Winglets...

[Rick 1600]

The winglets on my adventure have started to crack around the mounting holes.....BMW will replace them for me, they are £17 each,plus vat probably.

Thing is, he said it was because I used Muckoff.....

 

[Wapping]

Are you sure you didn't mishear him?

 

[steve g]

Mine did the same (2009 adv) both replaced under warantee. Noticed one of them has started to crack again around the fixing holes.

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

The winglets on my adventure have started to crack around the mounting holes.....BMW will replace them for me, they are £17 each,plus vat probably.

Thing is, he said it was because I used Muckoff.....

Got the same fault on one of mine bike is 4 months old(3300 miles) only been cleaned using car shampoo as used on all my other bikes with no issues.Yet to speak to the dealer i feel an arguement coming if not under warranty

How old is your bike?

 

[TeaPig]

T

Thing is, he said it was because I used Muckoff.....

Star shaped cracks radiating from mounting holes or along the line of a bend in the plastic are common when they have been repeatedly stressed such as by the effects of wind buffeting. No idea what's in muckoff but if it's an organic solvent (like petrol) then your man could be right as certain solvents screw up some plastics increasing their suceptability to crack.

I've seen a few posts on this subject relating to cracking mounting holes on screens

 

[mrpc]

One of my winglets cracked like you say, I had been using muckoff, new winglet 8 months ago, no muckoff and no crack... Yet.

 

[looney]

Just two thoughts:

• I mounted winglets to my GS earlier this year and couldn't help noticing that the mounting holes are much too small for the steel bushing / rubber-thingy combo. While assembling was possible there was considerable pressure to the plastic parts. Hence I re-drilled the holes (to 8mm if memory serves me right) in order to minimize stress. Still a rock solid mount.

• Plexiglas / Acrylic / PMMA and alcohol don't go well together if mechanical stress is applied, stress-cracking may occur. Alcohol is an ingredient of many cleaning agents, especially glass cleaners.

 

[ianf]

All 4 of the holes in my GSA have cracks, from the factory. Someone's doing them up too tight.

Gonna get that and the leaky fork seal done at 600 miles.

 

[Hexme]

Are you sure you didn't mishear him?

Nice one, nearly choked on my tea!

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

Just two thoughts:

• I mounted winglets to my GS earlier this year and couldn't help noticing that the mounting holes are much too small for the steel bushing / rubber-thingy combo. While assembling was possible there was considerable pressure to the plastic parts. Hence I re-drilled the holes (to 8mm if memory serves me right) in order to minimize stress. Still a rock solid mount.

• 
  
  The earlier model winglets had plastic bushes with no rubber grommet and a smaller hole, as on my 2006 gsa.
  Then they changed to rubber grommet and metal bush with bigger holes as on my 2010 gsa.

 

[WindyChuffer]

FUnny - I noticed one of mine has cracked today. April 2011 bike. Bike has only had one clean - by the dealer.

 

[WindyChuffer]

The winglets on my adventure have started to crack around the mounting holes.....BMW will replace them for me, they are £17 each,plus vat probably.

Thing is, he said it was because I used Muckoff.....

Where does it say in the handbook to not use Muckoff? Indeed, is there any guidance for cleaning in the handbook?

 

[claw]

I've read in many places that Mucoff is getting a bad reputation for causing corrosion, but not heard of it weakening plastics before

 

[Wapping]

Indeed, is there any guidance for cleaning in the handbook?

RTFM and find out.

PS It's on about page 140 / 141 of the current version, if that helps you overcome your angst

 

[Rick 1600]

Its a 2010, new ones are being fitted today.

Roll on Sunday 26th and the Santander ferry.

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

Its a 2010, new ones are being fitted today.

Roll on Sunday 26th and the Santander ferry.

Under warranty????????

 

[Rick 1600]

Yes, under warranty.