Adjustable rear fender extender

[UltraBird]

I read the posting and search guidance and tried multiple searches without a useful result.
Regarding the BMW factory adjustable rear fender extension shown in the attached parts microfiche illustration for a 2002-2005 K1200RS.
Does anyone know what the spring clip (part #4) is supposed to mount (be clipped onto) to?
I can't believe that BMW intends that it is on the outside of the rear fender in plain site and acting as a nut not clipped in place on anything.
 

[Laitch]

I read the posting and search guidance and tried multiple searches without a useful result.

Welcome, Bird. The K1200RS isn't what is considered a classic MotoBrick here so it isn't surprising you didn't find anything useful. I looked around on eBay and here's what I deduce. #4 in the drawing isn't accurate for the 1200RS. The photo of the #4 nut in the parts list is accurate. The nut fits into a nut-shaped molding on the fender assembly then an adjustable plate (#2) is attached to it from the inside using a flanged screw into the nut. Perhaps #2 can then be slid downward and tightened. Take a look at the photos at this offering on eBay and enlarge them then compare them with this beaten relic. That's about all I can deduce, not having been involved with this model. Maybe you'll figure it out. At least one member here may own one of these and come forward to answer your query with actual experience.

[frankenduck]

JM02 but I think adjustable rear fenders are downright silly. Both my 98 K12RS and 14 K16GT have them and I think that they are pointless. There's no way that they have any material impact on performance.

[Laitch]

JM02 but I think adjustable rear fenders are downright silly.

Silly? Maybe you'll change your thinking after you read this explanation from aliexpress.

[daveson]

I can't believe that BMW intends that it is on the outside of the rear fender in plain site and acting as a nut not clipped in place on anything.

Remember that this is an expanded illustration for ease of understanding. Looking at the line between 3 and 4 shows two right angles, so number 4 is not on the outside but as Laitch describes, inbetween the two (partially) I thinks.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Is the idea behind this rear mudguard making the rear wheel easier to remove?  I know it's a PIA on my classic Bricks

[Laitch]

Is the idea behind this rear mudguard making the rear wheel easier to remove?

Nope. According to the K1200 riders manual, this is what it does.

[UltraBird]

@Laitch  haha great minds  think alike, I had poured over every pic of that fender assembly on ebay and beemer boneyard before I posted here!

Thanks for the page from the owners manual I should have looked there.
I think you are correct that the parts schematic may not be correct even though it is labeled as for my bike's year and model range. I was suspecting that myself because a "spring clip nut" needs an exposed flat "tab" with a hole in it to "clip" onto and and no such thing exists on this rear fender or on the extender.

It seems to be that the molded recess on the outside of the fender accepts a hex nut for a securing bolt to hold the adjustable extender in place.

I'm waiting for my license plate holder to arrive and still obsessively scrubbing clean the inner fender area. I am the fourth owner of this bike and while it had excellent maintenance records the other owners apparently didn't put cleaning (other than the painted body work and wheels) very high on their priorities. I had passed over several other K1200RS's with lower mileage and a much cleaner looking "underside/under seat area" because the owner's idea of maintenance records was a hand full of receipts for oil and filter changes. No thanks. 
I am "de-molesting" the bike, removing every aftermarket item and returning it to stock configuration. The rear fender is a good example of this where a prior owner had removed the license plate mount and I believe drilled two holes thru the fender and bolted the plate up. I think I have three non factory holes drilled in the rear fender which will be filled with marine epoxy and covered with a dab of black paint.
Lol, I must have 50 lbs of stuff I've removed probably to the horror of the prior owners if they knew.
I'll post some pics here when it is completed.

[Laitch]

Is the idea behind this rear mudguard making the rear wheel easier to remove?  I know it's a PIA on my classic Bricks

On second thought, that might be it; regardless, it's heartwarming to discover BMW's concern about spray.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

On second thought, that might be it; regardless, it's heartwarming to discover BMW's concern about spray.

What does the Owner's Manual say about removing the rear wheel?

[Laitch]

What does the Owner's Manual say about removing the rear wheel?

It shows the moto on the center stand, instructs to unbolt the wheel then remove it and the spacer but includes no mention of adjusting the mudguard.