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Nearly Finished Mods

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BassyBoy

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Joined
Sep 19, 2025
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Surrey UK
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BMW R18
Hi All

Always wanted to try and modify a bike, so please take a look at my attempt on the R18.
Took all winter , lots of changes some small, some large. Now trying to work out how to remove the front engine cover to change the badge!!
 

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✔️. Do you want to change the front engine cover or the blue bmw badge ? If just badge remove screw and use fishing line or plastic tool to pry off.
 
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kate_brett said:
✔️. Do you want to change the front engine cover or the blue bmw badge ? If just badge remove screw and use fishing line or plastic tool to pry off.
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Hi Kate, my badge has bolts !!! I have tried everything, only option is to remove the cover according to BMW dealer, it look like a huge job just to change a badge!
 
Each badge has 2 Torx screws ( can’t remember if T10 or T15 ). You don’t have to remove engine cover. Perhaps spray some penetrating fluid . I’ve changed front engine cover and it takes 2-3 hours ( see Ulrich’s video on this site for removal - recommended). Photos of each side of engine cover. Use more pressure - impact driver in reverse ? If you stuff it up, then take off engine cover and drill out from rear ? Good luck.
 

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As I was told by someone on this forum, the secret is keep the pressure on whilst undoing SLOWLY.
Worked for me.
 
Taking the cover off is a big job. You'll have to undo the side frame rails going from the bottom frame to the top. Probably both sides. You'll have to loosen all mounting bolts on the bottom of the rails so that you can pull them outwards to give clearance to get to the outer screws of the cover.
 
Hopefully the riv-nuts hold and don't start spinning when trying to backout the screws..

If the riv-nut is spinning, you can try applying pressure to the screw while backing it out.
 
BassyBoy said:
Hi, the screws turn, now like they are loose as if a nut has come free, just turns ! Tried using heat gun and thread. It’s like it has a nut and bolt and now the bolts are loose behind ?
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That is a @#½@
When the rivnut is loose, that is it really. In your case it is not a functional issue do ask yourself how much hassle it is worth,

There is a véry small chance you can sort it. With the screws properly heated, the locking fluid should be powder. As such the screws should loosen easier.
Now what you can try is tíghten the screws a lót in the hope the rivnut will tighten up. If it grips, the screw might unscrew.
 
Petrus said:
That is a @#½@
When the rivnut is loose, that is it. In your case it is not a functional issue do ask yourself how much hassle it is worth,
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It’s a real s@£t , but it’s all in the detail, might have a go at applying pressure, not sure about if it comes and I find they spin? Suppose I could apply a little metal adhesive. It sounds horrific just to change the colour of a badge, but as it took 9 months to find one , I should really attempt it !!!
 
BassyBoy said:
It’s a real s@£t , but it’s all in the detail, might have a go at applying pressure, not sure about if it comes and I find they spin? Suppose I could apply a little metal adhesive. It sounds horrific just to change the colour of a badge, but as it took 9 months to find one , I should really attempt it !!!
Click to expand...
There is another bodge you could contemplate: Drill the heads of the screws. Lift the badge off.
Cut the heads off of replacement screws. Stick the new badge on, glue the screws head in.
 
Petrus said:
só many times that I thought; 'right, that's it' and it never ever is.
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I actually declared it on my last motorcycle I owned…. Then proceeded to spend another $2k on it before buying the ‘never to be finished’ R18. My mate said to me that it’s obviously my hobby and I should continue to enjoy doing it.
(I might know someone with a sidecar who has the same hobby🤔😉).
Stay bR18t.
 
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