Front forks bridge corrosion.

[pkelly]

Has anyone else suffered this problem ?

The fork bridge or clamp (front mudguard bolts to it) on my 1150GS is in a really sorry state and I wondered if anyone could tell me how to get the thing off to paint it ?

I presume after the wheels out the bottom part of the forks, the tatty grey shrouds can be removed somehow, is this the way to do it ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Nearly lost it on the first 'black ice' of the year this morning, need clean pants !!!

Paul K.

 

[Adrian B]

Fork brace

The corrosion problem is known to BMW. You don't say what age your bike is but basically the early 1150's were imported with defective braces in that they were supposed to have undergone a heat treatment prior to painting but some didn't.
It has been known for BM to change them as a gesture of ggodwill so return the bike to the dealer to make this request, even after the warranty has expired.

 

[CaptainBeaky]

I'm still battling to get mine replaced, been offered free part (worth £15) I pay for fitting (£150 est)

Not good service at all....

 

[Colt]

Just had my bridge replaced bike reg june 02 !
Thanks to Allan jefferies

 

[Bilks]

Fork Bridge....



Also had mine replaced last monday - (under warranty) march 2002 bike.

Bilks.

 

[andy malton]

fork brace!

Hi PK,
the fork brace slides UP not DOWN,to remove it you will have take the forks off the bike.
place bike on centre stand remove the calipers,front wheel and mudguard and take the bolts out that hold your brake lines to the back of the legs.
now remove the front shock.
then take off the top telelever nut which will need a bit heat to melt the nutlock,it is a bit of job as you need to hold the ball joint at the same time as undoing the nut which is bloody tight 130nm if im correct once this is off just tap the telelever up and it should pop off ball joint.
now remove the caps on top of your fork legs,undo the nut but you will have to hold the stantion with a spanner to start with and the spanner will only fit in one position on the nut under the yolk as there is bleed screw in the way,once loose you have to hold the stantion with your hand pulling it upwards as you take the top nut off,hold it tight as the pressure in the forks will suck it downwards, and thats it really just undo four clamp bolts and your bridge will slide nicely off to be painted.Andy

 

[MIKE R]

My Jan 02 1150 is going into Rainbow on the 24th of this month for its 12000 and a replacement fork brace under warranty. I am considering having the new part stove enamelled or something similar to prevent corrosion in the future (out of warranty).

Any comments

Mike

 

[Colt]

Mike do you not have 2yr waranty?

 

[City Slicker]

My Jan 02 1150 is going into Rainbow on the 24th of this month for its 12000 and a replacement fork brace under warranty. I am considering having the new part stove enamelled or something similar to prevent corrosion in the future (out of warranty).

Any comments

Mike

Bead blast it and get it hard anodised?

Polyester powder coating?

Thinking of one of these options myself so would be interested in what you do.

Heard that hard anodising makes aluminium brittle - anyone know whether this is true?

Also have been told to specify polyester material when powder coating to ensure material doesn't have a porous surface.

 

[littleredrooster]

Heard that hard anodising makes aluminium brittle

Yup, depending on length of processing, will make surface hard to depth of (typically) 40thou (1mm).

Not a problem on larger bits like fork brace, can be very detrimental to thin sheet parts (40thou from each surface, remember!)

 

[City Slicker]

Not a problem on larger bits like fork brace

That has to be the way to go then...

 

[MIKE R]

Yep, 2 year warranty and so the part will be replaced. My concern is for the new part, if as bad as the old, when the warranty expires in Jan 04

Will wait to see what they recommend at Rainbow. The were a bit concerned about powder coating and stove enameling getting chipped. I could always have it polished, but that sounds like creating employment for Sovol Autosol!

Thanks for your suggestions. Will keep you informed of events.

Mike R

 

[bashplate]

Had mine replaced my '01 1150 this time last year. The new one now looks as mankey as the one that it replaced.
I think I shall get some silver hammerite.