Is 2013 too old to be fixed??

[Steptoe]

It is my direct experience of owning several brand new GS's and getting my local dealer to fix the switch problems that arose - little expertise is needed in recognising when a switch is not operating correctly.

Those are what’s called “broken switches”, not worn out ..
I’ve repaired more than your example .. I still have a few worn out switch gear units in a box somewhere. I used to use a couple to make up a good one.

What I do find odd is that now the bikes are even older you’d think I’d be repairing more worn out switches. But I’ve not had any for a few years .. perhaps they improved the units over time.

 

[Engineer]

Those are what’s called “broken switches”, not worn out ..
I’ve repaired more than your example .. I still have a few worn out switch gear units in a box somewhere. I used to use a couple to make up a good one.

What I do find odd is that now the bikes are even older you’d think I’d be repairing more worn out switches. But I’ve not had any for a few years .. perhaps they improved the units over time.

Hmmm my switches were not 'broken' it was as if the plastic mouldings were not correctly finished (sprue) and would 'jam' in their apertures. I could have probably dismantle them, cleaned them up with a file and solved the problem, but easier for the delaer just to replace them. The other issue was water ingress leading to intermittency.

 

[RadioFlyer]

FYI.. BMW manuals ARE available to independents. I have full access etc. BMW are VERY supportive of their independents.

Unfortunately that isn't the case in North America.

 

[MotoRevive]

Unfortunately that isn't the case in North America.

It looks Iike it's on its way though..

 

[RadioFlyer]

It looks Iike it's on its way though..

It's been on its way since 2020!!!

 

[MotoRevive]

It's been on its way since 2020!!!

I wonder what the delay is. Legal issues ?

 

[RadioFlyer]

I wonder what the delay is. Legal issues ?

An absence of legislation that would prevent pursuing a monopoly on service by ensuring that DIYers and independent techs had access to necessary information.

 

[MotoRevive]

An absence of legislation that would prevent pursuing a monopoly on service by ensuring that DIYers and independent techs had access to necessary information.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean.

 

[RadioFlyer]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean.

If the US would pass the Repair Act BMW would be forced to provide the repair and service information that it is currently withholding to disadvantage DIYers and independent techs.

 

[Larry Langford]

So. in the states, I was looking at a cam head for a while and we do have what i think is a very good shop here in denver. It was clear that the camhead bike needed a driveshaft. It had about 7 inches of back and forth travel, and made a number of noises as well. The seller was a little hard of hearing, but a decent fellow nonetheless. We went for a nice ride so i could test the camhead .....
I have decent repore with the shop and I called them to see about a driveshaft. First he was concerned that he would even have one for that vintage that he could get fast. And he also said that BMW is not going to replace driveshafts for free on anything before water cooling in the US. I also know that buying an old bike is going to take some elbow grease and maintenance. Which is probably only feasible if you DYI most of the things to do on the bike anyway. I went with a 1250 instead .....

To some of the posts from the former or current BMW technicians, I totally get the part about being very competent and yet completely unappreciated having spent 33 years as an electrician ....