BMW 1000 frame issue

[nakedape]

Poor mom backed into dad's 2012 S1000, shearing off the kickstand boss at the frame. Dealer suggests full replacement at $5K. No collision, and their Christian values prevent them from fudging a claim, as someone suggested.

Not having looked too closely at the bike, I wonder if a good TIG weld could set things right. This bike is a commuter only, no track stresses to cope with, although roads around there suck.

Mom is distraught, not about the $$$, which they have a surplus of, but dad's depression about losing his newest and favorite bike for an extended period. He had no back up bike, and the loaner ZX-11 from his brother has carb issues.

I suspect they are looking for ways to avoid frame replacement but any garage gurus please weigh in. Thanks.

 

[aram]

I'd talk to the local frame guy. There are some up here, but don't know what frame guys there are down there.

Also a picture might help.

Also, he could just get used to leaning it up against things.

.. or getting one of those little track temporary stand deals.

 

[nakedape]

They are in Marin Co.

Leaning it against stuff, classic. I wonder how rashed it is. Must've been parked with the right side facing the car bumper. Maybe the area it was attached to buckled.

Can't discuss with him, he's raw right now.

 

[aram]

They are in Marin Co.

Leaning it against stuff, classic. I wonder how rashed it is. Must've been parked with the right side facing the car bumper. Maybe the area it was attached to buckled.

Can't discuss with him, he's raw right now.

http://www.gpframeandwheel.com/

GP Frame and Wheel Contact Information


17280 County Road 97
Woodland, CA 95695
Phone: 707.815.0216
email:gpframeandwheel@sbcglobal.net


Not super close but would be worth a call at least.

 

[Burning1]

Moto frames are aluminum, and bay area roads can be as hard on a bikes frame as a season of racing.

If you're concerned about the frame, run the bike by Gerry @ GP Frame and wheel. It might be repairable, might not... But he's one of very few people I'd trust to repair something that safety critical.

Frames do fail - Suzuki had to issue a recall because their 1000cc frames kept failing behind the steering head. When they go, they go catastrophically.

 

[sckego]

I'm struggling to see how a kickstand boss could be considered a key structural member while riding. The rest of the frame is OK, yes? I'd probably just weld a new attachment back on, and not sit on the bike while on the stand or do that funny lift-the-bike-onto-the-sidestand thing that some people do. Are there any structural connections in that area that might have been damaged?

 

[mototireguy]

A qualified frame/welder tech needs to look at it.

Would be a disservice for us to say yea or nay on something as important as frame damage, especially so with zero pics of the damage.

 

[nakedape]

Thanks, I just spoke to Gary and he thinks it can be fixed. Now dad must overcome the pressure from BMW to replace. He owns it outright, seems like there's no good reason not to get a second opinion.

Not sure what stage of grief he's in, but it's deep and dark right now. His favorite bike ever, and he's had all the latest and greatest over the decades.

 

[nakedape]

Edit: Gerry. It most certainly could affect the frame as a whole. The walls are getting thinner and thinner every generation, and the S1000 is pushing limits for weight savings. Down low there will be loads, and possible fractures not visible to the naked eye.

It's not something to gamble on, especially when you're 67 and gets offs take a terrible toll.

 

[EarlyApex]

lol. It's just a bike. Get that shit welded up or pay the deductible and move on with life..

 

[Burning1]

Sorry, I overlooked that the issue was with the kickstand boss.

Yes, take it to Gerry. Be aware that welding can weaken the frame. Usually the kickstand boss is not welded to a heavily stressed component of the frame, so repairs might be safe. But again, I'd rely on Gerry's judgement. We haven't seen the bike, and none of us have Gerry's level of knowledge about frame safety.

 

[ST Guy]

lol. It's just a bike. Get that shit welded up ........

You seem to know nothing about metallurgy and bike frames and stress fractures and many other things.

The broken mount could not have affected the frame in any way. Or it could have compromised it to the point where even what seems to be a sucessful repair might fail just before entering a fast sweeper and the bike goes into a bad weave at speed and spits the rider off into the rocks on the outside of the turn with horrible results.

 

[nakedape]

No deductible. No comp/collision. The insurance guy suggested having a friend say they did it, pay their deductible, and tip them out! Mom and Dad don't play that way, donors out of pocket. In 40 years he's never had to claim on his insurance for a bike issue, but I bet he's upping his coverage now! (Or mom will change it for him. He will never know.)

 

[EarlyApex]

You seem to know nothing about metallurgy and bike frames and stress fractures and many other things.

The broken mount could not have affected the frame in any way. Or it could have compromised it to the point where even what seems to be a sucessful repair might fail just before entering a fast sweeper and the bike goes into a bad weave at speed and spits the rider off into the rocks on the outside of the turn with horrible results.

Oh i can assure you I do. I'm referring to how his dad is handling the situation. Think mental health..

 

[EarlyApex]

No deductible. No comp/collision. The insurance guy suggested having a friend say they did it, pay their deductible, and tip them out! Mom and Dad don't play that way, donors out of pocket. In 40 years he's never had to claim on his insurance for a bike issue, but I bet he's upping his coverage now! (Or mom will change it for him. He will never know.)

Ballsy move to rock just liability on an S1000rr. What exactly was he thinking?

The problem with having a friend take the blame, his rates will be affected for years to come. Not to mention the possibility of prison time..

 

[Burning1]

Word of advice for your friend:

In CA, a hit and run on your parked bike is covered under collision, not under comp or UIM. With an expensive bike like the S1000RR, collision might be worth it.

FWIW, I commute on my bike. Someone knocks my bike over once every 2-3 years. Average repair bill is usually $3000-$8000.

 

[ALANRIDER7]

No deductible. No comp/collision. The insurance guy suggested having a friend say they did it, pay their deductible, and tip them out! Mom and Dad don't play that way, donors out of pocket. In 40 years he's never had to claim on his insurance for a bike issue, but I bet he's upping his coverage now! (Or mom will change it for him. He will never know.)

The insurance guy suggested insurance fraud? :wtf

 

[bobl]

Doesn't Mom have liability on the car that hit the bike? Either way, I would take it to a frame shop before jumping of a bridge.

 

[rob linders]

I agree, take it to the frame shop. I wouldn't lie to the insurance company, too much bad karma for that.

If your dad doesn't want a slightly repaired bike, which I understand for his pride and joy, have him sell it to a racer.

 

[nakedape]

Yep, insurance guy. They are known for their integrity, yes? They are on the same insurance, whatever that means.

Turns out he called Lance Keigwan for advice and he suggested replacement. So replacement it is. Thanks for the advice and random comments.