Tank side panel fell off

[Clive]

Same thing happened to me on M62 at about 75 MPH was in the outside lane and nearly had me off with the shock of the panel hitting my leg and flapping about in the breeze. Like most things on the 1200GS other than the engine another example of complete crap cheap design.

Did you have to do it twice because you missed getting a photo the first time

 

[alimey4u2]

Upon replacement, tug on the side panels (front lower) & the fixed metal support should also move, ensuring correct "initial" location.

 

[ColBol]

The Bede

"... Solution ... two short cap-headed bolts, four washers and two nylon locknuts!"


Are you suggesting replacing or supplimenting the existing fitting with your solution ? If the latter, where do you fit the bolts?

 

[DodgyGeeSer]

The ones I heard of so far affect the right-hand side. Is this the case with all those above?

Mine was on the left hand side.. Have read of a few other examples of the LHS also, so no, there doesn't seem to be a right hand side bias.. Happened to me yesterday and reported it to my dealer today... Hopefully I'll get the same positive results you guys have, (i.e. replaced under warranty) but I'm not so optimistic..

 

[Engineer]

I remove and replace my side panels regularly (at least once every two weeks) in order to clean the bike. I have never had the panels come loose when riding.

They can be fiddly to refit properly (the little knob thing has to be turned exactly horizontal in order to lock); it took a bit of practice to get the hang of it.

After re-fitting I ALWAYS give the bottom front corner a good tug to make sure that they are properly secure - if they pull loose it means that the fastner has not correctly seated.

I agree, the design could be better but if care is taken when fitting them they are secure.

 

[Graham G]

After re-fitting I ALWAYS give the bottom front corner a good tug to make sure that they are properly secure - if they pull loose it means that the fastner has not correctly seated.

Likewise.

It is poor design - seems to be a case of 'out of sight, out of mind' - and BMW must be out of their minds having a fastener that can come lose. There needs to be something stronger at the front end, after all, that's where the frigging wind is. Someone did mention in a previous thread that their dealer fitted DZus fasteners to replace the front 'twist and go' thing. Can't figure out how these would be connected without taking out the plastic bit on the panel that holds the bit you twist. Still, we're doing stirling work - future developments will have this sorted.

 

[Pukmeister]

The problem on my bike lies with the female socket moulded into the inside of the covers. The moulded plastic parts of the female sockets are pretty soft and the male 'peg' of the dzus style fitting pops out again unless exactly horizontal.

The dealers previously drilled the inside of the panel to accept a cable tie with decent results, however I went one step further and drilled through the handle of the peg to allow the cable tie to not only hold the panel on, but to keep the peg in place and prevent it from falling out or turning from horizontal through vibration. With the aid of tension from a cable tie through both the clip and panel, the whole shebang stays clipped into place, the cable tie is purely belt-and-braces rather than a replacement for the clip mechanism as it ensures the clip stays put.

 

[The Bede]

My Dealer ...

... replaced the stock fastener with the said "nut, bolt, washers" on both panels, it's not a supplementary fixing ... Me ... delighted, problem resolved

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

I make sure I hear a good click when I fit the panel back, do not offer on with wing vertical and then turn. Offer on with wing horizontal and press til it clicks.

 

[ColBol]

Poor design

This is a real cheap design. Reliance on a plastic fitting in such a critical area is poor to say the least. There is a time and a place for plastic fasteners and this isn't it. Added ties for peace of mind.

 

[Geeza]

I've spoken with my local dealer (Rainbow) and they are unaware of any after market upgrades for this part.........can one of you kind chaps give me the Wunderlich part number

 

[Paul Mac]

Only problem with cable ties etc. is that unless you dry out the area above the fuel pump connector on a regular basis your 1200GS will eventually stop due to water entering the electrics. Having some positive and non reusable method of attaching the LH side panel will discourage its removal to carry out this vital maintenance. BMW should as a matter of urgency re-design this ridiculously bady designed area of the bike. This would involve having a proper fixing of the side panels before somebody is killed due to them blowing off at high speed and designing out/fitting a drain hole to the water trap above the can bus controller over the fuel pump. By re-design I dont mean fitting some new bodge - what is required is back to basics proper design by engineers freed of the shackles of weight saving/product dumbing down/cheap crap inspiring accountants who now appear to have far too much influence on the design of modern BMW motorcycles.

 

[littleredrooster]

.....unless you dry out the area above the fuel pump connector on a regular basis your 1200GS will eventually stop due to water entering the electrics.

...but wasn't this a warranty issue to replace the offending parts...?

.... BMW should as a matter of urgency re-design this ridiculously bady designed area of the bike. This would involve having a proper fixing of the side panels before somebody is killed due to them blowing off at high speed and designing out/fitting a drain hole to the water trap above the can bus controller over the fuel pump. By re-design I dont mean fitting some new bodge - what is required is back to basics proper design by engineers freed of the shackles of weight saving/product dumbing down/cheap crap inspiring accountants who now appear to have far too much influence on the design of modern BMW motorcycles.

....Whoa, there...have you got a bad one? What's wrong with weight-saving? Killed due to them blowing off at high speed? Are you serious?

 

[BillWright]

There is no doubt an accident could occur if the panel came loose at speed. I was doing around 60 mph in a straight line when mine came loose. The bike was pulled to one side and my knee heard like f*** for several days. It is a poor design, can you imagine a BMW car owner purring up with having to cable tie bits of their vehicles bodywork on a supposedly high end vehicle.

 

[BillWright]

Its early, I mean puttting not purring, the r and t are to close.

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

I am convinced that this thing will not let go if it is fitted properly.
You need to hold the black fastener head while pressing the tank cover onto it, wing horizontal, and press one onto the other until it clicks into place. Easy-peasy.

 

[Paul Mac]

Little Red Rooster - I take it you haven't experienced one of the panels blowing off? Mine blew off at approx 75mph and it was a truly scary experience. For starters you have no idea what has happened, all you get is the bike veering rapidly over in the direction of the failed panel. I thought I had hit a bird or animal loose on the Motorway. BMW were superb and replaced the panel no quibble at all. Its a bit worrying though that this can happen and all thats prevents it is a plastic twist clip. NEVER had anything blow off my R1150RT R100CS R100RT R80RT so it was a first for me and I well hope the last.

 

[Paul Mac]

There is no doubt an accident could occur if the panel came loose at speed. I was doing around 60 mph in a straight line when mine came loose. The bike was pulled to one side and my knee heard like f*** for several days. It is a poor design, can you imagine a BMW car owner purring up with having to cable tie bits of their vehicles bodywork on a supposedly high end vehicle.

Well said Bill EXACTLY!!!

 

[Clive]

Mine blew off at approx 75mph and it was a truly scary experience.

It wasn't fitted correctly.

If it was a poor design I'd expect it to happen to everyone or at least more than appears to be.

After you have refitted it or when picking it up from a dealer service - check it!

 

[Graham G]

Only problem with cable ties etc. is that unless you dry out the area above the fuel pump connector on a regular basis your 1200GS will eventually stop due to water entering the electrics. By re-design I dont mean fitting some new bodge - what is required is back to basics proper design by engineers freed of the shackles of weight saving/product dumbing down/cheap crap inspiring accountants who now appear to have far too much influence on the design of modern BMW motorcycles.

I'm in agreement with Paul. When you remove then nearside side panel the recess that holds the fuel pump couldn't have been designed better to hold water. If you don't check this regularly the aluminium corrodes very quickly.