Re: mounting head protectors on R1100

[Robert Silas <robert.silas@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 It is good to have the black valve cover guides, no question about that. At parking I dropped the bike and it saved the valve cover.  At a lowsided, in which I broke an ankle, where the bike tipped over completely the valve cover was damaged.  Now I am using "crash-bars" made of steel tubes which are protecting the valve covers in any event. (who knows??).  This made the black valve cover guard redundant and gave me room to attach running lights.
Another thought is that in a lowsider the valve guard shortens skidding while the chromed steel tube guards will not have this effect.
Robert Silas
'94 RS
PS: No big deal is to fix a damaged valve cover.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Peter Migli 
  To: oilheads@xxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Monday, May 30, 2005 11:05 AM
  Subject: Re: mounting head protectors on R1100


  --- conrad long <conradlong@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
  > On  Sat, 28 May 2005 13:22:56 -0400
  > "Steve Makohin" wrote
  > 
  > My possibly incorrect understanding is that the metal
  > head covers got gouged as well as the plastic protectors, so when it
  > came to
  > restoring the bike to pristine condition, the cost was higher than
  > just replacing the head covers.
  > 
  > - -Steve Makohin
  >   '01 R1100S/ABS
  >   Oakville, Ontario, Canada
  > 
  > I concur with that opinion. I finally chucked mine after they
  > shattered on a 
  > tip-over in cold weather. The head covers still got marked up. JMHO.
  > 
  > Conrad Long
  > '94 R11RSA
  > Fraser, CO, USA
  > 


  Folks,

  I suppose the value of the valve cover guards is up to the individual. 
  I am not concerned about whether the guards will allow my valve covers
  to be "gouged" or "marked up" in a tipover.

  My hope is that the guards might prevent the cracking or puncturing of
  a valve cover, and subsequent stranding of me and my bike, while we're
  1000+ miles from home.  But, I'm a function-over-form kind of guy.

  Pete Migli
  South Miami, Florida, USA

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