RE: Cracked System Bag Hook

["Tony P" <tonyuss@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bob,
Unlike myself, you are the master of the obvious!  You hit the nail (or
final drive as it were) right on the head.  I looked inside the rear
fender and found a clean tire scuff mark.  It takes 5.5 inches of
suspension travel for the tire to hit the fender.  It only takes 5
inches of suspension travel for the final drive to hit the system case.
I also saw the telltale black vertical mark on the drive you spoke of.
(Please remind me how well BMW motorcycles are engineered, I'm beginning
to have my doubts).  Now my problem becomes deeper: will cranking up the
preload be sufficient or do I need more compression dampening with a new
shock.  Remember, I was one up with empty cases when I hit the bump and
broke the case.
Thanks everyone for all the help,
Tony
1997 R1100RS red

> I broke two hooks on system cases when I had a 1996 R1100RS. Couldn't 
> figure out what was going on until much time had passed. Turned out I 
> was running the shock preload too soft and upon extreme compression 
> (hitting a big bump when loaded heavily) the side of the final drive 
> housing was striking the inside of the bag and causing the break. You 
> could actually see a very slight discoloration in the form of 
> a vertical stripe on the final drive casing where it was rubbing
against 
> the inside of the system case. I cranked up the preload some and the
problem was 
> solved!
> 
> -- 
> Bob
>      Eventual Master of the Obvious
>   R1200GS CB750F DoD EMOTO BMWMOA SOHC4
> Proud walking jingle in the midnight sun

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