Corrosion on engine cover - should I worry?

[Scrawf]

Went to look at a 'cheap' (£3300) 1150GS today and I was disappointed at the amount of corrosion on the engine cover that didn't show up in the photos of the bike. The corrosion had been painted over was worse on the right of the bike (looking at the front). Some of the bolts looked as though they might break the engine cover if over tightened.

I know this is a 'feature' of an older 1150 but should I worry? Can I just find a replacement engine cover and replace the corroded one to smarten the bike up?

Scrawf

 

[Bryn]

Went to look at a 'cheap' (£3300) 1150GS today and I was disappointed at the amount of corrosion on the engine cover that didn't show up in the photos of the bike. The corrosion had been painted over was worse on the right of the bike (looking at the front). Some of the bolts looked as though they might break the engine cover if over tightened.

I know this is a 'feature' of an older 1150 but should I worry? Can I just find a replacement engine cover and replace the corroded one to smarten the bike up?

Scrawf

If the rest of the bike looks good you could always get a stainless bolt kit, and take the cover off, strip and re-paint .... or have it powder coated

 

[John Armstrong]

Probably cheap for a reason.

Plenty of nice condition ones out there, or go for a 1100 if that's your price limit, as all things being equal the 1100 should be in a better condition than the newer 1150.

 

[BAKERMAN]

Complain to Dealer, ask for warranty claim when he says SORRY NO come back on here and slag him off bigtime.

 

[Ash]

They all do that sir.
As Bryn say as long as the rest is not too bad,front casing is an easy fix on or off bike.

 

[STUBBS]

a couple of hours work on a rainy day cleaning it up and respray

 

[twizzle]

Plenty around....walk away and buy one where condition is better!

 

[jonnie comet]

Plenty around....walk away and buy one where condition is better!

Agreed........I don't go along with this 'usual corrosion' crap. I ran an 1150 through a number of winters, and sold it with ZERO (really) corossion. I don't do anything special, I simply look after the things and then they don't rot.

A dog on the outside does not necessarily mean a dog on the inside, but it probably does. There are lots about, no need to buy a woofer....

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Agreed........I don't go along with this 'usual corrosion' crap. I ran an 1150 through a number of winters, and sold it with ZERO (really) corossion. I don't do anything special, I simply look after the things and then they don't rot.

A dog on the outside does not necessarily mean a dog on the inside, but it probably does. There are lots about, no need to buy a woofer....

+1

How hard can it be to spray the front cover of the bike a few times over the winter even if you don't wash the bike.......?

ACF50, Scotoil FS365, GT85, WD40, Waxoyl......Anything to protect the bike from salt makes a huge difference!

FP.

 

[Humbug]

a couple of hours work on a rainy day cleaning it up and respray

Agreed! I bought this one last year and soon had it looking much better. Don't let it put you off. I don't know what year the one you looked at is but this one cost nothing like as much, a 2000 model with only 40K miles and FSH.

 

[unibar]

That looks lovely!

How did you do it, did involve animal sacrifice?

Mine just has some flaking paint on the fins after 10 years of living outside and I have been looking at giving it some attention.

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

I did a write up on repainting engine cases 4 years ago, it may help, see here;

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136102







.

 

[Humbug]

I did a write up on repainting engine cases 4 years ago, it may help, see here;

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136102.

Yes, that's how it's done. I believe MikeP also has a good write up about this.

 

[unibar]

Thanks guys, I only have flaking paint on the fins.. oddly the cover is just fine, I am reluctant to let her go as I've had her from new, so I know the cosmetics are just that in my case.

 

[longdog]

Agreed! I bought this one last year and soon had it looking much better. Don't let it put you off. I don't know what year the one you looked at is but this one cost nothing like as much, a 2000 model with only 40K miles and FSH.

What a fantastic job!

 

[jimbo]

Humbug,
Did that exhaust just polish up or did you do something more?

 

[brewking]

It is nice to take pride in things but material items are far less valuable that the extra experiences you will get by riding your bike.

I bought my 1150GS in perfect condition and ride it every day. I have treated it with ACF50 but it now has some signs of corrosion from riding through the winter. This used to bother me but now I realise that it adds character

If you are buying with the view to possibly selling on one day then search for one in good condition but I think you will love it and never want to sell it - looks don't really matter then.

A little bit of rust shows you spend your time riding and are a more interesting person (or that you are lazy and leave your bike out in the rain while you stay dry in the car).

Just ride

 

[Humbug]

Sorry for the delay in replying.

The exhaust took quite a lot of time and a hell of a lot of elbow grease! I started with a brass wire whell on a drill and then various grades of wet and dry. Then followed Belgom Alu applied with a very fine grade of wire wool and a final polish. I daren't say on here how long it took me but I enjoyed every minute of it.

All the nuts and bolts were replaced with s/s and I sold the bike for £2600 last August. A bargain for a 40K miler I think but I do bikes like this because I just love doing it, not for the money.

PS I enjoyed riding it too!

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Sorry for the delay in replying.

The exhaust took quite a lot of time and a hell of a lot of elbow grease! I started with a brass wire whell on a drill and then various grades of wet and dry. Then followed Belgom Alu applied with a very fine grade of wire wool and a final polish. I daren't say on here how long it took me but I enjoyed every minute of it.

All the nuts and bolts were replaced with s/s and I sold the bike for £2600 last August. A bargain for a 40K miler I think but I do bikes like this because I just love doing it, not for the money.

PS I enjoyed riding it too!

I thought that exhaust would have cleaned up a bit better than that with all the time and elbow grease you've spent on it.........!

FP.

 

[Humbug]

I thought that exhaust would have cleaned up a bit better than that with all the time and elbow grease you've spent on it.........!

FP.