2019 BMW K1600b Grand America Top Case removal

10-14-20 I have a bitch about my bike and it appears that others have the same issue. The drive-shaft rattles. At no-load speed under 30 it is the worst. Its like the shaft is rubbing on something. If you go real slow you hear it rattle and if you make a high lean turn where it loads the single-sided swing -arm sideways, it quits. as soon as you go straight again the rattle returns. Saw a bunch of post on the net about it. It's just annoying. May have to drop it off at the dealer. Other then that, this is an awesome bike!!!
9-21-20.. I have put a little more than 7800 miles on my GA in the last 6 months. I just replaced the original tires, Bridgestone Battlax, tires with Pirelli Angel ST's front and rear. WOW!!!! It is like driving a whole different bike. It should have drove this way from new. Better turn in, with a lot less handlebar effort and excellent line holding in turns. Less highway twitching. This is how a sport touring bike should drive!!. I can not believe the difference!! Just thought I would put this out there. Joe....
In this video I take the top case off my BMW Grand America and install my custom made sissy bar/backrest to make it look more like a K1600b. The License plate stop/running light I purchased from Motorenic. Described as "6 inch license plate frame with LED tail light and brake light." $29.88. The plastic 1/8th in I used for the rear plate is on Amazon. "12x12 ABS plastic 1/8th install bay" $4.99 each. (only need one, but buy two. The BMW circle emblems are from Amazon and described as "BMW 2.56" Auto car sticker wheel center cap logo" $9.99. The sissy bar pad is from Amazon, "Gloss black cushion backrest with plate for 1997-2017 Harley Touring" $43.99. I hope this helps...
motorgenic.com...
www.iliumworks...
www.amazon.com...
www.amazon.com...
www.amazon.com...

[@roadglide]

Absolutely love it! BMW has nothing for both K1600B and GA. Guys like you are the true McGivers. Well done.

[@thestcroixkid]

super nice job...you should patent that immediately and contact an aftermarket shop, Id pay $500 all day for the sis and a plug/light combo...great work!

[@ScottWanasek]

Nice work! I removed my top case to stop the buffeting in dirty air. You took it a step further. Thank you for sharing your handy work!

[@clayrowden3916]

Thanks for your video, fantastic resource. I just sold my 2010 Street Glide w/ 70k miles that I bought new and bought a "used" 2019 GA with only 1100 miles 3 days ago. It's got the upgraded wheels and Remus exhaust. I put 500+ miles on it and want more and more. This BMW is absolutely amazing, I loved my Harley but I am on another plane with this one. These two bikes have two things in common, two wheels and two saddle bags... Well they are apples and oranges and night and day in what they offer. Back on point, I will follow your video bc I love the B look and will ide solo from time to time. The Harley came with a detachable Tour Pack. HD knows there accessories and has had decades to hone them out. When I asked the BMW salesman if I could remove the GA top case, he immediately said no way, its permanent and will void relative warranty. (He must have gone to German Warranty University) Anyway, thanks Joe!!

[@joepeltier6977]

That's funny, my salesman said I couldn't remove the top case either. I have another video of a Harley Davidson rack I cut down and put it on the top case because BMW top case racks I think are ugly. I will post it soon. It was $69.00 from Dennis Kirk and the mods are easy to make it fit. My only bitch of my BMW is the drive shaft rattles at no-load speeds. Apparently a lot of guys have this issue. Hope BMW addresses it. Thanks for the feedback!

[@jonathanwright9269]

Great vid for GA owners to provide a versatile solution to turn your bike into the bagger. Also like your GPS idea as well, saves so much money. I have a bagger and still contemplating back rest but they are so expensive and I like the way yours is so easy to remove/replace because I like the clean standard bagger look tbf. For my alternative GPS solution i have mounted a ram ball on the GPS plastic blanking plate (and put some arms at the back of it so it holds in place inside the fairing). I have a short ram connecting arm to a quad lock ram ball adaptor. I attach my phone (case) to the quad lock adaptor and power it from the right hand side fairing power socket. I then use good old Google maps. It holds the phone horizontally above the dash so it works well for me. Quad lock is a good secure mounting solution enabling my phone to be easily mounted or removed. Thanks again for the vid.

[@patc5599]

Joe .. Outstanding job !!.. I have a 17 HD Road Glide Special and looking at the BMW Grand America. Too bad you're not in NY would love to check out your bike ..

[@Bistandklient]

Hi Joe, well done, thanks for sharing the sissy bar/back plate/brake light and the $49 navi system.

[@JasonDuncan]

Good video. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@rivencsky]

You should submit this to BMW. Excellent concept and look

[@alp3781]

Very nice, boss. I own the GA beast. BMW needs to wake up with more options. You should sell those complete.

[@toddhewell]

Great video. I am considering a GA and this was very helpful. Thanks.

[@stewkeene]

Great share, thank you!

[@colingoldthorpe5918]

Damn Ted Danson lives in Minnesota and rides a Yamaha Tenere and a K1600B who's would have thought!!! Love that bike and the way you set it up for a backrest, BMW should have set this up from the factory to remove the tour pack and have a filler piece. Really looking at this K1600B as i have a Triumph Trophy SE, I like the cruiser look but the shear lack of power when you've had a sport tourer is just a snooze fest. The K1600 GA seems to fill the gap. Just kidding about the Ted Danson!!!!

[@ericgofast]

Nice job!

[@horseohana]

Excellent job Smithers 👏

[@marquesjerry7331]

Dam Genius, great job. 👍🏿

[@noelpogiako1]

Really nice video and very informative. Great job!

[@muskokaliving]

Nice job. Why doesn’t BMW design a quick release trunk like the Indian

[@thinkingbubba32]

Joe, that's great work. I just bought the GA and wanted the bagger. Not unlike you I decided the versatility would be better, and it's kind of like getting two bikes for the price of one. Incorrectly I was told converting from the GA to the B was super easy and clean. I spent a few minutes looking for a quick release, although I was concerned about the lighting. Do you possibly have a link for the guy on Ebay that makes the conversion? I'd rather go that route since I don't need the sissy bar and pad. Thanks - Randy

[@thinkingbubba32]

P.S. I was down to the Wing and the GA in my buying decision. I rode the demo DCT Wing bagger around 150 miles and could not get used to any of the automatic shifting patterns. With the shift assist on the GA the only time you need the clutch is on starts and full stops. The sales guy at Honda promoted himself as a Wingnut, but was, and has been, riding the Yamaha Concours, and was talking about how when he rode the Wing it was too smooth so he was "looking for bumps." The ride between the Wing and the GA are nothing close to each other. I understand why people buy the Wing, because it feels somewhat like a trike ride, while still being on two wheels. When it comes to performance the two bikes could not be any different. The Wing is a slow starter, even in the Sport mode it feels like it's trying too hard, and laboring the bike. Worst part for me was there was not a performance/shift pattern that I either liked, or that shifted when I did. Also the lighting on the GA rear lighting is sooooo much more visible than the Wing, and we all know how important it is for everyone to see us. The final selling point for me was the horse power and city performance signature of the BMW.

[@sonny7658]

Joe, what model of Magellan GPS did you use?

[@kevinclark5387]

Joe, would you consider selling this bike to me when you’re ready to move on? It’s perfect!

[@dundonrl]

I'm curious as to why BMW didn't make the top case removable like on the GTL?

[@robertmercer9117]

Joe, you are one clever guy. Thank you for sharing your creativity. Much appreciated. Did you determine the cause of the driveshaft noise?

[@joepeltier6977]

Not yet... I will probably take to the dealer this next spring and figure it out. Sounds like I am not the only one with the issue. I have a pretty cool rack I made from a Harley rack for the top case when I use it. I will post a video soon.. Take care and be safe.. Joe

[@chrissmith7669]

If I could remove the side cases the B would be a great option. Most days I don’t Need them to commute.

[@stachethompson6530]

Great Video all around. Thank you! Is there anything you can do to remove the 101 mph speed limiter in the computer when not running with a trunk? I wouldn't need much but I do occasionally hit 105, 110 on my other bikes. It is my thought that the trunk causes instability or front end lift(?) when riding above the governed speed.

[@krychasz1978]

Hi Joe I have k1600 Grand America 2020,and I have brake light only in top, maybe do you know how to do brake light on the side. Best Regards Marcin

[@RanGer-498]

I dont see the street glide look🤔

[@thollingsworth4910]

That looks very good.

[@johnk12345100]

Love the look of this bike, too bad it shuts off at a hundred miles an hour! Sticking with my 16 F6B, dusted the cobwebs off and 110 the other day

[@joepeltier6977]

106mph... Went across S-DAK for about 5 miles with it pegged...best I could do was the 106, there is a lot left in it. It's like the cruise control comes on and it won't go any faster. (Stupid governor) Will do it easy in 4th gear..... Bren tuning soon!

[@6speedsti241]

love the bike but had to shut down the video early ,,,,,, got dizzy trying to follow you

[@marcroix1]

More videos yours modifications, please!!!!!

[@user-mh2ye3um6p]

감사합니다.

[@TheRealJasonDuncan]

I have a K1600B, non Grand America. I want to add the top case for a long trip. Do you know where I can get a Grand America top case? And is the installation just as simple as what you showed to delete the top case?

[@frankstanbachjr8690]

Great solution. Thank you,

[@recoilrider2833]

Who knew Brett Favre rode a BMW K1600!

[@andanzainvestments2189]

Excellent work Joe! I just ordered all the parts you suggested as I'm gonna do the same thing with my GA. Is there any chance you can add some detailed photos of your backrest assembly? I'm guessing it's welded together?

[@joepeltier6977]

It is welded.. I said in the video I use 3/4" tubing for the lower brackets, but it is 3/4 square tubing. Send me an email and I will send you some close up photos.

[@andanzainvestments2189]

@@joepeltier6977 Thanks so much Joe! Just got some of the parts today. My email is [e-mail].

[@georgeblackii789]

Would like to purchase your rear backrest set up for my k1600 🤗 IM message Sincerely George

[@vac1881]

👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@patrickgagne8795]

Great video

[@jean-lucmelleker8206]

Hi, do you think the original plate from the B would fit to fill the gap on a Grand America once the topcase is removed?

[@joepeltier6977]

it will but you have to take off the bags and grab rails to get it to fit. Long process. That's why I did not use one. Beside it is EXPENSIVE!. It does not line up the the GA seat as well either... Hope that helps... Joe

[@specialed5098]

I have a B and your sissy bar is the best looking one

[@wayneatkinson548]

Great job, we have a budding vblogger

[@petergrundy8081]

Brilliant

[@Justwanthavefun_100]

Hi 👋🏻 I have K1600B . Do you think my K1600B able add on this GA Top box ? Thanks

[@joepeltier6977]

I think you could with the "H" bracket and the rear cover changed/taken off. The "B" seat may be to long however.. not positive..

[@darrylm79]

Joe, how can I commission you to make this bracket and setup for me? Serious buyer here. Please let me know. I have an '18 GA.

[@joepeltier6977]

Thanks but BMW should make a kit like this for GA buyers. I think they would have more sales of the GA. Even a Gold-wing has a top case removal kit. Way more work however.

[@thestcroixkid]

@@joepeltier6977 I dropped a similar comment above...but you should patent...the production costs are nil, the sourcing is obvious...you could actually integrate the brake light to the back of the sis or on the trim piece itself...add a plug and poof! plug n' play! The thing is worth $500 all day! You know BMW would get $1k for it, lol!...Regardless, Great idea and execution!

[@laryangel4082]

9

[@nicholasjheinz7461]

Would you buy that bike again?

[@joepeltier6977]

I would! I have to admit that the first 500-1000 miles the jury was still out if I liked it. I came from a Harley Street Glide and a Yamaha Super Tenere', (which I still have for adventuring), that sits up very high. I felt crunched on the BMW at first. (i'm 6' tall) The seat seemed so low. (I have the standard seat) The transmission really is clunky. I race a YZ250 that shifts like butter. The BMW clunks. About the same as a Harley. I thought it would be smoother. I now have 3000+ miles on it and it is getting smoother. My only bitch is the radio is not loud enough. At 60 mph, forget it. Overall, it's faster then shit, turns great and stops great. Fit and finish is great and at a 70mph cruise it is smooth as silk. There is no way a Harley can compete in speed or smoothness. I was thinking Gold-wing, but it was just to boring for me. Hope this help... Joe

[@nicholasjheinz7461]

@@joepeltier6977 How is the heat from the engine? I ride a 2015 Victory CCT and I do not like the heat on hot summer days put out by the big V-twin. I am looking to replace. My other bike is a BMW boxer. So I am thinking Goldwing or another BMW. Thanks

[@joepeltier6977]

Don't even notice the heat at all. Not like a Harley!.. When the fan comes on, only in heavy traffic, you hear it, but really don't feel it. This this will kick a boxers ass.. it is fast.!

[@Doodlez4]

Nice job!