Thanks to Scoot Richmond the Moto Guzzi dealer in Richmond Virginia, I recently had the headlight module replaced due to corrosion found internally. I though it was a � one-off � but unfortunately that is not the case. Whilst rinsing off the front fender, some water splashed up on the headlight. When I went to dry it off I was astounded to see water on the inside of the lens. In fact quiet a lot of it, & some gnats as well. This despite that I had not hosed down the unit. This module, according to the factory, is � sealed � which gives you no way to drain out the water. What is especially galling is that the turn signals, which can be readily opened via two screws, are dry as a desert.
Obviously if I left the water in, the corrosion would return and the whole unit would have to be replaced again. So, I rigged up a plastic bag with a vacuum attached and placed it over the headlight, sealing it with painters tape & a rubber band. This contraption sucked the water out but the bugs are still inside. On version 2.0 I am going to take a shower cap and silicon a fitting for the vacuum hose, which should give a better seal & hopefully will extricated the gnats as well.
My background is in aviation maintenance where I worked on C-141�s for the Air Force & Attack/Assault helicopters with the Army. In short, I know a thing or two about instruments, sealing and precautions to protect same. The problems I am encountering indicate either a design flaw or the factory is not following correct assembly procedures.
This begs the question, am I just the unlucky recipient of two defective headlight shells or.. is this a design flaw? The bike has never been power washed nor has even had running water across the instrument cluster/headlight. While I have come up with a temporary solution, this situation does not bode well for all weather riding.
My best guess as to why this problem might not be universal is that perhaps when using the main headlight, the heat from the projector bulb dries out the assembly,perhaps with the expanding air pushing the moisture out through the gap. However, if the bike is used in daylight only just running the led�s, then this process would never occur.
If anyone is interested in pictures of same, drop me a line at vhgroup@mindspring.com.
