So pretty sure my v7ii is missing the thrust washer

[benebob]

Having to turn the adjuster bolt at the tranny 4.5 turns (almost out of adjustment down there) just to be able to turn the adjuster at the lever most of the way back in at my 600 mile service.   A few rides sine the whole thing seems pretty  "inconsistant" so for the first time in my life it looks like I need to find a dealer to take  the thing.  Any suggestions.?  Seems to me it isn't gonna be a simple task.  I could care less where it goes so long as they give me a loaner bike to take home.  Only dealer in PA is west chester now.  got soe brake fluid down there a few weeks back, seems pretty ghost town like.  Wish Guzzi would do warranty work like CSC. 

[Kev m]

At least the mechanic in West Chester probably isn't that busy (unless Indian sales/service is booming).

I'd be shocked as all hell if they gave you a loaner, but ask and be nice, then complain to Piaggio directly (not about them, but about the situation).

Because unless something's changed it could take a month or two.

With Martin Moto and Europa Mechanica dropping Guzzi and FBF closed (at least FBF used to sometimes loan out the old man's Jackal) I suspect that West Chester is your only option for a very long way.

I might be tempted to try Hamlin's but I suspect it would mean needing at least as much patience.

Sorry to hear, I've tried warning a bunch of people about the II's if this situation would be problematic.

[mechanicsavant]

Ya might want to visit the Guzzi tech website, there's a list of vin's there concerning the thrust washer issue &see if you're close. Unfortunately from your description it sounds like it. I dodged that bullet by a few hundred #s , whew!

[Tom H]

Just a thought. Could the clutch push rod bearing have crapped out?

Good luck,
Tom

[benebob]

Ya might want to visit the Guzzi tech website, there's a list of vin's there concerning the thrust washer issue &see if you're close. Unfortunately from your description it sounds like it. I dodged that bullet by a few hundred #s , whew!

Do you got a link. I can’t seem to find any vin listings. If it is there I am even more po at mg as they new the bike was missing it and left it for after a sale. They will have 39 days to do the work or they will be buying it back.

[benebob]

At least the mechanic in West Chester probably isn't that busy (unless Indian sales/service is booming).

I'd be shocked as all hell if they gave you a loaner, but ask and be nice, then complain to Piaggio directly (not about them, but about the situation).

Because unless something's changed it could take a month or two.

With Martin Moto and Europa Mechanica dropping Guzzi and FBF closed (at least FBF used to sometimes loan out the old man's Jackal) I suspect that West Chester is your only option for a very long way.

I might be tempted to try Hamlin's but I suspect it would mean needing at least as much patience.

Sorry to hear, I've tried warning a bunch of people about the II's if this situation would be problematic.

I don’t think they have indian anymore. Guessing indian demanded they have a stand alone. I don’t care where it goes so long as they aren’t as incompetent enough to work at the factory. Of course any scratches they will have bought a bike. Looks like if guzzi won’t be giving me a loaner bike. They will be buying back the bike plus paying for all my troubles as i know they cannot do it within the 30 day limit for the bike version of lemon law.     

[Kev m]

Really? No Indian?

They closed the NJ shop and I thought it was all gonna stay in WC?

Did something change about the PA lemon law? I remember years back it didn't apply to bikes. My buddy was lucky as he was living in NJ and commuting to PA and proceeded with a lemon law case on a bike in NJ that he'd bought in PA.

[benebob]

Really? No Indian?

They closed the NJ shop and I thought it was all gonna stay in WC?

Did something change about the PA lemon law? I remember years back it didn't apply to bikes. My buddy was lucky as he was living in NJ and commuting to PA and proceeded with a lemon law case on a bike in NJ that he'd bought in PA.

Lemon law doesn’t apply to bikes but consumer laws cover it.  Unless they have a differnt website and different location. No Indian

[Kev m]

Lemon law doesn’t apply to bikes but consumer laws cover it.  Unless they have a differnt website and different location. No Indian

Oh well, I guess in that case I expect them to be open about another 5 minutes.

[Cam3512]

I was at my dealer’s shop this weekend - Hamlin’s , and we were talking about this.  The fix from Guzzi is a new engine.  He’s already done a couple.  They figure shipping the entire lump and covering 4 hours labor is the best way to go.  Also gets it done quicker to avoid lemon law claims.  There was a small percentage of ‘16’s affected.  The crank end play basically eats the washer due to faulty oiling (lack of). 

[jpv7]

Having to turn the adjuster bolt at the tranny 4.5 turns (almost out of adjustment down there) just to be able to turn the adjuster at the lever most of the way back in at my 600 mile service.   A few rides sine the whole thing seems pretty  "inconsistant" so for the first time in my life it looks like I need to find a dealer to take  the thing.  Any suggestions.?  Seems to me it isn't gonna be a simple task.  I could care less where it goes so long as they give me a loaner bike to take home.  Only dealer in PA is west chester now.  got soe brake fluid down there a few weeks back, seems pretty ghost town like.  Wish Guzzi would do warranty work like CSC.

Is it a Stone, Special, or Racer?  It seemed to be affecting Stones primarily, but someone said a Racer was affected...differen t theories as to why.

[John A]

They have been screwing up that thrust washer for thirty five years.  Makes me wonder why I still like Guzzis.
When they get it right, they are wonderful bikes but they shoot themselves in the foot so many times, how are they still in business?

[Cam3512]

http://hamlincycles.com/

Give Jim a call, he's been through the process.  Don't hold your breath on a "loaner" bike, it doesn't work that way.

[benebob]

http://hamlincycles.com/

Give Jim a call, he's been through the process.  Don't hold your breath on a "loaner" bike, it doesn't work that way.

Works that way at any other marque dealer I have ever owned.   Guess Piaggio that is just another reason why Piaggio can't compete against even Chinese manufacturers.  I'm stopping at WC tomorrow on the way back from a doc visit in Philly so hopefully they can diagnosis it and get the ball rolling. Simply the worst built motorcycle I've ever owned. 

[Cam3512]

Works that way at any other marque dealer I have ever owned.   Guess Piaggio that is just another reason why Piaggio can't compete against even Chinese manufacturers.  I'm stopping at WC tomorrow on the way back from a doc visit in Philly so hopefully they can diagnosis it and get the ball rolling. Simply the worst built motorcycle I've ever owned.

 I understand your frustration. But maybe you should just move on.

[benebob]

I understand your frustration. But maybe you should just move on.

Expecting a machine to be built with quality parts, by trained workers and actually lasts more miles then a walmart bicycle is too much for Piaggio?  :)  Sure, I'll move on as soon as someone gives me the 8k I have in it.  Wanna buy some lawn art?  :) 

[Beowulf]

I feel for you as i have a v7ii. I  bought an f150 and the engine intake manifold crapped out. Than the engine bit the dust. Than the warranty company denied the warranty depite the fact i owned it only a month. Than after i scraped 10000.00 dollars together i got a crate motor installed. It left my wife stranded in the middle of busy street while i was on a 24 hour shift away at work with a new motor. The motor didn't blow a gasket but i did. That was little over a year ago. I see thousands of people drive fords and swear by them.

Things happen. Doesnt matter the brand. If you got bad feelings on it i don't blame you. But i can say that v7 motor in proper working order is great and robust.

Ive known several Honda motorcycles to be quite probematic.
Same with a kawasaki from hell that i gave away.
Best wishes

[kballowe]

It's very annoying, to be sure - especially at the start of the riding season.

Get yourself a spare motorcycle.  There are a lot of low mileage used ones out there for good prices. 
 

[benebob]

It's very annoying, to be sure - especially at the start of the riding season.

Get yourself a spare motorcycle.  There are a lot of low mileage used ones out there for good prices. 
 

The guzzi is my spare bike because it isnt exactly an every day bike 365 days a year in PA nor on single track.  Sadly, I'm finding it isn't for anything but lawn art.  Dealer said they agree that the thing is eating itself.  I told them I fully expect that Guzzi will be paying for the 2nd 600 mile service.  They told me I would need to take that up with Guzzi.  What a freaking joke.  Guess which dealer will never get a dime of my money.  30 days starts today until the lawsuit against Piaggio begins.  Plan and simple if the bike was within the range of vin numbers it should have been pulled immediately by any rep. company and fixed prior to sale.  At which point I would suspect it could have been done by replacing parts not a new engine.  That is enough reason alone for me to never buy a Piaggio product again in my lifetime.

[oldbike54]

Expecting a machine to be built with quality parts, by trained workers and actually lasts more miles then a walmart bicycle is too much for Piaggio?  :)  Sure, I'll move on as soon as someone gives me the 8k I have in it.  Wanna buy some lawn art?  :)

 No snark intended , I think what Cam meant was that after resolving the issue you should move on . Point is , you will likely never be happy with any Guzzi , so why bother . Many of us have ridden the damn things for huge miles with little trouble , but like any brand , some will be problematic . Hell man , despite Honda and HD having reputations for being reliable , for whatever reason every time I get on one of those two brands something breaks.

 Dusty

[Kev m]

Plan and simple if the bike was within the range of vin numbers it should have been pulled immediately by any rep. company and fixed prior to sale.  At which point I would suspect it could have been done by replacing parts not a new engine.  That is enough reason alone for me to never buy a Piaggio product again in my lifetime.

A. How exactly do you envision them pulling the crankshaft with the engine still installed?

2. By-bye.


I don't mean to sound callous. But though I have empathy for your plight, your complete umbrage erodes it.

I think Cam is right, and it's a shame but in the end you're the one that will miss out.

But ignorance is bliss, so seek it.

[benebob]

Did I say that?  I said replace it BEFORE you sell the thing that has been sitting without a thrust washer for 3 years on a dealer floor that way you can reuse the rest of the engine as it hasn't been run. 

Ignorance isn't bliss.  Ignorance is Piaggio if they are so stupid they won't bend over when they have a live one buy one of their bikes.  I don't see anyone here lining up to take the thing off my hands at a very fair price with the parts installed etc.  :)  You're more than welcome to come enjoy some lawn art! It sure is pretty, ridable, not so much but who in their right mind buy a bike to ride.  :) 

[oldbike54]

 Chill out fellas . Seriously .

 Dusty

[Frenchfrog]

I'm with you benebob but can't see that Piaggio will be very compliant.Guzzi's have allways seemed to need a few tweeks after they were uncrated and bout but the thrust wahser issue and some of the camshaft ones are just outrageous, as is the way piaggio has dealt with them.On the other hand , once they are sorted they are outstanding and for nearly all models pretty bullit proof. The small blocs too ! So I'd persist with a legal approach but also get a knowlwgable, serious and possibly independent mechanic to look after her either after Piaggio sort it our or not.

[Roebling3]

I've got 4 Guzzi's, all lovable in their own way - additionally because of the folks herein, But.
Get yourself a Suzuki 650cc V twin, in any form.  R3~

[benebob]

I'm with you benebob but can't see that Piaggio will be very compliant.Guzzi's have allways seemed to need a few tweeks after they were uncrated and bout but the thrust wahser issue and some of the camshaft ones are just outrageous, as is the way piaggio has dealt with them.On the other hand , once they are sorted they are outstanding and for nearly all models pretty bullit proof. The small blocs too ! So I'd persist with a legal approach but also get a knowlwgable, serious and possibly independent mechanic to look after her either after Piaggio sort it our or not.

I have never taken a bike to a mechanic in my 30 years of riding until today.  Sure I've taken some heads in or sent forks in for rebuilding but never needed a mechanic.  Only reason it went in as it is under warranty.  The best part is I was looking at buying a Triumph Trident for a 2nd bike to keep miles off the Tiger until the prices of the 3rd gen 800 drops to a tolerable level for someone who uses it off road.  I got the Guzzi instead with the logic that it would be more reliable and less of a headache.  Guess I failed the logic class.  I am more horrified by the complete lack of customer care then anything.  Crap happens, it is how you clean it up but so far Piaggio is just paying staff to wipe it all over the walls.

[Kev m]

Bob it's nearly unforgivable.

I can't imagine why they haven't tried to narrow down the effected engines or, if they have, why they wouldn't fix them before sale.

I actually think the issue is they don't have a definitive list. It's one guy on the assembly line who randomly left out the washer (or more recent reports suggest put it in backwards, misaligning the oil passageways).

It's entirely possible they really don't know for sure which bikes by Vin are effected.

You're absolutely right to me pissed.

But you take the diatribe to unreasonable absolutes and erode our sympathy for the situation. It's unfortunate, but the fact.

If you dig it, then see it through. Be firm, but fair and courteous and I bet they'll take care of you.

Be unmovable and arguably unrealistic and I bet you'll wind up unhappy.

Sun's getting long, I'm heading back the house and off the beach. Time to feed the tribe.

I do wish you a positive outcome.

[benebob]

So since I am unreasonable expecting Guzzi to foot the bill for my losses in labor and parts at this point how long should I expect for Guzzi to even decide that the dealers diagnosis is correct and that a new engine is on the way.  Curious as I have heard nodda in going on 3 days.  Considering they have 30 days to fix the thing by law one would feel the would be a little more proactive to avoid going to court and paying all legal fees on top of refunding full value of the bike as well as damages under federal law.  Yes, as you can see I have been in contact with an attorney. 

[oldbike54]

So since I am unreasonable expecting Guzzi to foot the bill for my losses in labor and parts at this point how long should I expect for Guzzi to even decide that the dealers diagnosis is correct and that a new engine is on the way.  Curious as I have heard nodda in going on 3 days.  Considering they have 30 days to fix the thing by law one would feel the would be a little more proactive to avoid going to court and paying all legal fees on top of refunding full value of the bike as well as damages under federal law.  Yes, as you can see I have been in contact with an attorney.

 No idea . It is interesting that the attorney in question didn't advise you to NOT talk about this on the internet .

 Dusty

[benebob]

No idea . It is interesting that the attorney in question didn't advise you to NOT talk about this on the internet .

 Dusty

That would be only for the party that is in the wrong.  Considering I did nothing wrong and as of today the clutch is now making a nice little noise when released.  Sounds pretty much like a bad bearing so it is completely unridable.  Such fun.