2014 V7 stone rear lights all failed at 200 miles

[akhileshb@hotmail.com]

So i bought my black V7 stone in September, brand new with the 2 year warranty.
One week after i bought it,  i am riding it in TUlsa, and the rear lights all go off.
I take it home and I see that the rear cable that comes out of the harness to all rear lights, is hanging loose and has been frayed by the rear tire so a naked wire is exposed.
I take it to Brookside Motorcycles in Tulsa and the tech John does a good job of fixing the cable temporarily. They then call Guzzi to send a new harness.
I heard today that Guzzi rejected the claim, saying the temporary fix was "good enough". Retail cost of a new harness: $122.
They are going to call Guzzi again and bitch to them a little since i was a little upset.
I'll keep the forum posted on what happens. I do think for a hundred buck, the manufacturer should cover it.
 
-akilesh

[jackson]

I would politely DEMAND a new harness for the lights.  A temporary fix is NOT good enough.  Is it any wonder that Guzzi doesn't sell more bikes in the USA?  And if dealers have to put up with this kind of philosophy from mother Guzzi, I understand why more dealers don't want to sell the product.  Just keep pushing for a new harness.  Good luck.

[normzone]

Please forgive my ignorance, but can anybody clue me as to the size and structure of the Guzzi organization?

I work in Quality Assurance for small manufacturing outfits, and this kind of response sounds to my 21st century California ears like a grumpy individual, not company policy. I would hope not to be mistaken.

[O]

That response really is unacceptable for a bike under warranty.  I have to wonder if the OP is getting the full story from the dealer.  Perhaps Piaggio is questioning whether the bike was set up properly?  I can't fathom any other reason for rejecting the claim.  Either way, I would politely demand that this be made right, and let the dealer sort it out with Piaggio.

[oldbike54]

                                                                               AAAAACCCCCKKKKK

  Dusty

[Dean Rose]

Please forgive my ignorance, but can anybody clue me as to the size and structure of the Guzzi organization?

I work in Quality Assurance for small manufacturing outfits, and this kind of response sounds to my 21st century California ears like a grumpy individual, not company policy. I would hope not to be mistaken.

They make about 7,000 bikes a year and 10% come over here. Been going out of business since 1921.


Dean

[pikipiki]

I think Guzzi have a point.
You would not want the dealer to replace the wiring harness as there would be a chance of introducing a new problem.
Fixing with tape is no good either.
The dealer should fit a quality, appropriate and secured connector.
The work should be guaranteed for 12 months or to the end of the warranty period whichever is the longer.

[Cam3512]

Did you happen to alter the rear fender in any way?   "Tail Tidy" or the like?

[clubman]

We're not talking about a con rod sticking thru a block here. Kind of have to come down on the side of the weenies at Piaggio. Any even average mechanic should be able to make permanent repairs to what, 2 or 3 wires? Fully warranted of course.

[normzone]

Ah, [clubman], you don't work in my field I guess. We make ruggedized computer equipment for industrial and military. If the customer sets it afire or runs over it with a jeep, we fix it in the interest of customer relations.

[akhileshb@hotmail.com]

Did you happen to alter the rear fender in any way?   "Tail Tidy" or the like?

No, this is my first bike. I didn't touch the rear in any way shape or form. The lights went out within a few days of buying the bike.  did get a windshield put on it in the front from a certified Guzzi mechanic (Donny of Kinetic Playground) but that has nothing to do with the rear.

Just to update everyone, John (the tech at Brookside Motorcycles in Tulsa) did tell me on the phone that he sent a 150-200 word request this evening to the Piaggio rep in New York, who apparently is responsible for yeaing or naying requests. He asked me to wait till tomorrow.

 Many of your supportive responses have inspired me to contact the Piaggio guy personally if this does not pan out, and if that does not work out I plan on contacting the Guzzi folks in Italy directly. I just spent 7 grand on the bike last month, it's not the money, it's the principle of the thing.

Not much more I can do. I'll keep everyone updated.

Just as an aside, I do LOVE the bike.
 
-akilesh

[clubman]

Ah, [clubman], you don't work in my field I guess. We make ruggedized computer equipment for industrial and military. If the customer sets it afire or runs over it with a jeep, we fix it in the interest of customer relations.

No your right I don't work in your field and we're talking motorcycles here not computers. The most simple minded mechanic can fix THE simplest circuit imaginable, 2 freakin' wires . If he can't then he should work in your field.

[LongRanger]

As much as I loved the bike, nonsense like this is why my V7C is history.

[oldbike54]

No your right I don't work in your field and we're talking motorcycles here not computers. The most simple minded mechanic can fix THE simplest circuit imaginable, 2 freakin' wires . If he can't then he should work in your field.

 I think the point is , this is a NEW motorcycle , the problem should be dealt with as rapidly and painlessly as possible for the customer .

  Dusty

[canuguzzi]

Broken or frayed wires do not necessarily require a new harness. So long as the repair is done to professional standards and not a kludge, that should be good enough.

The warranty remains in effect since it was repaired as part of the warranty remedy. There is no need for any additional warranty by the dealer, only a documented repair order showing the repair made under warranty.

To Piaggio, motorcycles are a business and when getting repairs done look at it the same way.

That said, a brand new bike- MG ought to have its collective head examined if they don't get the wiring to OEM condition. For the $122 savings they will lose far more than that in goodwill from customers. Word travels, it got posted right?

Had MG promptly agreed to put in a new harness, imagine how the thread title and subject would read instead. Knock knock.

[akhileshb@hotmail.com]

Broken or frayed wires do not necessarily require a new harness. So long as the repair is done to professional standards and not a kludge, that should be good enough.

The warranty remains in effect since it was repaired as part of the warranty remedy. There is no need for any additional warranty by the dealer, only a documented repair order showing the repair made under warranty.

To Piaggio, motorcycles are a business and when getting repairs done look at it the same way.

That said, a brand new bike- MG ought to have its collective head examined if they don't get the wiring to OEM condition. For the $122 savings they will lose far more than that in goodwill from customers. Word travels, it got posted right?

Had MG promptly agreed to put in a new harness, imagine how the thread title and subject would read instead. Knock knock.

The RETAIL on the part is $122. The cost to Piaggio is probably about $50.
Keeping my fingers crossed. Story may still have a good ending.
You are right, BTW, I sprang for a brand new bike precisely so I could make sure it was broken in nicely and have a hassle free bike for the first 2 years at least, because of the warranty.
Thanks everyone for your supportive posts. Will update as things happen.
 
-akilesh

[ogsurf]

I rode my brand new 1995 yellow and black California 1100i for about
2,000 miles and the same thing happened.  Dealer spliced and soldered in
new wire and bike went on for many, many thousand more miles and
had no problems, I would rather that than opening a whole new bunch of worms with
a rewiring.

[pikipiki]

Ah, [clubman], you don't work in my field I guess. We make ruggedized computer equipment for industrial and military. If the customer sets it afire or runs over it with a jeep, we fix it in the interest of customer relations.

I don't get your point either? I don't work in aviation but I'd have a good guess that when a couple of wires get snagged on a 747 the people who know about these things do not dis-assemble the whole aircraft to replace 5 miles of wiring loom.

Maybe if your expertise was in wiring computer networks rather than computer assembly line you'd understand.

Either OP is happy with the work or not, it seems OP is not.
A wire which could catch on the tyre is something the dealer should have picked up on pre-delivery checks.

 Might be the dealer is trying to push Guzzi to pay them for unnecessary warranty work. Dealer should double check the bike over and make a good an permanent repair. The manufacturer would have to pay the dealer to change the wiring harness which would be hours o work and could introduce additional faults if not done correctly. End of.

[stick]

I take it to Brookside Motorcycles in Tulsa and the tech John does a good job of fixing the cable temporarily. They then call Guzzi to send a new harness.
-akilesh

It seems like it was a "temporary" repair.  I'd assume he used an in-line crimp lug. 

Your next communication with 'Guzzi should state that this was just that, a TEMPORARY fix, and that rear lighting is a SAFETY issue.  Demand an OEM harness.  They're not that difficult to install!  This time, it will be routed properly, away from the tire!

My Stelvio had a quite a few "weening issues".  I brought it back one last time to have a couple of things looked at "under warranty".  Freakin oil leak on the right head.  Turned out to be the oil line that connects to the head (under the gas tank).  Tech said that he got a good 1/2 to 3/4 turn on it to make it tight.  'Guzzi would not cover it (the $90 labor).  They said that, "things loosening up from vibrations were normal."  WTF ??   A$$holes.    This dealership did the 1st 2 years of normal maint. on the bike.  It's not like it was the 1st  time a Guzzi tech had his hands on it. 

I'll never buy a new  'Guzzi again.  Used, maybe.  Their "warranty" really stinks. 
Speaking of which, after all items were addressed and fixed, I had to pay for up front.  Like $230.  And then "wait" to hear back from 'Guzzi on their decision...      Total BS

No fault w/ the dealership.  It's the way 'Guzzi handles "warranties".

[pebra]

Dealer spliced and soldered in
new wire and bike went on for many, many thousand more miles and
had no problems, I would rather that than opening a whole new bunch of worms with
a rewiring.

I think this would be my take on a case like this.
No reason to ask for potential new problems etc

[akhileshb@hotmail.com]

As I mentioned before, I am a motorcycle newbie, though I do have an old scooter I love to drive also, and have an engineering background.  Understand how stuff works but am not familiar with the practical aspects of what it takes to wire a bike, etc.

So here is how this panned out:
John, the tech at Brookside motorcycles, who fixed the bike, said he soldered the wires and put a heat shrink on. He said it should be fine to go, as is. He also routed the wire correctly of course.

I put in my 620 miles on the bike two days ago and gave it to Donnie, the certified tech at Kinetic playground, for its first service and oil sump extender installation.
I also asked him to check the rear lights wire and let me know if it was roadworthy.
He did check it and deemed it roadworthy. Overall, he said everything looked pretty good.
He checked that the overall cost of the full wiring harness is $650, so the $122 part must be a sub harness. Should not be a big deal to replace, but the current repair was fine, he said.

There seem to be 2 major opinions on this forum: Demand a new part from Guzzi, OR  leave well alone.

As a newbie, and owner of only japanese vehicles before (except for one unfortunate 3 year period when I owned a used BMW car), my initial reaction was to demand a new part. Especially since I dropped $7k on a bike whose twin sister is now priced at $6500, a month later at the same dealership. 

However, based on the opinions of experienced members here, as well as Donnie, and tech John, I am going to leave well enough alone. I am confident the wire was repaired fine, and as some folks put it, why open a can of worms?

I'll just put it down to my bike losing its cherry, kinda like a first scratch.    Plus when you own an italian vehicle, you have to put up with temperament, I suppose. Part of the charm. Cheaper than a ferrari...

I am very impressed by the helpfulness and involvement of folks on this forum. Thank you, thank you! 

I continue to love the bike! Especially in an era when, unfortunately, bigger is better, this air-cooled, simple  bike does it all for me. 
 
-akilesh

[oldbike54]

 Cool , yeah nothing wrong with a fix instead of a replacement , probably better than new . The "Boys from Tulsa" are a good bunch .

  Dusty

[O]

As long as the fix is permanent, and not temporary, you should be fine.  Just ride it!  (But do be sure not to skip the rear light check each time before you head out.)

Also, don't worry about the ever-lowering prices of the older inventory.  The 2014 V7s have been in showrooms for almost two years at this point.  They're the kind of investments that pay dividends in smiles while riding, not the monetary kind.

[akhileshb@hotmail.com]

Cool , yeah nothing wrong with a fix instead of a replacement , probably better than new . The "Boys from Tulsa" are a good bunch .

  Dusty

Agreed. Great, friendly folk at the dealership and Donnie is a treasure.
 

[akhileshb@hotmail.com]

As long as the fix is permanent, and not temporary, you should be fine.  Just ride it!  (But do be sure not to skip the rear light check each time before you head out.)

Also, don't worry about the ever-lowering prices of the older inventory.  The 2014 V7s have been in showrooms for almost two years at this point.  They're the kind of investments that pay dividends in smiles while riding, not the monetary kind.

Yes  sir, you are right. 

[jackson]

If you're happy with the repair, that's all that really matters.

[Kiwi_Roy]

This thread is useless without 

And I don't mean of the wiring, just the bike and perhaps happy customer.

Cheers
Roy

[Kev m]

I can totally understand your initial motivation and thought process, but I think you made the right decision!

And I can say from experience I expect you're going to really enjoy that bike!


RIDE SAFE!

Kev

[oldbike54]

 Always wanted a T shirt that read

                                                                            We love happy endings       

 Dusty

[Kev m]

Always wanted a T shirt that read

                                                                            We love happy endings       

 Dusty

You got a little more of the Harley culture in you than you'd like to admit...