My 1150 Spontaniously Combusted!

[mikeinreadinguk]

And you can stop it happening to your bike for about 50p.

Also, I'd appreciate some help, read on....

This actually happened about 3 months ago and I am in the process of resolving it in the courts. The insurers say its "wear and tear", BMW say its not wear and tear nor is it a design flaw.

So a brief recap. My 30k miler, regularly serviced & good condition GS simply burst into flames on the drive of my house. Luckily someone was there and prompt action stopped the fire from becoming more serious. Investigation revealed the wiring loom had chaffed against the battary tray and the break down in insulation and short circuit resulted in the fire. See below

So the fix is just to cut a strip about 4 inches long out of a tupperware container, put a hole in one end, push it between the loom and the batery tray and zip tie it in place. If your a perfectionist use an acid proof plastic instead.

Now for that bit of help. To assist my case:

1 - have you heard of anything similar happening to anyone else?

2 - Can you have look at your loom and if there any evidence of chaffing please send me a photo. [email protected]

Thanks, Mike

 

[luke scott]

Any chance of a picture showing more of the area so numpties like me know where to look for wear of the loom.

 

[mikeinreadinguk]

Here's a piccie as requested

Also, I forgot to ask. If there are any legal boffins out there I'd really appreciate a bit of advice. Nothing too involved I promise.

 

[Tony Summers]

mikeinreadinguk

You're not the only one, I've had two BMW's catch fire. The first was my R110R when it was about 2 years old, it was caused by a short forming in the loom to one of the handle bar switches, took out the whole loom.

Second occasion was earlier this year, my F650 Dakar (two years one month old) caught fire when the main loom shorted out on the back of the suspension pre-load adapter.

I still have the Dakar although my pocket is a lot lighter, partly from the replacement loom and partly because I also bought a Honda. Honda wiring is far superior.

P.S. Just noticed you asked for pictures, will have a look if I've still got some of the F650 loom.

 

[jondan]

mikeinreadinguk.

I noticed on my 2002 1150 GS some time back that the wiring in that location looked a bit vulnerable. I wouldn't say it was chaffing, but just looked a bit doggy. So to try and prevent any problems, I stuck a small piece of rubber between the wiring loom and the battery box. Also stuck some on the righthand side somewhere towards the front of the battery box coz again the wiring looked a bit vulnerable. If you are desperate for some photos, then I will get some, but you'll have to be patient as I will obvously need to take off the tank. Let me know.
Best wishes with your case.
John.

 

[ktmmark]

Just did a clutch on an 1100gs & the outer covering had rotted away from battery acid (crumbled away in my hands )but the plastic insulation was ok so
Used plenty of insulation tape to repair

 

[snoopy]

The wiring on the 1150 is just plain disgusting. I'm sure there will be many problems as the bikes get older. On mine all of the wires had oxidised due to water ingress and I had some short out because BMW wrap them tight against cables that move from the yolk.

 

[Tony Summers]

My F650 loom

http://www.flickr.com/photos/18205319@N07/1874258474/

 

[Bigtwin]

Also, I forgot to ask. If there are any legal boffins out there I'd really appreciate a bit of advice. Nothing too involved I promise.

You're going the right was with the collecting other instances stuff. Get a decent solicitor on board, and make sure you get a good consulting engineer's report into the design and construction of the loom - you may need more than one - a design/electrical one and a construction quality one. Whether the court will let you use two (i.e. get some of the costs back) is another matter, but you can use them as a stick to beat them into a settlement with/find out if you are wasting your time effort and money taking it any further.

Legally, if may be tough to get home on this one, but manufacturers are generally keen to get rid of persistent well-organised claimants to avoid the bad publicity/flood gates on claims