Rusting and corrosion

[Bazza]

Hi all
My jinksed bike is 5 months old now, and for a while have noticed the brake disk bolts rusting a lot and have noticed today the left side rocker cover starting to 'crack' and a bit of bubbling!!!!!
I know this has been discussed earlier but i would have thought this would have been sorted by now ???? what are we supposed to do? ok we have 2 year warrenty but after 2 years are we expected to have an expensive paperweight rotting in the garage ?

 

[herrman]

Don't worry Sir they all do that!!!!!

 

[birdseye]

Hi all
My jinksed bike is 5 months old now, and for a while have noticed the brake disk bolts rusting a lot and have noticed today the left side rocker cover starting to 'crack' and a bit of bubbling!!!!!
I know this has been discussed earlier but i would have thought this would have been sorted by now ???? what are we supposed to do? ok we have 2 year warrenty but after 2 years are we expected to have an expensive paperweight rotting in the garage ?

Well if its any re-assurance, my bike is coming up 2 years old and there is no rust or flaking paint anywhere I can see. So get it repaired and I think you will be OK.

There is no excuse for rusting bolts - a good manufacturer would use stainless which are not that expensive in bulk. But there are no good manufacturers that I know of, and at least BMW bolts arent made of high tensile cheddar cheese like those on my previous Honda, so you can undo them more than once.

The paint isnt entirely BMW's fault. As I understand it, the EU has forced all manufacturers in the EU to adopt water based paints, which is why bird shit will eat into your car paint for example. And aly is notoriously difficult to paint anyway - the slightest scratch or machining and corrosion will travel under the paint lifting it and causing bubbles. The best solution is to leave aly bare like HD do in many areas. It goes a dirty colour if not polished but that looks better than bubbling paint.

I paint all bolt heads with waxoyl - it stops corrosion and I cant see it under the dirt anyway. I never ride when there is salt on the roads

 

[Big Lee]

Mines ok, I don`t tend to ride when theres loads of salt on the road either & also spray that Scottoiler stuff over it after washing & drying it.

Get the corroded bits done under warranty & then you`ll know which bits to keep an eye on!

 

[Jez D]

I use an anti corrosion spray, after every wash....I paid too much to see my pride and joy get eaten away by salt! I have used both the water based and the oily based, I prefer the 'apply after every wash one though, but both are very good, I would say the best 7 quid i ever spent!

 

[Uinneag]

Front engine cover replaced after 5k
Fuel cap going the same way at 7k
acf50 used on bike and it still bubbles the paint
all being replaced under warranty
Sh** paint great bike
Still I could still have my rotting Africa Twin

 

[pomm001]

Well if its any re-assurance, my bike is coming up 2 years old and there is no rust or flaking paint anywhere I can see. So get it repaired and I think you will be OK.

There is no excuse for rusting bolts - a good manufacturer would use stainless which are not that expensive in bulk. But there are no good manufacturers that I know of, and at least BMW bolts arent made of high tensile cheddar cheese like those on my previous Honda, so you can undo them more than once.

The paint isnt entirely BMW's fault. As I understand it, the EU has forced all manufacturers in the EU to adopt water based paints, which is why bird shit will eat into your car paint for example. And aly is notoriously difficult to paint anyway - the slightest scratch or machining and corrosion will travel under the paint lifting it and causing bubbles. The best solution is to leave aly bare like HD do in many areas. It goes a dirty colour if not polished but that looks better than bubbling paint.

I paint all bolt heads with waxoyl - it stops corrosion and I cant see it under the dirt anyway. I never ride when there is salt on the roads

Birdseye is right
I dont think the corrsion on fastners is only a BMW thing, from what i am told there was some legislation brought in to EU countries on the use or disposal of some phosphates used in the plating process of fastners .
My wifes A class mercedes is just the same, its on its 4 th set of wheel bolts due to rusting.
Paint has been water bassed for years and should not be a problem, trouble is every part is open to the elements and on show
Save up and get a stainless kit, to fit after the warranty runs out

My 2002 adventure which has had a winter on the road looks like its been dipped in the sea

 

[gooseman]

Both rocker covers replaced, front engine cover (twice) and both wheels. Its my first beemer and would have been my last except its the best bloody bike I've owned! All replaced under warranty.