Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Broken chain guards: Triumph interaction

Major update today:
I exchanged messages over the weekend with Peter Carleo at Triumph. He volunteered to give me a new chrome chainguard and wanted mine to send back to England for analysis. He was at the Honda Hoot, but promised to contact me on Monday. True to his word, we spoke on Monday and he gave me the address. I told him about the 18 broken guards and particularly ezcue's problems. Today, I sent him the broken guard and a letter detailing the problems and ezcue's info. Here's what I wrote:

Triumph Motorcycles
Attention: Mr. Peter Carleo
385 Walt Sanders Memorial Drive
Newnan, GA
30265

Mr. Carleo:

Per our phone conversation on 6/25, I am sending you my broken chain guard from my 2002 Bonneville America. I very much appreciate replacement of my broken guard. My home address is listed at the top of this letterhead. I thought you might need the VIN number from my bike for your records:
VIN Number: SMTXXXXXXXXXXXX

My intent in contacting you was to notify Triumph there have been a number of guards broken in our owners group, “BonnevilleAmerica.com”. To date eighteen members have reported broken guards, both of the stock black and chrome varieties. One member, Joe Ezell, had a near accident when his guard broke. Joe’s bike sustained damage to his wheel, fender and tire. I think he would appreciate being contacted. His phone number is: XXX-XXX-XXXX. After evaluating my chain guard I am hopeful Triumph will consider a re-design of this product to prevent future incidents.

I was very pleased that you returned my call and the offer to replace my broken chain guard. I love my Triumph motorcycles and this level of customer service will only increase my loyalty.


Sincerely,


Al Jones

After reading the horror stories, I won't get on my bike without grabing the chain guard for a check. 9000 miles so far with no problem. I can't figure out what would cause it to weaken at the bolt. It doesn't appear there is any stress or pressure on it.

If there is a design problem, and with this brought to their attention, I'd hope they would do something about it.

I've just bought a new 07 America and after reading on your forum about broken chainguards and subsequent damage I am a tad concerned. where do they break or has triumph addressed this problem on their 07 models.

Where can I get this guy's number to call?

I also had a broken stock black chain guard last fall, on a 7000mile trip. In the middle of no where.

Nearly 22,000 Km on my stock black guard. No problems found yet but I do check it 2-3 times a week.

Mine broke at 24,000miles. It broke back by the rear sprocket.I brazed a piece onto it. It's holding just fine,but it should have never broke.I check it every time I get on the bike.

I believe the bolts that fasten it down may become loose over time, especially if you've ever removed the guard. Mine came from the factory with loctite on the fasteners. I never had an issue until I removed the stock guard and replaced it with the chrome version, then one day I heard it making noise so pulled over and one of the bolts had worked loose. I think it's possible that after working loose and rattling around for awhile, the guard could certainly break. I re-applied loctite this time and it has been perfect ever since, although I check it from time to time just to be sure. Did everyone who has had a broken guard at one time remove the guard? If so, did you re-apply loctite to the bolts? I'm wondering if that isn't the answer...

Never removed mine.

I've had mine loosen a few times, but only after having it off. The way it rattles when loose I could see it being under a lot of stress. I heard it cruising at 70 with a fullface and no windshield. I have found without loctite it will most likely loosen up. After reading about broken ones last year I always apply loctite. 20k with no problems.

Update:
Today a Fed-Ex truck dropped off a shiny new chain guard. I sent my broken guard to Peter Carleo in June, so a good result that just took a while. Peter doesn't seem to be in the office much, obviously working bike events in the summer. Don't think I'd have the guard if I had not called his office every few weeks to remind him (lost my address, etc.) So perseverance paid off.

I called Peter and spoke to him in person, thanking him for his response. I told him about the 31 broken guards and he will forward the response from Triumph UK on their resolution.

I'm going to JB weld some support on the back and use a larger chrome washer with the fastener. Hopefully this one lasts. Same design as the one that broke so unless it's mounted differently, I'll get the same result.

Overall, I think the response from Triumph was better than I could have expected. I don't think too many bike manufacturers would replace an item from an '02 bike, purchased used at that.