Bike seat removal (lock separated)
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Ouch. The seat latch is cable actuated. There should be a way to get to it from the tail light or from above the tire, but I can only imagine. Even with the seat off, the seat latch mechanism is a bitch to get at.
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I had a look at my bike this afternoon to see if it's possible to release the seat from underneath. There is a slot in the top of the mudguard (fender) just ahead of the lock mechanism which is accessible in the space above the tyre, but will not be easy. First, you need a preformed tool (think - curved section of flat metal) and be practised in how/where it needs to be pushed and wiggled.
Also, I couldn't see under the seat of any way through if you removed the rear lamp, but any opening would be more obvious once the lamp was removed so might be the best start.
Maybe asking in the ST section will get an answer from someone who knows how - or your dealer ?
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Ian
Also, I couldn't see under the seat of any way through if you removed the rear lamp, but any opening would be more obvious once the lamp was removed so might be the best start.
Maybe asking in the ST section will get an answer from someone who knows how - or your dealer ?
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Ian
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you might look at the parts fiche and get some ideas as to how to proceed. Or, call your dealer.
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On a couple of occasions, my seat has been reluctant to pop loose when I turn the key. I have pressed down hard on the seat while jiggling the key and it has opened. I don't know the symptoms in your case, and this may not be of any use.
I took my seat off just now to see if I could locate any way of getting access to the latch from the side or below. There are some openings but they are not at all lined up with the lock. The only way I could see would involve drilling a small hole in the black plastic just below where the luggage rack attaches, and then inserting a long, very slim screwdriver (longer and slimmer than the one in the picture) through the hole to get leverage on the locking mechanism in order to pry it open. It's drastic and would involve some blind fiddling, but with enough patience it could work. Then you would have to patch the hole in the bodywork.
I took my seat off just now to see if I could locate any way of getting access to the latch from the side or below. There are some openings but they are not at all lined up with the lock. The only way I could see would involve drilling a small hole in the black plastic just below where the luggage rack attaches, and then inserting a long, very slim screwdriver (longer and slimmer than the one in the picture) through the hole to get leverage on the locking mechanism in order to pry it open. It's drastic and would involve some blind fiddling, but with enough patience it could work. Then you would have to patch the hole in the bodywork.
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Not that I'm not up for a good challenge but isn't it under warranty ? Let the dealer mess with it. Let them pay for replacement parts that are damaged in process.
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There you go! That's the way to approach it. We have three year warranties in the States, but what about Australia? Or is it Austria?
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Well OK then...
I see two options.
1. Remove the turn signal, stalk and all, nearest the lock and with orthoscopic precision try and either push/pull the barrel or grab the cable.
2. The indent where the seat latch catches is exactly 1.75 inches dead center from the end of the seat and is not shielded from above. Poke a screwdriver through the vinyl and foam and try to actuat the hook from above. Vinyl seat repair from that point.
I see two options.
1. Remove the turn signal, stalk and all, nearest the lock and with orthoscopic precision try and either push/pull the barrel or grab the cable.
2. The indent where the seat latch catches is exactly 1.75 inches dead center from the end of the seat and is not shielded from above. Poke a screwdriver through the vinyl and foam and try to actuat the hook from above. Vinyl seat repair from that point.
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Here is another option that might work: It *may* be possible to remove the luggage rack with the seat in place. I haven't tested this, but on my bike, it *looks like* the bolts that secure the rack have captive nuts, in which case you should be able to back them out with a Torx bit without having a wrench on the nut. If that is the case, once you get the rack off, there should be a large opening on each side of the bike, just where the colored bodywork meets the black plastic bodywork. Through that opening, you should then be able to pop the seat loose by pressing the latch backwards.
If this works, it beats the hell out of more violent methods!
EDIT: After a little more probing, I think this is worth a try. The rack is held on by four large torx bolts that are easily accessible and two smaller ones that are partially covered by the lip of the seat when it's in place. The seat flexes just enough that, if you're careful, it should be possible to get to the smaller bolts and remove them. As the picture shows, with the rack out of the way but the seat still in place, you should have a straight shot at the latch with a long stick.
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If this works, it beats the hell out of more violent methods!
EDIT: After a little more probing, I think this is worth a try. The rack is held on by four large torx bolts that are easily accessible and two smaller ones that are partially covered by the lip of the seat when it's in place. The seat flexes just enough that, if you're careful, it should be possible to get to the smaller bolts and remove them. As the picture shows, with the rack out of the way but the seat still in place, you should have a straight shot at the latch with a long stick.
Solved
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I rang my local BMW dealer and he said to drop it in. A mechanic in the showroom simply took a long screwdriver and inserted it betwen the gap under the seat and levered the catch back. Seems like a pretty simple way of accessing under the seat - what is the point of a lock. The lesson here is dont rely on the bike seat lock.
On another note the mechanic advised that the cabl system is pretty flymsy. If the cable ever bends (which seems to happen when you reattach your seat) then the small barrel locator in the lock can detach. WhatI did is wrapped a small cable tie around the wire and up to wire on the lock mechanism (the only locating point) and now it feel much more robust.
I was in a bit of a panick to fix this as I had installed a LED tail light and one of the resistorsame loose and was melting into the plastic. Combined with the fact that the fuel tank is not fare away then I had to do this quickly.
Thanks again.......
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I rang my local BMW dealer and he said to drop it in. A mechanic in the showroom simply took a long screwdriver and inserted it betwen the gap under the seat and levered the catch back. Seems like a pretty simple way of accessing under the seat - what is the point of a lock. The lesson here is dont rely on the bike seat lock.
On another note the mechanic advised that the cabl system is pretty flymsy. If the cable ever bends (which seems to happen when you reattach your seat) then the small barrel locator in the lock can detach. WhatI did is wrapped a small cable tie around the wire and up to wire on the lock mechanism (the only locating point) and now it feel much more robust.
I was in a bit of a panick to fix this as I had installed a LED tail light and one of the resistorsame loose and was melting into the plastic. Combined with the fact that the fuel tank is not fare away then I had to do this quickly.
Thanks again.......
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That's a good outcome, and it would appear that they had done it before! Can you explain exactly where he inserted the screwdiver? When I was fiddling around with mine, I couldn't see a big enough gap anywhere.
He inserted it on the right hand side (not sure if its the same for left hand bikes in US[
]) The gap seemed large enough for a long blade screwdriver and he seemed to know where the lock was located and just popped it open. I was astounded at how easy it was to break into. I am certainly not hiding my cash and jewelry under my bike seat anymore!!!!
]) The gap seemed large enough for a long blade screwdriver and he seemed to know where the lock was located and just popped it open. I was astounded at how easy it was to break into. I am certainly not hiding my cash and jewelry under my bike seat anymore!!!!
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That's useful information. I just went out to the garage and, with a strong flashlight, I was able to see how to open it. If you know where that latch is, you can raise the seat slightly and get access to it. I agree that it's a little unsettling once you realize how insecure it really is. My Sargeant seat has a space for a plastic canister that holds the GT "toolkit" (aka screwdriver) and my insurance and registration documents, but I won't put anything valuable in there! The biggest danger is losing the seat itself, so maybe we shouldn't be revealing this! []
]
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We ride bikes. How secure can anything be on a bike? Even hard bags are susceptible to being broken into. And, why would anyone think they would gain by prizing into a seat????
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Well, yes, I take your point, but I would not like to lose the seat itself. There could be something to be gained from ripping that off, though I can't say that I really worry about it.
(A common complaint on vintage bikes is losing the key to the locking gas cap. That can be a real hassle. I have a locking cap ["period-correct accessory"] but never lock it. No one I know can remember ever having gas stolen.)
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Great outcome.
Just don't let that mechanic come near your locked car -- he's bound to find a way in.
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Just don't let that mechanic come near your locked car -- he's bound to find a way in.
Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
My F800R seat lock failed (shut) when the cable became disconnected. There's a rubber blanking plug under the tail, pop it out and you can get needle nose pliers in through the 13mm or so hole and pull the cable directly. Worked for me. Very insecure though!
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Why it's the first class second to none tool kit.[err]
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