Road trip failure. Bearing failure

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

Had a good ride today except for some rain around Lexington KY. Rolling thru Columbus OH on the way to Cleveland and I noticed a faint wobble/weave. At first I thought it was toad grooves, but it stayed despite changing lanes. I started paying attention and it got worse. Pulled off the interstate, bearings look good. Eased it to the closest hotel, something is bad wrong. I just installed new bearings, made sure to follow manual to the T. Either I messed up the bearings or I’ve got some broke spokes. Either way this is the last straw. I’m renting a truck tomorrow, load up the bike and go home. Get it fixed again, and sell it. Use the proceeds to have a mechanic look at my Quota and that will be my only motorcycle. Does Guzzisteve still wrench on bikes for a living? Anyways, time for some shut eye.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, I was really looking forward to trying out some of the spots! Oh well, next year, with a Guzzi!!!

[Huzo]

That’s a pretty damn mature way to deal with a kick in the guts like that one.
There’s no guarantee that the Guzzi will be perfect, but the combined knowlege at your fingertips is a nice secure feeling...

[blu guzz]

so, what kind of bike is it?

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

so, what kind of bike is it?

2003 Victory V92c. The last year for the classic. Freedom motor (92 CI/1500cc) and they finally got the transmission right. But it doesn’t evoke any strong feelings one way or the other. It’s a great bike, but to put up with issues like it’s had requires a level of passion that I frankly don’t have. Right now I’m like Rhett, “frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn”!

[JJ]

2003 Victory V92c. The last year for the classic. Freedom motor (92 CI/1500cc) and they finally got the transmission right. But it doesn’t evoke any strong feelings one way or the other. It’s a great bike, but to put up with issues like it’s had requires a level of passion that I frankly don’t have. Right now I’m like Rhett, “frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn”!

Sure sounds like there was "some issue" with the front wheel bearings (?), and frankly, that can happen with any make / model of motorcycle.  Good luck with the fix or your ultimate decision toward your next bike...

[SemperVee]

 I have a 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour since new and I could not be happier with the the reliability, ease of maintenance and handling.   IF I were you I would buy the last of the newest breed as they really were the best and price wise very inexpensive.  From ABS to heated seats and adjustable controls this is the most confortable bike I have ever ridden.   This from someone who has owned many of all brands including a 2007 Norge and too many HD's and BMW's. 

[JJ]

I have a 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour since new and I could not be happier with the the reliability, ease of maintenance and handling.   IF I were you I would buy the last of the newest breed as they really were the best and price wise very inexpensive.  From ABS to heated seats and adjustable controls this is the most confortable bike I have ever ridden.   This from someone who has owned many of all brands including a 2007 Norge and too many HD's and BMW's. 

Would have to agree with SemperVee on this one... (2014 Victory Vision Tour)...and arguably, one of the most comfortable TWO-UP bikes out there!!

[usedtobefast]

Sorry your trip got messed up.  I've only had 1 trip that ended in a rental truck, it was day 14 of a 17 day trip ... and while maybe I could have sorted things out, I was kind of done, and my friend said he was done too, so we rented a one way moving truck and loaded both bikes up for the trip home. 

I think the "long trip away from everything" bike has to be as new and reliable as possible.  Unfortunately those bikes tend to be a bit boring.      Like a Honda ST1300. 

I'm not sure having the 20 year old odd ball Quota as the long trip bike is a good plan (coming from fellow Quota owner).  Unless you mechanic the heck out of the thing ... like go through every component/system/sub-system and check/refresh/rebuild.  And replace stuff just to be sure.  For example ... at one point my voltage regulator was fine ... then it wasn't ... how was I to know when it was going to mess up?  Should I have replaced a perfectly fine voltage regulator when I got the bike?  Or carry a spare?      How many guys totally rebuild a fine working brake system?  Like a master cylinder rebuild kit for a working master cylinder? 

I really like the Honda VFR1200X as a long distance bike ... and you can still buy a new leftover one.  Just a bit dull.  Kind of like they took a Stelvio and removed the character/soul.     Been thinking about this one, just haven't pulled the trigger yet. 

Hope the trip back in the truck can be a bit fun (still go see some sights?) and good luck sorting out/selling the Victory. 

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

Thanks guys. Input much appreciated especially usedtobefast’s. I got a free upgrade from a frontier to a ram. (Guzzi content!)

[JJ]

So, at the end of the day...what was the issue causing the wobble on the poor Victory?!?

[Markcarovilli]

stating the obvious here - that bearing is tits up...

Mark

[Tom]

What kind of bearings did you put in?  No Indian dealer in Columbus?  Just wondering.   

[Ncdan]

I had an experience that might sound familiar.
I was going to do a 12,000 km road trip on my Griso so I replaced the front wheel bearings with a set from AllBalls, pretty straight forward, I have done it lots of times.
At the end of the trip I tried to take the front wheel off to replace the rubber but the axel was stuck, I finally got it out by making a puller from 1/2" ready rod.
Imagine my surprise when I found that one of the new bearings I installed had siezed and was spinning on the axel and worn half through.
No more Chinese bearings for me if I can avoid it.

You are exactly right. Any part that someone needs for ANY MOTORCYCLE had better make sure that it is not manufactured or made in China, especially electrical or metal parts as they are both
 junk! Been There and done that enough to know.

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

What kind of bearings did you put in?  No Indian dealer in Columbus?  Just wondering.   

I used all balls. I’ll check the box when I get home for country of manufacture. There is an Indian dealer, but they have a two week backlog for service. Ditto several other places.

[Tom]

Bummer.  Hope all goes well.  Even SKF is made all over.  Arthur out your way just retired after setting up a plant in Flowery Branch.  He set one up in Dalian, China and one in Western NY.  They also made bearings in India.  SKF is a Swedish Firm but also made bearings in Germany.  All Balls sounds real off brand.

[wirespokes]

I'll take that as a warning, though I normally buy bearings from the local bearing supply house.

Does All Balls have any sort of warranty?

[Motormike]

There's nothing quite like having a trip ruined by a mechanical issues to get you to swear off a particular model or brand of motorcycle. 

Which reminds me of an old joke (I won't get it quite right, but...) An old miner and his wife were riding their mule across the desert.  Suddenly, the mule, being a mule, stopped abruptly, throwing them to the ground.  The old miner went to the mule and said, "That's ONE!" They remounted and rode on.  A little way down the trail,  the mule stopped again.  The old miner went around to the mule's face and said, "That's TWO!" They coaxed the mule into motion again for a mile or two, when yet again, the mule abruptly halted.  The old miner went around to the mule's face and said, "That's THREE!" pulled out his revolver and shot the mule dead.  The miners wife went ballistic!  " What did you do that for, you damn old fool? Now we're stuck out here in the middle of the desert!"  The old miner just looked over at his wife and said, "That's ONE!"

I always loved that old joke.

[blu guzz]

sorry to hear this but it is almost 30 years old if you can believe that (i have a hard time writing it because 1992 seems like yesterday).  I had a 2007 Kingpin Tour Deluxe and for 25,000 miles it was perfect mechanically.  I have only owned one other bike I could say that about and it was a 1997 r1100rs that went from 23,500 when I got it to 50,000 when traded.  As great as it was mechanically, it was a little vanilla compared to the Harley I traded for it.  I traded the Vic on a 2003 K1200RS with very low miles, but that one cost me a bundle over the 32,000 miles I put on it until the reardrive when kaput.  luckily I was not on a trip when that happened.

[Vagrant]

just go to the local bearing house. the same part number can be had for $12, 15, 18, $25 depending on how long u want it to last.

[nc43bsa]

And, at the local bearing house you can see where it was made before you pay for it.

[lucky phil]

You are exactly right. Any part that someone needs for ANY MOTORCYCLE had better make sure that it is not manufactured or made in China, especially electrical or metal parts as they are both
 junk! Been There and done that enough to know.

I think I can say without too much risk that there wont be a new motorcycle made anywhere in the world without some Chinese made parts on it, esp switch gear and electrical components. Looks like it's no new bikes for you:)
Just like anywhere there is good and bad stuff made in China. The brand is more important than the country of origin these days as the major well known brands keep the quality control tight no matter where the components are actually made.

Ciao

[wirespokes]

I think I can say without too much risk that there wont be a new motorcycle made anywhere in the world without some Chinese made parts on it, esp switch gear and electrical components. Looks like it's no new bikes for you:)
Just like anywhere there is good and bad stuff made in China. The brand is more important than the country of origin these days as the major well known brands keep the quality control tight no matter where the components are actually made.

Ciao

Exactly!

When we were kids, Japanese crap was to be avoided. Now it's the best. There's good quality stuff made in China so the trick is sorting it out from the junk. Even Harbor Freight has some good stuff - and it's ALL made in China. Isn't it?

[n3303j]

SKF has an "Explorer" series of bearings that are supposedly the top of their production run. They are not priced much beyond their standard line. They are advertised as Explorer by the mail order houses. I've had very good luck with this line (in that I've never worn one out).

PS: Took my 21 year old V11 cross country and return. I wouldn't hesitate to do the same with the 43 year old T3. No problem doing long trips on old machines. They just have to be properly maintained old machines.

[tazio]

Wow, would have thought even a lesser quality bearing would not have quit on you that soon. Did the bearing seal get injured at some point letting lube get washed out during the rain you encountered? I'd have to give Victory a pass on this issue, though I do understand when it's time to move on, it's time to move on...

[Ncdan]

Exactly!

When we were kids, Japanese crap was to be avoided. Now it's the best. There's good quality stuff made in China so the trick is sorting it out from the junk. Even Harbor Freight has some good stuff - and it's ALL made in China. Isn't it?

No, check the tool chest of any professional mechanic and see how many Harbor Freight tool you find. I also have a couple HF large sockets which I may use once a year but used daily they will not hold up. The metal is simply sub standard.

[wirespokes]

I said Harbor freight even has some good stuff - meaning some of their stuff is good. I didn't say which stuff was good. 

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

Wow, would have thought even a lesser quality bearing would not have quit on you that soon. Did the bearing seal get injured at some point letting lube get washed out during the rain you encountered? I'd have to give Victory a pass on this issue, though I do understand when it's time to move on, it's time to move on...

Me too. I’ll find out tomorrow. Today I’m going to do my best impression of an immovable object! Got the Vic unloaded, and rental truck returned. Now time for a “staycation”

[Ncdan]

I said Harbor freight even has some good stuff - meaning some of their stuff is good. I didn't say which stuff was good. 

Fare enough 👍

[ohiorider]

Exactly!

When we were kids, Japanese crap was to be avoided. Now it's the best. There's good quality stuff made in China so the trick is sorting it out from the junk. Even Harbor Freight has some good stuff - and it's ALL made in China. Isn't it?

I can remember going shopping with my mom and her sister, my Aunt Alice.  Occasionally, we'd end up in a 5 and dime store (McCrorys, Woolworths, etc) and I'd immediately rush to the toy section.  Lot of stuff that was stamped "Made in Occupied Japan," if I recall correctly.  Of the cheaper toys, the small tin flywheel cars were the cheapest.  I didn't realize how cheap until I pried open the tabs holding the body to the 'chassis,' and found the inside of the body still had the logo from the Conquest Lard can it was made from.

The other cheapies were the little wire framed wind up rubber band planes, that were silk covered, with USAAF stickers on the ends of the wings.  Almost impossible to trim so they'd fly.

One I liked was called a tomahawk, that consisted of a wooden handle and wooden 'hammer' that held caps (from cap guns.  We'd put 3-4 caps in the hammer, then insert the projectile, a small plug with feathers on it, and strike the gound with a healthy swing.  The caps exploded, and the feather'd projectile would head for the stars!

Did things change once Japan got back on their feet!

Bob

[TN Mark]

You certainly can’t blame the bike for the failure of the aftermarket (All Balls) bearings installed by the owner. Though I have read similar reports about All Balls bearings failing in short order. My oem Polaris sourced Victory wheel bearings are still performing perfectly at 76K miles.

I did purchase a set of All Balls wheel bearings a couple years ago just to have on hand. At this point I wouldn’t trust them without verifying they have adequate grease under the seals. I’ll likely let them roll around the bottom of a trash can and replace the All Balls bearing sets with either SKF or FAG bearings from a local bearing house.