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Rocker arms causing notching on cams?

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#161 ·
Freedomrider1776 said:
I know you bought used, but is your bike mostly kept on the sidestand or centerstand? I keep mine on the centerstand and know the previous owner did as well, also keep the oil level at MAX at all times and so did previous owner. I will be holding my breath when I check my valves at 12K, but "so far" my engine sounds normal and runs like a raped ape.
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It is not an oil issue. It is the DLC coating on the rocker arms failing.
 
#162 ·
Freedomrider1776 said:
I know you bought used, but is your bike mostly kept on the sidestand or centerstand? I keep mine on the centerstand and know the previous owner did as well, also keep the oil level at MAX at all times and so did previous owner. I will be holding my breath when I check my valves at 12K, but "so far" my engine sounds normal and runs like a raped ape.
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Sadly, I kept it mostly on the side-stand. Only on the center-stand Dec-Feb. Lessons learned.
 
#164 ·
TSConver said:
It is not an oil issue. It is the DLC coating on the rocker arms failing.
Click to expand...
I understand overwhelmingly what is the cause issue, it appears that KTM is also having similar issues as well. But with an engine design like this, seems more prudent to me for oil film retention and such to park on the center stand and to keep level at the top of site glass circle much as possible "and the right side does appear to be the most affected/reported". This abnormal wear is for sure concerning, in particular since the pattern for such isn't much of a pattern and not mileage dependent. You'd think it would be easy enough to look at lot dates of these followers and pinpoint when/where they had improper coating, but who knows how hard BMW is even looking into this. I'm not sure the issue is very prevalent, but it sure as hell seems that way out on the interweb forums. Yes BMW should be kissing the ass of owners having this issue, and yes they should be fully covering or at minimum all the parts no questions asked for a premium motorcycle brand.
 
#167 ·
Freedomrider1776 said:
I understand overwhelmingly what is the cause issue, it appears that KTM is also having similar issues as well. But with an engine design like this, seems more prudent to me for oil film retention and such to park on the center stand and to keep level at the top of site glass circle much as possible "and the right side does appear to be the most affected/reported". This abnormal wear is for sure concerning, in particular since the pattern for such isn't much of a pattern and not mileage dependent. You'd think it would be easy enough to look at lot dates of these followers and pinpoint when/where they had improper coating, but who knows how hard BMW is even looking into this. I'm not sure the issue is very prevalent, but it sure as hell seems that way out on the interweb forums. Yes BMW should be kissing the ass of owners having this issue, and yes they should be fully covering or at minimum all the parts no questions asked for a premium motorcycle brand.
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Yes but putting it on the centerstand does not put oil on the right side cam. It will still drain off leaving just a film. If it was a oil draining off issue it would only be the right side and if you added a right side stand and alternated between the two then that would solve the issue.
 
#168 ·
TSConver said:
Yes but putting it on the centerstand does not put oil on the right side cam. It will still drain off leaving just a film. If it was a oil draining off issue it would only be the right side and if you added a right side stand and alternated between the two then that would solve the issue.
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I have made it a habit to not let the motor run while on the side stand....I know that the DTC is the issue, I guess I just want to try anything to reduce the probability...I still need to just go ahead and pull the trigger and order the rocker arms and pre-emptively change...I am at 27k miles....valves/lobes last checked at 25k miles....I will probably be on here in a year and say, I should have pre-emptively changed the rocker arms while pasting pics of the grooved lobes.
 
#169 ·
I plan on pulling covers and inspecting wear at the end of every riding season (2018 GS). It's been discussed here and other forums that you should replace both rocker arms and cams if you are seeing wear.
 
#170 ·
Bad case of acne.
 
#171 · (Edited)
I see KTM has stepped up and taken ownership of the cam wear issue on their parallel twins. Offering inspection and replacement if needed or good will to those that have had work done or may have issues in the future.
BMW should take note.

www.advpulse.com

KTM North America Addresses Camshaft Controversy & China Rumors - ADV Pulse

The trail has gotten rough for KTM over the last year, with its most obvious bump in the road being surprisingly poor financial performance for the first half of 2024. And while that’s a bummer for shareholders, there’s an even more dangerous snake in the grass, a rapid decline in consumer...
www.advpulse.com www.advpulse.com
 
#172 ·
tic105 said:
I see KTM has stepped up and taken ownership of the cam wear issue on their parallel twins. Offering inspection and replacement if needed or good will to those that have had work done or may have issues in the future.
BMW should take note.

www.advpulse.com

KTM North America Addresses Camshaft Controversy & China Rumors - ADV Pulse

The trail has gotten rough for KTM over the last year, with its most obvious bump in the road being surprisingly poor financial performance for the first half of 2024. And while that’s a bummer for shareholders, there’s an even more dangerous snake in the grass, a rapid decline in consumer...
www.advpulse.com www.advpulse.com
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They take note, but the German auto/moto OEM's are not good at admitting mistakes nor good at resolving on their dime.
 
#173 ·
What bothers me is that we pay a premium for this bike to begin with. Where is QC at BMW Berlin? Why aren't these lots of cams being tested for proper hardening/base materials? This should have been picked up/rejected prior to assembly.
 
#174 ·
Ryno23 said:
Ok, I took my 2017 GSA in for its 48k service. Shop called me today to tell me when they opened the right side and rotated to TDC they found notches on top of the cams from my rockers? Tech said he seen this once before.
Apparently the rockers are too hard and they notch the cams? Apparently BMW has seen this before and came out with a notice years ago? Shop took pics and will send to BMW to see if it can be repaired or replaced.

Anyone ever heard of this?
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Had the same on my ‘18 GSA a couple years ago.. It’s much more common than BMW is letting on. Don’t remember the mileage when I had it happen but I did post the pics. I’ll look tomorrow on the PC and see what I have.
 
#176 ·
Just did my annual inspection of the cams on my '18 GS. All looked good and valve lash in spec. Buttoned it back up and will do it again around this time next year.

Stopped by my local dealer to have a serious look at the R1300Gs and then for fun when I got home, I went to BMW's build site. Base price has taken quite a jump 2024 ($19,590) to 2025 ($24,460). Seems they made a bunch of stuff standard for 2025.
 
#177 ·
tic105 said:
Just did my annual inspection of the cams on my '18 GS. All looked good and valve lash in spec. Buttoned it back up and will do it again around this time next year.

Stopped by my local dealer to have a serious look at the R1300Gs and then for fun when I got home, I went to BMW's build site. Base price has taken quite a jump 2024 ($19,590) to 2025 ($24,460). Seems they made a bunch of stuff standard for 2025.
Click to expand...
How many miles on bike, and have any valve adjustments needed to be made? Good to hear that everything looks fine, really hoping I'll be in that same camp. :)
 
Discussion starter · #179 ·
Ryno23 said:
Ok, I took my 2017 GSA in for its 48k service. Shop called me today to tell me when they opened the right side and rotated to TDC they found notches on top of the cams from my rockers? Tech said he seen this once before.
Apparently the rockers are too hard and they notch the cams? Apparently BMW has seen this before and came out with a notice years ago? Shop took pics and will send to BMW to see if it can be repaired or replaced.

Anyone ever heard of this?
Click to expand...
Just had the same 2017 GSA in for it's 72k service and rockers and cams are doing fine. No adjustments needed either. 😁
 
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