I've recently added Touratech guards on the cylinder heads. The standard BMW ones are plastic and really don't do much except save the valve cover from scratches.
I don't intend to drop the bike but it is inevitable. It's bound to happen at some time and when it does happen I'd rather have these 4mm aluminium protectors in place. They come in a very fetching bright shiny finish and do look a little over the top.
As you can see (above) they are now black and not as visually prominent. I had them anodized black locally, as I have the BMW sump guard (just visible), the Touratech extended bash plate (fitted to the main stand), the guards on the Fog lamps and the Touratech extended rear carrier.
Now for the modification that will give you a laugh!
No not an ashtray!
An umbrella! No really. Stop laughing at the back!
I have to concede (like many of the original ideas for most of the modifications) the concept is not mine.
In this case credit goes to Ted Simon, author of Jupiters Travels and almost a deity in the eyes of many motorcycle travelers. If you haven't read the book, you really must, even if you are not into motorcycling! Jupiters Travels is an account of his journey around the world in the 1970's, it is much more than a travelogue and must have inspired many journeys, not just those undertaken on two wheels.
Back to the brolly. Apart from actually having it's normal use when outside in inclement weather, it can double as a sunshade. Fitting it to the bike in such a way that it can be carried easily and be used attached to the bike (whilst stationary of course) meant sourcing some bits and pieces.
The ubiquitous range of Ram products had everything I needed, even if they were not intended for this use!
A U-clamp with one inch Ram Ball is mounted on the right-hand crash-bar, a five inch Ram Arm then provides an adjustable connection to a one inch Ram Ball clamp on the brolly handle. Apart from the last item it matches the arrangement for mounting my camera on the other side of the bike so has the additional benefit of being transferable from one side of the bike to the other. This is particularly important for the camera mount as it allows me to mount the camera according to need.
The ferrule end of the brolly slides into a loop on the pannier frame and sits flush with the side of the bike. It is completely inconspicuous from the riders position.
The Ram mounting allows the brolly to be clamped in various positions once it's up so that means it can remain upright whether the bike is on the side prop or...
on the main stand.
On short roadside stops in sunny conditions it will provide some relief from the heat, either for the bike (downside of a black bike) or for the rider when there is no available shade.
When it's wet it can be pretty miserable waiting at ferry ports or again on short roadside halts while brewing up.
The brolly itself is a 'Masters' golf brolly. Not as large as most golf brollies but very light and has a venting system designed to prevent it catching the wind or getting turned inside out.
I hope Ted Simon would approve!

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