Dave284
Guest
Check them next week and I wont be suprised if you tell us there loose again!
JohnP
Registered user
After 2800 miles the torques for each of the four bolts were 18,20,22 & 24 Nm. Each has now been tightened to 25Nm as per spec. Will check them again in about 1000 miles.
A top tip, the tightening up of one bolt slackens the grip and torque of the other, so torque top bolt, bottom bolt, repeat top, repeat bottom etc etc until both bolts settle at the desired torque.
I have fitted Wunderlich steering stop protectors to mine, which uses longer bolts so I have used some loctite on them. Not had a problem since fitting.
I would guess that at the factory assembly line they have a torque calibrated air wrench and they just tighten one screw then the other and send the bike along the production line, rather than tightening both screws repeatedly until they settle at the correct torque.
I have fitted Wunderlich steering stop protectors to mine, which uses longer bolts so I have used some loctite on them. Not had a problem since fitting.
I would guess that at the factory assembly line they have a torque calibrated air wrench and they just tighten one screw then the other and send the bike along the production line, rather than tightening both screws repeatedly until they settle at the correct torque.
I checked my bolts yesterday after reading this thread - all 4 were not torqued to spec. Less than 20Nm. I have had the bike for a year, its had one service. NZ bought so its not just a problem on the bikes in the UK.
Rich
Rich
vfxmark
Registered user
Checked mine at abouty 300 miles...one OK and three loose...significantly looser than spec.
Thanks for the tip!
Mentioned it to my dealer who has heard nothing from BMW North America about a problem...
no surprise there, actually
Mark
Thanks for the tip!
Mentioned it to my dealer who has heard nothing from BMW North America about a problem...
no surprise there, actually
Mark
Caps
Guest
Buying 1200 GSA
I have a GSA on order can anyone tell me if they are having the loose bolts problem and is it worth getting the shop to loctite them before I pick it up??
Thanks
I have a GSA on order can anyone tell me if they are having the loose bolts problem and is it worth getting the shop to loctite them before I pick it up??
Thanks
delboy
Registered user
Well, well - first time I've read this thread and guess what - checked my bolts today and the top two were very slack! Something not right here so I will be following it up with my dealer tomorrow when I go in to complain about the corrosion on one of my rocker covers and of course the alternator cover. They sure don't make them like they used to. My 31 year old R90S has less corrosion than a year old 1200????
Mind you when I passed the guy on the Honda SP1 today I kinda forgot about the bits that aint right and just pissed off up the road laughing!!!
Mind you when I passed the guy on the Honda SP1 today I kinda forgot about the bits that aint right and just pissed off up the road laughing!!!
rdover
Registered user
This thread makes for very interesting reading. Has the poll been started?
I collect my GSA on Friday (oooh I can't wait) and will mention it to the dealer.
A general point though.
We are all agreed that these bikes are great and we are right to eb concerned about this issue, however a little perspective is in order. Yes we have to check things like this as we do with oil levels, tyre pressure, fuel, radiator water level (har har) and this is to be expected. Bike are strange characterful things and checking stuff like this just adds to the charm. Doing a check every ride seems excessive, however a close eye is very much in order.
As for "We expect more from BMW as these bikes are so expensive...". My father bought a Bentley GT last year (pissing away MY inheritance !) and was unsurprised to find that the pdi was not done properly and the oil level was very low! This was on a £120,000 vehicle.
lets just keep checking and reporting back and keeping BMW advised. I, for one, am very pleased that this type of stuff is discussed in such an adult manner and in no way does it put me off my new toy. Forewarned is forearmed.
I collect my GSA on Friday (oooh I can't wait) and will mention it to the dealer.
A general point though.
We are all agreed that these bikes are great and we are right to eb concerned about this issue, however a little perspective is in order. Yes we have to check things like this as we do with oil levels, tyre pressure, fuel, radiator water level (har har) and this is to be expected. Bike are strange characterful things and checking stuff like this just adds to the charm. Doing a check every ride seems excessive, however a close eye is very much in order.
As for "We expect more from BMW as these bikes are so expensive...". My father bought a Bentley GT last year (pissing away MY inheritance !) and was unsurprised to find that the pdi was not done properly and the oil level was very low! This was on a £120,000 vehicle.
lets just keep checking and reporting back and keeping BMW advised. I, for one, am very pleased that this type of stuff is discussed in such an adult manner and in no way does it put me off my new toy. Forewarned is forearmed.
nozza
Registered user
Cheers for the warning, read about the yolk bolts last night and intended do check them this morn but not having any Torx bits in my sparse tool box couldnt do it. Anyone suggest a good set and range of bits to get to cover my bike, oh and will fit a 3/8 drive torque whrench. Bums going to be a bit tight till i do the job.
Cheers
Cheers
Mine kept coming loose, so I took them all out and welded the forks to the clamps.
rdover
Registered user
Went to Motorrad Central in Glasgow to drop off my cover note for MY NEW 12GSA!!!!!!! ...... 2.5 days and counting ....... and mentioned the bolt issue. They (MC) said that BMW has been in contact with them twice to ask that they check the bolts on any 12GS that comes in, keep a note of how loose (if at at all) the botls were and how much torquing up they needed and report back so that BMW can issue a recall if necessary.
The sales guys thought that the forum was being a bit scaremongery but the grease monkeys know about it and are spreading the word.
Good News?
The sales guys thought that the forum was being a bit scaremongery but the grease monkeys know about it and are spreading the word.
Good News?
Mine kept coming loose, so I took them all out and welded the forks to the clamps.
You're joking... aren't you?
Malc
You're joking... aren't you?
Malc
Don't worry - just a touch of irony as our colonial cousins might say.
(RIP) Bin Ridin
Registered user
Pretty clear that when you tighten the second one, the first one becomes less tight. Tis effect diminishes as you get them both to their actual final state.
I would expect that if you tighten them in turn until both are at the right torque, the will stay that way. ymmv.
I would expect that if you tighten them in turn until both are at the right torque, the will stay that way. ymmv.
That's been my experience too.
terayon
Registered user
Just checked mine after having the bike for a month and doing 2000 miles on it.
You guessed it loose as hell
One was up to torque, two were about 18Nm and one was as little as 10Nm
All torqued up and will check again in 500 miles
You guessed it loose as hell
One was up to torque, two were about 18Nm and one was as little as 10Nm
All torqued up and will check again in 500 miles
just fitted wunderlich fork stop things today. measured the torque needed to shift the old pinch bolts with a digital torque wrench: between 12 and 16Nm
i had set these bolts myself less than 1000 miles ago, torquing each on incrementally so that one was not affecting the other too much. when i was sure they were right, i tip-exed the heads so i could see if they unwound. they hadn't, so no point loctiting bolts. they're not coming loose, it's what they are clamping. if you loctite them, they may appear torqued ok but not be gripping the fork tubes tight enough
i had set these bolts myself less than 1000 miles ago, torquing each on incrementally so that one was not affecting the other too much. when i was sure they were right, i tip-exed the heads so i could see if they unwound. they hadn't, so no point loctiting bolts. they're not coming loose, it's what they are clamping. if you loctite them, they may appear torqued ok but not be gripping the fork tubes tight enough
Similar threads
