Fork Stanchion recall?

[mrtee43]

Just taken a picture of my fork stanchion tops and because it apparently falls outside the check dates, I would be interested to see what the difference is to others that need checking and possibly replacing.

September 2013 registered. Mine has 4 of these indentations at 90 degrees to each other.

 

[Engineer]

Just taken a picture of my fork stanchion tops and because it apparently falls outside the check dates, I would be interested to see what the difference is to others that need checking and possibly replacing.

September 2013 registered. Mine has 4 of these indentations at 90 degrees to each other.

That's the same as my April 2013 bike, my 'dimples' were put in at the Northampton dealer by BMW technicians before I was allowed to collect my bike from Balderston. My 2015 bike has 4 bigger/deeper crimps in the same position so cannot see how they would be less effective than the small dimples, if the tops are press fitted the same way in both cases?????

 

[kingoffat]

Was in my local dealer today to get service book stamped and got talking bout it. He said he would check while I was there. Turns out I have to get whatever fix is needed but still waiting on parts from Germany.
2014 gsa with 26k miles. Never been off road.

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[yankeedoodledandy]

That's the same as my April 2013 bike, my 'dimples' were put in at the Northampton dealer by BMW technicians before I was allowed to collect my bike from Balderston. My 2015 bike has 4 bigger/deeper crimps in the same position so cannot see how they would be less effective than the small dimples, if the tops are press fitted the same way in both cases?????

Theory is that the big, deep crimps actually weaken the overall rigidity of the fork tube more than the dimple crimps, which had been used successfully on all GS from 2004-2013. Increased flexing/bending of the tube is wearing the attachment out even though it might seem more "secure" than the dimples. I haven't seen official BMW confirmation of that, though, its not part of the recall notice. My 2013 is one of the unaffected, dimpled bikes as well. I'm keeping an eye on things just in case. And gloating a bit to those who said buying a first year, early run bike would lead to more woes than a later one.

 

[Deleted account Aberdeen GS]

Yankee Doodle..... I can understand how that would be the case.
Fascinating heh?
Maybe they should have joined the tubes and the end plugs with a threaded connection. That would have given improved integrity to the design.

(I'm struggling to think of where a "crimp" is used in engineering, (maybe to fix electronics and wires?))

 

[MartinS]

My bikes at the dealer for something else. Recall showed on system but theres no parts and no ETA on them yet.

 

[Sea Dog]

(I'm struggling to think of where a "crimp" is used in engineering, (maybe to fix electronics and wires?))

Favourite for high current battery terminals - not really a lot of impact or similar stress loading involved there though!

 

[Apex]

That's the same as my April 2013 bike, my 'dimples' were put in at the Northampton dealer by BMW technicians before I was allowed to collect my bike from Balderston. My 2015 bike has 4 bigger/deeper crimps in the same position so cannot see how they would be less effective than the small dimples, if the tops are press fitted the same way in both cases?????

Do the tops ever come off for servicing? Don't think so, as it would destroy the 'dimples'. I'm then left wondering if the stanchions could be professionally welded to the fork legs. TiG welded. They wouldn't leak! It would depend on what the two metals are made of. Done professionally you would never need to revisit the issue. Naturally, doing this world wide would require each country To remove and send them to a specialist and I suspect that would logistically be impossible.

I'm going to look into this. It may be that the leading edge of chrome would need grinding off, but that would be covered by the rubber band anyway. Some protection from heat soak could be provided. Perfection would be to get them laser welded as you get perfect welds and almost no heat soak. Stainless can be laser welded easily to another stainless part as we did huge amounts of this at work, but the parts here won't be stainless I imagine.

Does anyone know what metals are used? Have access to the info?

 

[snozzle]

Just to add my two pen'orth to this.

I took my 14 plate GS into Allan Jefferies today for a replacement rear tyre and the service reception asked if I'd heard about the recall on front forks. They said they were checking all bikes and fitting bushes whether there was a gap or not in the forks. As it turned out my bike is fine but they hope to fit the parts when it goes in for its MOT in a couple of weeks.

 

[Pauly S]

Do the tops ever come off for servicing? Don't think so, as it would destroy the 'dimples'. I'm then left wondering if the stanchions could be professionally welded to the fork legs. TiG welded. They wouldn't leak! It would depend on what the two metals are made of. Done professionally you would never need to revisit the issue. Naturally, doing this world wide would require each country To remove and send them to a specialist and I suspect that would logistically be impossible.

I'm going to look into this. It may be that the leading edge of chrome would need grinding off, but that would be covered by the rubber band anyway. Some protection from heat soak could be provided. Perfection would be to get them laser welded as you get perfect welds and almost no heat soak. Stainless can be laser welded easily to another stainless part as we did huge amounts of this at work, but the parts here won't be stainless I imagine.

Does anyone know what metals are used? Have access to the info?

Steel and aluminuim afaik

 

[Apex]

Steel and aluminuim afaik

Aluminium? I seriously hope not!


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[Apex]

Just having a coffee an hour away from Cannes. Route Napoleon - A route to do before you leave this mortal place. Stanchion check Geneva, both fine, which, considering how many wheelies the bike has done is great news. No offload though. The brand new fork seals just fitted in Geneva though, not great! Leaking like the proverbial. Annoying.


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[Deleted account Aberdeen GS]

Aluminium? I seriously hope not!
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Agreed Chris ! . It made me chuckle too !

 

[Tripleblack13]

Could someone who's had the fix applied to their bike posts some pictures up please

 

[PDiddy]

Had mine checked today, zero gap ... but was told that the fix would only be at customer request and that the dealer hasn't got the tool or parts to do the job yet -

 

[Marlou]

Could someone who's had the fix applied to their bike posts some pictures up please

I didn't ask they told me when iy went in for its service...

 

[Apex]

My view. Everyone should get the fix done. Period. I'm not sure whether the fix is a fix. Time will tell. But I'm guessing it's better than no fix. So my bike will get it whatever.


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[Tripleblack13]

I didn't ask they told me when iy went in for its service...

Cheers.
I guess it looks a bit more sturdy than rubber boot that was on it

 

[Tripleblack13]

I didn't ask they told me when iy went in for its service...

Okay so how is the metal collar applied? I'm assuming it's a solid ring that is pushed over the top of the stanchion?

 

[PaulBG]

My view. Everyone should get the fix done. Period. I'm not sure whether the fix is a fix. Time will tell. But I'm guessing it's better than no fix. So my bike will get it whatever.


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This issue is mentioned in the latest edition of Ride magazine. I spoke to Vines yesterday requesting an appointment to have my 2016 GSA checked and was told they don't have detailed instructions from BMW yet so can't book any bikes in until they know how long the check will take... I was told to get back to them when I have received the letter.. not very impressive. The Ride article doesn't indicate whether a fix will be applied to any / all affected bikes and Vines had no idea.