Anyone recognise my new 08 GSA?

[andeebee]

Following a recent Ebay opportunity I am now the proud owner of my first 2008 GSA and collected it from Wales yesterday.
It wears a couple of UKGSERS stickers so thought a previous forum member may recognise it? It started life in the Chester Mottorad dealership area upto around 32k miles. It now has 37k miles on it.

[/url]P1040577 by Andy Burlow, on Flickr[/IMG]
Unfortunately it cam with no history, other than the Service book and MOT so any info about the bike would be appreciated.

It has a Maxton rear shock and lock matched rear BMW panniers.

It was a good ride back although the M50 showed a good deal of engine vibration/buzz through the bars around 4500 - 5000 rpm in top, which I put down to being a twin (my first twin at that). Suspension seemed OK and was very stable.
Problems to sort out is a loose rear silencer bracket which has seized due to rust, silver rattle can overspray everywhere, oil leak around filter area which has collected on the sump guard and another around the left pot seal (see below).

[/url]small_P1040579 by Andy Burlow, on Flickr[/IMG]

Any advice for this newbie regarding sorting the above jobs would be appreciated!

Cheers, Andy

 

[lawvar]

No advice but
Welcome

 

[Rocketman]

Early yet but someone should recognise

 

[Bendy toy]

The rocker covers probably need new rubber gaskets. They compress over time.

The vibrations are normal but aggravated by the weak fuel mixture at around the same point. It can be reduced with a remap or tuning box.

I have the same model.

 

[andeebee]

So have just had the logbook through and found the previous owner is member joe4550 who doesnt appear to be active on the forum any longer.
Whats worrying is the guy I had bought it from hadnt registered the bike and it came with no history, just keys and owners manual.
At least I have the previous previous owners address from the logbook so I will get in touch with him to get the story...

 

[polecat]

So have just had the logbook through and found the previous owner is member joe4550 who doesnt appear to be active on the forum any longer.
Whats worrying is the guy I had bought it from hadnt registered the bike and it came with no history, just keys and owners manual.
At least I have the previous previous owners address from the logbook so I will get in touch with him to get the story...

Have you done a HPI check ?

 

[andeebee]

Yes, HPI is all good, inc finance check.
Chap i bought it from says he only had it a few days and is now buying a new one. Still sounds fishy. Will try previous owner.

 

[RROB]

I don't mean to wind you up but if so concerned why buy in first place..... many bikes out there around that age / condition ??

I'm anal that's why I went via here and yes I guess there could be some dodgy bikes.... but if searches / history / suspicion raise a eyebrow I always walk away..... it wasn't for you (me)....

I'm sure your bike is ok and if you call BMW they will have any listed services (provided it was done via them).... might help with reassurances.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Yes, HPI is all good, inc finance check.
Chap i bought it from says he only had it a few days and is now buying a new one. Still sounds fishy. Will try previous owner.

Drop Paul, the owner of this site, a PM 'Paul G (BHT)'. He might have Joe's email on record.

 

[flatdog]

Yes, HPI is all good, inc finance check.
Chap i bought it from says he only had it a few days and is now buying a new one. Still sounds fishy. Will try previous owner.

Just look at Joe's historic posts which show he had a few electrical gremlins over a period of time if he's talking about the same bike.

 

[flatdog]

I think Gundog also owned it in the past?
If I remember correctly Joe had some decals and a rocket launcher toggle switch mounted on the handle bars.
Also had a few juvenile moments much to our mirth.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

I think Gundog also owned it in the past?
If I remember correctly Joe had some decals and a rocket launcher toggle switch mounted on the handle bars.
Also had a few juvenile moments much to our mirth.

Oh...it's that bike. I remember the rocket launcher thread.

 

[andeebee]

I agree with all your comments, however I didnt realise until I got the logbook back and started the investigation work but I will also admit to an impulse buy and not checking things through at the point of sale.
I have also read the previous owners classic threads including 'when do I use 6th gear?' and 'do you like my stickers?'.
Fortunately the bike seems to have survived its brief spell of abuse and has come to a good home... without the rocket launcher

 

[flatdog]

I agree with all your comments, however I didnt realise until I got the logbook back and started the investigation work but I will also admit to an impulse buy and not checking things through at the point of sale.
I have also read the previous owners classic threads including 'when do I use 6th gear?' and 'do you like my stickers?'.
Fortunately the bike seems to have survived its brief spell of abuse and has come to a good home... without the rocket launcher

I wouldn't get too paranoid on it's history mate, I'm sure you'll have many happy miles on her.

 

[Bendy toy]

This model had a few corrosion problems but its basically a well made bike. It's not got quite the top end power of the twin cam but it has got more mid range punch just where you need it.

IMO the major mods are remap or tuning box (AF-XIED seems to be favourite atm) and Givi AF-330 screen. The retune should hardly affect fuel consumption but the more immediate power delivery makes this heavy bike much easier to use. My brother has the identical model in bog standard tune. It feels like a slug compared to mine, not only in power terms (as expected) but also the handling feels ponderous.

Keep a close watch on the engine front cover paint behind that crud cover. The OEM paint cracks around screw holes and corrosion can creep in but hidden away by the crud cover.

 

[andeebee]

Cheers Bendy, thats good advice. When I get some time I will be dropping the gearbox and final drive oils as cant be sure when/if they have been done.
The front cover does need looking at as Im sure that where the oil thats collecting on the sump guard is coming from. Will have to take cover off and have a gander.

 

[Bendy toy]

If the alternator drive shaft seal is leaking you will get a meal of oil at the bottom of the plastic belt cover . If there are signs of bubbling paint you could get a shock when you see how far the crud can creep under the paint layer.

Take off the belt cover and look for leaks at the top just below the alternator pulley. The crank position sensor O-ring can leak.

My front cover corrosion had spread out from the belt cover bottom screw. Paint had bubbled and flaked below the cover bottom edge but its can't have been stone chips because there was just as much damage under the cover as outside.