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Need a pair of Battery covers, '78 R100
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 8:07 pm
by Jean
So I went to ride last night and someplace in the dark, the rubber-band broke and BOTH the battery covers bailed-out (off).
I cruised the same roads today and didn't find them. I am heartbroken. [NOW you know what really gets to me!!]
Does anyone have some lying around they'd like to unload for a REASONABLE price? New ones are $49 US each. I'll get them if I have to but just thought one of my forum buddies might have something like this in the big box under the workbench.
I don't care what color they are, they just need to be usable. The catalog lists the same number for ALL 1974 - 1984 "R" bikes, probably excluding the R65 series, but I don't know that for sure.
I'm going to a rally this weekend (Aug 9-11) and just might find some there but otherwise I'd like to hear from anyone in the US who has some to sell.
Re: Need a pair of Battery covers, '78 R100
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 8:16 pm
by Ray from Indiana
Sorry, don't have any to spare. But
I wonder what the best fix is to prevent this kind of thing from happening again.
- Use 2 of those elastic bands?
- Cinch 'em with steel fishing leader?
- Use a black polyethylene strap from cover to cover and sheet metal screws or Dzus fasteners to attach the strap to the covers?
Hmmmm
Ray
Re: Need a pair of Battery covers, '78 R100
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 8:20 pm
by dwerbil
I used a couple of zip ties for many years. Then no longer with the auxiliary fuel tanks in place of them.
Re: Need a pair of Battery covers, '78 R100
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 8:46 pm
by Jean
dwerbil, what did you do with the covers when you got the aux fuel tanks?
Re: Need a pair of Battery covers, '78 R100
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 8:49 pm
by dwerbil
Jean wrote:dwerbil, what did you do with the covers when you got the aux fuel tanks?
I'm saving them.
Jean, drop a email to Mikey at Martindale Cycle Works here in Texas. I'm sure he'll have a used
set he can ship out to you.
Re: Need a pair of Battery covers, '78 R100
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 9:01 pm
by ME 109
Bummer Jean!
When you get some new ones, use a small plastic zip tie/cable tie on the rear edge of the cover and around the sub frame tube.
'Course you need to drill an 1/8" hole for the tie. Have a look with a cover in place, and you'll see just where to drill.

Re: Need a pair of Battery covers, '78 R100
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 10:20 pm
by Kurt in S.A.
I've read about gluing a plastic tie-down on the inside of the cover at the appropriate spot. They sell little plastic squares that have a couple of holes for such a thing.
I've been using a small diameter piece of nylon string/rope for years...even threw a tautline knot on it (from Boy Scouts) so I could loosen and tighten as needed. The left side is captive due to the lift handle. I also put a zip tie around the hook on the right side as a back up.
Funny, just a few weeks ago, I was out riding and had to stop. As I got off, I noticed the left side was flopping around. Pulled the seat and tool tray and found that I hadn't tightened the rope enough or it had slipped off the inside cover hook. The right side was firmly held in place due to the zip tie.
Kurt in S.A.
Re: Need a pair of Battery covers, '78 R100
Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 1:44 am
by Major Softie
I know it totally sucks to have to replace both, but $49 is really not bad at all compared to every other vehicle from the period (except, perhaps, HD). Almost everyone else is NLA and very pricey for beat up used ones.
Re: Need a pair of Battery covers, '78 R100
Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 4:03 am
by chasbmw
ME 109 wrote:Bummer Jean!
When you get some new ones, use a small plastic zip tie/cable tie on the rear edge of the cover and around the sub frame tube.
'Course you need to drill an 1/8" hole for the tie. Have a look with a cover in place, and you'll see just where to drill.

+1.
Re: Need a pair of Battery covers, '78 R100
Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 4:09 am
by ME 109
Major Softie wrote:I know it totally sucks to have to replace both, but $49 is really not bad at all compared to every other vehicle from the period (except, perhaps, HD). Almost everyone else is NLA and very pricey for beat up used ones.
I was lucky enough to buy two pairs for my RS
Top condition, correct paint, correct decal
50 and 60 bucks, thereabouts.
Thanks German eBay.