Nostalgiajohn
Member
I am looking at installing a front crash bar to my R18 First Edition. Could someone talk me throght the procedure and what is involved, any issues etc?
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Crash Bar Installation
- Discussion starter Nostalgiajohn
- Start date
Easy peasy. I bought the BMW ones and the hardware comes with it, we are talking about 4 bolts here. If memory serves me right, I installed the right one first but left it a bit loose. The bolt hole at the bottom of the bar will coincide with a whole in the is already threaded for you at the bottom of the frame.
The top bolt at the centre of the frame comes out and you attach the top part of the right bar, there is a lip with a whole drilled and you just put the bolt back but leave it a bit loose to have some play. Then proceed to attached the left bar and the top part will slide inside the right bar and you have the last bolt to marry both bars. Once you are happy, then proceed to tighten the bolts. I believe the are torx bolts.
For some reason I had to loosen the steering damper in order to attach the top bolt but I didn’t have to remove it completely, just loosen it a bit in order to have room to put in the top bolt attached to the frame. All in all, it took me 20 minutes max, if that.
The top bolt at the centre of the frame comes out and you attach the top part of the right bar, there is a lip with a whole drilled and you just put the bolt back but leave it a bit loose to have some play. Then proceed to attached the left bar and the top part will slide inside the right bar and you have the last bolt to marry both bars. Once you are happy, then proceed to tighten the bolts. I believe the are torx bolts.
For some reason I had to loosen the steering damper in order to attach the top bolt but I didn’t have to remove it completely, just loosen it a bit in order to have room to put in the top bolt attached to the frame. All in all, it took me 20 minutes max, if that.
Anibal is right. On a scale of 1 to 10 in difficulty, this job is a 1. Don't tighten any bolts until the parts are in position. Then start to snug.
Yup, only 4 bolts installation. Easy as pie. 
Star-Lord
Well-known member
Not sure if you're interested; I will be removing and selling the Engine Protection Bar on the First Edition that I recently purchased:
See pictures of bike that Larry posted in the forum; if interested, shoot me a PM - Scott
Thread '2021 BMW R18 First Edition For Sale' https://www.r18forums.com/threads/2021-bmw-r18-first-edition-for-sale.3378/
Star-Lord
Well-known member
I haven't had a chance to ride the R18; however, I only recently picked it up as a custom Bobber project - which I'll probably fall in love with it once completed...
I would say that I prefer the R18 B due to all of the comfort features when riding over long distances (Wind Protection Management, Navigation, Hard Cases, Sound System, Heated Handgrips & Seat ).
This past weekend was the first time that I logged over 1,000 miles to an out of state destination with the Model B; I only wish the side cases were slightly larger...
