52 BMW 1983 R100RS Remove Seat and Seat Cowling

Starting in 1977 with the /7 series bikes, BMW changed the orientation of the seat hinge pins on the sub-frame so both the front and rear pins point to the rear. The earlier seats had the front pin pointing to the rear and the rear pin pointing to the front. The only way to remove the seat from the sub-frame was to remove the seat hinges.

The /7 series and later seats use a clip on the rear hinge pin to keep the seat from sliding to the rear and coming off the hinge pins. Frequently this clip goes missing, as is the case with this bike.

Front Hinge Pin

Front Hinge Pin

Rear Hinge Pin Has Groove For C-Clip Which is Missing

Rear Hinge Pin Has Groove For C-Clip Which is Missing

To remove the seat, slide it to the rear until it comes off the hinge pins.

Slide Seat Back Off Hinge Pins to Remove

Slide Seat Back Off Hinge Pins to Remove

Then pull it toward you closer to the rear fender and move the seat forward while partially closing it and then pull it upward until you get the front hinge to clear the sub-frame tube.

There is a wide spot where the sub-frame is farther from the fender. Move the seat forward a bit and use the same procedure to get the rear hinge past the sub-frame tube. If you are lucky and hold the seat at just the right orientation, it is possible to get both hinges to clear the sub-frame tube at the same time.

Seat Off the Hinge Pins and Over the Sub-frame Tube

Seat Off the Hinge Pins and Over the Sub-frame Tube

Seat Removed

Seat Removed

Remove Cowling From the Seat

The cowling is attached to the seat with a number of Phillips head screws with washers.

Seat Cowl Phillips Head Bolts

Seat Cowl Phillips Head Bolts

Phillips Head Bolts with Washer Secure Cowl to Seat Pan

Phillips Head Bolts with Washer Secure Cowl to Seat Pan

Two of these were pretty rusted, so I used Kroil to loosen them. I put a little around the head of the screw and waited 15 minutes. Then I could back out the screw a couple turns until it got hard to turn again. I tighten the screw a bit so it was loose and add a couple more drops of Kroil.  I repeated this procedure four times and the screws finally came out without completely wallowing out the slots in the Phillips heads.

Seat Cowl Removed from Seat Pan

Seat Cowl Removed from Seat Pan

Remove Grab Rail From Cowl

The grab rail attaches with four bolts. The two rear Phillips head bolts go in from the outside and are secured with a lock nut that’s under the foam pad glued to the rear cone section of the cowl.

Removing Seat Rail Rear Phillips Head Screw

Removing Seat Rail Rear Phillips Head Screw

Seat Rail Rear Bolt Has Lock Nut Hidden Under Foam Pad

Seat Rail Rear Bolt Has Lock Nut Hidden Under Foam Pad

The front bolts go in from the inside and screws into a threaded insert inside the front of the grab rail tube.

Removing Seat Rail Front 10 mm Bolt From Inside Cowl

Removing Seat Rail Front 10 mm Bolt From Inside Cowl

Rear Seat Rail Hardware Orientation

Rear Seat Rail Hardware Orientation

Front Seat Rail End Cap with Captive Nut

Front Seat Rail End Cap with Captive Square Nut

Front Seat Rail Grab Rail Tube End Cap with Square Nut

Front Seat Rail Grab Rail Tube End Cap with Square Nut

There are four special black plastic spacers with a curved cut out that matches the grab rail tube diameter between the grab rail and the cowl; two short ones for the front grab rail mounts and two longer ones for the rear grab rail mounts.

Front Seat Rail Mount Hardware with Black Plastic Spacer

Front Seat Rail Mount Hardware with Black Plastic Spacer

Rear Seat Rail Mount Hardware with Black Plastic Spacer

Rear Seat Rail Mount Hardware with Black Plastic Spacer

Remove Foam Pad From Cone Section of Cowl

Since I am painting the cowl, I remove the foam pad in the rear cone section. If you go slowly, you can remove it without tearing it.

Technique to Remove Cowl Foam From Cone Section

Technique to Remove Cowl Foam From Cone Section

Cowl Foam Removed From Cone

Cowl Foam Removed From Cone

But, I managed to tear a small piece at the edge. I use contact cement to glue it back to the pad.

Small Torn Piece of Cowl Foam

Small Torn Piece of Cowl Foam

Repairing Torn Piece of Cowl Foam with Contact Cement

Repairing Torn Piece of Cowl Foam with Contact Cement

Remove Front Rubber Bumpers From Cowl

There are some rubber bumpers in the front of the cowl. Again, since I am painting the cowl, I remove them. A small screw driver works well. I push the inside button of the bumper through the hole and then pry the bumper out of the hole from the other side.

Removing Front Rubber Bumper From Cowl

Removing Front Rubber Bumper From Cowl

Removing Front Rubber Bumper From Cowl

Removing Front Rubber Bumper From Cowl

Cowl Front Rubber Bumper

Cowl Front Rubber Bumper

I still need to remove the roundel and the emblem from the cowl and then it will be ready to send to the painter.

Seat Cowl Removed from Seat Pan

Seat Cowl Removed from Seat Pan

One thought on “52 BMW 1983 R100RS Remove Seat and Seat Cowling

  1. It’s a good idea to cover the right shock, top mounting bolt, with some duck-tape to protect the seat pan’s paint when sliding off the seat/seat pan.

    Trust me, I learned the hard/expensive way!

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