Why so many dash failures 2002-2008?

[bpreynolds]

One thing I have always loved about Guzzis is their build quality of their engines.  Of course, there have always been cheap plastics and so forth that often go along with this; yet, overall, I'd say Guzzis hard parts hold up just about better than any other brand motorcycle I have owned. 

But those dashes.  I may be wrong about that last number (2008), can't recall exactly which models/years seem to stop having dash issues.  Most of the new lines (Cali 1400, V7, V9s) seem fine thus far.  But from about 2002 to the last 2V version of the Norge/Brevas, fail, fail, fail.  I have never seen another motorcycle brand with so many dash/odometer failures.  Lots of those odometers and even the cheapass trip meters failed.  Of course, the 2002-2004 bikes were gears and internal plastics.  Then along come the newer bikes with digital odos like the Norge and Breva 1100/1200, more dash failures.  Wtf.  Why seemingly so many and so specifically with Guzzi?  I mean they buy their dashes from folks like Veglia and such just like any other motorcycle brand, right?  Just trying to see why Guzzi seemingly had such an issue with this over those years.

[Ncdan]

My 07 CalVin vintage ITI speed/trip odometer failed at 7k. No replacement available and for the most part simply to cheesy to rebuild.

[JohninVT]

I know of at least four 1200 Sport dash failures, including mine.  I have no idea how many 1200 Sport's were sold but I suspect it was only about a hundred(or less). 

The problem was that the drain holes for the instrument cluster were higher than the bottom of the unit.  This allowed moisture to accumulate and the PCB that ran the dash and immobilizer corroded.  It then rendered the bike an expensive Italian sculpture in your garage for a month to 6 weeks as the warranty claim wandered through the process and then a replacement was shipped from Italy.   

[Moto]

Well, since the Breva/Norge and the pre-CARC models were made by completely different companies with completely different technologies, the only commonality I see is that they were both the product of Italian Formula 1 car instrument makers. The demands of racing and the lack of experience with much bad weather do not make for much attention to long-run reliability and weather proofing, I suppose. (I wonder who is making the latest instruments.)

Moto

[JJ]

The bottom line summed up nicely right here...by CONFUCIUS 

[Darren Williams]

I know of at least four 1200 Sport dash failures, including mine.  I have no idea how many 1200 Sport's were sold but I suspect it was only about a hundred(or less). 

Yours and two of mine make 3! I think there have been many more, such as Bob in Ohio, Kevm (Breva)... There was a count thread a while back.

[rdbandkab]

I have little knowledge of this subject of connectors, sensors, LED screens, anything that's involved with dashes actually, but wonder why there would be no other dash (anywhere) that would work in place of the stock unit.  I'd love to be able to go aftermarket for a replacement.

[Moto]

I have little knowledge of this subject of connectors, sensors, LED screens, anything that's involved with dashes actually, but wonder why there would be no other dash (anywhere) that would work in place of the stock unit.  I'd love to be able to go aftermarket for a replacement.

Because the dashes are wired into the engine management so completely. For example, they have an air pressure sensor on them (in the CARC models) that the ECU reads to establish the proper mixture. Nuts, but there it is.

[willowstreetguzziguy]

 This winter, I plan to take it all apart and do the necessary preventative maintenance so it doesn’t happen in my 1200 sport

[Peter949]

What type of preventative maintenance can be done to an electronic circuit board to prevent failure?

I did read that a waterproof coating might help with moisture.

[willowstreetguzziguy]

What type of preventative maintenance can be done to an electronic circuit board to prevent failure?

I did read that a waterproof coating might help with moisture.

I
 I have read o this here sight about possibly taking the circuit board to a professional and have it coated and where the water collects, possibly drilling some holes so it drains well.

[rdbandkab]

Because the dashes are wired into the engine management so completely. For example, they have an air pressure sensor on them (in the CARC models) that the ECU reads to establish the proper mixture. Nuts, but there it is.

Still hard to believe that no other dash is configured similarly to the Breva/Norge dash.   

My dream is to have a docking station instead of a OEM dash.   Time to ride?   Snap the iPad (or some waterproof tablet of choice), into the docking station,  chose your display layout (different layouts for analog/digital readouts...whatever floats your dingy).   

Oh well..  Just did an awesome 200 mile trip out towards Wooster, OH to see if All Seasons still carry Guzzi.  We spent some much time zipping through new roads through the countryside that we had to head back towards home before we got that far north.   The weather was great and the Breva was singing her song ( a little louder now too! )  A perfect ride with the missus to clear the "dread" from what's left of my grey matter.   All is right with the world again...

[Moto]

Still hard to believe that no other dash is configured similarly to the Breva/Norge dash.   

The Griso has a very similar dash, electronically. The Aprilia RS50 has a simpler version of the Griso's dash. Other Aprilias also use similar dashes, maybe identical to the Griso's (I forget). None of these offers a simple solution for the Breva/Norge.

[Moto]

I
 I have read o this here sight about possibly taking the circuit board to a professional and have it coated and where the water collects, possibly drilling some holes so it drains well.

I recommended doing that, after showing my Griso's circuit board to an expert repairing phones at a local shop. (By that time I had already coated it myself.)

For the Breva/Norge in particular, a hole at the bottom left corner of the dash would probably be a good idea, since that is where condensed water tends to collect when the bike is on its side stand.