Page 1 of 3
custom swingarm caps?
Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 12:15 pm
by jjwithers
Does anybody know of a source that makes custom swingarm caps? I've seen them with a BMW logo on there but often wondered about adding something else there.
I guess you could always glue something into the cap...
Re: custom swingarm caps?
Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 2:32 pm
by r90s
You can make your own:
Jon-Lars
Beverly, WA
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f13/R90S/
Re: custom swingarm caps?
Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 2:35 pm
by jjwithers
Very cool! what did you make them out of?
my machining tools are very very limited.
Re: custom swingarm caps?
Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 2:38 pm
by r90s
My skills are limited, too.
Dick Casey made these for my R80G/S project. He turned them from billet, added an o-ring groove to lock them in place, and installed the emblem.
Maybe he would make some for you, if he has time.

Re: custom swingarm caps?
Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 6:07 pm
by SteveD
There was a guy from here in Melbourne, Oz, that had made a BMW hub cap cover for the 1150 models. He sold them online and made enough money over a few years to buy a brand new R1150rt (from memory)
I doubt the demand would be there for the swingarm cover, and the flash ones shown above might be spendy to make too?
Never know, they might fund a future project?
Re: custom swingarm caps?
Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 10:18 pm
by jjwithers
who's Dick Casey?
I'm thinking a C&C machine might be able to make these... or something similar.
also, on a separate note, would the threads of a /2 chrome swingarm cap fit on the swingarm pivot bolt? i am guessing it isn't an adequate substitute for the 27mm nut though... or is it?
Re: custom swingarm caps?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 6:18 am
by Roy Gavin
You could probably modify the end caps from a pair of 1" cruiser grips to fit the existing caps - a skull and crossbones would look nice ---.
Re: custom swingarm caps?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 3:57 pm
by beemersanducs
Just to let you know my machinist and I are designing a set that will look very similar to the ones pictured, I will let everyone know when there done. If someone is interested in a set let me know.
Re: custom swingarm caps?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 4:35 pm
by Deleted User 287
Roy Gavin wrote:You could probably modify the end caps from a pair of 1" cruiser grips to fit the existing caps - a skull and crossbones would look nice ---.
+1
Re: custom swingarm caps?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 6:42 pm
by vanzen
jjwithers wrote:who's Dick Casey?
A very well respected BMW builder – and an accomplished machinist.
jjwithers wrote:I'm thinking a C&C machine might be able to make these... or something similar.
"CNC" (Computer Numerical Control) is used to describe any machine tool
that is controlled by computer software.
The primary advantage of CNC vs a skilled machinist will be per/unit cost in mass production.
Someone with the skills of Dick Casey can certainly do without such modern amenities.
Essentially, what is needed to fabricate such a swing-arm decoration
is a lathe - and then the experience / skill to use it !
The nut, however, is not a decoration, and provides a specified torque for the S-A, pins, & bearings ...
I'd suggest not removing it ...