, what was the approximate $$ for the powder coat job? Thanks
 
Don't know about installing the Roland Sands strip. Don't know how it attaches to the engine cover. Maybe there's some useful info on the forum or search for BMW Motorad installation instructions. Powder coating was a little over $100 - great job by a local company. New Era Coatings in Brenham, TX.
 
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Manhattan Matte said:
Joflo, keeping the old cover to add to my spare parts collection if ever needed. The old cover was pitted from road grime, but the powder coaters sanded and buffed it out before powder coating, and now it looks brand new. :)
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I saw a black fender extender on eBay the other day. Would this stop the pitting to the engine cover?
 
Cu Dubh said:
Matte, any idea if the front cover must be remkved from the bike to install the RSD 'strip'? And if you don't mind, what was the approximate $$ for the powder coat job? Thanks
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The cover does not need to be removed to fit the RSD strip, just completed this job myself as they had dropped in price so much.
 
Joflo said:
Man, that is just a beauty to look at. May have to bite the bullet before they sell out.
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They are now out of stock in the UK, according to the website, so if you want it go for it. I lost out, as I hesitated, on the V&H pipes as BMW offloaded the remaining available stock. I must say that I was impressed even with the centre trim peace as it was way more substantial than I thought it was going to be.
 
Cu Dubh said:
Matte, any idea if the front cover must be remkved from the bike to install the RSD 'strip'? And if you don't mind, what was the approximate $$ for the powder coat job? Thanks
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No need to remove front engine cover. Drop oil cooler to get RS strip into place ( access lower screw ).
 
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Manhattan Matte said:
This beauty just arrived - a little later than expected this evening. This engine cover is really substantial compared to the original. Will install tomorrow and post photos.

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This is one project that I’m looking forward to seeing done. I had my first service and upper fork covers done today…. It’s the changes that make each motorcycle our own personal machine, so I applaud your work.
 
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