Reservoir Replacement

[mikha1]

Hello everyone, I am just wondering if anyone with and R18b or TC has modified their handle bar set-up and replaced their brake and clutch reservoirs with a smaller more streamlined option? I have heard that the Berringer/FCR might be an option. If so let me know.

 

[Star-Lord]

Are you looking for a different look or is this proposed change a performance enhancement..?

I added the machined RSD Reservoir Covers and the matching RSD levers & mirrors to my Bagger to compliment the black & chrome on the First Edition; the stock reservoirs, never bothered me esthetic or aesthetic wise.. (spelling)..

 

[mikha1]

Are you looking for a different look or is this proposed change a performance enhancement..?

I added the machined RSD Reservoir Covers and the matching RSD levers & mirrors to my Bagger to compliment the black & chrome on the First Edition; the stock reservoirs, never bothered me esthetic or aesthetic wise.. (spelling)..

Hey Star Lord,

I was never a fan of the hand position on the original handlebars. I tried going through BMW to get the bagger bars up here in Canada, but no luck apparently discontinued and no available stock. So I went to a custom shop, and they modified a set of aftermarket bars to create the hand position I was looking for.
For the most part they did a good job, I am really happy with the hand position now, however, they didn't take into account the size and shape of the stock reservoirs. If you take a look at the reservoirs, there is a small protrusion or extension at the bottom inside corner, I believe it is meant to provide protection for where the brake and clutch lines insert into the reservoir. Anyway because of the angle of the new handlebars, that protrusion prevents the reservoirs from rotating down into the correct position which raises the position of the clutch and brake lever as well as changes the position of the mirrors.
It's not unbearable and the bike is still very rideable, but I was hoping a slimmer or smaller reservoir set up would improve the set up.

I have a set of the Roland Sands machined mirrors, but I can't use them because of the current position of the reservoirs. They are tilted so far back towards me that the mirrors are basically pointing at the ground.

I will be at home in a few days( I am up at work in the oil patch) I can take a picture or two to show what I am talking about.
Mike.

 

[Star-Lord]

Maybe try reaching out to the BMW shop in Grand Rapids; they had access to a shit ton of R18 accessories, which they are currently selling at a highly discounted price.

The person I spoke with on the phone, also has a R18 B and is super familiar with all of the accessories; probably worth a phone call or email to see if they have the Mini Ape Bars for you: [email protected]

Also, I've seen a bunch of forum members switch to, and rave about the Helibars... They seem like a straight forward 1:1 replacement for the R18 B & TC, with only needing the longer clutch and brake hydraulic lines..

Me personally, I was able to rotate my stock bars slightly forward to get to the desired ergonomics.. U-Turns on a single lane road is a LOT easier or should I say, completed more confidentiality...

 

[mikha1]

Hey Star Lord,

I looked at the Heli-bars. The issue for me wasn't only hand position but how extended my arms were in the regular riding position. I am only 5'5", and with the stock bars my arms were fully extended.
Based on feedback I got from other folks who went with the Heli-bars, the consensus was that it was an improved hand position, but most actually stayed that it moved their hands further away, instead of bringing them closer to the body.
That's why I wanted to go the route of an ape hanger.
As I said that issue has been resolved with the new custom bars which were a "Frankenstein" custom job involving aftermarket ape hangers and the bar ends from my stock BMW handlebars. I also swapped my seat to the TC seat which also moves me a little closer to the handlebars.
If I can fix my issue with the reservoirs I'll be pretty happy with the set-up.

As for ordering parts from the US, they will not ship parts to Canada, I tried that already. Must be some sort of agreement between Motorrad Can and Motorrad US.

 

[LBV]

Why don't you get 1 of the BMW seats made by Mustang that moves you closer?

I'm 5'7" and it did the trick for me on my Classic.

If you're in the GTA let me know if you wanna see the difference to get an idea.

 

[mikha1]

Hi LBV,

The TC seat has made a huge difference. Being closer isn't the issue any more, I am trying to figure out a way to either replace the reservoirs or rotate them more forward so that they sit lower on the bars as they were intended to, and as a result will move the mirrors down and out.

Whereabouts in the GTA are you? My wife and I moved out to Alberta from Mississauga 5 years ago.

 

[LBV]

Not far ... in NE Brampton. I should show you the nice roads north of us.

 

[CajunRider]

The reservoir just holds spare fluid to account for wear on the pads (brake and clutch). A smaller reservoir would just mean you'd have to check the level more often, so no issue there.

The REAL question is whether the master cylinders have the same specs as the factory lever set. This will directly effect the force & distance required to activate the clutch/brake effectively.

 

[mikha1]

Not far ... in NE Brampton. I should show you the nice roads north of us.

LBV, know the area well, have done many rides up through Caledon, Fergus, Shelburne all the way up to Tobermory.
One of the few things I miss about Ontario. Alberta has a lot of very straight roads, but I do try and make my way out to visit friends in BC which has exceptional roads for riding!!

 

[mikha1]

The reservoir just holds spare fluid to account for wear on the pads (brake and clutch). A smaller reservoir would just mean you'd have to check the level more often, so no issue there.

The REAL question is whether the master cylinders have the same specs as the factory lever set. This will directly effect the force & distance required to activate the clutch/brake effectively.

Hey CajunRider,

Apparently the Berringer units I mentioned in my original post do have a master cylinder that meets the original specs. But I am finding conflicting info on whether or not the will fit on the R18B. It sounds like they may only work on the Classic and First Editions.

 

[LBV]

LBV, know the area well, have done many rides up through Caledon, Fergus, Shelburne all the way up to Tobermory.
One of the few things I miss about Ontario. Alberta has a lot of very straight roads, but I do try and make my way out to visit friends in BC which has exceptional roads for riding!!

Ahh, I misread your post as you moved to Ontario, not the other way around ... okay, enjoy Alberta life!

 

[Ulrich]

IMO ... the controls you posted in an early post will work just fine hydraulically ... but what are you going to do with the electrics? ... some of the aftermarket controls have separate switch blocks (like the PM one's on my Shovel) ... are you thinking of something like that? or are you going to use OEM ... then the switch housing will be quite big in comparison to the smaller controls ... just thinking out loud here ...