Crack in upper fork bridge

[banjo picker]

Hi;
My first post/question. Hope I am doing this right. I searched I believe all the topic indexes for *upper fork bridge*, seemed to be only those related to seals and worn head bearings and wind screen mount problems.

What would cause the upper fork bridge to crack (visible with bars turned to the full right, peering up while sitting on floor on the left side of bike while it is on the center stand. Crack is at the bottom boss where the special nut that screws onto the bearing holder)? My R1150R has less than 21K miles of smooth highway riding, no off road or pot holes or curbs etc (very babied).

Ti's a small short crack (about 1/4" long running vertical from lower lip of raised boss. Appears to have been cracked for some time.

Thanks much.

banjo picker
Red, 2004 R1150R
1962 XLH, 883ci, kick start, Sportster

[riceburner]

can you take any photos?

[banjo picker]

I'll try. My digital camera is not that good and perhaps exceeds my abilities as a photographer.
Thanks for reply, I go out now and do my best to take some informative photos.

don

Back again, guess what, I took cheepo cam out to bike to take photo as you suggested, decided to clean area a bit and used a 3X eye loop to look a crack. Ta'int no crack, just the little ridge of material left from where the mold leaves a slight ridge of material. Thank you sooo much for asking me to take pictures:))

don

[WorkinMan]

Alls well that ends well!!!

[chibbert]

Reading your initial post, my first question was "Are you sure it's really a crack and not a seam?" Glad to hear your problem has disappeared.

[banjo picker]

Chilbert, Workinman and Riceburner;

Thank you much to all, sure do appreciate the help and replies.
I had checked with my local BMW shop, they gave me a quote of $998.43 for parts and labor +tax and part would have to be a special order from Das Hinterland. They are a great shop and the only ones to touch a wrench (other than myself) to my R1150R. Was so happy to find out it was not cracked...

[WorkinMan]

That's pretty much like you just "FOUND" a thousand bucks. You should go out and buy the ole girl something nice. Shop here...www.wunderlichamerica.com
They will make a dent in that grand real quick.

[banjo picker]

WorkinMan;
My wife read your post and said: "yes, buy me something nice and send WorkinMan a bottle of: THE GLENLIVET 12 yr old Single Malt Scotch Whisky:))

[BigJohn]

HAD you found the crack was real, used fork bridges on eBay are to be had for less than $100 and it took me less that 45 minutes to change one on an RT. Less time if your replacement came with a key (mine didn't so I had to dril out the lock bolts.) Just a thought for next time.

[banjo picker]

BigJohn;

Thanks for info, I sure will keep that in mind for future problems. Looked like it would have been a difficult job for a novice DIY person such as myself. I do have Clymer R850, R1100, R1150 and R1200C* 1993-2004. book.
I still have over a yr left on my extended warranty so BMW shop would do it all under that at no charge.

Thanks again