Fork Brace

[Big E]

Hello GSers,

I am new to the site and wonder if anyone could help.

I have an 1150 GS ADV 03 and the paint is coming off the fork brace. Because the bike is out of warranty BMW have told me there is nothing they can do for me. The bike has done just over 6K!!!!!. Is this the norm?

Regards, Big E

 

[DavidHale]

Hello GSers,

I am new to the site and wonder if anyone could help.

I have an 1150 GS ADV 03 and the paint is coming off the fork brace. Because the bike is out of warranty BMW have told me there is nothing they can do for me. The bike has done just over 6K!!!!!. Is this the norm?

Regards, Big E

'Fraid so. That and the fork lowers seem to be where the finish goes a bit poo. You'll be hard pressed to find an 1150 owner that DOESN'T have a crap looking fork brace!

 

[Timolgra]

Clean it off and get a rag with some silver Hammerite on it, give it a wipe

 

[Totoro]

Big E.

I've only had my 2001 1150GS since last Aug. I've used it through most of the winter and washed it at least once a week.

The paint on the fork brace is now looking very tatty and doesn't stand up well to the weather. Nothing seems to help.

Some people take the forks off and strip/ repaint them but I don't know how well this works long term.

I think GS's are made to be used and abused. Gives them some character

Having said that, I'm sure BMW M5 owners would not be happy if all the paint on their front spoilers started peeling off.

 

[roly]

fork paint

hi big e
had mine a few years ,no problem with it ,i knew of this problem with them plus other areas ,telelever ,abs rings, it all got lagged in waxoil. looks a shit heap as it only gets used on wet days all winter never washed. next week it gets the de-greaser on it first time in three years , a polish the lot . hopefully no rust anywere, few times have down a test area ,wiped off in a small area with petrol on a rag and underneath all the grime it was still sparkling.then put more waxoil on it.

 

[Dabba]

I had my fork brace changed within the 2 year warranty it looked nasty after 18 months (they're all like this sir). Most owners seem to manage this (looking around used bikes in the showroom). Should have done the off-side fork leg at the same time but it didn't seem bad enough then-strangely the near side one is fine, this was also true of one I saw in a dealers.
Like the tip about hammerite, will give it a go