'95 K75RT- Disassembled... one clip left over. Whoops. Where'd it come from?

[atarifan2600]

I ended up with an extra clip after a brake line maintenance job-  and I can't for the life of me figure out where it came from.  I've scoured my Clymer for any reference to "Clip" "retaining clip", or "Special clip" but can't find any but the few I already know about.

This clip is larger than the clip used to hold the seat hinge pin in, and I believe larger than the tank clips.
The attached picture has the mystery clip on the left, and a hinge pin clip on the right.

I didn't have tank clips when I started this process, so I'm pretty sure it's not from there.  It was relatively free of grit and grime, making me think it came from under the tank or buried in the fairing somewhere.

Job:  Replace the brake lines with new Spieglers
Clymer Step 1:  Remove the fairing

Removed the Seat
Lifted the tank out of place and slid it back (no clips!)
Removed the knee pads
removed the storage bins
removed the lowers
removed the Radiator Shroud (That gasket with the brake line is godawful)
Removed the windshield
Removed the main fairing
Removed the ignition box so I could access the hard line between the M/C and the ABS
Removed the front fender


At this point, I'm "do the rest of it in reverse", but I can't remember where the clip  came from.  I've taken the tank and lowers off before.  I've let the radiator shroud hang.  I don't recall this clip being part of that process, so I'm guessing I just got enthusiastic but ... where?


I'm appropriately humbled, thanks for any leads.  (I'm hoping I can get to it without disassembling too much...)

[Scott_]

The larger clip is for the rear retaining post of the fuel tank.
Chances are it was removed by a PO, and dropped somewhere in the bike and you happened to find it.....

[atarifan2600]

I remember snapping it off, with the flathead and a particularly smug sense of satisfaction that I didn't send it going halfway across the garage. 
My memory's getting faulty, though.  That clip is certainly what it looks like.  But I'm pretty sure that wasn't it, which is what's killing me.

[Scott_]

I've had my 1100's open many times over the years and the only places I have encountered these clips are the fuel tank retainers(some of us call them 'jesus' clips) and the seat hinge retainers. I've not found them anywhere else.

[gone_ape]

Like Scott mentioned, the large is the fuel tank, small is the seat hinge clip...both, ironically, number 15 in both photos....

[White Dog]

I managed to lose the one clip like this the first time I removed my gas tank.  The other clip was already missing.  Rather than spend dollars for the special BMW clip, I was able to mount a modified 3/8" E clip to the post, but since they are flat, it becomes a problem to remove it, so my cycle is clip-free now.

[Martin]

My seat clips made a bid for freedom years ago. I ended up using "R" clips which are readily available from automotive suppliers or hobby shops (used to hold the bodies on radio controlled cars). If you are really tight you can make them. To be able to fit the "R" clips you need to drill a small hole in the groove where the previous clip resided. I have also made up a piece of wire with a hook and a loop which can be used to simplify the removal of both the seat clips and the tank clips. The hook is stored under the seat between two pieces of Velcro along with spare clips.
Regards Martin.

[bizzaro]

You said one clip in the subject line.  Ahh, that's two clips in the Photo?? :dunno Different sizes, of the same clip. As already stated, the large one is for the gas tank.  Mine were liberated before I owned the bike. It has never been a problem.  Unless you go down hard I guess..................but then you probably have more imminent things to worry about! And the little one is for the seat retainers, mine also long gone.  I get 7/32 c clips and keep a couple handy. (or is it 5/32??) :2thumbup:

[bocutter Ed]

(or is it 5/32??)

More likely 4mm   :yes

[White Dog]

Depending on year model of a K75, the gas tank clip is either 10mm or 8mm.  The clip for bench seats on K75S is 6mm. (K75 came with a sliding low profile seat.)   All this per BMW parts fische.
As for my K75, 8MM post should accomodate a 5/16" clip--if you can find them.  I used 3/8" clip and bent it so it would fit snug, but a flat clip is hard to remove.

[bizzaro]

Good  luck finding 4m clips in the states! But every hardware store has 7/32.

[kris]

You just need the special $300 BMW removal tool and all will be fine! Remember, when riding....don't get clipped!