My K100RT came from the factory with knee pads on the tank.  For the last 20+ years my knees have been uncomfortably banging into the fairing.  Had a chance to ride another K100, same everything, just no knee pads.  Knees fit comfortably into the faring pockets.  So as soon as I was home I removed the kneepads with a pair of vice grips.  They were stuck on and I do mean really stuck!

This is what the tank looked like after kneepad removal.




To remove the adhesive I tried several things.  Nothing really worked.  I had decided I would need to repaint the tank.  At the automotive paint store we were trying to match the "Stratus Gray" BMW color without much luck.  The clerk asked what was wrong with the tank, I showed him, he said you don't need to repaint that.  Then handed me this:



Went home, read the instructions, put it in the drill -



And in less than 15 minutes I had this:



It removed all the glue (rubber cement) without a trace!  All the "debris" you see on the bike is the leftover glue and residue from the media wheel.  Took it outside and blew all the debris off with an air hose - unbelievable, removed the glue without a scratch to the paint..




3M Adhesive Eraser Wheel P/N 06612.  $35 USD.

Hope this helps someone out.

- John

Thanks mate...I almost wish I had some adhesive I want removed...great job.

KKlompy

eye agree klompy
great job

.........or here in Oz we would get some Eucalyptus Oil on a rag and do the same. Works a treat on all adhesive residues that I have tried it on.

Your tank looks great and I'm sure that additional extra space for your knees makes all the difference.

Cheers

Bumblebee wrote:Went home, read the instructions, put it in the drill -

Unusual approach Bumble, we don't tend to go for the instructions.... not straight off anyway.
Looks like a good solution to sticky problem.
I didn't know something like that existed.
Thanks

At home we are using a good product call Goo Gone
This is very cheap and can be found everywhere (Walmart, hardware store,....).
I used it to remove stickers on the car and it doesn't affect the paint.

Holister wrote:

Bumblebee wrote:Went home, read the instructions, put it in the drill -

Unusual approach Bumble, we don't tend to go for the instructions.... not straight off anyway.

LOL--spit coffee all over keyboard...

WD-40 works for some adhesives...

I first tried Goo-Gone, that worked a little, but not really well enough to get the job done. Also tried WD-40 and a few other slimy poof can products like Tri-Flow.  Bzzzt.

I was about to give the motorcycle a make-over, even considering replacing the fairing with an RS, this would be an Easter-egg hunt finding all the parts, then repainting everything.  All it took was removing the knee pads, feels great now.

So, now you know what worked for John.