GS TE Rear Shock free play (rotational)

[The Nutter]

I have just cleaned my bike (again) and as I was wiping her down with a damp towel I noticed that the rear shock rotated several degrees as I was attempting to wipe the spring dry. The gold thingy (how technical eh?) and the black ESA thingy (ditto) also moved around. I am not talking a massive amount here but I am surprised that this happened as I certainly never noticed this on my 2010 GS. I am thinking of taking my bike back to the dealer to see if this is normal but before I make myself look a total plonker I was hoping that any of you with the same bike could just check yours and let me know if yours rotates. It doesn't take a lot of effort for it to move and I was wondering if a mounting bolt has loosened (as did my right handlebar weight bolt causing the hand guard to move).

Thanks

 

[malcopopolo]

is the bike on the sidestand or centre stand?

 

[Sooty09]

The shock absorber is probably connected by rose joints top and bottom. These are spherical bearings designed to articulate and reduce point loads when the shock absorber compresses and the alignment is not guaranteed due to flexing or manufacturing tolerances. Look at the bottom connection to the swing arm, if you can move the shocker from side to side a bit but the bolt and bearing remain secure all is well.

 

[batman1]

I have just cleaned my bike (again) and as I was wiping her down with a damp towel I noticed that the rear shock rotated several degrees as I was attempting to wipe the spring dry. The gold thingy (how technical eh?) and the black ESA thingy (ditto) also moved around. I am not talking a massive amount here but I am surprised that this happened as I certainly never noticed this on my 2010 GS. I am thinking of taking my bike back to the dealer to see if this is normal but before I make myself look a total plonker I was hoping that any of you with the same bike could just check yours and let me know if yours rotates. It doesn't take a lot of effort for it to move and I was wondering if a mounting bolt has loosened (as did my right handlebar weight bolt causing the hand guard to move).

Thanks

Mine is solid (fixed) and on the centre stand!

 

[The Nutter]

is the bike on the sidestand or centre stand?

It's on the centre stand.

 

[rampmonkey]

This was highlighted on my bike when I picked it up in December, the BMW technicians say that they thought it was too much play and didn't want to release the bike to me despite being told it was ready a week earlier. Pictures & videos were sent direct to BMW to be told that this amount of play was acceptable.. I got my bike a week later.

 

[The Nutter]

This was highlighted on my bike when I picked it up in December, the BMW technicians say that they thought it was too much play and didn't want to release the bike to me despite being told it was ready a week earlier. Pictures & videos were sent direct to BMW to be told that this amount of play was acceptable.. I got my bike a week later.

Visited the dealer today. Was told 'they all do that, sir' and to prove the point showed the two in the showroom plus their demonstrator do the same thing (although the two new bikes took a little more effort to move). Just to be on the safe side they took the bike into the workshop for a once over and returned it with a clean bill of health. Can now carry on riding and enjoying it. Thanks for all the replies on this.