Final Drive - Strange marks on the casing

[Deleted account 211025001]

Bit of a weird one this.....................

Finally got around to cleaning several thousands of miles of crap off the bike this weekend (has come up a treat due to covering in ACF50 etc prior to the winter ).

What I've noticed, which was defo. not there before, is a load of what I can only descibe as small 'stress' marks on the casing of the final drive. I dont actually think that's what they are it's just the best way I can describe them. They are randomaly all over the casing but concentrated anywhere there is a ridge or curve/dip in the casting.

The paint has not cracked or broken through (i.e. it doesn't look like the paint has been abraded or is peeling/chipping) but more as if it's the surface below the paint that is doing this.

The bike's a year old with 15,000 miles on the clock. I've attached some piccies which don't really show it properly but hopefully enough to help illustrate what I'm going on about.

I'm not particuarly worried about it, just very curious as to what's going on - has anybody else noticed this on their bike?

Cheers
Andres

 

[jonothan]

I'm neither a metallurgist nor a paint expert. But that to me appears to be a fault in the paint finish rather than a sign of an underlying problem with the metal itself. So if the appearance doesn't bother you and the bike's running fine, ignore it.

J

 

[(RIP) sherpa]

crap paint

I had exactly this on my last 1150

Don't let your dealer tell you its not covered by warranty.
Mine had been told it wasn't, by BMW GB, but when I confronted Howard Godolphin on the NEC stand with an A4 picture and bike still in warranty he rang the dealer there and then to tell them to fit a new final drive.

I would like to make it clear that my dealer had previously been told by Godolphin that it wouldn't be covered under warranty nad was not at fault here.

HTH
Sherpa

 

[newman7096]

Mine looks exactly the same...never got ant worse though so Im not overly bov'd.

 

[GSmonkey]

Mine did exactly the same. BMW would not change it under warranty though.

 

[Mouse]

Mine's the same, don't think it's worth asking for a warranty replacement, if it bothers you that much apply a coat of spray paint Hammerite smooth silver-grey is a good colour match.

 

[Shep]

Some of these hi alkali cleaning agents will do this if applied to a dry surface

Instructions say hose down first and never let dry on the paint/ally

Shep

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Exactly the same on my 1150, too. Strangely, it was completely undetectable by touch even though it looked as if it should be rough. The marks appeared as if by magic after it had a service, and I did wonder whether it was a result of gear oil leaking on it. (In my simple little world, gear oil is nastier stuff than other oils because it smells worse!).

However, very shortly after that I agreed to trade ti in for a 1200, so it never really became an issue. And it was only noticeable upon very close inspection.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I think I'll mention it at my next service if only to register the fact in case it should get worse.

It is weird though, I've never seen anything like it before and, as Robin says, it looks as if it should be rough but is infact smooth to the touch

Cheers
andres

 

[Pipen]

Hi, I had the same ‘marks’ on my GS drive shaft after 6000 miles. I noticed the paint was also very slightly discoloured, with a yellowish tinge to it when compared to the rest of the drive shaft housing. While I was checking the rear brake pads I noticed the back wheel had about 12 mm play! (side to side measured at the tyre) I put the discolouration and down to overheating and the ‘marks’ down to stress loading of the unit. I would check your wheel for any side play before you take it in for the service. I had the unit replaced under warranty and have had no probs in the 3000 miles since.

 

[GSmonkey]

The paint on mine went yellow in certain places as well. It was also after it came back from the garage. I put it down to the garage leaving it with oil on it for a few weeks, but never got to the bottom of it.

 

[ianf]

It's some sort of reaction to cleaners, I've got it in the same place, and also on the gearbox where something unpleasant was used to get rid of yellow fuel stains.

 

[Ken H.]

The clear coat of the finish has failed. A dealer might bit on refinishing it under warranty, might say it's environmentally caused.