1200GSA screen

[oldenoughtoknowbetter]

Has anyone else had this problem? Fitted some Tobinators to my '07GSA a few months back and used the Wunderlich anti-vibe mounts as recommended. Didn't overtighten the screen mounting screws and used the top-hat and flat washers as appropriate. Within about about a month a crack in the screen appeared between bottom L/H mounting screw (as you look from the front) to the edge of the screen! And so I bought a new screen at great expense, removed the Tobinators and attached the lower screen fastners direct to the anti-vibe mounts, as original. I tightened the mounting screws just enough to prevent the screen from vibrating and used thread-lock to prevent the screws from working loose. On de-salting the bike today I've found another crack in the new screen in exactly the same place!! Getting beyond a joke! Is it possible for these screens to crack because of under-tightning? These things seem so fragile. Is there an after-market alternative to the GSA screen? Or do we expect the OE ones to crack and then fork out 150 notes for a new one or just put up with it?

 

[Uinneag]

Has anyone else had this problem? Fitted some Tobinators to my '07GSA a few months back and used the Wunderlich anti-vibe mounts as recommended. Didn't overtighten the screen mounting screws and used the top-hat and flat washers as appropriate. Within about about a month a crack in the screen appeared between bottom L/H mounting screw (as you look from the front) to the edge of the screen! And so I bought a new screen at great expense, removed the Tobinators and attached the lower screen fastners direct to the anti-vibe mounts, as original. I tightened the mounting screws just enough to prevent the screen from vibrating and used thread-lock to prevent the screws from working loose. On de-salting the bike today I've found another crack in the new screen in exactly the same place!! Getting beyond a joke! Is it possible for these screens to crack because of under-tightning? These things seem so fragile. Is there an after-market alternative to the GSA screen? Or do we expect the OE ones to crack and then fork out 150 notes for a new one or just put up with it?

Mine done that

Also bought a tinted one and it has cracks put in for you as standard

Bad design so hopefully a better aftermarket one will come out

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Screen crack test

I inadvertently tested my GSA screen by (not quite) diving under a car bar barrier as it descended. There were tiny cracks, about 10 - 15 mm around the attaching screws. I drilled a tiny hole about 1.5mm dia at the end of each crack; that was 6 months ago and all is still fine. I concluded that the screen was exceptionally stong! I am careful to tighten the screws up gradually putting a little more tension on each in turn so that the load is shared.

 

[Sot1200]

If you see carefully all 4 holes have what apear to be cracks. Checked all five of my friends bikes and they all have exactly the same lines in the same direction and length so it must have something to do with the manufacturing mold leaving a line rather than a crack as such. I shouldnt worry about it.

 

[MIKE R]

Whilst at my dealer I pointed out the small 'cracks' by the mounting holes that were on a brand new GSA, commenting that my bike had the same problem.

He claimed that they were not 'cracks' but are part of the screen design to stop damage at the mounting holes by taking away the stress

Seemed a bit far fetched to me at the time but he is a very professional mechanic at one of BM's top dealers. Looking at carefully at other GSA screens, they are all the same.

Mike

 

[Off Piste]

thread-lock

Be carefull with thread-lock I have known this to attack materials like screens
and cause a lot a little cracks to occur. ie you can get a chemical reaction.

 

[oldenoughtoknowbetter]

GSA screens

Many thanks for all of that. Mine's not one of those built-in cracks though. It's an inch long bright silver one! Took care not to get thread lock on the screen so I don't think it's that either. Same crack at same point twice in a year and so wondering whether the supporting strut is absolutely straight. Perhaps it's twisting the screen slightly as it's tightened. I'll see what the dealer says. I've seen a second-hand screen where the "top hat" washers were glued into the screen mounting holes and wonder whether that's been done to provide some strength to the surrounding plastic. Wish I'd bought it now. No cracks on that one!

 

[Terzikat]

screen cracks

Hi, I'm on my second screen and will shortly be fitting a third for exactly the same reason. I'm convinced there is a design flaw with either the screen or the mounting system. My dealer (Williams) have seen this a few times.

Does anyone know if the new screen on the 08 model will retro fit ?

 

[dronning]

Cracks?

Ok I've done the "wheels up" stress test and have concluded any cracks that develop are purely cosmetic and will not cause a structural problem
None of the marks you see are cracks they are all deep scratches. There are micro cracks that were around the fasteners but they were there before the "get off" and haven't gotten any longer since.

This happened 20,000 miles ago on the Dempster Hwy in Canada's NWT about 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle - I think it gives her character - others think I'm just too cheap to replace it. Maybe it's a bit of both.

Dave

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Screen Cracking Up

"....This happened 20,000 miles ago on the Dempster Hwy in Canada's NWT about 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle .... " Thanks for the advice, rather than risk any (further) cracks it would seem preferable to stay a little closer to the Arctic circle. This is definitely not mentioned in my handbook!