A bit of bath sealant around the sidestand weld

[Tobers]

I've finally got round to putting a bit of bath sealant into the gaps at the front and back of where the sidestand mount is welded to the frame.

Why? Because the mount is welded to the frame only at the sides, not at the front and back as well. This leaves gaps between the mount and the frame at the front and back that water gets into, and permeates between the two surfaces. There is no paint coverage between the mount and the frame as the frame is painted after it is all welded together. Bare steel and water (plus associated winter salt) is a recipe for corrosion.

I know this because when my sidestand mount snapped off due to a poor weld a few months back, corrosion was clearly evident on the inside faces of both the mount and the frame. The bike was 4 weeks old at the time. Prior to having it fitted under warranty, I checked the welds on the new subframe which were all lovely, but the gaps at the front and back of the sidestand mount remain.

My advice is therefore to wait until everything has dried out down there (shouldn't take long as the exhaust pipe is next to the stand mount), and smear some sealant into the gaps at the front and rear of the mount. You will need to take off the little slotted cover thingy to get your finger in there. Sorted

 

[Dinger]

Top tip Tobers!

I'll be having a portion of that, thanks.

 

[Flying banana]

I have no problems with 'improving' various things on a bike, but to have to do something like this on a bike that costs as much as it does, (and I have just read a thread that intimated that the cost may be going up next year) is little short of criminal. Looking at the photos you post, Tobers, I have seen better engineering on a kiddies pushbike, made in Tiawan, I exaggerate not. I almost cannot believe that BMW are not welding these up properly. Bearing in mind the damage thats gonna potentially be caused if/whe the weld breaks because of the inevitable corrosion, it takes the pee a little, I think

FB

 

[sixfootandstocky]

I disagree with your solution as it will trap any moisture, however created, within the void.

Why not simply fill the void with marine grease and replace as required?

Alternatively have your "expert" BMUU dealer deal with the matter.

Bonjour.

 

[laughingBob]

I agree with FB, it's a bloody discrace. I bet they don't build their cars in such a shoddy manner. I haven't looked at mine yet but I will definately do something about the problem. How about completely filling the void with silicon. That would force out any water in the gap and seal it completely.

 

[Tobers]

I thought about the moisture in the gap, but the bike had been dry for a week or so, and had had some decent runs so heat from the exhaust will have dried it out I reckon. Use marine grease if you like, or chip fat - whatever you fancy.

My local welding specialists, Leedsheath in Guildford (round the corner from Vines actually!) looked at the welding and declared it "pants". If you look at the (slightly blurry - sorry) top edge in the picture there is virtually no weld on there at all. I did a good check on the new subframe and it looked much better.

Still, I imagine there will be a few warranty claims in a year or two (oops - two year warranty isn't it) as corroded sidestand mounts snap off.

 

[sixfootandstocky]

My concern is that moisture will enter the void after you have tried to seal it. I am reminded of my old Austin 1100 cills rotting!

Methinks that your BMUU dealer will blame your modifications for any subsequent failure.

If i was to fill/seal the void I would use marine grease as it seems to stick like shit to a blanket and would probably stay for ages. Waxoil too or similar.

I'm off to see what the welding is like on mine.

Bonjour.

 

[boundless]

Use marine grease if you like, or chip fat - whatever you fancy.

Waxoyl would be good stuff for this...

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Hi Andy.

Leedsheath then eh ?

How's Tony ?

Wish i could find someone like them in Sydney !!

 

[mpriestley]

great value

10k and you need to stop by B&Q for a tube of bath sealant to finish the job......tell me more about German engineering....

 

[HeatedGrips]

I know this because when my sidestand mount snapped off due to a poor weld a few months back, corrosion was clearly evident on the inside faces of both the mount and the frame. The bike was 4 weeks old at the time.

OK you lot that gave me a hard time when I first dared to suggest this: Do you still disagree that B*W are taking the piss with a 10k price tag based soley on the huge demand for this bike?

Or maybe weldless welds are part of the weight-saving programme?

 

[shugie]

the marine grease is the better option, some sealants give off acid while curing, and you don't need to add acid to the water/bare steel mixture

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Silly cone

the marine grease is the better option, some sealants give off acid while curing, and you don't need to add acid to the water/bare steel mixture

Well said Shugie
High Modulus and/or any acetoxy curing silicone (smells like vinegar when curing) will accelerate corrosion on bare steel,best to use a "neutral cure" or low modulus silicone,if in doubt use the marine grease option

 

[Tobers]

Blimey - the things you learn on this forum!

 

[Bones]

You could always try vaseline, as this will still stay on the surface of the metal unless washed off with a degreaser or detergent. Also when the vaseline gets warm it will spread to the areas you may not be able to reach. I would expect all you 1200 GS owners to have a small pot of this as its obvious BMW has shafted you with another poor quality job

 

[sixfootandstocky]

Mine looks like this.

Is it bigger than yours?

Bonjour.

 

[Tobers]

That's just the same as mine - a small gap but a gap it is.

 

[Deleted account W]

Are they welds or silver bird sh*t?

 

[Ming]

Nice bit of silver Taiwan tinplate there sir

is that an option on the 1200 then??