BMW R1100 R 1999: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 01V002000

Production Dates: 1998-07-01 - 1998-10-31

Manufacturers Involved: BMW of North America, LLC

Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 174

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE SINGLE FRONT SPRING STRUT IS MOUNTED BETWEEN THE FRAME AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM, AFT OF THE FRONT FORK TUBES. DUE TO A WELDING PROBLEM DURING PRODUCTION OF THE SPRING STRUT, THE LOWER SPRING SEAT ON THE STRUT COULD BREAK. SINCE THE SEAT IS THE LOWER SUPPORT FOR THE SPRING, THE SPRING IN THIS CASE WOULD THEN EXTEND TO ITS FULL LENGTH. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE FRONT OF THE MOTORCYCLE'S FRAME TO DROP BY APPROXIMATELY 2.5 INCHES, WITHOUT WARNING.

THIS COULD AFFECT THE STABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND THE OPERATOR'S BALANCE COULD BE UPSET, IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE RIDING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT SPRING STRUT FOR PRODUCTION DATE, AND REPLACE THE SPRING IF IT IS FOUND TO BE AN AFFECTED PART. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 12, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT '1-888-327-4236'.