Blamo! Sod it!

Well last weekend Ralf's bike blew up. Sounds like its run its big ends, no oil pressure. This is the third bike I've had that has shat its big ends after a tappet failure, Mark S's did it, mine did it now Ralf's has done it.

Anyway, he's dragging the carcass up here next Monday and we'll whip the sump off for a looksee, he's justifiably upset needless to say.

Further proof i'd say that its better to get to the problem BEFORE the tappets go too far rather than waiting and hoping.

I really wish Piaggio would just pony up and give every owner a kit. Sadly that ain't gunna happen.

Pete

Shit Ralf, bummer huh?

What is the story with purchasing a kit and paying to have it installed without a claim to Piaggio? The closest dealer to me in the US tells me I cannot actually buy a kit. Is that correct?

Of course I'd rather have it paid for, but the potential for engine damage worries me a bit. I have 12000 miles on my 2011.

89millegt wrote:

What is the story with purchasing a kit and  paying to have it installed without a claim to Piaggio? The closest dealer to me in the US tells me I cannot actually buy a kit. Is that correct?

Of course I'd rather have it paid for, but the potential for engine damage worries me a bit. I have 12000 miles on my 2011.

I'm worried about the same thing, 89millegt. My machine is running OK, but every time I hear a strange ping or weird rattle,

my first thought is, 'well, there go the tappets'. I know 95% of the time it's nothing, or in rare cases another

much smaller problem that needs to be addressed, but it's like riding a time bomb just waiting for it to go off. And it's

really the damage done afterwards that concerns me most. My GRiSO is in getting some upgrades and a major tune up

done on Thursday (thanks again for all the advice on what needs doin', Ghettoites), so I'm going to have him check what

what the tappets look like. Even if alls well, I'm tempted to bite the bullet and get rollerized.

But, like Pete mentioned, I wish Piaggio would just buck up and fix the bikes affected if the owner requests it.



'dream a little dream with me....'

89millegt wrote:

closest dealer to me in the US tells me I cannot actually buy a kit. Is that correct?

No. Try another dealer. You should be able to buy a kit without issue.

Yah. Anyone can buy a kit FFS! While I'm not able to link up the factory bulletins I can write up an explanation with part numbers of how to identify which kit you need. In fact I'll make it a priority. Stay tuned.

Pete, my GRiSO had a broken tappet @ 700km years ago. Would it be a good idea to take the pan of and inspect the big-end and if ok fit new bearing shells?

Its up to you. I always drop the pan for a decent clean out, the idea of flushing the engine with a couple of litres of oil is a joke!

If there is extensive tappet wear it's worth back flushing the cooler as well but it's very hard to offer categorical advice on what is necessary because this is the first year I've ever experienced the issue and while I've seen lots of them now I can't say that I have a definitive answer to what is or isn't needed.

Pete

Thanks Pete, I will inspect the big-end this winter, just to be sure all is ok (or not). There are no problems with my tappets at the moment, I will eventually rollerize it but the funds are a bit short a.t.m.

Do you think the big-ends fail by sudden loss of oil pressure or as a result of damage done by metal particles in the oil? Did you inspect the sludge pipe in the crank?

There is no sludge trap in the crank any more. On Mark's bike there was clear evidence of particulate damage and scoring. On mine it looked more like pressure failure. I haven't got the pump out of mine yet so I don't know if it's damaged. With Ralf's we have no idea at all.

Pete

Strange things happening to those engines.... For peace of mind I will install an oil pressure gauge after inspecting the big-end of my bike.

Oil to the crank bearings passes the oil filtre first so no chance larger metal particles can damage them right?

In the seventees a oil pressure gauge on the Triumps was used to know when it was time to rebuild the bottom end hehe

Yes, the oil for the lubrication circuit is filtered but when the oil is cold if the engine is spun too hard the filter may go into bypass. That's when the particulate crap will get past it unless it loads up completely, which is unlikely.

Pete

Good one Pete, never thought about the bypass with a cold engine and some revs....

This is the smallest oil pressure gauge I can find now:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Given the price probably not very accurate but as a bonus already painted in Roper color

I asked my dealer here in New England and they told me I couldn't buy the kit also.

They're full of shit.

grisopaul wrote:

I asked my dealer here in New England and they told me I couldn't buy the kit also.

I imagine this was Sea Coast? I think you might do better with New Haven Power Sports.
I only have good things to say about my local dealer as well. It is where I had my recent 6K service done; AJ Cycle in Gill Ma.
Before buying my Black Devil I had considered an earlier bike and I asked Alan at AJ if he had any experience with the tappit failure issue; he said they had not had one yet. He was willing to investigate "rollerisation" for me but I decided to skip the whole problem by purchasing a newer bike.
In the mean time I did talk to the service rep at New Haven Power Sports about the service history of my GRiSO as they were the original dealer. I was impressed with his enthusiasm for the GRiSO (he owns one). He seems to be up on all the mods and improvements that can be made. You might give them a call.

I've bought them from AF1 but with the current exchange rate there is no saving over buying here.

I'm just about to slap in another claim for Ron in Qld but like mine this might be tough as he has no service history, I'm hoping to jag it though. I'm trying to 'Pace' putting them in so it doesn't appear I have a disproportionate number coming through. Thing is all bikes that come through my shop I encourage people to pay me to have a look. It's not like it's terrifically expensive and it might save your motor.

Pete

Ralf, first the Ford, now the GRiSO - what did you do? Seems it might be catching...

Yep, the old f100 is 32 years old and used everyday.
5.8 litre v8 and works out cheaper to rebuild!
Go figure.
When we pulled it apart it was all original..

Hopefully Ralf we'll get you out of this cheaper than Mark's. A lot cheaper if I can possibly do it and there will be no sudden surprises. I'll keep sure ou are thoroughly informed.

Pete

I'm not complaining Pete, just venting.
Any motorbike engine parts no matter what brand always are at a premium price.
I'm just glad you've got my bike..
You always tell me whats wrong and I don't need to question it.
As Mark stated were lucky to have good people on our side.

Sadly, new shells fixeth it not. Its gotta come apart

But there is a plan, or several........