Corrosion again!!

[m25gser]

Great picture in post #60. I'm not there yet - cant get that level of fork leg crud build-up.

The BMs I've owned have only ever got a winter coat of ACF-50 and a deep clean in spring and autumn whether they needed it or not. I had no real corrosion problems with my 1150gs' going the ACF route. Had an S that was made of the same stuff they used to make 70's Matchbox cars from (cheese?) and even ACF couldn't save her. The current 04 12GS has over 30k miles now (most by pervious owner) and whilst it's not concourse its by no means rotten and corrosion free. In the 400+ commuting miles a week she does, the winter has yet to get through the application of ACF she got in November - so for me ACF50 is the route to go.

But if you do:
Take the wheels off / mask the callipers and you can spray away like banksy without getting the stuff on the tyres / brakes
Use a tiny amount on wire rims applied with a paintbrush as it weeps through the spoke holes and onto the tyres.
Wear you oldest crapiest riding gear forever once youve sprayed it - the crud wont cling onto the bike so much but manages transfer itself onto you every time you ride.
Prepare yourself for some pleasant smelling smoke

So for me no polishing and worrying about trade-in value, best to get out, spray it and ride it.

Hope the pic is attached. Crud shot is today. Not up to the standard in post #60 yet... will post again at the end of Feb

 

[Pressurized]

What Gazzabart said is quite correct - manufacturers spend huge resources working out what is best for a particular application then along comes Johnny who changes things on the basis of some half understood and incorrect nonsense on a forum. Doesnt matter with some things but when it comes to changing the bolts on your brakes it pays to leave things to BMW.

I said that

LOL[/QUOTE]
Totally agree, for safety critical components just replace with OEM items. Keep a set for winter and a set for other times why not!

 

[k12pfc]

As I have another 13 months warranty left on the bike I am going to leave the work until April/May when all the salt has gone, be interesting to see how far it corrodes in that time!

 

[k12pfc]

As I have another 13 months warranty left on the bike I am going to leave the work until April/May when all the salt has gone, be interesting to see how far it corrodes in that time!

Changed my mind, talking to Bahnstormers they suggest having it done now, good idea, then I can have another one next January, when it corrodes again and just before the warranty runs out!!

 

[STORM1]

Pannier Corrosion

My BMW/Touratech panniers have been ruined by a single journey on wet roads! My bike has been garaged for most of the winter but I did ride for about an hour on wet roads recently. I gave it a good wash a day or two later and found that although the bike came up fine, the panniers were wrecked! I have attacked the corrosion with a buffing wheel and aluminium polish but this just gives a highly polished finish but still with black corrosion spots.

My bike was new in September and it still looks great but the panniers look like they have aged 1o years! Bahnstormer say that they are not aware of this happening before but are looking into the possibility of replacing under waranty. If they do, will I have to avoid riding in the wet in future! What about the £50 pillion pad on the top box, will I be expected to buy another?

Both bike and panniers have been regularly washed so I can’t see any reason why they should deteriorate so quickly. I know that people will say that I am being overly precious but they did cost £1000 and are supposed to be robust. Aren't they?

Has anybody else experienced this problem?