Special tool for clutch and front brake reservoirs '10 R12R

[slowtorque]

I noticed today that the clutch fluid reservoir and front brake fluid reservoir caps do not simply unscrew. It appears two 180 deg opposed tangs need to be depressed simultaneously to effect removal. How do you DIYers get these caps off? If there are special BMW tools, may I have the part numbers please? Much thanks.

[MTBeemer]

Use one hand to depress the "tangs" with a finger and thumb; the other turns the cap. The process is well described here: http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=38825

[slowtorque]

One thing I did not say about the tangs is that they are definitely not finger friendly on my 2010 R12R. I cannot access the pictures referenced in the BMWMOA article you provided. I did attempt to use my fingers, and I could not feel anything release or even move. Here are some pictures.

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... 010001.jpg

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... 010002.jpg

[slowtorque]

Clutch is filled with mineral oil so won't need to open that any time soon, I hope. No way fingers work on opening the brake fluid cap. Word on the net is you can make a tool from an old clothes hanger. I think I'll ask my dealer on Tuesday. Kinda silly to child proof this IMO.

[deilenberger]

I guess they "fixed" the cap on the '10.. the '07, '08 and '09 were all openable with fingers (or some people used a loop of dental floss to pull the lock tabs in..)

And I don't think it was done to keep children from drinking the oil.. more likely to keep vandals from trashing the fluid and making you crash and go boom.

[slowtorque]

"Fixed" indeed. Will let you all know what I find out at the dealership.

[MTBeemer]

I just had mine off my 08 and the fingers worked just fine. Guess the wheels of progress kept marching on for the current models.

Being relatively new to this forum I am impressed about how little ink is devoted to problems with the RR.

[slowtorque]

From what I have learned on other sites, looks like the tool I will need is BMW Part 83300402038
http://f800riders.org/forum/attachment. ... 1270949760

[mogu83]

Wow - I guess they have a 'special' tool for everything. I changed my fluid and don't even remember taking the cap off so it couldn't have been a big deal to hold the tabs in.

[slowtorque]

OK, so here's the scoop from my local dealer. He does not recommend anyone buy the tool BMW sells. Even their techs do not use it. Better to have a second person with two screwdrivers press in on the tabs while the other person unscrews the cap. He said the tool BMW provides does not even fully engage the tabs and works poorly. So, there we have it. Fingers definitely not sufficient though unless yours are several steps up the Rockwell Hardness Scale from mine.

[NakedRider]

Rockwell Hardness Scale

Haven't heard that since my Heat Treating days. Brings back many memories.