Front cover corrosion pics

[(RIP) Mark H]

" Quote "Good Oleboy" Pity they didnt do that in the first place

I think most manufactures are stuck with health and safety rules over paint finishes nowdays, its mostly all water-based and dont have the "hardness" of traditional older finishes, neither do BMW prepare alloy surfaces with any etching type primer, (again probaly for H/S reasons), but you can still buy this stuff and apply it yourself (DIY) and hopefully get a longer lasting finish, the job can all be done with careful masking in-situ, apart from removing Exhausts for accesability, I,ve a few "Winter" rallys coming up so It`l be interesting to see how the job stands up to winter riding, I might give a hand with some ACF-50

 

[ScaryAardvark]

Is there any member in the Northumberland area who's handy with a spanner who wouldn't mind assisting me with taking the plastic front cover of my 1200GS, removing the corrosion, priming and painting the metal engine cover, and replacing the engine cover bolts in stainless and refitting the plastic cover with stainless bolts ?

I'd need advice on what paints, etchers etc to buy and where from.. (I sound like I know what I'm talking about but I've simply read this thread ).

I'm more than happy to do all the oily work I just need someone to point me in the right direction etc when it goes titsup.

From what I've read, I shouldn't need to take the metal engine cover off the bike..



Also, could this job be done in a day or do you need to leave the primer etc for a while to cure.

 

[Giles K]

Corrosion front cover

I have been reading about a few fellow 1200 GS riders who have discovered on their newish bikes, corrosion??? this should not happen so quickly?

So i just wanted to let everyone know that i to have discovered the same problems on my 2007 model a few days ago. And still just under its 2 year warranty.

I took it to SouthLondon BMW to show them. Thinking i would have a fight on my hands to get this sorted.

To my surprise i cant tell you all, how helpful they all were no problems and i got a coffee to.

All the rusty bolts have been replaced on the front discs. the engine cover has been replaced [ sponge taken out ] and new filler cap, all at the cost of BMW.

the problem is to do with the type of salt we put on our roads in this country?

Its all done now and looks great Great dealer!!

Now going to get Fender Extender, and cover bike in [50 Spray]

Giles

 

[AndyW]

Suppose its the DIY option then. Just a shame the H&B engine bars are in the way making it 100 times harder!

As you only bought the bike a month ago I'd expect the dealer to sort this out for you, worth having a chat with them

 

[cherokee]

I think its complete bollox that a bike with only 13000 miles should get in that state,whos in charge of quality control at BMW?must be fcuking Stevie wonder.I love mt GSA but i gotta say theres no way id spend the money some of you guys spend on a new bike,when after a couple of years they start to dissolve..................we really shouldnt have to work this hard to keep our bikes in good nick....

 

[GSmonkey]

I had my first replacement cover fitted in 2004................they're still fitting replacements now. Would be interesting to know how much this has cost BMW.

 

[original_concept]

2004?

This problem with Boxers goes back at least 12 years. I think BMW have stakes in Hammerite...

 

[ktmmark]

Had one fitted in 2007 on an o5 it had just come out as all the stock had been recalled it has no unpainted surface or foam behind the cover looked today and still like new

 

[slojon]

My o5 GS suffered the same fate. I had mine changed under warranty. It is that bloody foam thing. We don't even have the winter salt in OZ. It was the water and shit trapped by the foam. There is no foam there now. Even with it removed there was no extra noise.

 

[ross.mcw]

Hi there,

I know this is an old thread and a common issue, but I just wondered if anyone could recommend an undercoat and topcoat spray that I could use to spray the lower half of my '04 GS's timing cover

ie. one that will hopefully match closely with the standard silver alloy coloured finish that I've left on as I'd rather not have to try and spray the whole thing with it in situ.

Plasti-Kote? Smoothrite?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Cheers, Ross.

 

[Pukmeister]

You will need a self-etch primer such as acid etch number 8. Ordinary primer will not bond permanently to the aluminium surface.

As for topcoat.....

http://www.autopaint-pro.co.uk/aerosol-acid-8-1k-etch-primer-118-p.asp

 

[ross.mcw]

Ta for the info and link!

 

[davedyer]

Took the foam out almost as soon as I got the bike two years ago. I've ridden through two winters and took the cover off for the first time the other week since the warranty was about to expire. This is all I found:

Gave everything a good soaking of ACF50 before putting the cover back on. Will probably the same again in the autumn.

 

[theop]

does one need to remove the panel in order to respray? Could I mask around and do the job locally?

 

[rgv666]

I was paranoid about the front casing getting damaged and corroded - got one of these case plates. Superbly made and about £30 for the small one delivered. Stops all the crud and even helps in keeping rest of engine clean - see http://www.moto-ap.co.uk/

 

[robfin]

Took my GS1200 into Jefferies last week for its 12000ml service (last one in warranty!)
I asked them to check for corrosion of the front cover. There was no outwards signs, but they must have found some when they removed the inspection plate as I am having a new cover fitted under warranty tomorrow. I will ask them not to replace the foam pad.
Also I felt a little judder under braking, they checked this and are replacing all three discs.
The machine has done 12000mls in 2 years, never seen salt, always been washed off. I do not consider that I am a heavy braker or that I have been in situations where the brakes have become overheated.
I have already had a cylinder head replaced and am disappointed in the corrosion issue after only 2 years, but more concerned that the discs should develop this fault in the same period.
It just goes to show how much cost cutting there has been on the quality front by BM !!

 

[elefantmanshawn]

Brake discs need a good bedding in period from new to temper the metals many people don't know or bother with this and it leads to a short life span,not a quality issue

 

[mr badger]

Brake discs need a good bedding in period from new to temper the metals many people don't know or bother with this and it leads to a short life span,not a quality issue

i did all the right things but still had a new front pair at 6K. Not the omnly one either I think.

Have a suspicion that I'll be having a new rear before 12k as well.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Took my GS1200 into Jefferies last week for its 12000ml service (last one in warranty!)
I asked them to check for corrosion of the front cover. There was no outwards signs, but they must have found some when they removed the inspection plate as I am having a new cover fitted under warranty tomorrow. I will ask them not to replace the foam pad.
Also I felt a little judder under braking, they checked this and are replacing all three discs.
The machine has done 12000mls in 2 years, never seen salt, always been washed off. I do not consider that I am a heavy braker or that I have been in situations where the brakes have become overheated.
I have already had a cylinder head replaced and am disappointed in the corrosion issue after only 2 years, but more concerned that the discs should develop this fault in the same period.
It just goes to show how much cost cutting there has been on the quality front by BM !!

Lets get this straight, you asked your dealer to check out possible corrosion (even though you couldn`t see any) and a brake judder. The dealer goes away and changes the front engine plate and changes them under warranty no problem.

Why exactly are you dissapointed

I can`t imagine how p*ssed off you wuld have ben if they hadn`t done anything

 

[noelirwin]

All good stuff here, except for the usual moan here and there.

I have an 07 that got the front cover replaced out of warranty with a labour only charge last week. Seemed a better option for me than doing the excellent rework job shown here.

This cover is going to get hit with stones and chip the paint - fact. Once the surface is broken, the corrosion will quickly begin under the paint surface and spread unseen for a while. The foam pad then adds to the problem and worth removing.

I would suggest fitting a fender extender, check for chips and clean and touch up as soon as spotted and occassionally remove the plastic cover for acheck also.

I am going to look at clear self adhesive plastic film to trim to size and fit to prevent the damage.