Windsreen bracket broken

[Barry7]

My bike has suffered the same fault as Kwikasfuki's bike, in that the bracket that guides the screen has snapped off, I am using a Cee Bailey large screen and the bike has done 18,700 miles.

Sods law, the extended warranty has expired and it looks as if I am going to have to pay for any repair, so with this in mind, has anyone managed to buy one of these brackets and if so how much?

I have removed the part and I am going to try and get it welded back together, but I think this is a long shot, plus it looks as if the nylon bush has gone missing when it failed.

I am of the opinion that this part is not fit for use so I am going to approach Mr Kawasaki and hope for some help towards the costs of a new part, and ask if later ones have been made more robust.

Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated,  thanks!

Ps Bigger screens = more force so be prepaired for this to fail if you have one fitted.

[Lonewolf]

Ouch....I think the sum of £600 was bantered about before.  :o

Before you contact Kawasaki, make sure you stick the original screen back on.

[Kwikasfuki]

I don't believe the design has been improved on in later revisions. It really is bad product design, and the worse is the components aren't available separately.

My view would be that the part should be able to last more than four years and isn't fit for purpose. I would speak to Kawasaki and see what they have to say. I'd also research the law on 'fit for purpose' and use that as a backup.

[Cartman]

Having worked in warranty for BMW, Mercedes and Honda I would advise not mentioning the big screen. Fit for purpose is defined by the original design parameters of the part, if you overweight the mechanism you compromise those parameters. It should last longer but the moment you fit a heavier screen you compromise your case, it's not right but it will be K's defence if given the chance.

It must be said though that such a major part should have a LOT bigger margin for failure, we are not talking about doubling the weight if the screen here.

[routemaster]

Having worked in warranty for BMW, Mercedes and Honda I would advise not mentioning the big screen. Fit for purpose is defined by the original design parameters of the part, if you overweight the mechanism you compromise those parameters. It should last longer but the moment you fit a heavier screen you compromise your case, it's not right but it will be K's defence if given the chance.

I would agree don't mention the larger screen.

It must be said though that such a major part should have a LOT bigger margin for failure, we are not talking about doubling the weight if the screen here.

I would have to disagree. Although you aren't increasing the physical weight of the screen but because the screen area is larger you are significantly increasing the load the screen and the brackets has to deal with due to the wind pressure - which to be fair to Kawasaki it may not have been designed for.

Before you go start shouting "unfit for purpose" you also have to consider the reason for the failure - is it a design fault ie if it had been a standard screen would it have failed or is it a manufacturing fault which has taken a few years to appear? Sometimes things fail for no real obvious or apparent reason, a combination of reasons none of which where the major contributing factor or just plain and simple wear and tear which is unlucky and unfortunate.

If you want to put a case of unfit for purpose you would need to find other cases of the bracket breaking where only the standard screen has been fitted. Also you need to rely on Kawasaki's good will as it is outside the warranty.

Kind regards

Steven

[cpettifer]

Hmmmm, do I really want to get one of those huge Calsci screens after all?

[Kwikasfuki]

The issue happens with the standard Kawasaki touring screen as well. On a windy day you can be doing a leisurely 50mph on the motorway and the screen is visibly being buffeted and the mechanism, at a guess, appears to be rocked back and forth. Over time, the mechanism will just snap and hence why its being seen on the earlier models.

When mine was replaced under warranty, it appeared that Kawasaki knew about the issue from the conversation I overheard on the phone. The bracket snaps and inevitably the brush gets lost, but Kawasaki force you to purchase the complete unit, including the gliding mechanism. Most would (albeit grudgingly) fork out between £100 and £150 for the bracket and brush. Asking for £682.79 is way too much, especially when the part is made of components.

Here's a view of the part no: 55036

You can't see the bracket that's broken, but it is a separate bolt on component.

[Barry7]

I have had a very close look at this part now, and I have to say that it is going to snap at some point or another with the standard screen and it will only bring the inevitable forward by putting on a larger screen.

The stress that is put on this part by the screen at speed is going to be high and with the effect of wind buffeting, a stress fracture is going to happen at some point to all of them.

In my humble opinion, this should be made stronger to stop the failure, but it  should be made available as an individual part so that it can be replaced when needed instead of having to shell out £600+ for the entire screen unit.

I am going to see if I can get this part welded and strengthened by a local firm and also have a word with Kawasaki customer services with regard to this part being made available seperately.

My advice to you all is to only use the large Kawasaki screen and do not go any bigger than this. Also, be ready for this to break at some point especially if you do a lot of high speed Motorway stuff, sorry to be so negative but I am very disappointed with the quality of this part, and the cost of repairs as this bike gets older.

[Barry7]

The offending item.

[Barry7]

Part2

[Kwikasfuki]

Barry, that is exactly where my bracket broke from. I hope you can get it welded. Over time, I agree, this is going to be a issue for the GTR. Possible that someone will step in with an after market piece.

Now that you have it out, can you take a picture of the other side of the white holder?

[Lonewolf]

Why dont we all lobby Kawasaki? If someone posts contact details on here for Kawasaki Customer Services and we all call them and express disatisfaction at the quality of this part perhaps they might do something about it. If enough people complain Kawasaki will have no option other than to address the problem.
Most companies will fob you off when you complain saying, "Well your the only person who seems to be having a problem". If they receive complaints perhaps their design people will look at how to avoid this part breaking under stress.

[simbad]

"Why dont we all lobby Kawasaki?"

I'd be up for that ...

[keith]

looking at your photo's looks like the broken bracket is made from cast aluminium,dont think you have much chance of getting that welded succesfully to do the job,wonder if it would be possible to make the broken part of the bracket from steel and have it bolted with countersunk bolts the original part,just a thought dont know if it is feasable ,

[Barry7]

Other side of white plastic bit, as requested.