exhaust heat shield loose!!

[yellasei]

thought i might post this up guys, you might be able to stop an issue happening. last week i took my 600 off it's mainstand and heard a clatter, the noise was the heatshield on top of the cat. on inspection the 2 rear screws had gone and with them the fibre washers between the shield and fixing. i tried to order the scres and washers but not available and advised to replace the complete manifold.
anyway, today, under warranty i did this but would have liked not to and wish i had caught the screws loose before they escaped, now i know what to look for and thought you guy's might need to know this so you can keep an eye on the screws.

 

[Skutorr]

The entire Exhaust Manifold is being replaced because they have no SCREWS???


The only thing shown as not available in the factory parts diagram is a CLAMP...

So, instead of $7 worth of screws/washers, BMW is replacing a $550 MUFFLER???



Great Business Plan!

 

[JaimeC]

The local True Value hardware store didn't have them either?

 

[Scorpion56]

Heading down to the garage to inspect. Thanks!

2 minutes later......... As Link said to Pete on "Mod Squad", "SOLID"...

 

[yellasei]

The entire Exhaust Manifold is being replaced because they have no SCREWS???
View attachment 905

The only thing shown as not available in the factory parts diagram is a CLAMP...

So, instead of $7 worth of screws/washers, BMW is replacing a $550 MUFFLER???



Great Business Plan!

Dude, thats the silencer. The shield is the one on top of the cat, part of the front manifold.

 

[grenstrom8316]

"the noise was the heatshield on top of the cat" whats so hard to understand about that. Why is it that every time some little thing goes south, BMW gets trashed. They can't be to bad, we all bought at least one of there products.

 

[justscootin]

This is my 7th

we all bought at least one of there products.

 

[Skutorr]

OOOPS! Misread it...

I guess replacing a $1,100 part is better...

 

[Skutorr]

This is my 7th

I can see why...

 

[SteveADV]

Part of any survey's effectiveness is a direct result of the respondents expectations. While I certainly would not challenge the relative quality ratings of the Japanese bikes, I suggest that those that buy any BMW/Mercedes/Audi/Cadillac, etc product have higher expectations, expect a product without any imperfections, AND are more likely to respond to surveys. This has a tendency to skew results somewhat. "Somewhat" being the operative word.

I am not privy to the actual data for the specific survey cited, nor to any data filtered via respondent metrics, but having worked with enough of these over the years my feeling is surveys are surveys and figures in and of themselves do not tell the whole story (this coming from a quant who makes a living paying attention to those damn numbers).

Not to mention the fact that the more "stuff" on a bike, the more potential problems to report. BMW has a lot of stuff. By way of comparison, my KLR ain't got nothin. Pure simplicity. (Frankly, that is one of the reasons I own it.) Not too much to go wrong.

If I had to have one bike, a BMW would definitely be on my short list.

Note: Skutorr keeps us on our toes...and you know how he loves shaking things up. Good stuff.

 

[Skutorr]

QUOTE=SteveADV;7007]Note: Skutorr keeps us on our toes...and you know how he loves shaking things up. Good stuff.[/QUOTE]

Trying my BEST!
[

 

[yellasei]

another scoot in today with the same problem and the same 2 screws loose. i removed them on this one as they had only backed loose and loctited them in. this time it was a 650gt with 5500 miles on it. keep your eyes out guy's.

 

[Snowdog]

Just a note on hardware. if you can't find your missing hardware at your local stores, try "McMasterCarr" online. If they don't have it in stock they will get it for you.

 

[yellasei]

im going to remove my system again and tack weld the screws, there is no need to ever remove the shield anyway but a tack should break loose if i ever need too. a real nuisance when they rattle though.

 

[JaimeC]

When the K bikes first came out in the early 80s they had an issue with the exhaust heat shields coming loose. The result was a ringing, howling sound at just the right rpm... VERY annoying. BMW FINALLY came up with a permanent fix that included additional bracketry welded on to the muffler (at the factory). I went through a couple of mufflers myself before they finally fixed it (and then my bike was stolen).

 

[SteveADV]

.....(and then my bike was stolen).

....But after all that your bike gets stolen??!

 

[JaimeC]

It was almost exactly ten years old, with 158,000 miles on the odometer. I was planning on getting it repainted as the "Lava Red Metallic" paint was looking decidedly orange. I came back from work and looked where I had locked up the bike, and it was gone. It was never recovered either. I still consider it one of the best all-around motorcycles I'd ever owned. I hope the bastard who stole it got hit by a TRAIN.