Hairline cracks - GSA screen

[Beemerman59]

I have just noticed that all 4 mounting points on my '08 GSA have one tiny hairline crack all about 1cm long. I don't know if they have been there for long or are recent. I have fitted a laminar lip and initially thought this might be adding stress to the top of the screen but this wouldn't follow for the lower two. I have backed off the screws just in case they were over tight.

Has anyone else had this? Do they get worse? Anyone manage a warranty replacement (although I have drilled the screen for the laminar lip so don't hold out much hope on that front).

 

[Pukmeister]

What do you clean your screen with?

Some chemicals can cause cracking to polycabonate, especially in areas of stress or strain.

Petrol spills/splashes can also do the same.

 

[Uinneag]

They all do that

I got a brand new black one which had the cracks put in pre-delivery for no extra charge

It's not to do with overtightening but poor quality plastic

 

[Onwalkabout]

Had a similar problem with my old 1150 screen (now replaced with something a bit bigger). This was caused by me overtightening the mounting bolts and distorting the screen slightly. Vibration did the rest.

A solution to stop the crack running is to drill a very small hole at the top of the crack with a fine drill bit - basically the smallest you have. Make sure you don't miss the very top - use a slightly bigger bit if you are worried. You can then fill the crack and hole with a small amount of clear glue or silicon if you can be fussed.

 

[Beemerman59]

What do you clean your screen with?

Some chemicals can cause cracking to polycabonate, especially in areas of stress or strain.

Petrol spills/splashes can also do the same.

The only thing I have put on the screen is Plexus courtesy of Nippy Normans. The cracks seem to be on the outside of the screen i.e not the side facing the fuel filler so it can't petrol.

I'm not too fussed about them unless of course they get bigger! Just wondered if it was the laminar lip causing extra stress.

 

[Pukmeister]

Sounds like you've discovered the answer to your question then.

 

[Micky]

All radiate out at a symetrical angle to it's opposite number?
All exactly the same length, about 5 or 6mm ?

For fecks sake how fast will them thar bike's of your's go

I think you'll find they're not cracks but molding marks during the manufacturing process, they're all like that, my 800 screen is just the same

Drill the end ...

Take a real close look ... a real close look

 

[SURMANATOR]

Yep mines the same small cracks all about the same size on each of the mounting points 58 GSA 7K

 

[smartrider]

I had this on an 07 gsa. First on the winglets, at a couple of thousand miles, only weeks old, Replaced under warranty. Then a month or two later on the screen, again replaced under warranty.
went on to 27,000 miles No more problems and I did keep looking closly at it

got a new 58plate (09 model) last October No problems so far but I have only done about 5,000 miles.

I also use Plexus to clean screens, have used it for years on lots of bikes and have not seen any evidence to sugest it does any harm. Although if BMW knew about it they could reject a claim as they clearly state that you should only use soap and water. So whilst I have used it on lots of bikes obviously none of them were BMWs:

 

[GIMLET]

Also run an 08 GSA
With only a few hundred miles on it I also noticed hairline cracks around the fixings and visited the dealer where i purchased my bike.
They took a look and said no problem, ordered a new one and fitted it a week later.
Apparently it was quite common on the earlier bikes, but it was thought to have been dealt with for the new model.
Pop to see the dealer and ask for them to replace it under warranty.
If you take a look around the used bikes, you will most properly find others with similar issues.
onyack

 

[Bear]

Screen replaced under warranty on an 06 GS.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Cracking up

I had quite a number of small cracks around ALL the mounting points on the GSA screen that I fitted on my (previous) GS. I drilled tiny holes at the end of each crack (as has been suggested) and had no further problem over some years.. None of them became any larger. No mystery as to how they were caused - it was a descending car park barrier as i tried to sneak in under the radar!

 

[Micky]

You guys ... d'ya mean these kind of cracks ?

Radiating out at the same kind of angle, as per diagram ?

Like I said, they're not cracks, a brand new screen out of the box, never fitted, will have them .... they're in the molding

Funny how they've all cracked the same length and at a symetrical angle eh

 

[Beemerman59]

You guys ... d'ya mean these kind of cracks ?

Radiating out at the same kind of angle, as per diagram ?

Like I said, they're not cracks, a brand new screen out of the box, never fitted, will have them .... they're in the molding

Funny how they've all cracked the same length and at a symetrical angle eh

Well knock me down with a feather!!! Thats the little blighters.


I will ignore them from now on. Many thanks.

 

[John Armstrong]

One tip is to use a chinagraph pencil http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_pencil to mark the end of the crack. If you're wanting to get some idea of progression rate of the crack, then write the date on the screen, when you put the line on.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Reapiring cracks

As i have said, drilling the smallest holes possibleat the end of each crack will stop it worsening. If the finish bothers you you could try filling the holes - they do it with car windscreens - perhaps a drop of 'glue' would do the trick? Their MUST be a suitable glue for that.

 

[John Armstrong]

There MUST be a suitable glue for that.

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/ACRYLIC_GLUING.htm

 

[Dainese Brave]

You guys ... d'ya mean these kind of cracks ?

Radiating out at the same kind of angle, as per diagram ?

Like I said, they're not cracks, a brand new screen out of the box, never fitted, will have them .... they're in the molding

Funny how they've all cracked the same length and at a symetrical angle eh

I count myself as a fussy bloke…I enjoy cleaning my GSA(sort of!), and have got an eye for detail in doing so……….

...so I had a look at my screen tonight…

…and sure enough, around all for bolts, were four lines or ‘cracks’ on each one!

In the 3 years of having the bike, and cleaning it, I’ve never noticed them before!....but they are tiny!

But as Micky says…they seem symmetrical, and the same length, so seems to suggest that he is right and that they are purely production marks.

Seems strange that some dealers have replaced them under warranty though?n

 

[andy586]

gsa screen...

hi ...yeah all gsa screens ive seen have them its a "feature" of the mold i think

 

[Beemerman59]

I count myself as a fussy bloke…I enjoy cleaning my GSA(sort of!), and have got an eye for detail in doing so……….

...so I had a look at my screen tonight…

…and sure enough, around all for bolts, were four lines or ‘cracks’ on each one!

In the 3 years of having the bike, and cleaning it, I’ve never noticed them before!....but they are tiny!

But as Micky says…they seem symmetrical, and the same length, so seems to suggest that he is right and that they are purely production marks.

Seems strange that some dealers have replaced them under warranty though?n

Since I have only had mine for a month I guess that makes me very fussy!!!

Try running a fingernail across yours - on mine I can feel the crack. I will report it with the dealer next time it's serviced still under warranty. Mine will refuse I'm sure due to the Laminar lip drilled and bolted to the screen.

Any dealers reading please feel free to comment.