Did I make a mistake?

[95jersey]

Owned a 2002 YZ250 since new with countless hours and only replaced a top end and clutch...bike is bullet proof. Never lost a bolt

Bought a new Gas Gas 2014 300 and have rebuilt the water pump assembly twice, replaced two clutch MC's, along with other odds and ends, and have several bolts fall off.

One leak was so bad I couldn't get the oil/coolant to drain after it mixed and had to take everything apart and clean with kerosene. Been a joy.

[gasser]

Originally Posted by 95jersey

Owned a 2002 YZ250 since new with countless hours and only replaced a top end and clutch...bike is bullet proof. Never lost a bolt

Bought a new Gas Gas 2014 300 and have rebuilt the water pump assembly twice, replaced two clutch MC's, along with other odds and ends, and have several bolts fall off.

One leak was so bad I couldn't get the oil/coolant to drain after it mixed and had to take everything apart and clean with kerosene. Been a joy.

I can understand your frustration but lets look at reality: clutch master cylinders are not a part buiilt in house at GasGas, yes the water pump issue should be addressed and loose bolts may be the result of distracted factory workers worrying about the future of their jobs. My reality is that I've owned 5 gassers and every one has been more rock solid dependable than any of the many jap bikes that I've owned.

[95jersey]

Originally Posted by gasser

I can understand your frustration but lets look at reality: clutch master cylinders are not a part buiilt in house at GasGas, yes the water pump issue should be addressed and loose bolts may be the result of distracted factory workers worrying about the future of their jobs. My reality is that I've owned 5 gassers and every one has been more rock solid dependable than any of the many jap bikes that I've owned.

More than 1/2 the bike is after market parts, so that makes Gas Gas not responsible? They designed the bike and choose those parts. Listen, I really like the bike A LOT, but I would say not many bikes are strait up reliable as a Yamaha YZ...just saying, it is well known fact.

Also the dealer found out from Gas Gas that the MC was a known common failure, but once I was out of my 30 day warranty, the cost of the fix was on me. That sucked especially for a known factory issue.

It is an awesome bike but not the end all be all. Nothing against Gas Gas, the 300 is one killer machine. Only time will tell (if I keep it that long).

[gasser]

Originally Posted by 95jersey

More than 1/2 the bike is after market parts, so that makes Gas Gas not responsible? They designed the bike and choose those parts. Listen, I really like the bike A LOT, but I would say not many bikes are strait up reliable as a Yamaha YZ...just saying, it is well known fact.

Also the dealer found out from Gas Gas that the MC was a known common failure, but once I was out of my 30 day warranty, the cost of the fix was on me. That sucked especially for a known factory issue.

It is an awesome bike but not the end all be all. Nothing against Gas Gas, the 300 is one killer machine. Only time will tell (if I keep it that long).

If master cylinder failures are a common failure it must be only on 2012 models and later. I've never had a clutch problem with any of my 5 gassers (my latest is a 2011). In 15 years of being on this forum almost every day I can't recall of anyone having clutch master problems but that doesn't mean things haven't changed. One thing to keep in mind is that most of europe has gone through a horrible recession and suppliers have had to scale back or shut their doors, of course their quality control may suffer. That's a sad but true fact - workers that fear they may be unemployed and in the bread line next week probably don't do their best work under those circumstances. Good luck on your bike hopefully from here on it will be as dependable as my gassers have been..

[liamthom]

Originally Posted by daveec250

thanks for the replies. I know they are a wearable items and it's always possible the bike had more miles and has been overfilled. No hour meter so all I had to base things on were the condition. This is the nicest bike I've owned and I guess with money being tight i'm just worried I made a mistake. Good thing is I know the bike inside and out at this point. Got one more item to address, a weeping water pump gasket. thanks again fellas.

my water pump gasket had a tare in it, all i did is use high temp silicon spray on both sides and did the job good 120+ miles on it no leaking

[95jersey]

Originally Posted by gasser

If master cylinder failures are a common failure it must be only on 2012 models and later. I've never had a clutch problem with any of my 5 gassers (my latest is a 2011). In 15 years of being on this forum almost every day I can't recall of anyone having clutch master problems but that doesn't mean things haven't changed. One thing to keep in mind is that most of europe has gone through a horrible recession and suppliers have had to scale back or shut their doors, of course their quality control may suffer. That's a sad but true fact - workers that fear they may be unemployed and in the bread line next week probably don't do their best work under those circumstances. Good luck on your bike hopefully from here on it will be as dependable as my gassers have been..

This was a 2014 and I confirmed it with the dealer and knew another 14 owner with the same problem. The fix was to replace it with a Magura unit.

[desertgasser300]

Originally Posted by 95jersey

This was a 2014 and I confirmed it with the dealer and knew another 14 owner with the same problem. The fix was to replace it with a Magura unit.

I remember hearing about a run of the AJP units that were "bad" so to speak. I believe this was when AJP was changing hands?

[ScottyR]

I put a Magura on mine. Way better than the AJP.

[gasser]

Originally Posted by ScottyR

I put a Magura on mine. Way better than the AJP.

We need to be careful about "blanket statements" because they can mislead people we do not wish to mislead. There is simply no way that a Magura mc can be "way" better than a "good" AJP mc. Only way it could be noticeably better is if it pulled the clutch lever for you. It could very well be that AJP had a bad production run as another member here suggested and may still be having problems but for years they made excellent clutch master cylinders. I just don't want new members here to worry about their clutch mc if they have an older bike.

[desertgasser300]

Originally Posted by ScottyR

I put a Magura on mine. Way better than the AJP.

I switched my 12' Magura with the AJP off of my 97', the AJP pull is smooth and consistent. The Magura was either on or off feeling, lacked the modulation I could achieve with the AJP. My vote would be for the AJP hands down.

BTW the AJP I'm using is near 20 years old. I've owned it for almost 10 of those years and never had to once rebuild or fix anything on it. Still has the original lever.