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R1200GS Tool-Tube™

Mounting Instructions

Mount Kit Parts List

  • Two (2) M8x1.25x40mm button head stainless steel bolts
  • Two (2) Aluminum bushings
  • Left Mount Block: Band clamp “shoulder” is towards center of bike when surface which mates to the tube faces rearward
  • Right Mount Block: Band clamp “shoulder” is towards center of bike when surface which mates to the tube faces rearward
  • Vinyl-coated Mil-spec band clamps
  • 5mm hex key

    • Other Things You Will Need

    • Loctite 242 (Loctite Blue)
    • 8mm (or 5/16”) wrench for the band clamp, preferably a socket

    Preparation

    We suggest that you tape a sheet of paper around the tube so that it covers that portion that will make contact with the mounting blocks, and prevent, or at least minimize, the marks left on the tube during installation. Use a small piece of tape so that it is easy to remove just before you tighten the band clamps. Be sure to place the tape where you will be able to get to it easily after positioning the tube.

    We also suggest that you leave the cap on the tube, as this will help you to visually center the tube from the rear of the bike. You can use a rule, but we will leave that up to you as to what and where to measure from/to.

    Installation

    Okay, here we go. These directions may be more detailed than you need, being the extremely competent and clever bike mechanic that you are, but we just wanted to be as clear and complete as we could.

    1. Insert a 40mm M8 button head bolt from the top through one of the rear-most holes in the BMW rear rack. Be sure to use the Loctite on the bolt threads.
    2. Slide a bushing up onto the protruding bolt from the bottom and hold it in place.
    3. Thread the bolt into the rear-most hole of a mount block. This is the threaded hole that goes clean through the mount block, NOT the one that goes partially through. Don't forget, there is a right- and left-mount block as described above in the parts list. The idea is to keep the band clamps and the “shoulders” they hang from towards the center of the bike.
    4. Tighten the bolt just enough so the mount block does not spin freely, using the supplied 5mm hex key. Leave the final tightening until after the tube is mounted and the band clamps are tight. This is so that the mounting block can sit completely against the curved surface of the tube as the band clamp is tightened. The curved surface on the block should be facing rearward.
    5. Repeat steps 1-4 with the other mount block.
    6. Hold the tube in your hands and align "GT-Moto" on the end of the tube so that it is horizontal (and upright). This is how it will sit in the mounts. You can choose exactly how to align your tube—with the rake of the motorcycle, or level with the ground. It is also up to you which side of the bike to place the end cap towards, but we like to keep it on the side opposite the kick-stand, so than when you remove the end cap, things don't tend to fall out.
    7. Place both band clamps onto the tube, so that the screws will face down from the side nearest the mounts and tighten the screws on them a little so that they are engaged with the end of the band. Place the tube against the mounts, and slip the bands onto the curved "shoulders" of the mount blocks. The shoulders are designed with a small lip along their length to retain the band clamp.
    8. Make sure the screw "carrier" of the band clamp does not rest on or make contact with the shoulder of the mount block. We like to slide the screw carrier very close to the shoulder of the block, but not contacting it, so that it is not easily visible from the rear of the bike (see pictures).

      Notice that the screw housing, or the little tang underneath it does not sit on the mount "shoulder."
    9. Slowly tighten the screws on the band clamps, working between the two, as you maintain the alignment of the tube, centered from left to right, and keeping "GT-Moto" horizontal. Make sure the bands stay on the shoulders and are retained by the “lip” on the shoulders.
    10. Once you are comfortable with the alignment, remove the paper you put on to protect the finish, and tighten the band clamps securely. Don't forget, the tube will rotate slightly as you tighten the clamps, so you will want to allow for that in your alignment if you would like "GT-Moto" to remain horizontal. Remember, the screw carrier will move towards the shoulder as you tighten the band clamps, so leave a little extra room.
    11. After tightening the band clamps, finish tightening the button head bolts using the supplied 5mm hex key.
    12. Now fill your Tool-Tube with those important things that you want with you wherever you go.
    13. Go for a ride!

    IMPORTANT! Keep your 5mm hex key with you, and check your bolts and clamps periodically to make sure they stay tight.

    Keep the O-ring and threads clean and lubricated with a little grease. The O-ring is what keeps the cap tight on the tube. We have lubricated the O-ring and threads for you with a little clear, silicone-based automotive grease.