GSA pannier 'spotting' - corrosion.

[Montrose Sun]

Who else has found this?

I do so many miles that its not feasable for me to wash the bike as often as id like. As a result, ive noticed that my standard GSA 3 piece luggage has got what looks like aluminium corrosion in the form of spotting. I took the top box off with the aim of limiting the damage and hoping that 'autosol' would remedy it quickly but just tried and although the top box is alot shinier, the spotting is still there and really detracts from their appearance.

Has anyone found this and what do you do to stop it / cure it?

Ta, Dave

 

[John Armstrong]

Been found before and IIRC the advice was to either, sell the luggage and get some plastic stuff / Touratech / new BM stuff and if it's metal cover it with Blue Peter style sticky fabric or ACF 50, or don't go out in the winter.

 

[casperghst42]

Been found before and IIRC the advice was to either, sell the luggage and get some plastic stuff / Touratech / new BM stuff and if it's metal cover it with Blue Peter style sticky fabric or ACF 50, or don't go out in the winter.

So TT does not corrode?

I'm in the middle of deciding between the BMW and TT for new panniers, and corrosion is a big issue.... (my H&B looks like ..... from driving last winter).


Casper

 

[John Armstrong]

So TT does not corrode?

AFAICR there didn't seem to be the same amount of people reporting problems. Whether that has to do with the construction or their use, I don't know.

Maybe TT pannier users expect unprotected metal to corrode

 

[pedro]

indeed

Had this problem with my last bike and after annoying the hell out of the dealer, they eventually replaced the panniers under some sort of 'goodwill' warranty. I coated the panniers on the current bike with ACF 50 and this seems to have done the trick, although there is still some minor pitting on the front surface of the panniers.

 

[birdseye]

If the panniers are bare aluminium, they will corrode. It's basic metallurgy. And if there is salt around, they will corrode all the faster.

You can try some semi permanent protective coating but where you brush it off with clothes etc, you will get the corrosion.

Sailing boats have lots of aluminium on board and dont have problems because the ally is always anodised - same as those fancy coloured ally fasteners you see in the catalogues.

 

[Canuck]

So TT does not corrode?

I'm in the middle of deciding between the BMW and TT for new panniers, and corrosion is a big issue.... (my H&B looks like ..... from driving last winter).


Casper

Is vern getting his panniers for the 1200 sorted? All I know is that I ride everyday of the year and no issues at all with my worldbeaters!

 

[RickG]

Fact is, as others have stated, alumnium alloy corrodes. The only way of stopping this is to protect it from exposure to air, water and of course salt. You therefore need a barrier.

If you want it to look like metal you have 2 options: anodisation and/or clear laquer. The former is specialist operation.

If you want it to look silvery, simply paint it silver

Otherwise, just paint them. ACF50 is a temporary if convenient option

 

[DLBass]

Another thumbs up for Verns Worldbeaters, anodised in any colour you like so no rotting of the alloy.

Come on Vern, are the 1200 models ready to roll yet?

 

[andyclift]

So TT does not corrode?

Yes they do. My last bike had Touratech Zegas and after wasting a lot of time and metal polish trying to keep them looking new, I gave up. Eventually all the pitting runs together and they just look grey. As my wife had commented that when she followed me at night the reflection of her lights off my panniers was blinding, the grubby grey finish had some advantage.

I note that Touratech now have a pannier version which is anodised which should avoid the problem (and is somewhat more expensive) but I decided on standard BMW panniers on my new GSA because, although they are also made by Touratech, the rack and fitting system is vastly better than Touratech's plastic clamps and big hand wheel tightening nuts (which jam up so you can't get the panniers off).

 

[Richard M]

My BMW panniers have done the same. I don't worry about it and just enjoy my fantastic bike

 

[Wrinkly]

Polish a couple of times over the winter with "Bilt Hamber" auto balm.

Steve

 

[Wapping]

Who else has found this?

I do so many miles that its not feasable for me to wash the bike as often as id like.

As a result, ive noticed that my standard GSA 3 piece luggage has got what looks like aluminium corrosion in the form of spotting

.....and really detracts from their appearance.

Go back to BuMW and tell them the panniers are not fit for purpose.

 

[motorbaker]

Metal Mule

I can highly recommend Metal Mule panniers. I've got the Fat Mule set with their custom exhaust and they are larger, easier to access and easier to fit/remove from the bike than any of the BMW stuff.

They do an anodised version, but I've just got the regular ones which discolour with use. I'm happy about that because I use my bike for a lot of touring and like it to look used. It sort of reduces the bike's "twatness" don't you think?

 

[andyclift]

easier to fit/remove from the bike than any of the BMW stuff.

They must be really easy then !! To remove my GSA panniers I place ignition key in lock, turn 90 degrees, pull lever and pannier comes off. Needs one hand and takes about 3 seconds

 

[motorbaker]

They must be really easy then !! To remove my GSA panniers I place ignition key in lock, turn 90 degrees, pull lever and pannier comes off. Needs one hand and takes about 3 seconds

Good point. In fact I understand you don't even need a key for the BMW panniers so anyone can remove them, saving you all the hassle. I admit that Metal Mule can't match that!!!