Transalp 700 Heat shield screw

[StumpyFingers]

A lot of the quality control issues are apparently down to TA700's being built in the now-closed Spanish factory, according to a tame Honda dealer I know. They will now be built in the Italian facility, where the work practices are much closer to the Japanese plants. Hopefully this might cure the finish issues.

As long as the Electrics are not of Italian origins.

[japes1275]

I can't see it making any difference to be honest. Unless they completely change the part suppliers (spokes etc!) they will probably be the same.

As Stumpy points out though, the day you see 'Magnetti Marelli' stamped on the electrics it's time to change!

[Grey alp]

I've been reading a lot of complaints on the 700 build quality on this and other forums. I for one can so far not complain on rusted spokes ,exaust or mirrors ,most of the common problem i guess. But my 700 always sleeps inside and does not get much rain or salt.
Losing a exaust screen screw ,a bended fuel hose and flashing fuel gauge meter is so far all that happend to me.

Then again blaming the build quality on the (former) Spanish factory ,i don't know!. I mean ,aldo building in Spain the main Honda management would still call the shots and see to it that every bike leaving the factory would have the same quality as leaving a Japanese plant ,no?.
That there was a decent quality control check at the end?.

Wherever they build there products ,Japan ,Europe or the States , it always must go trough the Japanse standards.
I can hardly believe that Honda Spain can use inferior products like cheaper spokes ,bolts or screws without the knowledge of Honda san.
If Honda Spain is using inferior products then that's with the approval of Honda Japan.

Mayby for economical reasons ,but moving the plant to Italy and not improving the quality of their parts will eventualy give the same complaints from us Honda customers.

Or am i to naive?.

Enjoy

[Agent Orange]

I think you are right Grey Alp.

It is not build quality that is the issue, but the quality of the part themselves e.g. using zinc plated parts instead of stainless steel etc. There are no regular horror stories about reliability, so they must be well built/put together.

I have a late 2008 XL700 and have the usual problems with the paint on the mirrors and the tarnished spokes, even after using ACF50 and loads of FS365 this winter.

I think that Honda, like so many other companies, have become so penny pinching that they are specifying lower quality parts as standard. They certain have not selected components that can deal with a typical British winter and the rock salt we use on the roads.

After all the effort of building up the reputation and having the business ethic for quality, now that the bean counters are in control, they are at serious risk of losing this.

Don't get me wrong, I love my bike. The ride it typical Honda (more than the sum of its parts/better than it looks on paper) but the quality of the finish is not! Very disappointing.

[sharkskin]

Mine also went missing ,rear heat shiekd screw.Put in a nice stainless allen bold .700VA.

Stop number plate rattle by sticking a small suare of sponge between plate and mudguard,works a treat.No more vibrating sound

[lerak68]

I noticed a metallic vibration and remembered this post. I looked underneath and yes, the heat shield screw is missing.. I'll have it replaced at the dealers..
When I just received my TA 700 I also had a screen vibration. It was vibrating against the material underneath. I removed the screen and applied a narrow strip of thick black tape in between the two screws on both sides. Then I put the screen back. The vibration was gone and the tape is not noticeable.

[Orinoco]

When I just received my TA 700 I also had a screen vibration. It was vibrating against the material underneath. I removed the screen and applied a narrow strip of thick black tape in between the two screws on both sides. Then I put the screen back. The vibration was gone and the tape is not noticeable.

The screws holding the screen on bolt into rubber mushroom shapes with the nut held captive inside. Part of that rubber is supposed to be above the level of the moulding to stop vibration. Sounds like your mushrooms were not correctly placed at assembly time...!

Is it just me or does that sound vaguely rude.....

[StumpyFingers]

I have a rattle on my 650 and NO the screw is not missing, but The nut on the back of the mount has broken and the shield and screw vibrate.