GS12 sick - prelim info.

[Stig]

Just over 3700 trouble free miles and its gone sick on me!

It all started on Tues night... got the urge to go out for a ride bout 10ish... Started the bike and straight away noticed an odd sound (nothin drastic.. just odd).. like it was "tight"

Anyway.... Decided to risk it.. as everything seemed to be working apart from the odd sound (no warning lightson etc)

Covered about 60 odd miles or so... noticed a slight lag on throttle and a tad power loss when throttling hard.. so thought summin def amiss here!!..

Got home.. and parked up etc... went to bed wondering!!?

Had to go to Newcastle on Wed.. so didn't get chance to do anything bout it until Thurs eve... called dealer (Astles of GY) for advice and they suggested i ride it to Balderston (Peterboro) for "checkup". Rang Balderstons late yesterday (Fri) they suggested i call BMW assistance.

Sooooo... This morn (Sat) thought i'd just start it to see if "odd" sound was still there.. then decide whether to call BM Assist or ride to Peterboro... but battery flat.. so assist won!!

He finally turned up at 5ish (scheduled at 3!!).. jump started it and after checking charge to battery.. (outputting.. but below par).. declared it to be a job for the recovery team (Ah suprise!!.. not)..

However Baldestons are not open again until Tues... So left bike here for me to ring for recovery on Tues morn!!..

Prognosis... Looks like its an Alternator or drive belt assembly issue... but i guess i'll have to wait until Wed/Thurs before i know the full picture!!

Note: Whilst waiting for Mr "fixit"... (and since i couldn't ride it) thought i'd clean Tuesdays crud off of it...

Noticed a patch of what looks like a coating of clear laquer peeling... Err! no.. "flaking"... from the rear wheel.. approx 4 sq inches in size!!!. (anyone else noticed this.. or checked for it recently.. However.. it is difficult to spot once its off.. espec. on a clean wheel rim!!).. Obviously i'll be mentioning this to the dealer too!!

 

[Howie]

noticed my brake drum rusting , the same problem as I had with my 1150

 

[Dutchman]

I had a similar issue with my current 1200 when it was spanking new.........identical symptoms to those you describe.

Convinced it was electrical, I checked all four spark plug leads and found that the upper right hand side low tension lead, right behind the black plastic cover, was not connected.

It appeared that when the engine guards were fitted it was snagged and pulled apart.

I connected it back again and voila, all was well.

I discovered this while waiting for BMW Assistance......

Happened again recently at about 6500 miles, just after it had been serviced.......but at least I knew where to look this time.....

Hopefully yours will be no more complicated than that......

Cheers

Dutch

 

[laughingBob]

noticed my brake drum rusting , the same problem as I had with my 1150

Drum?

 

[Dahoum]

noticed my brake drum rusting , the same problem as I had with my 1150

Where are they on the 1200 then

 

[GSmonkey]

I must have got the 1200GS sport model as mines got brake discs front and back

 

[Stig]

Update

Just spoken with dealer...

It appears that there may be more than one problem...

Apart from the lack of charge to the battery.. (and the fact that the bat charging light doen't work - to show this)... Removal of the Alternator drive belt hasn't cured the "tight" noise... and torque effect that developed..

Soooo... The Counter balance gubbins.... is now suspect... And as I type this... They are removing large bits from the engine (gearbox etc) to investigate further and examine bearing etc..

He warned me that its more than likely that its gonna be "in" over the weekend now!! ..

 

[Mike Peers]

Presumably they've given you a loaner?.

 

[skywalker]

Had alternator failure on the 1200's before and yes the charge symbol doesn't illuminate to show this.
I would hazard a guess that the tightness maybe down to either of the central main ignition coils breaking down underload-a very common problem at the moment - they are the same ones as fitted to the later twin spark 1150's. The balancer shaft spins within the auxillary shaft which in turn turn the camchains. The balancer shaft has far to much clearance around it to be at fault.It maybe worth getting them to check the key way on the front of the auxillary shaft is correctly positioned as few have been found to be out of position slightly causing in accurate valve timing. they should have a service news covering the affected range.

 

[Stig]

News At 5 !!

Rang dealer for update...

The prognosis in a nut shell... (based on questions i asked)

........... !!!CLUELESS!!!...........

They're (their admission) are playing the guessing game at mo... as they slowly remove bits and examine them...

But will call me as soon as they know anything concrete!!

 

[The Nutter]

If it's any consellation, the alternator went on my 1200 at 2000 miles while I was 480 miles from home. Again there was no warning light but when I checked the output with a voltmeter it was only putting out 12.4 volts. New alternator fitted by dealer and things have been O.K. since, though the immobiliser did pack up at the same time. Never had any pf this with me Jap bikes, but they never made me smile like this either!

 

[Stig]

Couldn't Wait!!!

Well.. Its only natural... init?? ... wanted to know how my baby was doing.... couldn't wait any longer..... so rang them today.

Bike in a zillion bits... new balancer shaft bearing on order.. altho Dealer said they looked fine but would replace.. anyway...

Cos it'd be a shame to re-assemble and dis-assemble if that "was" the problem...

went on to say... Quote

"It may just be a particular quirk of your bike... they're all different ya know!!??"...

I said "Sorry I don't think so... I've ridden it enough (nearly 4k) to know that its 'not right'.. and there's summin amiss"

So plan is ....

Bearings 'should' arrive on Tues... assemble and test!!!

That's the best they can offer at mo!!!!....

And wot can I do... Nuffin... except sit... wait... cross everything... and hope!! that it pisses down this weekend (my free one).. so's i don't feel too bad bout it!!!

 

[Harvestboss]

They Said I need to replace electrical system

Dear All,

I had battery discharge problems just a little bit over 1000KMH, i have jumb started the bike and took it in for service, after 2 days in the dealer they called me today saying that on one cable they found higher voltage output and that they will need to change all my brand new bike's electrical system, any idea fellows, ??Please help, this cannot be, change the entire electrical system???

 

[Fanum]

Re: Couldn't Wait!!!

Well.. Its only natural... init?? ... wanted to know how my baby was doing.... couldn't wait any longer..... so rang them today.

Bike in a zillion bits... new balancer shaft bearing on order.. altho Dealer said they looked fine but would replace.. anyway...

Cos it'd be a shame to re-assemble and dis-assemble if that "was" the problem...

went on to say... Quote

"It may just be a particular quirk of your bike... they're all different ya know!!??"...

I said "Sorry I don't think so... I've ridden it enough (nearly 4k) to know that its 'not right'.. and there's summin amiss"

So plan is ....

Bearings 'should' arrive on Tues... assemble and test!!!

That's the best they can offer at mo!!!!....

And wot can I do... Nuffin... except sit... wait... cross everything... and hope!! that it pisses down this weekend (my free one).. so's i don't feel too bad bout it!!!

'Under the sale of goods act 1979, I reject this motorcycle and hereby demand that you reimburse me in full or provide a new vehicle of the same or better specification within 3 working days.'

Sorted.

 

[birdseye]

If it's any consellation, the alternator went on my 1200 at 2000 miles while I was 480 miles from home. Again there was no warning light but when I checked the output with a voltmeter it was only putting out 12.4 volts. New alternator fitted by dealer and things have been O.K. since, though the immobiliser did pack up at the same time. Never had any pf this with me Jap bikes, but they never made me smile like this either!

No Honda regulator problems? Ever? You were lucky.

 

[eyeguy]

'Under the sale of goods act 1979, I reject this motorcycle and hereby demand that you reimburse me in full or provide a new vehicle of the same or better specification within 3 working days

usual 'sale of goods act' tosser then, Fanum.

In fact, if you allow your product, whatever it is,to be returned for 'repair' then that takes precedent, and replacement option no longer applies. Didn't know that, did you? Also, as it's a second hand vehicle, if it were replaced it would be at second hand value.

Let them sort it, they're obviously trying to do just that, and don't get up their nose, 'cos, if you have a problem later, how sympathetic will they be?, esp if it's two weeks out of warranty. From my retail experience, be reasonable, it usually works. Sale of goods act tossers are exactly that and are about as welcome as herpes.

 

[Stig]

Hey... I'm cool

Hey Guys..

At the moment... I'm cool about the whole issue... I have no plans to start demanding a refund or replacement... Cos I've got attached to the one i bought !!!...

I would like it back asap.. but don't mind waiting (at this moment in time).... So long as its fixed!!

The Dealer (and all others involved) have been pretty good.. and appear to be trying their best to sort it... so that'll do for me... for now at least!!!

 

[Stig]

Fekin-ell... !!!!!

Got bike bak on Wed nite (3 weeks).... twas dark when it arrived (relevant)..

Managed a test ride on Thurs nite in the dark!!...

My Bro called to say he'd be up in Grimsby 4 weekend for his b/day... so decided to go up and see him n' family etc..

Left Fri eve.. arrived in the dark (pi^^ed it down all the way there.. but Frank T. clobber kept me nice n' dry ..)..

On Sat morn.. jumped on bike and went into town wi bro's (bike shops etc).. When i got bak noticed oil dripping on driveway!!!!

Then noticed that it'd been dripping where i'd parked it night b4!!.. and it was on rear tyre!!!!

Called Dealer who did "fix".. they told me to call Astles... who told me to call "other dealer bak".. who told me to call BMW recovery.

Soooooo no bike for rest of weekend!!!...

Called recovery.. Mr BMW man came out @ 10.. and agreed that it was a recovery job..

Told him i wanted it recovering at 3.30 on Sunday (lunch pre-booked etc.. ) .. They turn up at 5!!

Then had to get it recovered this morn (Tues) to Dealers for repair...

Now i'm gettin ever so slightly pissed-off bout it all!!!!!!

 

[Steve]

Re: Fekin-ell... !!!!!

Then had to get it recovered this morn (Tues) to Dealers for repair...

Now i'm gettin ever so slightly pissed-off bout it all!!!!!!

OK, OK. Point taken. You're excused from turning up on the bike on Thursday night...

 

[Mr K]

..............not the "crank-shaft oil seal scenario?

When are we going to demand payment as BMW test riders?