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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2012 and older => Topic started by: RickSteeb on August 10, 2013, 07:02:08 AM

Title: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: RickSteeb on August 10, 2013, 07:02:08 AM
THIS just in:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls/zero-motorcycles-recalls-s-and-ds-bikes-080913.html (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls/zero-motorcycles-recalls-s-and-ds-bikes-080913.html)

"Zero Motorcycles is recalling 268 model year 2011 and 2012 S and DS motorcycles.

The front caliper mounting bolts are susceptible to corrosion which could lead to their cracking and possible fracture. If a front caliper bolt fractures, the caliper may come loose and interfere with the rotation of the front wheel. This could cause the front wheel to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash

Zero Motorcycles will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front caliper bolts. The recall is expected to begin mid-August 2013.

Owners may contact Zero Motorcycles at 1-888-841-8085."

 :o
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: trikester on August 10, 2013, 09:29:06 AM
Well at least it's an easy fix, just replacing a couple of easily accessible bolts.

Trikester
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: BSDThw on August 10, 2013, 11:04:43 AM
So I am not the only one!

http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=2993.msg14462#msg14462 (http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=2993.msg14462#msg14462)
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: firepower on August 10, 2013, 05:39:26 PM
With so many recalls and EV bikes being new tech, maybe a new forum heading or sticky called recalls may be need. May save a lot of questions and first place to check after buying an EV bike.

@BSDthw , a very poor design of a critical part that should never rust or corrode, the bolt that the brake pads slide on. looks like the recall is for caliper bolts only.
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: Richard230 on August 10, 2013, 08:23:17 PM
My bolts still look good, with no corrosion in evidence.  It kind of makes you wonder how failure-prone bolts could have been sourced for the caliper mounts?  Finding good bolts for a mount like this should be a snap.  Just specify the right type of bolt with the correct hardness and corrosion-resistance and order away from any of a number of hardware companies.   ???  Of course, I might not be a good idea sourcing the bolts from Harbor Freight Tools in their "bargain bin" section.   ::)
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: BSDThw on August 10, 2013, 10:33:19 PM
Sorry English is not my mother tongue what "bolts" are you talking off?
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: Richard230 on August 11, 2013, 04:07:12 AM
I think they are the two bolts that fasten the caliper body to the flange cast onto the bottom of the front fork. Not something that you would want to break while you were riding.   :o
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: BSDThw on August 11, 2013, 01:36:51 PM
Tanks Richard, always nice to have a helping hand!

Hope nobody has had a real occurrence while riding :o
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: Richard230 on August 12, 2013, 03:44:56 AM
This recall news has hit the Autoblog:  http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/11/zero-s-ds-electric-motorcycle-recall/ (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/11/zero-s-ds-electric-motorcycle-recall/)
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: Richard230 on August 17, 2013, 06:24:42 AM
An hour ago there was a knock on my door. When I opened the door the the mail-lady was standing there and wanting me to sign for a certified letter from Zero requesting that I take my bike in to my dealer to have its caliper bolts replaced.  Nothing about the "glitch", though.
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: ZeroSinMA on August 17, 2013, 07:39:10 AM
An hour ago there was a knock on my door. When I opened the door the the mail-lady was standing there and wanting me to sign for a certified letter from Zero requesting that I take my bike in to my dealer to have its caliper bolts replaced.  Nothing about the "glitch", though.

The glitch won't kill you. A locked up front wheel at speed might.
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: RickSteeb on August 18, 2013, 07:17:03 AM
An hour ago there was a knock on my door. When I opened the door the the mail-lady was standing there and wanting me to sign for a certified letter from Zero requesting that I take my bike in to my dealer to have its caliper bolts replaced.  Nothing about the "glitch", though.

Got my registered letter this afternoon.  I emailed Mr Kenton to inquire whether the bolt R&R service had been performed during the three weeks my bike has been at the factory [for the glitch!] ...
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: manlytom on August 18, 2013, 05:20:00 PM
Hi all

So it says 268 bikes are affected. So is it just some of us? Number sounds rather low. On my part have not received a letter. And we don't have a dealer left to replace these bolts...
I have checked mine visually, all seems ok. But still don't know exactly which ones are subject to recall. Anyone have a better idea more details?
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: benswing on August 18, 2013, 11:07:48 PM
What happened is 2 bolts are made of the wrong material, so they corrode more than the bolts they are using to replace them.  Got mine replaced in 2 minutes.

The 2012 bikes that are affected are 1-99 (check your VIN).  Mine is 41, so they are now replaced.  I don't think anything more than extra corrosion has happened so far.
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: Richard230 on August 25, 2013, 04:02:21 AM
So today I visited my Zero dealer with the idea that I could get the caliper bolts replaced as I waited, or maybe they would just give me the bolts and let me do it myself.  So much for that plan.  In spite of what the recall notice said, my dealer had no replacement bolt kits in stock.  They took my name and phone number and said they would call me back next week after the Zero factory is open so that they could order the bolts. They will let me know when they have arrived and then I can have the work performed. 

So the reason for this post is to advise anyone planning to have the recall work performed to call their dealer first and make sure that the bolt kits are actually in stock.
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: manlytom on August 28, 2013, 12:12:24 PM
What happened is 2 bolts are made of the wrong material, so they corrode more than the bolts they are using to replace them.  Got mine replaced in 2 minutes.

The 2012 bikes that are affected are 1-99 (check your VIN).  Mine is 41, so they are now replaced.  I don't think anything more than extra corrosion has happened so far.
anyone got the VIN Nr for the 2011 ? At this stage I have not had a letter :-)
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: Twowheelbliss on October 07, 2013, 07:09:49 AM
Re 2011 2012 recall for front brake calliper bolts.
I am still waiting for the front bolts they "were being sent out right away over a month ago.  After the recall but before I got the letter I had a belt sent up. Not only did they not proactively send up the bolts, they sent up the wrong belt.
I lost a month of great weather AND AM STILL WAITING FOR THE BOLTS!
I have a 2011 DS and do love it. I rode the 2013 and really loved it. Wow
Little concerned about the amount of service I have needed. Dreading end of warranty.
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: Twowheelbliss on October 07, 2013, 07:20:34 AM
I am still waiting for the bolts for my bike. A 2011 DS.
Major screw up on Zero's part.
It was supposed to be there mid August.
Title: Re: Zero Recalling 268 2011, 2012 S & DS
Post by: Richard230 on October 07, 2013, 08:28:20 PM
In my case, my shop said that Zero had not sent the caliper bolts and they would give them a call.  So I waited a week and returned to the shop in person.  Guess what?  The bolts were there and had been there for a month.  They just hadn't been entered into the inventory computer.  They were lying in a pile on a shelf in the shop, instead of having been sent to the parts department.  Once the mechanic had found the bolt supply, my bike was fixed in just a few minutes. So the problem might not be Zero, but might be the way your shop is organized.