Hitchcocks Forum

Hi. I am getting to know a new bike I am curious to know what is under the (chromed) oval cover on the right hand side and whether it can be used for storage, but it has proved difficult to remove!

So far I have unlocked the lock and been able to pull the lower half of the cover free, but the top is still stuck on what seems to be a washer retained on a prong or rod, and I can't see inside to discover what is getting stuck.

Would someone kindly describe how this upper attachment is made up, and how best to release it.

I cant remember how to release the top mount off hand, but behind the chrome cover will be the ABS hardware/pump etc.

Looks like this on mine.
Slightly later model have the rubber grommets at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock.
I think on some of the new bikes its only a cover now, over the abs unit, and bolted on with no key.

Thank you for the comments and for the illustration. I was encouraged by that to pull a bit harder, and found that the upper attachment is indeed a prong with a knob on it, which goes through the grommet.

In fact it is much the same as in the picture, still with a key and some space at the bottom for extra storage.
It was just a bit too cold, stiff, and dry to come out easily.

The chromed oval cover could be presumed to be a plastic shell and has sometimes been described as such, which gave me pause.
If anything its shape and chrome look too perfect, but luckily it is still metal

The Trials looks short and light but it's just as solid. It is sometimes shown with the sleeker, older?, mirrors which have extra rounded adjustable knuckles on the end of the stalks. Mine has a cruder OE pair with simple 90 degree bends near the mirrors, which I think happen to suit the Trials better. I got an extra pair of sleek pattern ones but left them off, if anyone wants those for the cost of postage.

The 2" mirror extenders give a much better view and disappear when their bolt hex is filled with suitable plastic caps. One side needs to have a left hand thread. The Oxford Rainex Bike Cover 'Large' size fits well too.