Rusty Wheels

[Jon451]

I took my 02 GS into SOUTH LONDON MOTORCYCLES today re my corroding fork brace and rusty wheels.
They agreed to replace the fork brace, however said the wheels just needed a clean. I was advised to clean them with autosol.
Obviously this is impossible to do on a weekly basis and I use this bike all year round. I didn't spend £8000 on a summer toy.
Can anyone offer any advice on this, eg, an understanding dealer.
I obviously want these wheels replacing as the bike is under warrantly.
By the way this bike has covered 9500miles but has always been well looked after. None of the usual things such as nuts and bolts have rusted, just the two items mentioned.
I am considering contacting BMW - does anyone think this will help?
Also is it true that new bikes come with stainless spokes? If so, this obviously leads me to believe that BMW are aware of a problem with these cromed spokes.
Somebody please give me some suggestions as I am well pi55ed off!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[littleredrooster]

You may well find (as I did) that it is not rust on the spokes, but a build-up of brake dust and resin from the pads. Good scrub needed to clean them - I use a plastic pan-scrubber thingy.

 

[boxer]

You may well find (as I did) that it is not rust on the spokes, but a build-up of brake dust and resin from the pads. Good scrub needed to clean them - I use a plastic pan-scrubber thingy.

Agreed. Especially if the 'rust' is on the spokes leading edge.

Russ.

 

[Jon451]

Definately rust

There was alot of the other crap too, but I managed to get this off. This is definately rust and it is scattered randomly across many spokes. I have tried cleaning it off but it just reappears.

 

[MikeO]

Bit confused by this. I've got stainless spokes on my 02 Adv - were they not fitted to all GSes by 2002?

Mine get covered in crap too, I originally thought it was rust, but, as littlered said, it turned out to be brake dust etc. If you're sure it's rust, ask your dealer why Stainless Steel is rusting....

MikeO

 

[Jon451]

Not Stainless

Mike, my bike was registered in 02, but is actually an 01. It has the BREMBO brakes as opposed to the BMW ones. These still had the chromed spokes which after one winter look crap. I'm sorry to go on about it.

 

[Shurv]

Is it worth trying another dealer to see if they might be more sympathetic than the one you tried.


Marcus.

 

[MikeO]

I've just been on the 'phone to my dealer (Lind's of Norwich) on another matter, and asked what their reaction would be to this question. They reckon that it might not be a warranty issue, but said they would make notes of the age, mileage, condition etc of the bike and contact BMW's 'Goodwill Dept'. The reply from them could be one of the following: They'll pay for everything; they'll pay for parts only; they'll pay for labour only; they'll make a contribution towards costs or, of course, they won't pay anything. My dealer said the only circumstances when he might not do this was if the bike had clearly been grossly neglected - which clearly isn't the case here.

Bottom line - I'd advise you to go back to your dealer and ask about them contacting BMW's Goodwill Dept.

Lind asked me to stress that this is what they would do - what BMW's policy is on the subject is unclear.... Lind have, in my experience, been first class dealers.

Hope this helps

MikeO

 

[thesanguine]

What friggin goodwill Dept?

My experience is that BMW do for goodwill what Cyril Smith does for hang gliding!!

Seriously though, I think it's all down to the dealer. Normally BMW will back whatever the dealer suggests...........I'd better say no more than that.

 

[luke scott]

Replaced !

BMW Ireland replaced my six month old rusty spoked GS wheels and gave me Adventure wheels. They said it was covered by warranty. At the same time they gave me new header pipes as the finish was not up to scratch. Buy your bikes over here.

 

[Linda Lovelace]

exhaust header pipes

Hi Luke,

Johnny D here actualy (I'm on hols from the office this week)

Interesting to hear that you got replacement header pipes ... as well as the other bits. The wheels on my GS are being replaced under warranty next week due to rust. Before sending it off, I've being looking at the bike overall and have noticed an amount of rust/pitted marks on the exhaust pipes. I'm also finding that no amount of Autosol will clear these marks. These marks are most noticable on the straight bits under the cylinders. Is this consistent with your own experience on your bike? Where possible, you know I like to use you as my role model for "enquiries"!!! Gis a shout on the mobile during the day if you've a chance

Cheers

Johnny D

 

[Jim McSharry]

Hi Jon,

My 1150 is 2 in July. Within the first year I noticed the spokes rusting front and rear. Dealer (Allan Jefferies, Shipley) had no problems whatsoever in changing them under warranty - much to my surprise & pleasure.
There must have been something wrong with the spokes as the one's I have now are still as good as new.
I feel a complaint coming on...
Hope this helps.

 

[Professional Boxer]

the offical stance is this:


The wheel rust because

a) they have been cleaned using a cleaner that is too aggresive I.E. caustic

b) thay havent been cleaned at all.

BMW will replace ONE set of wheel under warranty & no more.

Goodwill is there to provide cover for components that have failed prematurley, not through pilot error

You have to understand the warranty is not an excuse not to clean your machine, or to look after it properly.

The spokes can be cleaned using scotchbrite pads & they will remove all surface corrosion

 

[Professional Boxer]

End of rant

 

[Jon451]

Rusty wheels

Just to make things clear. I clean my bike regularly and only use the correct cleaning products. Yes, I ride it all year long but maintain it well. The issue here is that bwm produce some poor components. If I buy a new car from them I don't expect for one minute that my M3 alloys will corrode within one year. I mean this is a £40000 car, somewhere near the top end of the market. My GS only cost £8000, but that is at the top end of the bike market. I expect better!!!!!!

By the way, I've noticed the pipes corroding too.

I've done more than reasonably possible to stop the corrosion, using various rust inhibitors etc.

I just wish that bwm would recall these products and replace them. It would certainly encourage someone like myself to buy new again. Maybe next time I will buy japanese!!!!!!!!!

 

[Deleted Member]

hmmmn

Most BMW dealers are very helpful and extremely pleasent while you are slowly transering expensive parts from their shelves to your bike but how many still stand up when you have a problem?

Call me a ...
(he's a cynic, he's a cynic, he's a cynic...)

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

hey Jon451,

i've got an 01 GS (brembo's) bought from SLM a month ago also. i went in on saturday to talk about my RUSTY BRACE and SPOKES. they offered immediately to replace the brace, but, exactly like you, told me to simply clean the spokes. they also mentioned that the brace-replace would be a BM 'goodwill' gesture.

i also noticed on sunday while cleaning the thing that my pipe headers are also properly pitted as opposed to 'just dirty'. i cleaned the spokes, the rust came off but i know from experience of older bikes with chromed spokes that this will last days only.

how have you got on with your enquiries? have you spoken to BMW or anything or have you had to accept the 'goodwill' and live with the pipes/spokes...?

pr0ne

 

[Sleepy]

Though my bike is kept garaged, and clean, not really ridden through a winter the front spokes started to rust.. my local dealer (then) got the wheel relplaced though the bike was (just out) of it's measley one year warranty.. now the second wheel is rusting worse than the first one, dispite meticulously cleaning the wheels and spokes in warm soapy water as directed, now I notice that the fork brace is showing signs of corrosion, the bike is just over two years old with less than 17,000 miles, I'm not a happy bunny, my old ZZR600E was more durable than this.