Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Once upon a time there was a Bevel Box...

"The car was ordered in Dec 2011 with a build slot in early 2013"

So, not a 2014 model, some steering mods most defineatly required on early cars. Should have gone for the Empire kit, they are either ready made in stock or are made within a week and despatched straight away.

This waiting for the factory business is not at all unusual, in fact in practically every dealing I have ever had over the last couple of years, I have repeatedly had to 'phone them, and have got to know Anita in reception quite well.

No matter how busy they are, they must be aware that it pisses customers off, not to be kept in the loop?

Apparently Morgan have appointed a "Social Media Guru" to build awareness on twitter, facebook etc.

I wonder if he's on TM and if so taking notice of the comments, particularly about lack of communication

If I was the factory, I would make a part change on the front spindles and move the steering arm up on the tube shaft the appropriate distance to be at the correct height without the spacer.

I would only use the "kit" parts until I used up the old parts inventory and the new parts came in. I would then keep the "kit" parts for retrofitting older M3W's.

Why use a riser on the steering arm, just move the arm to the correct height.

He will be doing a rubbish job if he's not.

"If I was the factory, I would make a part change on the front spindles and move the steering arm up on the tube shaft the appropriate distance to be at the correct height without the spacer."

That's what they've done with the 2014 models Dan, I wonder why it took them two and a half years to work it out though, you've done it in minutes.

The first buyers are the ones getting most of the problems then try to sort things out by themselves, some of them developing add-ons to remedy known issues.
Then the factory just looks at them and takes them on as "improved version" or "new model" and hey presto , thanks guys, we will give longer warranty to the new buyers on an improved model. Just regular business...
do we feel stuffed?

At first glance, it is easy to jump to that conclusion. But with one of them in your shop, where you can get a good look at it from above and below, you may revise your opinion. I have been restoring & rebuilding motorcycles for the past 40+ years as a hobby and am currently have 19. I have an adequate shop and at the moment, have two, frame-up builds going on simultaneously ('68 & '69 Triumph Bonnevilles)of which I've done many. I can build motorcycles in my sleep. However, my first couple of engine builds didn't go as fast as they do these days as I know the process, have the specialized tools needed and am just a lot more familiar with them. Though I'm not punching a clock doing them, I'm sure I could be more efficient than I am now if I were doing it day in and day out.

The Morgan wasn't really designed with the mechanic in mind as it needs to be a compact package...and some of it is just the nature of the beast. On a motorcycle, if a stator craps out, it's a couple of hour project and much of that time is spent cleaning pulled components, dealing with stubborn fasteners, gasket removal, checking to see if there is an exposed wire which caused it to short-out, etc. (as you well know based on your post). If installing that same stator on a new motorcycle on an assembly line, you are working with new, clean parts with no chaffed wires that are ready to go. The time required for stator change on a M3W is in the same ballpark as a compensator change just due to it's location. There are a few things that can be tedious on a motorcycle (access, etc.) but much of it is relatively straight forward. Short of a top-end rebuild on the M3W...everything is tedious and in tight quarters. I had a Chevelle that I could have the standard transmission out for a throw-out bearing or clutch change and be back on the road in an hour or so without even trying too hard...that's not happening on the M3W.

The dealerships that I have spoken with consider themselves fortunate to have a parts book and laugh when you inquire about a factory Service Manual (hoping it was only the public that didn't have access to them). I have Service Manuals on all my bikes (1967 thru 2014 models) including my most recent purchase of an Indian which is a newly released bike. With enough time, you can figure out how to do anything but it is nice to have documentation from the folks that designed and assemble it on the best or most efficient approach. That, along with wiring diagrams and harness/cable routing.

That and when you dig into the project and find another un-anticipated problem part, the project is then suspended for 8+ weeks waiting on a replacement part requiring the mechanic to have to clear the work bay for other paying projects, store the pulled parts and get up to speed on where he left off when the part arrives.

Though I haven't done a major tear down on mine yet, I suspect it will be more like building a ship in a bottle than working on a two-wheeler. Hopefully, I won't have to do it so much or so often that I become good at it. I suspect it will be one of those things that you hate the cramped quarters while working on it but glad its a tight package when up and running down the road.

Z

Can someone tell me why my hex screws that hold the leather comfort arm rest pads down are on back order for 3 weeks?

My experience is that the parts store could do with s good quality system and stock control system. they don't seem to communicate well with the rest of the factory.
So Possible Reasons could include:

1. Morgan ordered them but their supplier is back ordered and no one at Morgan has thought to look for another source.

2. They have plenty but the person who takes the boxes of 500 that are used in the factory and packs them in small numbers is on holiday or doing something else.

3. They are in the wrong parts bin in stores. So Parts think they are out of stock, but are not. Just lost.

4. Your dealer ordered the wrong items.

5. The factory in China that makes them burnt down...so back to No.1.

Or.......where have your originals gone?