Side panels (important!)

[kesha]

Few hours ago was riding M50, 140-150 km/h into the strong wind. Left side panel came off , ripped off all the fixings, hit my knee and flew off. Stopped, found the panel and did some thinking. There are four fixing points. Two clips on the back - they look solid and do the business all right. At the front you've male/female thingy with rubber ring, and down in the corner - the engineering masterpiece - plastic screw which doesn't have a stop/lock position.
All done in the name of quick side panel change. This plastic screw somehow got undone, (vibration ?), BAM ! The panel opened like a door on hinges - the clips should've been put on the front. Gave me a bit of shock all right. Can very well imagine someone losing control of the bike. Panel hitting the car windscreen behind you.....And it didn't come off straight away - was flapping for 10-15 sec like big, demented bird, who got stuck in the bike (that's what I thought)
Came to the dealer, ordered a new panel, and while he was fixing me a cup, went to look at few other bikes. Every pre 06 had plastic clip, and EVERY post 06 got this clip replaced by the torx screw, which means BMW knows about the problem, but instead of redesigning the bracket of fixing went the old (very unGerman) way.."Awww, feck it lads, just stick a screw there or smthink, that'll do you...." Now the quick panel change is impossible. But it stays in place.....So. The word of wisdom. If you can, take the clip out and secure the panel with the old trusty screw/nut/washer combo. Otherwise - check the clip every day if it's tight enough.
And by the way - one side panel (they all will have a torx now) will set you back 220 EUR.

 

[SkyGod]

This happened to me in Switzerland last year. It didnt fly off though, just made an amazing airbreak

Its all bent out of shape but I bent it back and its still on today.

Scary stuff though.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

This happened to me in Switzerland last year. It didnt fly off though, just made an amazing airbreak

Its all bent out of shape but I bent it back and its still on today.

Scary stuff though.

It matches all the other panels then...

 

[Steve V]

Same with me, 80MPH air break in the fast lane is scarey. It ripped my trouses as well where it nipped as it broke. I have tie wrapped mine on now

 

[RogerJ]

+1 on the tie wraps or zip-strips as they are sometimes call. I did mine before they flew off but that was just luck.

 

[SkyGod]

It matches all the other panels then...

Fair comment

 

[Davy F]

the engineering masterpiece - plastic screw which doesn't have a stop/lock position.

Actually, there is a certain position to have the plastic screwy thing in, the tab has to be in a horizontal plane when you clip the panel back on. It does not vibrate round or out and is most always a user error in fitting that causes the dreaded air brake.

 

[Patventure]

question

does this affect Adventure models, given their different arrangement around the tank?

Cheers.

Patrick.

 

[paintman]

Actually, there is a certain position to have the plastic screwy thing in, the tab has to be in a horizontal plane when you clip the panel back on. It does not vibrate round or out and is most always a user error in fitting that causes the dreaded air brake.
__________________

You may well be right, but mine let go 18 months ago and upon inspection the plastic part was well worn, due I assume to constant buffeting that must occur up at the front.
The new fixing is of much better quality, and I would strongly recomend anyone with an 04 to 06 bike to buy the new fixings, or at least tie wrap the front of the side panels, or there will be.....

 

[Dahoum]

Actually, there is a certain position to have the plastic screwy thing in, the tab has to be in a horizontal plane when you clip the panel back on. It does not vibrate round or out and is most always a user error in fitting that causes the dreaded air brake.

correctamundo

 

[kesha]

cable ties ! homemaid solution to improve the bike which costs 15 grand.......
Well.
It's dark now, can't see - do you put the tie through the screw hole, or there's something else you can hook it to ?

 

[ECM]

This "feature" of the side panels was posted back in 2004 on many different sites.
If it still happens now, your bike never saw a dealer.... (or it was a bad dealer)

 

[patzx12]

I have a bolt and big washer bonded into the lug on the plastic cover M6 and then I use a wing nut to secure. Cable tie is ok but a bit of a hassle if you want to remove the panel.

 

[the civil one]

Yip , thats the one ,
"" was flapping for 10-15 sec like big, demented bird, who got stuck in the bike (that's what I thought)""
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131703

 

[XRM]

Got updated fittings and a new panel free of charge from BMW when mine blew off

 

[patboy]

yep same here updated panels and fixings when it happened to me. Done on the warrenty. Been fine since thankfully.

 

[[email protected]]

I've gone the cable tie route on the side that had to be replaced. what I should have done was sleeve the tie in a bit of old tubing to prevent chafing. looking to buy the same D lock fittings as on the rear, but can only find stainless steel and they are b expensive.

 

[Pete NL]

Does it happens with all GS?

I thought it was only a problem in the early years (2005)

 

[Wapping]

Does it happens with all GS?

I thought it was only a problem in the early years (2005)

That sounds like a retrospective 'Greatest hits' album.

GS - The early years.

Possible tracks include:


Fuel pump blues

What oil?

What oil? (live)

What oil? (reprise)

What oil? (studio mix)

What oil? (demo vers)

What oil? (endless loop)

Start me up (EWS) - The pushbike song.

I lost my bike to a car transporter

 

[Pukmeister]

That sounds like a retrospective 'Greatest hits' album.

GS - The early years.

Not forgetting such classics as:

Does your gearbox lose its oil, on the driveway overnight?