Front forks bottom clamp.

[KAS]

Hi all,
Have noticed the paint finish on the bottom front fork clamp especially around the area of the pinch bolts has started to bubble and flake off. (Good for two year old!!). Has anybody else experienced this, or even if you haven’t, got any recommendations on a good corrosion inhibiter prior to touching in??? or has any body found any shrouds that cover this area?

 

[CoolCarbon]

""They all do that Sir""...........

You'll find several threads on this subject....unfortunately....

CC

 

[Carefulkev]

I recently removed the wheel, mudguard & unbolted the brake pipe brackets ets - cleaned up the yoke with wet & dry, carefully masked off the fork legs & pivot bearing & anything else in the area (cover the rest of the bike with an old blanket or similar incase of overspray) & sprayed it with Hammerite Smooth Silver. Its a pretty good match & looks great. Needs to be done in a warmish place though. Don't know how long it will last but it can't be any worse than the original.

 

[carlhowe]

Mine dod that at 1 year old. Got new botom clamp and fork lowers on warrenty.

Carl

 

[Grizzly]

Paint Wot Falls Off!

I had same problem and did much the same as Carefulkev except I also slipped out the fork stanchions ( not a big job ) and used avery small wire brush in a pistol drill and the paint all flew off beautifully - much same as it had been doing all summer!! The wire brush lets you get in and around the awkward bits.
I then masked around the ball joint and inside the bores which carry the stanchions. I sprayed them with Volkswagen silver gray from Halfords - it's very slightly darker than original but pretty good, maybe the Hammerite is closer?. I also sprayed the stanchion bottoms as it's quite easy with them off the bike. Like Carefulkev, I don't know how long it will last - but it can't be any worse than original!
Cheers ............................Grizzly

 

[BTBR]

Bummer............just looked at mine, four months old, has not been used for a month due to accident covered 800 miles, washed every weekend, sprayed with WD40 and mine have started to go already.

"hello........... is that the warranty department please?"

BTBR

 

[Rob Farmer]

Mines 9 years old, done 37000, never been cleaned properly and it looks like new...but that's on an 1100

 

[Bonzo]

Yep, me too!

Dealer says he'll do it under warranty which is OK, Im just wondering how long it will last??

 

[Jimb]

Its Because

It ahppens because, the part is finished then the holes are drilled so the paint does not go into the holes and when shite gets in it corrodes the ally.

 

[KAS]

Thanks for the info guys, it seems we are not suffering alone.

Took the “I’m a grumpy customer” route with Mr B. Actually didn’t need to, the charming guy’s (note the change in manner) at Ocean BMW took a quick look, and Presto out of the stores came a new brace and in an hour and a half problem was sorted (for now).

Quote from Gerry the fixer at Ocean “have changed these more times than my socks, you’d have thought Mr B would have realised this was on the front of the bike and may just catch the weather.”

Still good result for me and Ocean even cleaned it for me . Cant say fairer than that. Till the next time.

So if it happens to you take it back and get them to change it.

 

[graham]

Just had mine done 2 weeks before warranty ran out they changed all the outter from the silver to the blue as good as new till summer.
Regards
Graham

 

[The Mechanic]

Try this....

This may help prevent the corrosion of the lower fork link.
I spray chain lube into a small container and let it settle for a few moments, then with a small paint brush I paint the lube onto the underside and then around the upper surfaces paying special attention to the damper mounting. It doesn't look pretty when the crud settles onto it but it cleans up easily with WD40.....where would we be without this stuff....back to 3 in 1 oil and parrafin mix I suppose.

Hope that helps you to ward off the salt factor.

 

[Grizzly]

Not Always the Best Option???

So if it happens to you take it back and get them to change it.

When I noticed mine corroding I contacted my dealer, the bike was 16 months old and as a Sept'01 bike I,d just missed the change to 2-year warranty!!.
At first I was pleased when they informed me by 'phone a few days later that BMW were going to replace it, then less pleased when they said I would have to pay the labour ( £95 + vat !!! ).
Ithen asked what would happen if the paint fell off again on the new one, I was told " that's highly unlikely - yours must have been from a bad batch" - now we all know what a lot of bollock's that is?. I therefore deciced to re-finish the original as per my earlier reply to this thread and I'm glad I did 'cos I'm sure it'll last longer than the new one would have!! and I've saved about £115 in labour........Motto :- think before taking up a "goodwill" repair - there may be a better option?

Cheers..............................Grizzly

 

[Gecko]

Mines 9 years old, done 37000, never been cleaned properly and it looks like new...but that's on an 1100

It goes without saying really , everyone knows the 1100 is superior 60,000kms no flakey paint on my 1999 1100 superior GS by this reckoning the new 1200 will need a full respray every 600 miles