1998 R1100RT Low-side crash. Snapped supports to topcase.

[mtlla70]

Hi!

Dang! Hit an oil slick tonight while taking a simple, traffic-free right-hand turn at a green light, travelling at about 10-15 mph. Leaned into the turn and *boom* we were down. Never saw the slick on a darkish and well travelled (well-stained) city street. I am fine, as I was fully geared up. The bike seems mostly fine other than a scratched cylinder cover.
I did hear a slight rattle on way home, though. When I investigated, I found that the Givi top case was moving a bit. The supports that disappear into the tail cowl were moving. When I took the seat off, I discovered that the steel (?) bars that are bolted to the bike under there were snapped about 4-5 inches before the point where they emerge out of the cowl. Does anyone know if it would be possible to weld those bars back together? Here's a video...
https://vimeo.com/264373242

Any help would be appreciated!

N

 

[jandhumphreyme]

It could be welded yes. It will take some work to disassemble. To do that weld correctly, it will need to be a full penetration butt weld pretty tricky on such small diameter tube. I think I'd fabricate a steel insert to go inside the tube to stiffen it up and use as a backer for the butt weld. Beemerboneyard or Ebay might be an easier choice. Glad you not hurt, good luck.

 

[paul_f]

My R1100RT didn't go down, at least not the evening I discovered the same problem as you. One of my supports under the cowl had separated. Gave the bike to friend who was an excellent bodyshop man. It is now better than new. He said the OEM supports were more fragile than they should have been. Believe he put another piece of steel around it (can't remember if he did both while he was at it) and says that it is now better than when it rolled off the assembly line. Never had a problem with GIVI since and that was done in the spring of 2015.

 

[gsaddict]

I would plug and use several SS pop rivets to hold in place

 

[brianfisk]

I have had 3 of these breaks. I welded on the road by borrowing a MIG Welder. Not a problem. The alignment is the key. I would a sleeve around the outside or fit a piece inside if I had them at home. I think this is common.

 

[PGlaves]

Semantics:

I would call it under-designed.

BMW would call it over loaded.

 

[GTRider]

It could be welded yes. It will take some work to disassemble. To do that weld correctly, it will need to be a full penetration butt weld pretty tricky on such small diameter tube. I think I'd fabricate a steel insert to go inside the tube to stiffen it up and use as a backer for the butt weld. Beemerboneyard or Ebay might be an easier choice. Glad you not hurt, good luck.

^^^^THIS^^^^^

Had the same break on my ‘95 RSL a year or so after mounting a fuel cell back there. Had a mild steel insert slug turned, about 75mm in length, and before welding it all together drilled a 5mm hole vertically through the tubing so that when the insert was installed and the joint brought back together, there was a spot to mig weld the tubing to the slug, top and bottom but away from the joint that was also mig welded. That held until I sold the bike almost three years ago. It is a common point of breakage when top cases or other weighty items are added back there.

Best,
DG

 

[mtlla70]

Thanks!

Thanks for the input! Found a replacement on Ebay! $100. So I ordered that.
I took it all apart and extracted the frame, then put the grabrails back so I can hang the sidecases, if I need storage before next week when the part gets here. I will still look into welding the old one, so as to have a spare frame for the next time it breaks...

Cheers!

 

[alancoles]

I'd consider welding the new replacement one as a preventative step to fixing what appears to be a known weakness in the design.

If it were me, I'd look at placing the tube inside (if that's possible - not had a look at mine) and just welding the one end. You could also put it in with some metal glue along the outside of the insert so that the tube is strengthened. Just my 2-cents.