belfastguzzi

Hubert the V11 transmission oil was always the same. The bottom of the gearbox was a slither of metal fillings. The gearbox is one thing: I don't like the thought of that up around the heads though. What about the damage to the hydro 1100s that is documented, resulting from just this sort of debris becoming embedded in oil pumps and elsewhere and causing repeat failures, from what I understand. As said by someone else: "Just a few years ago, Guzzi had problems with the camshafts on the hydro California models self-destructing. On many of these hydro Calis, the swarf from a grenading camshaft and/or lifters entirely clogged the filter and sent them into bypass mode. Once the filter was clogged, swarf-laden oil was circulated through the engine bearings. This swarf became embedded in the bearings, turning the bearings into high-speed grinders that would quickly ruin the crankshaft and other parts if the bearings were not replaced."

Thanks for your contribution H. Your advice about collecting it before it gets a dent or scratch comes too late. I have got the bike back – and it has acquired both things at the dealers. There is a long fresh scratch along the tank and worse, a little dent or nick in a fork leg, like something has been dropped against it! I'm sure that wasn't there before, as I clean and check the forks all the time. I'm sensitive about them because I've had the experience of the Scura fork seals leaking so quickly. The dealer's workshop was a real mess and I couldn't see any clean or clear area of workbench or floor.

This is an excerpt from a letter that I have received. If I am to pursue this, I will have to get the engine examined independently. As always, please carry-on commenting. Clearly the Guzzi agent's view is somewhat narrow and blinkered. On the technicalities, he contradicts the findings and views of those who have given their opinion here and elsewhere.

:!: ah, the wee critters fall like 8V tappets! You're watching web-videos of animals?

The weirdest thing about that pic, is how you learnt to post pics from/to the interweb! Weird. Do you, by any chance, have a talented dog-goat-aroo helping in the technical dept?

Me pics have all disappeared!

Is there a change to the profile, as well as the material? Pete, did you take any photos of original and replacement parts for comparison, perchance?

How annoying!

And, not to encourage more paranoia, but if your rear wheel bearings go bad, be aware that there was a supply of rear axle spacers fitted in and around 2002, that are undersized, so causing premature bearing destruction.

The easy thing to do is take the cover off and measure the parts. If the boss is oversize, I'd suggest taking it down to the proper diameter. Better to lessen the likelihood of a break that then leaves the bike stuck in one gear.

For sure. That other one looks more like a Breva that's been hit by a bus.

Don't know if this one been displayed here anywhere?

I'm annoyed

I see that there is a BBC4 programme about Jim Clark on BBC iPlayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00jw...Quiet_Champion/

Yeah, the battery contacts on the Griso were a bit loose and it wouldn't start. I tightened them and it was ok. There are battery people who say that the Optimate and similar devices aren't good for batteries these days, or just aren't needed. I would use one to bring it up to charge, but not to keep it constantly connected.

See those croc clips? Attach them somewhere round about where the sun don't shine, press the red button. It's good for about 100 metres.

How do you and others (Jaap?) feel about copying content off web posts and putting it into correspondence with Piaggio or anyone else - having removed all names and other identifying text. Although these posts are all public, is it a discourteous or dangerous thing to do? Are there privacy or data protection issues? Could there be any bad repercussions for individuals of the Forum itself? Perhaps I should create my own webpage for discussion and charting developments.

Obviously I do think that this is something not to give-up on and give-in on. I was and am prepared to own a V11 without MG support. It's a 'previous generation' machine and can be fixed with a heavy hammer. It came from the factory with an axle-spacer that was the wrong size, which caused subsequent damage. It took more that a year, yes – more than a year, for that simple little part to be ordered under warranty and then arrive with me. But, hey, meantime I can got out the heavy hammer and made my own fix. It came from the factory with the wrong size of gear spring / pawl boss: but never mind... get out the hammer. It blew out through the defective chest gasket, etc etc. It's got one of those disintegrating flywheels... Joy But this is supposedly a new tarted-up era. On that basis I invested in the fancy, tarted up, new era machine. This time I can't and shouldn't have to disregard the factory after-care that should be available. I shouldn't have to throw away the warranty, take the bike off the road and break the engine apart myself. That's for sure – so what's the big deal here? Moto Guzzi are making a mountain for themselves, out of a molehill.

Hi Pete have you heard any more news on the grapevine about this whole situation? Any sign that Piaggio is considering the further issues of damaged bikes? Any other reports circulating, such as the one that J-M mentioned above? I am writing to 'Moto Guzzi' House in Kent UK, now, and will copy to Moto Guzzi Customer Care at CustomerService@piaggiogroup.com Those are the only contacts that I have been able to get. The Piaggio Group UK Aftersales Manager is being 'silent' on my concerns, just like the dealer who simply never gave any response. It's a pity that Guzzi / Piaggio don't seem to realise that we are the people who actually market and publicise and blow the trumpet for the marque. Moto Guzzi would be nowhere without a loyal customer base who are committed to the name and the machines, who spread pictures and enthusiastic stories, create magazines and websites, organise events and meetings... Their own publicity is essentially invisible. It's us who create the brand awareness. And it's us who have to provide our own After Care (particularly aided by a few individuals). So anyway, I'll try them one more time – any more info on other cases will be gratefully received. D

I doubt that it's common. Can you post some pics? Not of your pantaloons, – of your gearbox bits. Your motorbike gearbox bits.

Piaggio tech-pic update:

Zeb said that, "They were already damaged, engine was making noises on the left side 2 days before the recall have being done." That's the same as mine. Noise on the left side, before the recall work.

"The notches on the body of the rods themselves must face the rocker (fig. 1)" Hop etis h elps I transla ted it back to Ital ian and retrabslatedit toEn glis. Orrather I gotamach ine todo. It. Like most things in life, it's all to do with balance, or not. "OPERATION 15 Refitting rods. Particular care must be taken when the refitting rods. The notches on the body of the rods must address the balance (Fig. 1)"

In that case you would think that when the cams were first taken out, they would notice further damage, or the potential for further damage, through shrapnel/debris and additional grinding wear and tear. Is there any more detail in the report that you have seen about this?

The official recall notification MG tech update: Tech notice 1 A further tech update about installation of tappet rods. Some engines must have been incorrectly reassembled on recall? Tech 2