Knockoff Parts

[Kiwi_Roy]

I was following a thread about clutch cables and I noticed a comment from LesP
(I apologize if I have taken this out of context)

Of course I am not complaining, we should be grateful to get these Chinese made cables, maybe a knot in the excess would fix er up. 

I recently purchased some ignition parts for my Eldorado from one of our major supplier we all use and I was shocked to find the points do not meet, I mean not even close
This is one set of points as shown. Genuine Italian contact points.
There is no marking whatsoever on the points unlike the original Marelli.
Another supplier in California sent me a condenser that let me down after a few days and gauge bezels that are unusable because they are made from Stainless steel not plated brass (far too hard to roll and besides the wrong shape)

Is this what we have to look forward to from now one Chinese knockoff parts?
I asked the supplier about that but never received a response.

I can understand something like cables being made in China but could the vendors at least make sure they are the right dimension?

I always used to make my own cables but is it even possible to purchase genuine cable parts now?

Is it permissible for a vendor to use a Guzzi part No for a knockoff part?

 

[Kiwi_Roy]

Yes, an old time Guzzi guy told me the secret for the generator bracket, use Honda Civic exhaust studs so they can go right to the bottom of the holes and the nuts take all the abuse.
I used red locktite on the studs for good measure.

I used a hose clip on my VII Sport, cheap insurance as you would never see the leak.

Where were you and your milling machine when I tried to put a filter in the sump of my Eldorado? I had it all plumbed in but took it out again not satisfied with my hand work.

[huub]

I dont think it is possible to build even a pushbike without using parts made in china.
Personally i dont mind using cheap knockoff chinese parts, at least i know what they are,
going to the dealer you are probably getting the same part, at double or triple price...

My guzzi would be stranded if i removed all the chinese parts :-)

[Kiwi_Roy]

When I think back

A new All Balls front wheel bearing seized and wore half through the shaft tube of my Griso
I mean whoever heard of a ball race seizing in less than a month.

The new oil pressure switch I put on my Eldorado last month failed to alert me I had lost oil pressure.

I don't mind using well made Chinese parts either but when they are sold to me as genuine Italian parts that's too much
Especially when the contacts don't line up.

I worked a lot in China over the last 10 years, the Petrochemical companies we work for hold your feet to the fire for genuine North American bearings for electric motors and specialty metals for acid pumps

[fubar guzzi]

     Be grateful your not buyin dentures   

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I probably buy a lot more parts that the "average Joe" vintage Guzzi owner here and have not had any of these issues, other than a few failed condensers. You guys must have all the "luck".

[Two Checks]

What the hell is a push bike? Another name for a Harley? 


Another thing to watch for is Chinese made performance engine parts. The steel doesn't meet the specs as advertised. Heads and blocks crack, and cranks break ventilating the block. Nasty what a crank spinning at 8k rpm does when it lets go.

[80CX100]

     I had just commented re an issue that I had with what I assume were knock off throttle cables on Tom's post re the high idle problem with his VHB29 carbed bike.

     When I bought my CX100, the PO had had some work done on it by a vintage bike shop in Quebec, I'm almost positive that jobber throttle cables were installed at that time.

     I had a huge intermittent high idle problem, and a few times the throttle locked at higher revs, took me a while to figure it out, but the cable was just too long or the casing too short, and every now and then the casing would come out of the ferrule at the top of the VHB30 carb, and get stuck there on the edge of the ferrule out of position.

     No amount of adjustment solved the problem, I mcgyvered a solution, using little bits of plastic zip ties as shims, it's secure and I'm confident with the fix, but it is a little mickey mouse and not pretty, fwiw.

     Kelly

[wirespokes]

A machinist friend of mine said the Chinese have a saying that goes something like "If it looks like a tiger, it IS a tiger". Evidently it's a justification that if something LOOKS right, then it is. I'll bet the original meaning has altered over time.

I repair airhead gauges and get some bezels from Germany. Originals (or good copies) are no longer available, and like Roy complains, are made of tougher metal and don't bend as easily. The chrome tends to crack when folded over. They also come with a rubber seal that's too thick, no way can the bezel be installed with them in place! I've complained to the distributor to no effect.

I've looked for replacement fork tubes for a 97 Cali - but don't want junk. Mine are pitted but straight. I've cleaned up the rust, painted the pitted areas and use them like that. I don't want to spend three or four hundred bucks for something not much better.

We all know it's possible to get good parts out of China - it's like the old old days with Japanese stuff. Now look at what comes out of Japan - some of the best stuff you'll find anywhere. The problem is recognizing and avoiding the crap.

[John A]

As an aviation mechanic inspector I used to joke about parts with either “if it looks the same, it is the same” or “if it looks good, it is good”.  I learned that I had to have a ‘tell’ or pilots would think I was serious.  Especially when I would say stuff like “ gotta get my prints off her, case she goes down somewhere “ as I was wiping off the cowlings.  Some people have no sense of humor.

[Moto]

I always used to make my own cables but is it even possible to purchase genuine cable parts now?

If by "genuine" you mean high-quality, w/ lots of different parts available, try Flanders: http://www.flanderscables.com/.

Moto

[guzzista]

+1 on above post. I have not bought bike specific cables for a long time and simply modified What I had using Flanders fittings and a solder pot, also purchased from Flanders 35+ years ago and probably still available .  In other cases when cables  needed were longer, they were made from scratch using  cable making supplies. 

[Tom H]

For those interested in issues with brand new cables from a reliable supplier, look here:

https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=103271.0

I brought this up in that post already, but... I bought a new pair of throttle cables for Tommaselli 2C. I installed them and started the bike. It was idling way too high. I then noticed there was no slack in the cables. I made sure that the adjusters on the cables were fully screwed in, they were. Checked the ones on the carbs and adjusted them down to the lock nut. Still not enough slack. If I removed the lock nuts, there may have been enough slack. I ended up returning them for a pair with longer wire.

Replacement parts just don't seem to be made as good as they used to be and it doesn't matter where they were made. But on the plus side, someone is still making parts for a bike almost 50 years old.

Tom

[Moparnut72]

If by "genuine" you mean high-quality, w/ lots of different parts available, try Flanders: http://www.flanderscables.com/.

Moto

I bought parts from Flanders in the 60's. I had no idea they were still around. I just bookmarked  their home page. Thanks.
kk

[Kiwi_Roy]

Ok I revisited several of my old orders and looked at items in detail.
For instance a set of points for my Eldorado part No 1271545 I was shocked when I installed them that the contacts didn't meet squarely.
There is no identification marking on the points themselves so I assumed the worst that they were a knock-off from China.
But on further reflection they are not branded Marelli like the originals that are obviously high quality precision built.
So I conclude they are "genuine Italian parts" as claimed, just not the same high quality as Marelli.

I feel a lot better for knowing that, sorry, carry on.

[Ncdan]

I have found that if it’s made in China and composed of metal or electrical vehicle parts, stay away from it, it’s junk and shame on any American company who imports it for their customers.

[lucian]

You're right about their electrical stuff Dan, just went round and round with my ct90 project with a charging issue. Original rectifier failed so I ordered a replacement off amazon advertised as OEM Honda. It wasn't and it came with on of the four wires not even connected inside the silicone block. Sent it back and four weeks later I get another one which wouldn't even pass the bench test. Finally smartened up and ordered one from Pardue Bros, and the quality was night and day. And it even worked. You still get what you pay for.