Possible radiator repair

[raesewell]

BMW use the public as test rats. They used to be a premium brand but these days they are just about average charging premium prices. 

[Phmode]

...and...

When the K12 was introduced in 2004, then hastily withdrawn (after Kevin Ash told them what he thought about it) and then re-introduced in 2005 following some rapid reworking, BMW had spent decades refining the original boxer motor and didn't have a clue about introducing 'new' products. The previous 'new' bike, the K100/75/1 (variously with different versions of an old Peugeot engine) was a dismal failure due to high weight, low power, thin bodywork that cracked if touched and was equally badly designed and developed and then rapidly consigned to the waste bin of history when the Fireblade came along and changed the sports bike world for ever.

[black-k1]

...and...

When the K12 was introduced in 2004, then hastily withdrawn (after Kevin Ash told them what he thought about it) and then re-introduced in 2005 following some rapid reworking, BMW had spent decades refining the original boxer motor and didn't have a clue about introducing 'new' products. The previous 'new' bike, the K100/75/1 (variously with different versions of an old Peugeot engine) was a dismal failure due to high weight, low power, thin bodywork that cracked if touched and was equally badly designed and developed and then rapidly consigned to the waste bin of history when the Fireblade came along and changed the sports bike world for ever.

I don't think you can call the old brick Ks a disaster. They were produced for 20 years and dominated the sports touring market for over half of those years. I had 5 of them and loved them. K100RS, K100LT, K100RS, K100RS16v & K1

[flatfour]

I also owned a 2004 K1200 RS "brick" and loved every minute of it. It took me and often my wife or daughter to France and other countries many times and its reliability and performance were beyond reproach, covering some 14,000 miles over four years.

It was also much easier to work on than the K1300GT, during my entire period of ownership it only saw a dealer's workshop for the two - yearly brake fluid changes. In the end it was sold for the strangest of reasons, following an emergency tyre replacement with levers by a non - BMW dealer, it developed a most peculiar vibration at all speeds over around 55 mph. I had it inspected by a main dealer and two specialist motorcycle tyre fitting workshops, who checked that the wheels were true and rebalanced them several times, as well as replacing the tyre again. However, the problem remained. The only other issue during my ownership was the sudden refusal of the headlight to work on either main or dipped beam, although all other electrics were fine. This was eventually traced to a poor earth connection.

As the bike was used almost exclusively for touring, I could not live with the vibration and, when offered a very good P/X deal against a new Kawasaki GTR, I took it.

[richtea]

I also owned a 2004 K1200 RS "brick" and loved every minute of it. It took me and often my wife or daughter to France and other countries many times and its reliability and performance were beyond reproach, covering some 14,000 miles over four years.

On that score, K ownership hasn't been too bad.

67,000 miles across three K1300S in 8 years with:

- 3 hot start issues (i.e. all three), two fixed, one left as was (both done under warranty)
- 1 gear selector potentiometer expired (warrantied)
- 1 set of switchgear replaced (warrantied)
- 1 dented wheel fixed by Motoliner
- 2 sets of fork corrosion (third one not yet old enough to get it, but it's inevitable) - BMW wouldn't warranty either
- 2 sets of bevel corrosion (ditto)
- 1 minor engine corrosion (ditto)
- 1 part-rusted shaftdrive brace / strut thing

I think that's the lot but I couldn't get my memory warrantied.

No engine issues, no suspension issues, no radiator issues.
I know they happen regularly but part-exchanging at around 40k probably dodged some of those.

I'd say the last 8 years have been the least hassle, combined with the most miles I've ever done. And also the most expensive in terms of service and warranty. BMW are defo winning there.

[CC Mac]

I was out on my K12 R Sport the other day, the mileage is actually 58000 , no corrosion to the final drive or forks. Mine has black paint to frame and wheels etc. Is it possible that the black was more resilient than the grey paint. Anyone owned both colours?

[richtea]

I was out on my K12 R Sport the other day, the mileage is actually 58000 , no corrosion to the final drive or forks. Mine has black paint to frame and wheels etc. Is it possible that the black was more resilient than the grey paint. Anyone owned both colours?

You could well be right. I think this is what BMW used for the silver, if anyone needs to colour match it.

It would be difficult to make something less resistant. But Laverda managed it in 1997 with their 750S. That flaked off in big chunks, no twee gentle bubbling or anything so subtle.

[runnerboy]

Evening all, about to send this rad off to Andy - will report back once returned. But worried about condition at the bottom, but having seen the thread starter’s rad it gives me hope as the problem looks similar… here’s hoping.

https://ibb.co/ZW9pdCD
https://ibb.co/8rH6np1
https://ibb.co/NtmQ7y2

[richtea]

Wow, that's royally shagged, to put it politely!

How many miles has it done, and how come just the bottom edge is so damaged? (or did I miss it further up the thread?)
It looks like someone's been it with a hacksaw every 5cm.

[fjtwelve]

Bottom of my k12 radiator is headed that way. It also looks considerably more blocked up than this. Will be very interested to see how you get on

[NIBS]

Wow, that's royally shagged, to put it politely!

How many miles has it done, and how come just the bottom edge is so damaged? (or did I miss it further up the thread?)
It looks like someone's been it with a hacksaw every 5cm.

I also have this much damage to the bottom of the rad.
I believe its caused when the bottom support rod is pulled from the bottom of the rad. It can be quite difficult to remove if WD40 isn't sprayed on the rubber to ease its way off the rad's peg which also needs to be supported up to stop the bottom set of fins detaching at removal. Probably occurs from repeated or clumsy removal combined with untreated corrosion over time.

[runnerboy]

Wow, that's royally shagged, to put it politely!

How many miles has it done, and how come just the bottom edge is so damaged? (or did I miss it further up the thread?)
It looks like someone's been it with a hacksaw every 5cm.

Morning, bike has 38,000 miles, no overheating issues before it was removed, I suspect the workshop was a little heavy handed, may explain why they weren’t keen for the rest of the repair - replace exhaust headers with “cooked” nuts - will hopefully be salvageable. Having looked at the tread starter’s pics, his was similar if slightly les damaged. Hope it can be fixed tbh.

[richtea]

My fingers are crossed for you, runnerboy, since there but for the grace of god go I!

[Grumpy jase]

I think NIBS has hit the nail on the head here, and that is a really useful insight  .  Looking at the location of the damage, it ties in exactly with where the support arm is fitted, but I'd not spotted that before.  I will certainly be taking more care next time I remove mine, to carefully support the bottom tube

[jollyjeweller]

I'm on my 6th K, 4 x 1200 , 2 x 1300 , and they all ran a bit hot.
I saw a minty Radiator at a breakers on ebay about 18 months ago, and snapped it up.
The Msport I bought last month seems to run super cool, thankfully, but nice to have a backup just in case.