Cracked Cal 14 Exhaust Parts

[abbienormal]

I have been watching this thread and a couple of comments. Most manufacturers "have never heard of this" unless it happens to every bike made. If the dealer in Ohio who told you that is one I spoke to prior to buying mine I can't think of one truth he told me prior to my purchase. I can make a list of things not true. Some blatent.

Todd: If you make the complete system without the flex joint will there maybe be some vibration transferred to the frame and thus the rider with a rigid mount? I am assuming the flex joint is to separate the vibration of the engine from the solid mount mufflers. Just a thought and may not matter.

As I like a quiet bike I am leaning more towards the H pipe if mine develops the problem. I watched the video of your new mufflers and they seem a bit louder than I prefer.

 

[GTM®]

Funny. There has been three that I know of with cracked H-pipe connectors. Guzzi has to acknowledge the issue simply because of the additional support brace at the connection. However, that solution isn't working well. My simple observations; The stock system shakes incredibly... Likely due to the stock mufflers not allowing exhaust flow, and the system trying to absorb the immense power pulses (when you open the muffler flow up, it's pretty incredible as to the exhaust intensity and velocity). As I understand/have learned, the welds are laid down too hot and fast, making the welds brittle. This isn't the first time stock exhaust parts have had this issue on other models.
I believe the flex joints are to allow fit of imprecise production parts, not for vibration reasons, and the rear hanger mounts and rubber bushings were put in place to handle vibration there, same as most other manufacturers have done over the last several decades.
With my mufflers installed, the vibration witnessed in the exhaust is substantially reduced, enough so that I will stand behind my lifetime warranty on workmanship on my GTM® exhaust parts.

Todd: If you make the complete system without the flex joint will there maybe be some vibration transferred to the frame and thus the rider with a rigid mount? I am assuming the flex joint is to separate the vibration of the engine from the solid mount mufflers. Just a thought and may not matter. As I like a quiet bike I am leaning more towards the H pipe if mine develops the problem. I watched the video of your new mufflers and they seem a bit louder than I prefer.

Per my last sentence above, my design for the new H-pipe combined with the rubber bushings on the rear hangers, I am very confident on the integrity of the design (and hopefully can have some miles to verify it by the end of the year). I will offer the cut-and-fit H-pipe with flex joints for those wishing to retain the stock mufflers.

The reason I do not like posting video of my mufflers is because they always seem louder then in person. That said, they are MUCH louder then stock, but FAR from most HD straight pipes.

 

[jbhotchkiss]

I see what you're saying about new hpipe versus new headers/cans; I was wondering about the combination options.
Having first tried the Agostinis, I like the LaFranconis that are on the bike now, and I'll go with the new hpipe. Sure will be nice to not have to worry about the ticking cracked hpipe time-bomb.

 

[Avvocato]

Todd, Will you post pictures of the new H-Pipe when it is done?

 

[GTM®]

Todd, Will you post pictures of the new H-Pipe when it is done?

Yes. Worked on it yesterday (see pics below), and should have it jigged and ready to take orders today. For those interested in one, and/or to place a pre-order (I'm only going to build a very limited quantity for now), send me an email direct please; Todd at GuzziTech.com -- Lifetime Guarantee, and will work with stock or aftermarket mufflers, and retain the stock heat shields.

Next up is all-new headers to muffler connections, including the new H-pipe for those who don't want to cut their stock headers. See our online Store link above or linked direct; Full GTM System HERE -- GTM Hdrs & H-pipe HERE -- GTM H-pipe HERE

New H-pipe (cross-over/connector of our design not yet shown - connection to stock header will have a stainless clamp):


Connector pipe is squarely cut just forward of the connecter brace:


This is what you have left, to be re-installed:

 

[jbhotchkiss]

I'm in for a new hpipe, Todd. Will email you as suggested.

 

[abbienormal]

I was curious as to Moto Guzzi's liability on this. I know emissions on cars carry a longer warranty than the normal car warranty. I did some looking and found this:

transportpolicy.net/index.php?title=US:_Motorcycles:_Emissions

Basically it says 5 years or 30,000km (not miles, odd)
I think Guzzi is exempt as under 3,000 units sold in the U.S. annually.

 

[jbhotchkiss]

Nice work - looking forward to making the modification.

 

[stephenm]

I have just returned from a 2,500km ride, two up and fully loaded, having installed the GTM connector pipe on my 1400 the day before setting off. The process of cutting out the original and installing the replacement was straightforward and easy. The quality of the replacement connector is high; it is substantially stronger than the original, and fits perfectly.
At the end of the trip, everything remains tight and secure.
The touring ability of the 1400 is wonderful. I added the new connector to help ensure long haul reliability.
I am very happy with the result.

 

[CaptDenny]

I'm interested in whatever improvement is made. Please keep us posted!

 

[lmmandel]

Mine broke twice once on each side. Warranty took care of it but its going to keep happening and my warranty runs out June 1.

 

[GTM®]

I changed the name of this thread to cover all parts that are cracking/breaking on the C14. Below is a picture of the front heat shield stand-off bung on the headers.
I am working on header replacements, that will mate to my GTM® H-pipe. My offerings will not be sewer pipe-sized double wall tubing, but it will be high grade stainless of fairly large diameter (same as my full system set up shown HERE).

GTM® H-pipe

GTM California 1400 H-pipe

GTM® Crack-Proof H-Pipe for your California 1400 100% Made in SoCal USA. Our ALL NEW cut-and-fit two-piece H-pipe. Works on stock or aftermarket mufflers. Replace it before it breaks. Guaranteed for life. Q&A and INSTALL how-To HERE

gtmotocycles.com

 

[roadventure]

There's a possibility it may crack. Can't say for sure. Perhaps those in which it's happened can note the time/miles on the bike.

Mine broke on the right-hand side at ~7300 miles on a trip.

 

[kdirtrider]

Mine broke on the right-hand side at ~7300 miles on a trip.

Mine broke on the right side at 10000 miles. One side of the nut had a bad weld that broke free then the other weld pulled thru. I was lucky that it could be welded back in place at a local shop.

 

[roadventure]

Todd,

Your efforts in making durable replacement parts are appreciated by all I am sure. You clearly see the problem that the Piaggio engineers missed. Simply put, it is not very smart to make the crossover an integral part of the header in for this bike and that every weld is not a candidate for robots.

I find it a little surprising though that I have not received a letter from Moto Guzzi (Piaggio) telling me that they "goofed" and will extend their warranty for the exhaust system to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Before you start to think "that is crazy, nobody would do that!" think of Kia & Hyundai. True, they are manufacturers of automobiles, industrial engines, heavy equipment, tanker ships, etc., yet they have figured out how to do this and have profited greatly. I also realize that you have no control over how Piaggio runs their business. But, I have read here in this forum that you state that you have contacts inside of Moto Guzzi and Piaggio. Do you think these people would be interested in hearing from you that they have created a real winner in the California, but that they need to step up and be proactive about correcting their mistakes for the people who have taken a chance on this new flagship motorcycle?

I am interested to read your response.

 

[abbienormal]

An exhaust should come under emissions warranty which is 5 years some odd miles mandated for a lot of vehicles. I questioned a friend of mine who is in the car business about that and he said Guzzi probably gets around that because there is a minimum number of vehicles you have to produce before it applies. He told me a number I forget but I remember saying they are safe.

 

[Clayton Sietsema]

Moto Guzzi won't even give Todd the respect of an invite over when they unveil their new models to the bike mags, you think they give a rat's ass about his opinions on their quality? It makes absolutely no sense to me why they don't. If it wasn't for him and this website I would have already gotten frustrated and sold both of mine.

 

[kdirtrider]

Mine broke on the right-hand side at ~7300 miles on a trip.

Add me to the list of broken crossovers. Mine broke at 17800 miles (guess I'm lucky!). I was riding the twisty foot hills in southeastern Ohio last weekend and the exhaust crossover piece let loose. I managed to find an auto parts store 10 miles away and make a parking lot repair.
I bought some exhaust tape that becomes solid once it is heated up and a couple of stainless steel worm gear type clamps. Pushed the pipe back together and wrapped tightly with the tape. Then clamped around the crossover pipe. I used a second clamp around the main pipe just in front of the flex pipe and looped it over the worm screw of the other clamp. As I tightened it pulled the pipes tight together. Finished the ride without anymore issues. The fix has 650 miles on it. The only issue is my buddy riding behind was being gassed out by the chemical smell of the tape! I plan on having a local shop weld (and gusset) the pipes back together.
I figured that even though there is a flex pipe connecting the mufflers to the header, the long mufflers still create a significant lever and those welds on the crossover take all of the stress. It could use a slip fit connection between the sides or another flex pipe in the crossover. IMO...

 

[GTM®]

Add me to the list of broken crossovers. Mine broke at 17800 miles (guess I'm lucky!).

That you are. Most crack sooner. I am trying my best to keep one of my offerings on the shelf, which I do have currently;

GTM California 1400 H-pipe

GTM® Crack-Proof H-Pipe for your California 1400 CLOSEOUT - WE WILL LIKELY NO LONGER OFFER THESE ONCE SOLD OUT 100% Made in SoCal USA. Our ALL NEW cut-and-fit two-piece H-pipe. Works on stock or aftermarket mufflers. Replace it before it breaks. Guaranteed for life. Q&A and INSTALL how-To HERE

gtmotocycles.com

 

[kdirtrider]

That you are. Most crack sooner. I am trying my best to keep one of my offerings on the shelf, which I do have currently;

GTM California 1400 H-pipe

GTM® Crack-Proof H-Pipe for your California 1400 CLOSEOUT - WE WILL LIKELY NO LONGER OFFER THESE ONCE SOLD OUT 100% Made in SoCal USA. Our ALL NEW cut-and-fit two-piece H-pipe. Works on stock or aftermarket mufflers. Replace it before it breaks. Guaranteed for life. Q&A and INSTALL how-To HERE

gtmotocycles.com

Thanks Todd! I've heard nothing but good things about your products and I just might take you up on that. We'll see if it can be welded back together locally first. I'd really like to put your full exhaust and remapping system on the bike but it's just not in the budget right now.