Swingarm Chip - Opinion Please!

[RacersEdge]

Gents,

Long story short, binned my bike... 30 mph lowside around an island in traffic and the front washed out. (I have a pic for the insurance of an nice oily arc on the road which is what it went on). I'm completely fine, but the bike hit the kerb and bent. The insurance have replaced it with a brand spanking new bike, which has just been delivered in a transit van from Williams in Manchester. So the piece I need an opinion on is this... The gorgeous shiny swinging arm has a tiny chip. I marked it clearly on the delivery sheet and spoke with the driver, who was only a delivery guy to be fair. I've tried to show it in the pictures. The insurance don't seem bothered but I know I'm going to keep noticing it. In my opinion bike should be blemish free of course. I've not been able to speak with the dealer yet, but the salesman is back in tomorrow and I have a call scheduled. I have a pile of the usual bits to fit, but I've not touched the bike yet and it is still sitting in my garage.

The practical bit and the added complication is that I have a ferry booked for a Spain trip that has to be paid for by end of this week and if I really kick off and reject the bike I'll have to cancel that.

So, am I simply being too fussy in your opinion, it is after all a tiny mark, and what do you think I need to be saying to the dealer tomorrow? Should I suck it up and get on with it? I have after all had a brand new bike. Equally, does this give me grounds to reject the bike?

Your thoughts much appreciated!
TIM

 

[MacRR]

Its a bit annoying but your bike will attract the odd chip in the passage of time so it won't matter in a year or so. I'd certainly mention it to the dealer though and ask what they are going to do to sort it, options could be:

- a replacement swingarm when you get back from hols
- free or heavily discounted accessory to sweeten things
- free servicing for an agreed period of time

I don't think you should simply take it on the chin but its not something to get too stressed about either

 

[MacRR]

Just another thought, a carbon fibre swingarm cover should just about hide that chip, I don't know if there is an official BMW part but ilmberger (who make BMW carbon) do them for c?190 the pair - chip covered & nice carbon finish to boot - maybe an option with the dealer to cover the cost?

 

[Monners]

If you were to make an insurance claim after an accident then that would definitely be a replaced item because the bike go back to it's previous 'show room' condition before the accident. I've had what I thought would be a ?500-1000 claim on another bike go up to ?10,000 worth due to similar small scratches. From that logic you are certainly entitled to take it back and ask for a replacement bike or swingarm. Whether you want to go through the hassle in your situation is another thing that only you can decide but you definitely should not feel guilty about it being a small blemesh as you wouldn't accept it on a new bike, and the insurance company will not feel any guilt about putting your premium right up next year because you have claimed. I'd think the responsibility lies with BMW Manchester rather than the insurance company so maybe have a friendly word with them? My experience with city dealers is not all that great but perhaps Manchester BMW are better?

 

[soofsayer]

That has certainly been dinged. The dealer must have noticed it or the delivery company caused it. I think the advice above is spot on from the guys.

 

[JimmyMac]

Hi Tim, I bought my HP4 brand new, from Williams as it happens. It's front mudguard had a piece of white paint missing, not damaged just never been painted. I pointed it out to them and they told me just to take the bike and they would send out a new one, which they did a few weeks later and all was good.
However after taking the bike up the road in the back of my van, I noticed the Akrapovic end can had a slight rub mark on it caused by the tie down straps that they hold the bikes in the crate with when they are shipped to the UK, I contemplated phoning them but then thought what the **** lets just enjoy it. It is still there along with loads of other wee scratches and dings which I consider character and individual to my bike. Things like that used to stress me out but I couldn't keep the bike looking brand new AND enjoy it so I now do loads of miles on it and don't stress the little things.
Its totally up to you but I would not let it spoil the joy of owning a superb piece of engineering, it can happen any time any place, just a loose bit of road stone could do much worse.

Enjoy it.

JimmyMac

PS I like MacRRs first post of advice.

 

[stuartb]

Dont let it bother you... a few months time there will be lots of marks on it... accept it for what it is ... character !

stuarts phone

 

[RacersEdge]

Cheers for the input Gents, I'll let you know what the dealer says when he calls. He has had the same pictures.

 

[Sissymc7]

Lend it to me for a week and assure u the swing arm scratch will be sorted u be to busy with all the other marks on it .

 

[Budgie]

Lend it to me for a week and assure u the swing arm scratch will be sorted u be to busy with all the other marks on it .

Haha lol

 

[Budgie]

Got to agree with most of the responses, life's too short to worry about a little mark on the swing arm, you'll pick up a few stone chips over a period of time. Macs got the best idea with the carbon covers.

 

[Marzy]

What ever you do, fill in the ridiculous hole in the rear hugger. I did, but only after the horse has bolted.

 

[fast_ryan]

Swingarm

The chip would have irritated me on a brand new bike and I would have mentioned it to the dealership but I wouldn't be overly concerned as after a week's riding, or a single trackday, there will be plenty more of them on the swingarm and fairings.

 

[bozzy1964]

What ever you do, fill in the ridiculous hole in the rear hugger. I did, but only after the horse has bolted.

How do you do this ?? Or is it replacement hugger ??


Slick mode ... It's the new legal high !!

 

[RacersEdge]

Ok update.... Although the dealer promised to investigate a warranty claim on the swing arm it would have meant missing my Spain trip as he wanted the bike back ASAP. I took the view of some of you gents not to stress the small stuff and he also offered me some carbon covers instead so I've taken those. Thanks all!

 

[JimmyMac]

Sound like a good compromise, enjoy your trip. Was it Dave who served you?

JimmyMac

 

[Marzy]

How do you do this ?? Or is it replacement hugger ??


Slick mode ... It's the new legal high !!

I used some strong film as used in stone guard from ebay. Now my shock and swing arm are protected and stay clean.

 

[bozzy1964]

That's so cool buddy ... And a job for Sunday [emoji1417]


Slick mode ... It's the new legal high !!

 

[soofsayer]

Ok update.... Although the dealer promised to investigate a warranty claim on the swing arm it would have meant missing my Spain trip as he wanted the bike back ASAP. I took the view of some of you gents not to stress the small stuff and he also offered me some carbon covers instead so I've taken those. Thanks all!

Excellent, happy camper .

 

[RacersEdge]

Sound like a good compromise, enjoy your trip. Was it Dave who served you? JimmyMac

Yep that's the guy!