corrosion to cylinders horror!!

[Adamm]

i like to think i keep a pretty clean bike ( 06 1200gsa )and avoid salt like the plauge but last weekend spotted some corrosion to the bottom of both cylinders. Just along the seal for about 3 cm. As said i never knowingly ride after gritters (plus they have hardly been out) and wash the bike often. I'm really p*ssed off my self for allowing it to happen and basically looking for redemption in the form of someone saying it is not my fault but a common problem covered by warrenty. the strange thing is (and dont laugh) i feel i've let the bike down, it has taken me to spain, had loads of fun in the uk, is going to take me to N.Africa in April and all i had to do was keep it clean. What a knob.

so self pitty aside any tips?

All the best ,
Adam

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

i like to think i keep a pretty clean bike ( 06 1200gsa )and avoid salt like the plauge but last weekend spotted some corrosion to the bottom of both cylinders. Just along the seal for about 3 cm. As said i never knowingly ride after gritters (plus they have hardly been out) and wash the bike often. I'm really p*ssed off my self for allowing it to happen and basically looking for redemption in the form of someone saying it is not my fault but a common problem covered by warrenty. the strange thing is (and dont laugh) i feel i've let the bike down, it has taken me to spain, had loads of fun in the uk, is going to take me to N.Africa in April and all i had to do was keep it clean. What a knob.

so self pitty aside any tips?

All the best ,
Adam

I'm not sure it's a 'common' problem but you are not the only person to have posted on this site with this issue so would suggest you take it up with your dealer as a potential waranty issue.

FWIW I'm also very careful about not letting corrosion get a foot hold on my bike (March 05) but despite this noticed at the weekend that the dreaded front engine cover corrosion has started so I'll need to speak to my dealer soon.

Andres

 

[petethewelder]

Rust on my GS

I have had more rust and corosion on my gs than a ten year old Suzuki but the good news is my dealer (Southport Superbikes) has replaced evrything under warranty so keep pestering your dealer you know it makes sense

 

[Gas'd Off]

It's been said before "just ride it"
Any bits replaced under warranty will go the same way. If you plan to keep the bike.....when(not if! ) you spot any paint lifting on the aluminium, break it off otherwise moisture/salt sits under it and corrodes it. Once open to the elements & cleaned the ali does what it does so well which is create its own oxide(?) layer preventing any more corrosion
I guess if yer planning to px it in a year it makes sense to get bits done under warranty though

 

[Tomcat]

I noticed the other week that there is some slight corrosion appearing between the fins on the top of the cylinder on my '04 GS. Like you, I'm a bit obsessive about cleaning the bike after a run, so I was not very happy about this. But the bike is out of warranty, and the corrosion is cosmetic only, so I'm not losing sleep over it. Vines have already replaced both wheels (corrosion starting on the hubs around the spoke holes) and the front cover, so all credit to them. Zero credit to the quality of BM's paint finish - once it was renowned for its high quality but now the brand is becoming renowned for corrosion.

 

[pedmo]

I have said this on another thread, but may be worth repeating here. When they went to remove the gearbox on my 18 month old 1200 to replace a leaky seal, a main gearbox mounting bolt was so severely corroded that they could not remove it without terminal damage to the frame, which is being replaced today.

This very expensive to resolve problem would not have been found until after the warranty expired, had I not been fortunate enough to have a gearbox oil leak now

May be worth checking your main mounting bolts are not severely corroded, before the warranty runs out?

 

[Timolgra]

Zero credit to the quality of BM's paint finish - once it was renowned for its high quality but now the brand is becoming renowned for corrosion.

We called the factory in Berlin last year and were told BMW are now using more 'environmentaly friendly' paints ...which i presume is why the finish on later bikes (including some 1150s ) is poor.

Hammerite smootrite silver is good for touching up. I have just resprayed my 2002 1150ADV bevel box with it.

My previous 2000 1150 had no corrosion issues to speak of.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

My previous 2000 1150 had no corrosion issues to speak of.

Unlike mine which was looking very sad after 30k miles.

Paul

 

[MIKE R]

If the corrosion is 'inside out' rather than 'outside in' then it is a definite warranty issue. I had an issue with an 1150 gearbox peeling about 4 years ago. No problem with the replacement.

Mike

 

[darkhorse]

Was bored at the weekend and didn't fancy a ride so cleaned my 12GSA for the first time in six months.

Use the bike everyday in all weathers, didn't spot any corrosion, however wasn't really looking for it either. Life is too short to worry about it.

Did spray with that afc50 or whatever it is called a while bike, must have done the job, or thje build up of dirt before the raod gaot salty must have protected it. mmm, thats a good excuse not to clean it at all.

 

[Adamm]

cheers

I too got my bike from southport superbikes so will try them tomorrow when the service guys are in.

All the best,

Adam

 

[Garfieldus]

I have had more rust and corosion on my gs than a ten year old Suzuki but the good news is my dealer (Southport Superbikes) has replaced evrything under warranty so keep pestering your dealer you know it makes sense

well done. i know what the service dept of my dealer would tell me if i went looking for parts to be replaced due to corrosion - stonechips, stonechips, stonechips

even under the seat? yes stonechips, stonechips, stonechips