Chinese Aluminium engine/valve covers

Deleted account 230327001 · Nov 9, 2019

Anyone got any experience of the ‘cheap’ Chinese valve covers off eBay? Are they any good?

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Andi_archer · Nov 9, 2019

They make glass ones too

Slipperyeel · Nov 9, 2019

I've bought a number of things off Alibaba.

The really 'cheap' things seem to be low quality - I mean sub £10. But for other items that cost more, like your rocket covers, I can't fault them. Personally I'd go for it. I'd expect fit to be OEM standard, but not necessarily the colour. But hey, they're probably made in China to start with and these are the same.

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NicD · Nov 9, 2019

Can you get a GS into orbit with rocket covers?

Slipperyeel · Nov 9, 2019

NicD said:
Can you get a GS into orbit with rocket covers?

Fookin auto complete!

Yea, no problem, just don't pull the clutch in as you leave the atmosphere

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NicD · Nov 9, 2019

if you search my posts you'll find one about the inner surface of one of my OEM valve covers bubbling. I replaced it in the end with a new part sourced cheaply (ie not from BMW). My concern was that any material that comes away will circulate in the top end and could easily block an oil passage or get caught up in valve etc. Chinese ones may well be fine, but if not would it have been worth the saving of £50 or so?

oldnfat · Nov 10, 2019

Yes, I had them and they were crap...they were not machined with flat surfaces and the oil poured out. No matter what I did I I couldn’t get a good seal. I complained and was told to replace the paper gasket. I pointed out that the gasket is a reusable rubber gasket and clearly they didn’t understand BMWs. They finally refunded me but it took a complaint to PayPal.

Avoid at all costs.

Deleted account 230327001 · Dec 8, 2019

oldnfat said:
Yes, I had them and they were crap...they were not machined with flat surfaces and the oil poured out. No matter what I did I I couldn’t get a good seal. I complained and was told to replace the paper gasket. I pointed out that the gasket is a reusable rubber gasket and clearly they didn’t understand BMWs. They finally refunded me but it took a complaint to PayPal.

Avoid at all costs.

Well I second this. The surfaces are painted (badly) and riddled with errors. What a waste of money - hopefully will get a full refund. Have bought a second hand OEM set for about half the price of these anyway. Avoid!!!

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bikenav · Dec 8, 2019

usefull info here thanks to the posters.

StewMcGrew · Dec 10, 2019

Is there a way to recondition the rocker covers without resorting to buying new / used items?

Tarka · Dec 10, 2019

StewMcGrew said:
Is there a way to recondition the rocker covers without resorting to buying new / used items?

Get them blasted and powder coated.
Or just get them blasted and paint them yourself.

BOBAD · Dec 10, 2019

llekra said:
........ Anyone got any experience of the ‘cheap’ Chinese valve covers off eBay? Are they any good?

Why take the chance?

Nobody ever regretted buying the best......

Deleted account 230327001 · Dec 12, 2019

I’ve bought plenty of parts from China/alibaba etc that have been more than adequate.

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oldnfat · Dec 13, 2019

llekra said:
I’ve bought plenty of parts from China/alibaba etc that have been more than adequate.

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Except I have bought those ones and they were shit!

Chug-chug · Dec 18, 2019

Tarka said:
Get them blasted and powder coated.
Or just get them blasted and paint them yourself.

I have this issue with these head covers, my one have just started to blister, the main issue I had was my engine front casing, shocking corrosion “I really look after my bike” but it was already bubbling when I got it 4 years ago. 2013 GSA 90th. It’s such a poor paint finish.

I shot-blasted and powder coated my cover. But really!!! Look at the state of it 22000miles

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gazza12adv · Dec 19, 2019

Mine was as bad. I got mikeyboy to take mine off when my bike was with him and he had it powder coated. You can still see the corroded parts under the powder coating where it was so bad the corrosion was eating into the metal.

Chug-chug · Dec 19, 2019

gazza12adv said:
Mine was as bad. I got mikeyboy to take mine off when my bike was with him and he had it powder coated. You can still see the corroded parts under the powder coating where it was so bad the corrosion was eating into the metal.

Yep, you can see the pitting below the coating......very poor quality from BMW

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Chinese Aluminium engine/valve covers

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