Check your F650GS or Dakar Forks

[WayneC1]

There has been much talk about the forks on the early F650GS & Dakar forks in the thread

Crash in Destruction Bay

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=371650

It is easy check which forks you have courtesy of the composite pic from squarewheels. The only known failures are the old style

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=92

The forks on the left are the old type, the forks on the right are the new type. Both have the same BMW Part No.

The interesting part is we are not sure when the new type were introduced into production. Initially it was thought June 2003 but we now know of one machine built December 2002 with the newer style strengthened fork legs.

Thanks to the posts here we seem to have narrowed the changeover to Oct 2002.

You can check the production date of any BMW by decoding the VIN and there is a handy web site available to do so.

http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi

It would be of assistance if people could post the results into this thread to narrow the production range of the machines with the earlier casting. Only post the production date and which type of casting the machine has

It would also be prudent for owners of machines with old style castings to refer any concerns they may have to BMW to satisfy themselves of the safety of these castings

[WayneC1]

My own machine which had a failure

F650GS Dakar Production Date 2002 / 7 - Old Style

[cbxtc6]

This is from Giddyupgirl's '01 F650GS:

[BykMyk]

Just looked at my bike (Dakar), manufacture date 2002/06, old style forks.

[stuckinmud]

I have a 0402. Looks like the old style too. A little history on these forks. My bike has 7000 easy miles. Not much off road till now. I'm the new owner and plan to ride it as intended.

[michnus]

Will this also affect the Funduro models?

[bluepoof]

Production date: 11/2000
Old style forks

[kwh]

Originally Posted by michnus

Will this also affect the Funduro models?

I don't believe so - they had different forks.

[WayneC1]

Re funduro

I checked the part Numbers online and it is a different part number so no they should not be affected. I am not sure but dont think they are showa forks, can anyone else confirm that ?

[WayneC1]

sgk3 - Old Style - RHS Failed - production date - June 2002

[skibum_1260]

thats why i put a set of yamaha 450 forks on mine, fraction of the cost of the wp set, and handles like a new bike and alot lighter!

[face scrape 2001]

Although there is a difference to the outside appearance, I don't see that there is much diff. at all where it counts, ie where the wheel holding part comes into the tubular part. F'instance, the above pics (post 1 of this thread) the cracked parting could easily follow the new moulding .
Has the alloy a thicker wall in this place, around the staunchion?
Interesting thread, I'll ask around.

[GSBS]

Originally Posted by skibum_1260

thats why i put a set of yamaha 450 forks on mine, fraction of the cost of the wp set, and handles like a new bike and alot lighter!

Just looked at my forks and comparing to the photos mine (03 Dakar) has the less beefy, older forks.

Interesting that the Yamaha forks can be used. Can you share details on where you bought and how much it costs?

Did you have to modify the steering head at all?

[kwh]

Originally Posted by GSBS

Just looked at my forks and comparing to the photos mine (03 Dakar) has the less beefy, older forks.

Interesting that the Yamaha forks can be used. Can you share details on where you bought and how much it costs?

Did you have to modify the steering head at all?

If you have an '03 bike, would you mind feeding your VIN into the checking tool and telling us what your 'build date' was?

Cheers!

[GSBS]

Originally Posted by kwh

If you have an '03 bike, would you mind feeding your VIN into the checking tool and telling us what your 'build date' was?

Cheers!

got this response:

"Sorry, We could not process your request.
Reason : Request was rejected from this IP address"