[tezpigeon]

It's a controversial mod, but I went ahead and removed the big black plastic box that occupies the middle of the frame. I know it will have no positive effect on the performance of the bike, but I just love the look of the open air filters.
After 3 years of ownership and the desire to get rid of the airbox/eyesore, I found a kit with a nice minimalistic clean looking battery box from Piers City Custom (Pier City Custom. BMW R9T Motorcycle Custom Parts & Accessories).
After having done some research around this forum, and with the great advice from PCC, the Covid-19 lockdown gave me a great opportunity to go ahead with the job. However, it did not quite go as I had planned...

The initial plan was to disassemble the rear of the bike, and remove the big box cleanly from confines of the frame. All was going really well, until I got to the point of removing the swing-arm.

A special tool is needed, just to remove the bolt/screw that's holding it in place (the big one where the swing-arm hinges on the left hand side where the foot-peg sits)!? oh well...scrap Plan A, and change to Plan B, or better perhaps Plan D, with D for "Demolition".😣

With an electric jig-saw and pliers in hand, I managed to "carefully" hack up and remove the airbox. Thankfully I have no intention whatsoever to put it back in a again

With a follow-up/checklist in hand I make sure that all bolts are put back into its correct place again, and watch my lovely bike take shape once more.

The only thing left to do now is to install a piggy-back ECU modifier to regulate the AFM better, and for the confinement to be lifted so I can take her for a well deserved ride. 🤘

 

[Los Vagabundos]

If you were to guess what the weight of the assembly was do you have any idea?

 

[tezpigeon]

If you were to guess what the weight of the assembly was do you have any idea?

It's not a weight-saver mod. I did not weigh any of the parts that I removed or replaced for new. The new metal battery box, that attaches on the back of the tank and fits nicely underneath it, is not lighter than the plastic airbox that is now removed.

 

[GhostRider]

This looks fantastic

Planning on doing this mod amongst a list of others.

What is the specialist part you’re talking about ?


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[tezpigeon]

This looks fantastic

Planning on doing this mod amongst a list of others.

What is the specialist part you’re talking about ?

Apparently to remove the swing-arm, the following part will be required:

MAX BMW Motorcycles - 33 6 640 - SET OF SPECIAL WRENCHES

MAX BMW Motorcycles offers an extensive BMW Motorcycle Parts fiche. OEM BMW Motorcycle Parts and Accessores can be ordered online for fast delivery. View our detailed BMW Motorcycle Parts diagrams and locate the part that you need efficiently.

shop.maxbmw.com

If anybody found another, simple way to remove the back-side, perhaps they can shed a light
Enjoy the mod!


R nineT Classic 2016
Kawasaki ZL900 1984

 

[GhostRider]

Link doesn’t work here unfortunately.

My service manual doesn’t mention the special tool so still curious

Edit: got it working by opening this thread in web browser first.

Fiche shows it fitting for a K1200. Will ask my mechanic at the dealership if he can clear it up.


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[BaldyDave]

Hey guys, I've created a new thread for the great info on here about swingarm removal. Yes it seems that the swingarm removal is needed if you want to remove the air box intact. But swingarm removal is needed for a variety of other tasks so it should be as "discoverable" as possible.

I'm linking to the thread below so members wanting to do an intact air box removal they will still be able to easily get the right information.

Swingarm Removal

I finally looked up the procedure in my repair manual it looks to be very easy especially since I have done most of these steps many times previously on this bike... is that a slide hammer they are requesting for swing arm removal (called screw pull rod and impact weight)? i looks like one and...

www.ninetowners.com

Once again thanks for the great posts. Please continue any discussion relating to the swingarm in the above thread.

 

[Nteminik]

Hey mate, I am thinking about the demolition way too, do you have any more photos of the procedure?
I can't find any step by step guide online for the surgery 😅

 

[Dauphinais]

@Nteminik - if you're referring to the "Air Box Delete", Pier City have a kit found at this link. There is also a tutorial on how to go about it.

 

[Nteminik]

I have already watched the tutorial but there is no video or step by step photo guide to airbox cut

 

[gene_apodaca]

Judging by the photos above, no tutorial is really necessary. Start tearing chunks of the airbox apart until all the pieces come out. It seems any small to medium tools of destruction are required.

 

[Kowalski]

you dont actually need a special tool to remove the swing arm, its all just regular bolts (torx, hexagon etc) but it is a lot of work, the airbox is not that expensive if you wanna rebuild it to stock after removing it so i would go ahead and cut it out aswell. you dont need a tutorial on how to cut the box out, just go ahead and cut and you will see where to cut next. remove the tank, remove the snorkel, remove the crank case ventilation hose, remove the air intake hoses between the box and the throttle bodies and get the temp sensor from the top of the airbox out and start cutting. the airbox is mounted with 4 screws to the frame 1 on top left and right and 2 on the bottom over the gearbox/swingarm. you will need a special filter for the crank case ventilation as you can no longer route it to the airbox.

 

[Drmeng]

Apparently to remove the swing-arm, the following part will be required:

MAX BMW Motorcycles - 33 6 640 - SET OF SPECIAL WRENCHES

MAX BMW Motorcycles offers an extensive BMW Motorcycle Parts fiche. OEM BMW Motorcycle Parts and Accessores can be ordered online for fast delivery. View our detailed BMW Motorcycle Parts diagrams and locate the part that you need efficiently.

shop.maxbmw.com

If anybody found another, simple way to remove the back-side, perhaps they can shed a light
Enjoy the mod!


R nineT Classic 2016
Kawasaki ZL900 1984

Much easier I got the boys at pcc to do it but well done you