Another 8V Cam Failure

[WitchCityBallabio]

My 09 Stelvio had the recall done before I put one mile on it. I now have 45000 with no issues. I never think about it. If it happens, it happens. I'll deal with it. In the mean time, I just ride the hell out of it and enjoy it.

I like the bike so much that I'd buy a new motor to put into it if the time ever comes.

[saladin]

Righto, so if I interpret all this correctly, should I decide to purchase the 1200 sport demo bike that my Melbourne dealer now has for sale as my "keeper bike", there is a real chance that it will destroy its own cams? And guzzi have never found a definitive fix? But maybe Australian conditions reduces the likelihood of it happening? And even if I bought a brand new 2013 model, it still has the problematic flat tappet heads?

I don't know what to make of it all, tbh.

[Triple Jim]

I was told by a reputable automobile and hydroplane race engine builder that cam problems, if present, are usually present from the start, being caused by improper heat treatment and/or bad metallurgy.  If the cam runs a few hundred miles and has no signs of "wiping", then the odds are it will be OK for the long run.  The lesson I take from this is that you should be able to inspect an installed cam to tell if it's going to cause trouble, and replace it before it does.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  The shadow of the 03 hydro groans and rolls over in its' grave.

[father guzzi obrian]

Cams and tappets work well when lubricated by oil, not so much when lubed by mayonaise

[molly]

Righto, so if I interpret all this correctly, should I decide to purchase the 1200 sport demo bike that my Melbourne dealer now has for sale as my "keeper bike", there is a real chance that it will destroy its own cams? And guzzi have never found a definitive fix? But maybe Australian conditions reduces the likelihood of it happening? And even if I bought a brand new 2013 model, it still has the problematic flat tappet heads?

I don't know what to make of it all, tbh.

I'm in the same boat regarding buying a 'old stock' 1200 8V Sport because it is not available with rollers and it may not fail anyway so the dealer is under no obligation to even change the cams to the latest spec unless they start to wear.
So you buy the bike on the promise it will be fixed if required (hopefully). Some people may be happy to live with this situation but I'm not sure I could. Every little niose would chip away at the pleasure of owning the bike but I'm sure others will happily put their faith in the dealer to see them right and enjoy riding the bike. Good luck to them.

[Vasco DG]

So here we have another Internet rumour that has now become an accepted 'Fact'. Brilliant. Like so much of the other stuff promulgated by whoever is responsible for Guzzi in the UK it just sounds like another load of poorly thought out waffle from clowns who haven't got a clue?

I'm sorry, I've been in Sydney for the last couple of days at the Oz importer. I asked about tappet failures on 8V's. Since the initial batch of failures and certainly since 2011 it seems that with the exception of one Norge the number of failures can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Why one Norge has had four left hand cams fail I don't know but it speaks volumes of no diagnostic work and simple replacement occurring. Well done. Good luck with that.

Look, the fact is that you'll never trust the bike. Even if you do there is s obviously something profoundly wrong in how they are being maintained and the chances are something will go tits and you won't be happy.

I know I can't win this argument as those who seem to want to promulgate the 'Chicken Little' mentality will never be happy until they see Guzzi dead and buried so they can gasconade about the 'Good Old Days' and how they own a 'Classic Motorbike' produced by a defunct manufacturer, (Like Laverda!).

Well, sorry. F#ck you! FORZA Guzzi. The future doesn't lie with outdated designs owned by bitter little inadequates.

Pete

[jacksonracingcomau]

So here we have another Internet rumour that has now become an accepted 'Fact'. Brilliant. Like so much of the other stuff promulgated by whoever is responsible for Guzzi in the UK it just sounds like another load of poorly thought out waffle from clowns who haven't got a clue?

I'm sorry, I've been in Sydney for the last couple of days at the Oz importer. I asked about tappet failures on 8V's. Since the initial batch of failures and certainly since 2011 it seems that with the exception of one Norge the number of failures can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Well, sorry. F#ck you! FORZA Guzzi. The future doesn't lie with outdated designs owned by bitter little inadequates.

Pete

This thread should be merged with recent ones, came up in search, might confuse somebody.
Internet myths everywhere, future didn't lie, truth was told, loudly.

[swmckinley54]

I took care of my '12 Stelvio NTX flat tappet, clutch puking bike. I traded it in on a rice burner, before the internet cooked my goose and made it worthless.

[Lannis]

Interesting two-year-old thread in light of what we're fighting now .....

[Travlr]

My 2 valve brain is having a hard time understanding what is being said.

Are we saying:

1. You should be wary of buying an early 4 valve motor w/flat tappets?

2. You should be wary of buying any 4 valve motor?

3. If you convert an early bike to rollers you are ok?

I need some "easy to understand" guidance on 4 valve Guzzi's.

Mike

[molly]

My 2 valve brain is having a hard time understanding what is being said.

Are we saying:

1. You should be wary of buying an early 4 valve motor w/flat tappets?

2. You should be wary of buying any 4 valve motor?

3. If you convert an early bike to rollers you are ok?

I need some "easy to understand" guidance on 4 valve Guzzi's.

Mike

1. Yes.
2. No, factory produced roller tappet bikes should be fine.
3. Yes, assuming the work is undertaken correctly and no damage was done by metal particles floating in the oil before the refit .

[rboe]

In other words, you sold your Griso just in time. 

[canuguzzi]

In other words, you sold your Griso just in time. 

Yeah, the person that bought will probably show up here needing help.