Underseat Space

[dbrick]

The underseat space on my 07 looks like this:



after I replaced the stock shock with a new Wilbers (with a preload adjuster I mounted elsewhere) and a little relocation of the wiring loom. I carry some bags (tools, bulbs, electric tire pump, etc) under the seat, and the bags would fit more easily if the two plastic towers just forward of the labels were gone. On my bike, nothing mounts there, but they're probably there to hold something in some other configuration, as each has a threaded brass insert.

I'm thinking of cutting the towers off. Anyone know what they're for, or why I shouldn't do this?

[SDMAX]

Was under there a few days ago; aren't those supports for the OEM seat. Rubber buttons attached to the underside of the seat rest on these pillars?

[dbrick]

I don't see that. Looking at the bottom of the seat: four of the support legs are way at the back end of the seat, going forward the next four legs straddle the top shock bolt (two against the side rails, and two on one of the transverse runs); other supports are further forward. The two little towers are between the seat's back end legs and the four straddle legs, just forward of where the toolkit straps to the underside. They don't seem to have anything to do with supporting the seat. And why would BMW go to the expense of insetting a brass thread if all they were doing is receiving a rubber bumper?

[waynemathews]

I don't see that. Looking at the bottom of the seat: four of the support legs are way at the back end of the seat, going forward the next four legs straddle the top shock bolt (two against the side rails, and two on one of the transverse runs); other supports are further forward. The two little towers are between the seat's back end legs and the four straddle legs, just forward of where the toolkit straps to the underside. They don't seem to have anything to do with supporting the seat. And why would BMW go to the expense of insetting a brass thread if all they were doing is receiving a rubber bumper?

They are mounting points for part of the ESA system. Potentially they may be used for mounting other optional equipment.

[dbrick]

Thanks. That makes sense.

[deilenberger]

Actually - they are mounts for the alarm system, and on bikes with tire-pressure-monitor, the combined alarm and TPM receiver.

[ka5ysy]

I cut one of mine off to allow placement of a fuse block.

[websterize]

Actually - they are mounts for the alarm system, and on bikes with tire-pressure-monitor, the combined alarm and TPM receiver.

Don, I think you've got dbrick's picture turned around. The TPM receiver on my 2009 is way aft, underneath where the pillion sits -- it's the black box with the barcode sticker at left in the photo:

On my bike, nothing mounts there, but they're probably there to hold something in some other configuration, as each has a threaded brass insert.

The towers hold a mount for three sockets my bike, which has ESA. I would guess they're related. The sloppy red and black wires are for aftermarket LEDs.

[dbrick]

Thanks, Bill. I can see the mount and two and a bit of the three sockets at the edge of your picture.

[Shakey]

I've been tempted to relocate those three connectors and remove these posts on my 2011. After shovelling out all the stuff I could get under the FJR seat I'm really scratching my head over where to put all this stuff without carrying the side cases permanently.

I've got over the "where can I put my autocom unit by upgrading to a Scala. Rider G4 headset. I can leave out my little pack of fuses and I need to review the contents of my little toolkit to see if its all relevant to this bike. But where the heck can I store my tyre plugging kit and CO2 inflator?!

[dbrick]

It's tight, less easily used than the space in the predecessor Oilhead.
Maybe this will provide some inspiration; my bike doesn't have TPS or ESA so there's more room.

This is the front space:



The light blue rag is wrapped around the electric tire pump. The red/yellow rag is wrapped around the stock shift lever (I still wonder if my homebrew one will last). The white rag is wrapped around the wiring harness for my pillion's Gerbing jacket. (The wiring for my Gerbings lives in the jacket pocket; the HeatTroller is hardwired and ziptied to the headstock.)

And this is the space at the back:



The black vinyl case contains the tire plugger. The silver cylinder is duct tape. The green rag contains a tire pressure gauge and a flashlight; I move the gauge into the tankbag on trips. The white blob is a replacement tail light bulb. A short steel cable (to fasten the helmet to the bike) lives in the space above the taillight; you can see the loop ends peeking out. The red and black at the top and right of the pic is a set of bike jumper cables that coils around the entire underseat area. The riders manual is in a ziploc plastic bag under the green rag, and has a few spare fuses for the Gerbings wiring as well as the registration and insurance docs. I still need to get some nitrile gloves.

[fastdogs2]

David,

Excellent use of the small space available!

I usually put most of my stuff in one of the side cases, but it does take up valuable space for extra clothing, while touring.

I plan to imitate what you have done. I especially like the employment of the color coded towels to serve as "cushioning," as well as, to easily identfy the contents. Some bright colored microfiber towels that I have will do just fine.

Thanks for the great tip!

Bill

[dbrick]

Thanks, Bill, glad you found it useful.

I also like to keep "bike" stuff out of the saddlebags, so that the liners can be filled with my stuff and just carried inside (I don't camp). When I'm on a big trip, I also have a tankbag which has both kinds of stuff: purse, gloves and liners, earplugs, extra pair of glasses, lunch, water, book of the day (for me); helmet cleaning supplies, tankbag raincover, tire gauge (for the bike).