Windsreen bracket broken

[Barry7]

I have been too busy today to contact Kawasaki, but I will try tomorrow

An after market made from steel would be far better as it would allow some flex and could be repaired if needed.

I like the idea of a steel bit made to fit the original, but I am no engineer so would need this done for me.......... any offers?

I have got a local firm that may be able to help so again time permitting I will contact them soon.

Thanks for the support with this, it is great to know you lot are there to run things by when the chips are down!

[Kwikasfuki]

There's plenty of places that could make you one. I don't know what the charge would be for 1 unit compared to, say, 50. Main cost would be in getting the mold designed which shouldn't be rocket science I'd have thought.

[cpettifer]

Forgive me for not knowing exactly how such things are made... but...

I know someone who's an works somewhere that does something with something to make molds (dies?) or something like that. Does that sound like the sort of thing we'd need? It might be that I could get him to make something by way of practising what he does..?

Maybe I'll ask him what he does next time I see him!

[Barry7]

 :) Any port in a storm, go for it. the old part could be glued together for moulding purposes!

[Barry7]

I spoke to a Gent from Kawasaki customer services a Mr Alan Lunn, and he is doing some research and is going to get back to me.

He is very knowledgeable and knew his products very well, it was nice to talk to someone at a big Company that actually understood what I was talking about, and could understand the problem.

I will let you all know how things progress.

If any of you have had this problem could you let Alan know at [email protected] or 01628 856 750

If there is record of it happening there is more chance of Kawasaki reacting

[keith]

does this part have to be moulded / cast from mild steel. would probably  cost far too much for a one off.i was thinking that the broken part could be machined from mild / stainless steel and then bolted to the part of the mechanism that hasn't broken.
i think the way to go would be to take the parts to a small local machine shop and ask,doesn't cost anything to ask.

[Barry7]

Sorry guys, but I am in the States at the mo, but I had a call from Kawasaki just before I left and they offered as a good will gesture to supply the part for £285. So this would be the entire unit, I will take a look at the repair option when home and if this is a no go then I will have to swallow hard and shell out!

[Barry7]

At last I've managed to get the windscreen bracket repaired.  I took it to a local engineering firm called Ellis & Son in Paddock Wood, Kent who did a fantastic job of welding it, and it looks like it will be a lot stronger now and more capable of dealing with wind pressure of larger screens.

They only charged me £20.00 for doing this, and in comparison with nearly £700 from Mr Kawasaki, even if it breaks again I am still on a winner.  At least we all know now that this part can be welded without too much trouble.

If you are unfortunate enough to have this problem, contact Alan at Ellis & Son on 01892 725720 and remind him of the great welding job he did on Barry's Kawasaki.  I am sure all this could be arranged by return of post.

One last thought,  it may be worth glueing the nylon part into this bracket before it breaks so that it does not go missing if and when the bracket snaps, 'cos guess what guys, this part isn't available seperately either!

[Kwikasfuki]

Thanks for the info Barry. Would they be able to strengthen an existing bracket that isn't broken?

[Barry7]

Can't see why not, give them a ring, Alan is a very nice person to deal with, very helpful.

The only other way is to get some chemical metal in behind the nylon guide to make it stronger.

[Ziderman]

Said it before...it seems to happen to all with none standard Screens. Those CBailys big are they not. Bound to add pressure to the bracket.

[Barry7]

Yes the big screens do put more pressure on the bracket, but more to the point, will these brackets fail with the standard screen on after years of use just down to the constant flexing?

If this is the case why should you have to shell out close to £700 to repair it?

If this part was available on its own at a cost of £50 I would have bought one  fitted it and been prepaired to pay out again at a later date if it failed again, but with the stupid costs involved Kawasaki need to make this part available, or make it stronger, not just ignore its customers.

"Is this part fit for use?

Why can't we buy it on its own?

My one is fixed now, but my product faith is dented, and will I buy a Kawasaki next time ...............?

[mecki]

My one is fixed now, but my product faith is dented, and will I buy a Kawasaki next time ...............?

If you find another manufacturer who makes a better bike than the GTR for a reasonable price please let me know. ;D

[Mogster]

If you find another manufacturer who makes a better bike than the GTR for a reasonable price please let me know. ;D

Exactly!!!! I owned a GS last year... fookin waste of money that was!... FJR..HOW MUCH!!!!! ??? Moto Guzzi sooooo very slooow... oh and before anyone points to the BMW... go into a dealers, order one and then wait for the salesman to say 'Would sir like wheels on his Bike?... they are of course an optional extra' 8)

[Barry7]

And how about when your Kawasaki dealer says " Would sir like a new sreen bracket £700, or tyre pressure sensor battery, sorry sir whole sensor required £100 and you can't fit them yourself, or maybe a new set of discs, cos the old ones have warped, or even a new exhaust cos the paint is cracking.........

Now I know you can get problems with any make of bike, and maybe the new ones are better, all I am saying is that instead of just going back for another GTR when the time comes, I will be having a good look at other makes as well, now thats not to say the GTR is out of the running, because from a ride point of view it is by far the best bike I have owned, but servicing cost and reliability not the best at all.......