A thought about the 2015 model recall.
 

I read with interest about the gearbox-related recall.

It prompted me to remember looking at pics of bikes that were damaged by gear failures. It seems to me that the ones that failed randomly (and not as a result of stopper arm bearing problems) looked as though the gears had been very hot.

Could it be that the same issue that has plagued some 2009 owners has finally been recognised as a serious problem in the later models? Obviously, I have no idea whether this is true or not, but it does seem coincidental.

As an aside, it would be interesting to know just what the lubrication problem is. If it's something simple like a crimp in the oil feed pipe, it's an easy fix.

The problem is with the part(s) circled red:

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7mgv4pwu.jpg

It would appear to be that one (or both) of the banjo bolts at the unions were not manufactured properly; the bolts did not have the holes machined/drilled correctly. Apparently (and I'm speculating here) the holes were either too small, swarf was left behind causing a blockage, or the axial (central hole) and the radial (side) hole were not drilled far enough so don't meet, effectively the bolt is blind and no oil can pass through. Some people have even suggested the hole(s) aren't present at all?!

According to Yamaha Motor da Amaz�nia...

It is a simple enough thing to check. Just take the oil delivery pipe off and see if the bolts and pipe are clear and replace if necessary. The problem is, if the gearbox has done several thousand miles/Kms with a weak or partial pressurised oil feed, it will be compromised anyway. The splash lubrication may well help to "keep things going", but ultimately it isn't going to have done enough and failure will be inevitable.

The same problem may well (as you imply) have occurred before, and might be the reason for the 2009 model gearbox problems? All guesswork though... I wonder - Has anyone who's gearbox has gone west checked that the delivery pipe and it's fittings were completely clear of obstruction??

this affects only a small batch of banjo bolts on new units. If you have a affected unit then you have no oil to the gearbox and it will lead to serious failure in just a few miles.

Indeed, but it isn't very clear from the information Yamaha has released (so far) regarding the current recall whether it's just a restriction or full blockage? I guess we'll find out when/if we hear anything from the unlucky few who have got problem bikes.

As for the 2009 problem, well it's anyone's guess, but it isn't unreasonable to think that a restricted oil feed could have been a contributory factor? This recent issue has highlighted something else, something new to check that hadn't been thought about before...

its a batch of undrilled bolts so no oil goes to the gearbox.

Good grief! That's a fairly basic error imo.

Its an ITALIAN thing.:hidesbehindsofa[1]:

Don't I know it! I always swore I'd never buy another built-in-Italy bike after my last Husky (2006 TE610, great handling, and power eventually, but...). And what did I do? That's right! I bought an entry in the 2009 Blow-a-Gearbox lottery.

Sigh.

I have got a recall letter from Yamaha Europe, mine has 1600kms on the clock and is just 2 mnths old. I recon i would be toast if it is affected by the failure. They told me i could drive to the shop about 80 kms from my home so They seem quite confident its not affected. Cross my fingers and hope.......

Vidar

Hi you should not worry, if your gearbox had no oil then it would never survive 1600km. I think you are safe. But always better to be safe then sorry so you should go asap to the workshop.

Yea, thats what the mecanic said. But quality control concerns me, what about the rest of the bike??? First i did when i got the bike was to tighten a bunch of loose bolts and nuts, protection covers loose etc. I really love the bike and the ride but squeaking rear swingarm came after 900 kms and the factory have send new bearings and rubber seals. I would like it to last a long time and it does not look promising. Yamaha dealer and factory have splendid service and do take responsibility though. But after warranty is off time...........concerns.....

Vidar

I am happy to annonse my tenere was checked out by the dealer today and oil flow to gearbox was ok, banjo bolts were drilled👍😀. Hopefoully not to many of new tenere owners are affected. Dealer told me evry bike affected will have new engine no matter running ok or not. Good service Yamaha.

Regards Vidar

Fwiw, I think that is the least that Yamaha should do. Business is business, though. I bet the bean counters checked the cost of removing engines, stripping them, replacing the gearboxes and re-assembling everything.

Probably cheaper to bolt in an engine. But possibly much better PR for the affected customers, too. I think that, for whatever reasons, they are doing the right thing here.

Also very happy for you, Norwegian Mule, that you have an oily gearbox. Nice.
Like you, after I picked up my Tenere from the dealer I had to do the spanner thing. But a few months ago a random bolt flipped into my lap at 110km/h. I found that it had departed from the top left triple clamp, and the other one was really loose. Seems my quality control can be a bit crap, too!