Help – pannier bags ???

[Anonymous]

#3607

Gidday allI have the standard BMW plastic(?) panniers on my R1200GS. They have been ok having survived a trip around Oz which included having one of them fall off up the York Peninsula. I find too that when I fall off, the bike generally rests nicely on an engine bar at the front and one of the panniers at the back so no dramas.Now however I am finding the expansion mechanism to be really stiff and hard to operate. I have tried pulling the two halves of the cases apart and greasing the cogs and mechanisms. I have tried Armourall-ing the surfaces that slide together but haven't hit the solution yet.Anyone have any suggestions?Much appreciated.Kennif

[Richard Kuysten]

#14945

I had a similar problem after the south island rally at Twizel.  I did the WD 40 bit on all of the inside mechanisms etc but also flushed out between the sections (from outside) with plenty of water and some detergent.  They get gummed up with dust etc.Good luck.

[Anonymous]

#14946

I just did mine. Took them apart, then needed a narrow strip of thin wood wrapped with a paper towel to clean dust out of channels. It was surprising how much had been compressed inside there, I also used very fine wet and dry paper to remove some scuff marks where fine grains of gravel had scored the surfaces of the panniers and also the hard rubber seals. Then wiped down the moving plastic surfaces with armorall including using the paper towel on a stick to get it inside the channels, and it works a treat.hope that helpsJohn

[Anonymous]

#14947

Probably not a good idea to lubricate the mechanisms with anything too “sticky”, cos when the dust gets in it forms…grinding paste! 😮It has been recommended to me that dry graphite flakes or powder is the best.

[Anonymous]

#14948

I had to clean my mechanisms a while ago, took the panniers apart, cleaned out the dust and re-lubricate. My suggestion is to use silicon spray (or silicon based grease used on diving gear) that will attract less dust, and also some oil based lubricants can gnaw on some plastics and aggravate the problem by making the surfaces 'sticky' as it tries to dissolve the plastics.

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