Hub failure on V7 Classic

[tobinh]

Hi guys, my dad had a bit of a bumpy Sunday ride when his hub came apart mid-corner. He's okay, but I'm confused as to what could have caused this. The wheel bearings were checked recently, but I'm not sure if the spoke tension has ever been checked. Theories?

 

[john zibell]

My guess is a failure of the casting. This is one that Moto Guzzi should replace no charge. Spokes should fail before that hub.

 

[GTM®]

Man, hate seeing things like this. Glad to hear everyone was OK. Due to the age of the bike, any manufacturer will likely say "show us the service records indicating what was done for spoke tightening since new." Which of course isn't covered or are dealers trained in. Was the bike serviced by a dealer? If so, start there.

My guess is one of the following;
1. Loose spokes. Being loose long enough to cause as oscillation and complete wheel failure, including the hub.
2. Too tight of spokes causing hub failure.
3. OEM hub failure as John states above.

 

[tobinh]

Man, hate seeing things like this. Glad to hear everyone was OK. Due to the age of the bike, any manufacturer will likely say "show us the service records indicating what was done for spoke tightening since new." Which of course isn't covered or are dealers trained in. Was the bike serviced by a dealer? If so, start there.

My guess is one of the following;
1. Loose spokes. Being loose long enough to cause as oscillation and complete wheel failure, including the hub.
2. Too tight of spokes causing hub failure.
3. OEM hub failure as John states above.

Thanks for the reply!

Is spoke tensioning/checking on the maintenance schedule? I downloaded what I thought was the service manual and I couldn't find any mention of it. If it was my bike, I think I'd be checking those regardless but my dad doesn't do any of his own work, and would have just rolled it into the dealer for all prescribed maintenance. Hopefully the mechanic would have the presence of mind to at least give them a squeeze, but...

Have you ever heard of this happening before?

 

[tobinh]

My guess is a failure of the casting. This is one that Moto Guzzi should replace no charge. Spokes should fail before that hub.

I'm thinking this way as well!

 

[roadscum]

My guess is a failure of the casting. This is one that Moto Guzzi should replace no charge. Spokes should fail before that hub.

Seems to me it's out of warranty, no? I'm thinking the only way it'll get replaced is if its MHTSA mandates a recall, and that's not likely.

Paul

 

[Trout]

that is scary.

 

[tobinh]

Seems to me it's out of warranty, no? I'm thinking the only way it'll get replaced is if its MHTSA mandates a recall, and that's not likely.

Paul

It certainly is, and if the spoke maintenance schedule was disregarded then it's on him. To my mind, if the spokes do not appear on the schedule it's on Guzzi - warranty or not, the hub is not a wear item and should last the life of the machine.

 

[roadscum]

It certainly is, and if the spoke maintenance schedule was disregarded then it's on him. To my mind, if the spokes do not appear on the schedule it's on Guzzi - warranty or not, the hub is not a wear item and should last the life of the machine.

Sure it should last the "life of the machine" .......... whatever that means. Maybe this incident signals the "end of life" for this machine????
Nothing is on Guzzi beyond the warranty period unless the NHSTA declares a safety or emissions problem. That will only happen if those that experience the problem report it to the NHSTA, they do a detailed investigation, and can identify the fault as an issue that the manufactures caused.

Paul

 

[tobinh]

Sure it should last the "life of the machine" .......... whatever that means. Maybe this incident signals the "end of life" for this machine????
Nothing is on Guzzi beyond the warranty period unless the NHSTA declares a safety or emissions problem. That will only happen if those that experience the problem report it to the NHSTA, they do a detailed investigation, and can identify the fault as an issue that the manufactures caused.

Paul

What you're saying is strictly, legally true of course. Since you are arguing for absolving Guzzi of all responsibility here, I assume you're okay with hubs failing every 20,000 kms or so? I think that's rather more maintenance than I am comfortable with! If you don't mind, I'll post my address and you can ship all of your replaced hubs to me, I will be happy to repurpose the aluminum therein.

 

[roadscum]

What you're saying is strictly, legally true of course. Since you are arguing for absolving Guzzi of all responsibility here, I assume you're okay with hubs failing every 20,000 kms or so? I think that's rather more maintenance than I am comfortable with! If you don't mind, I'll post my address and you can ship all of your replaced hubs to me, I will be happy to repurpose the aluminum therein.

I'm only reciting the law as I understand it. Without laws there is chaos.
Perhaps some battery acid was splashed on the hub buy mistake, how do we know?
Perhaps someone hit a pot hole or other obstacle at speed, how do we know?
Perhaps the spokes were misadjusted by someone, how do we know?
Perhaps the hub was weakened by excessive heat because of a bearing issue, how do we know?
etc., etc., etc........

Report the incident to the NHSTA, let them do the investigation and determine if the manufacturer is at fault. If they find that to be the case a recall will follow. Simple really.

So tell me...... how would you define the "end of life" of a Guzzi????
I'm thinking it may be when the cost of repair exceeds the value of the vehicle........ dunno!

Paul