Recall letters are in the mail/ GRiSO 8V '12 and '13s

For those members affected, there's a formal Safety Recall Notice
being mailed out for a suspension part on certain Grisos (as well as
some Norges and Stelvios.)  It should not be a major job and the letter
states about an hour for the replacement of the affected part.

Steak, this subject also has a very informative thread currently ongoing
at the WildGuzzi board, including VINs and other info.  Maybe we can import
the VIN list for our members here that may own 2012-2013 GRiSO 8V models?

The letter for my bike came 22 August (yesterday.)

Part to be replaced is the "rear suspension double connecting rod" due to
some of those parts not meeting "quality standards."  It's a 4 page letter and
it comes from Piaggio western USA HQ in Costa Mesa, CA.

Any owners can call them direct at Customer Care 212-380-4433.  (Sounds like
a New York City number.)  They will check your VIN over the phone if you
think you might be included in this, and have not received the letter yet.
Tell them "Safety Recall Number 13V-323."

As of today, I have not yet received any recall notice for my 2012 1200SE, but here are the relevant documents should anyone like to reference their VIN.

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

Thanks Steak for copying the VIN list here.  

So, yesterday I went in to my local shop that handles these sort of things in San Diego. (GP)

The Svc Manager and  Paul, the owner told me it was the "first they had heard" of the recall.

I believe them; they have been having a few issues with Piaggio over the new Cali 1400 and
some other admin stuff.  No other customer beside me had presented the recall letter.  I don't
necessarily need to be the first getting it done; I've got other bikes to ride.

The parts aren't there either, so it's a moot point for now.  They told me to "call back" around
9/1/13 to see if the replacement parts have arrived.  I really can't blame GP for this one; if
Piaggio is sending out the letters and the "parts aren't there in the shop" well that speaks for
itself.

I've looked at the offending part and it looks easily accessible from the bottom.  I don't think much
plastic/bodywork has to be removed to get at it.  Maybe a one to 1 1/2 hour job for a skilled Guzzi mechanic,
if you're fortunate enough to have one of those in your area.

I got my recall letter this weekend while I was at the Guzzi campout on the Washington coast. I got a message from Moto International this morning that they ordered my replacement part this morning.

Hopefully it will get here before I need to ride down to Lake Tahoe for Ironman. I'll be doing motorcycle media support again, running a cameraman all around the course.

It takes about 1/2 an hour to replace. Make sure they add some grease to the new bearings before installation.

Pete

I just came on this old thread & my bike a 2012 bike built on Jan 2013. With a VIN with the letter D before the M ticks all the right boxes. The PO didn't mention anything about having the work done.

On Monday I'll make some phone calls to see if this recall work was done but for now what does anyone know of the defective parts ?

Pete, you mentioned dismantling the suspension to grease the bearings on the lower link. Any other comments ?

Thanks

The 'Double conrod' also known as the 'Dog Bone' is a machined part made out of an extruded beam. When the beam is extruded the ends of it, (I have no idea of the actual length of the *End* bits?) are supposed to be discarded, presumably because of contamination or tempering issues.

Unfortunately, probably because they went for the lowest bidder, some parts were supplied from these defective end-pieces. They tended to split and the suspension collapsed. Needless to say this was a major safety issue so they did a recall, (Rather than a weasly 'Technical update') to fix the problem.

In reality I only ever heard of a couple of them that failed but the risk is so great that I wouldn't ignore the issue as it could cost you your life.

Pete

Thanks.

I was intending to grease the swinging arm and bottom link following your recommendation. Guess I'll  get this sorted out at the same time.

Just to wrap this up;

Talked to Piaggio Customer service on Monday. Call was answered straight away by a helpful guy who pulled up the bikes history. Sold in May 2013 by Fast by Ferracci. Warrenty work done there.

Called Fast by Ferracci today to double check. Older guy answers, pulls up the records; sold May 2013. First service June 2013. Brought it in for Warrenty work July 2014. ' I remember doing that' he says, ' it was the Dogbone. The rear suspension'

Meeting people like that puts a grin on my face. I love having a Guzzi, they aren't rare but there aren't that many of them. And they always start a conversation.

So a mid 2012 Stelvio 8V could be affected ? Or is it only the Stelvio NTX models ?

According to the letter above, yes.

It was relatively simple to call Piaggio & find out the bike's history.

Just watched 'Road' about the Dunlop family of Irish Roadracers and the footage of Robert Dunlops final & fatal accident, where his engine seized & the rear wheel locked up. Made me twitch thinking about a rear suspension failure.

Well, that's intersting. I barely can't imagine that Piaggio differs whether this bit is produced for America or Germany. I think I have to do a little research....

It was a global recall.

My GRiSO is a mid 2012 build. ( Pre roller head)
I used the Piaggio recall campaign site

Piaggio Recall Clicky

Nil Recalls found for my VIN #

To update
I sent an email to the Australian importer of Moto Guzzi. PS Imports.
I received a quick reply with a screen shot of the system showing my bike was modified before delivery. All good news

I had already emailed and called the Dealer but as they no longer sell Moto Guzzi they had dumped their records and correspondence.