ATV Florida Forum

Here's my story...

Alil over a year ago I purchased an Alba full system for my YFZ. About 4-5 months after I purchased the pipe I had to rivet the front of the canister with more rivets because the originals were falling out. I had no problems with the pipe until a couple of months ago. I started noticing that my rear end cap was being pushed out of the canister. The screws were not tight but they weren't so loose that they were about to come out. I recently had some major motor mods done  and think that maybe the added backpressure had something to do with this. It got so bad that the holes were beginning to be an oval. Then the header snapped in two where it bolts up the head. I e mailed Alba and at first a guy named Paul tried to help me out. He asked me to send him pics of the pipe and I did. I also sent him pics of my bike to show him that NOTHING was ragged on. He then tells me he'd  sell me a header for $80 or another system for $325. I'm not paying over $300 for a pipe that has crapped out on me in alil over a year. I explained this him and he sent my case to the parts manager. I began receiving emails from the parts manager (Marc) and he let me know that he was looking into this for me on the 27th of last month. I had heard nothing else from him until today after I emailed him asking him if he found anything and if he wanted me to give him a call. Marc is a nice guy and seems like he's genuine. But it seems it's waste of time to send it out for him to look at it if it only carries a six month warranty. What do you guys think I should do? Here are the emails we sent to each other...

To Paul at Alba on 6/23
I have an 04 YFZ450 with your Alba full system on it. Today my header pipe snapped where it bolts onto the head. I was riding and all of a sudden the bike got loud. I knew that something had come apart and shut it off. Upon inspection, that's what I found. Is this a common problem? Also, would I be able to get another header? Thanx!

From Paul
How long have you had the pipe? Also can you take a picture of the exhaust pipe and email it to me.

 

Thank You

Paul in the internet department

800-487-3236

858-486-4380 ext 234

Email to Paul
Thanx for the rapid response! I've had the pipe for about a year now. It's been a really good pipe and I love the sound as well as the power. I checked the rest of the pipe last nite and my canister screws on the rear are basically pushing themselves horizontal out of the back of the pipe. May be from the backpressure of the motor mods that I have. How much would it run me just for the can and a header? Or do you have to sale the whole kit? Thanx again!



Also sent that same email to Cory Hove and this is his reply
Please call our parts dept. toll free so they can help you. 800 487 3236.  It is very infrequent but I have seen it happen.
 
Cory

Back to Paul
Here are the pics:
 
Pics (2196) and (2197) are where the header broke underneath the bracket.
http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=210878 (http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=210878)
http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=210879 (http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=210879)
 
Pics (2190) and (2191) are both sides of the rear canister where the end cap is being forced out from the backpressure. These screws have been found a little loose on occasion and are being forced out thus causing damage to the rear of the canister.
http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=210888 (http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=210888)
http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=210889 (http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=210889)

 
Pic (2193) is the front of the can where I had to add extra rivets because the regular ones were coming loose. Once the extra rivets were added I've had no other problems from those (This was done a few months after I got the pipe).
http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=210890 (http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=210890)

 
Pic (2195) is a shot of the complete cannister.
http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=210891 (http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=210891)

 
I threw in another pic (2207) so that you can see that my quad is not ragged on. Thanx!
http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=210892 (http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=210892)


From Paul
I can sell you the header pipe for $80.00 or I could sell you a new full system for $325.00. Please let me know what you would like to do.

 

Thank You

Paul in the internet department

800-487-3236

858-486-4380 ext 234

My Reply to Paul
Paul, I've been satified with the performance of this pipe for the year that I've had it and love the sound. But to have to repurchase a new pipe every year because it won't hold up? I'm pretty sure you'd be disappointed if you were in my shoes as well. A couple of years ago a friend of mine had one of your pipes on his bike and his header cracked as well. He took it back to the dealer he purchased it from and the dealer called Alba. One of your guys at Alba told him (the dealer) something about it being an older design and you guys had come up with something better because of durability issues. You replaced his pipe with the three piece Alba and had it next dayed to the dealer. I was so impressed that I purchased one while he (the dealer) was on the phone with one of your guys via credit card. Here I am a year later, and this thing is falling apart worse than his was? You saw the pics where it's coming apart! You see that the pipe has no dings and hasn't been ragged on. You see what kind of condition my bike is in as well. If I purchase the header and ride it I may get 2 more rides out of it before the can craps completely. If I purchase another system, that'll be over $700 that I've spent in a year alone on the same pipe! That just doesn't make any sense to me. Is it because I didn't go back to the dealer and go through him that I have to pay so much? If you can tell me that this sounds right to you and if you were in my shoes, you'd be comfortable with what you're offering me I'll move on. Thankyou for your time...

Email from parts manager Marc Caravaggio
SCOTT, THE PROBLEM THAT YOU’RE EXPERIENCING WITH OUR EXHAUST SYSTEM HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION AND RAISES A CONCERN TO ME.  DO YOU HAVE THE ORIGINAL INVOICE FROM WHEN YOU PURCHASED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FROM US?  IF SO, THERE IS AN INVOICE NUMBER ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE SHEET THAT WILL ALLOW ME TO REPRINT A COPY OF IT.  IF NOT, UNDER WHAT NAME AND ROUGHLY WHAT DATE DID YOU PURCHASE THE EXHAUST?  UNFORTUNATELY, I WILL NOT BE IN THE OFFICE FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS BUT AS SOON AS I RETURN, I WILL BE SURE TO LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER.  I’M SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS HAS CAUSED YOU AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO FIND A RESOLUTION.  THANK YOU.

Marc Caravaggio

Parts Manager

Alba Action Sports

(858)486-4380 X.204

(858)679-7947 fax

Email to Marc on 6/27
Hello Marc and thankyou for looking into my problem. I purchased the pipe from a dealer by the name of Richard Owes. The shops name is Southern ATV. I don't remember the exact date when it was purchased. I think I used my debit card for the transaction. The pipe was shipped to his shop and he gave me the pipe in the box but no invoice. He also said that he had something else shipped for another customer with the pipe. If you need anything else let me know and thanx again!

After hearing nothing from Marc, I emailed him back today
Marc, just seeing if you found anything on my order info yet. Would it better if I gave you a call? Thanx!

email from Marc
SCOTT, WITHOUT HAVING AN ORIGNAL INVOICE IT’S GOING TO BE HARD TO WARRANTY.  I CAN ONLY SUGGEST THAT YOU SEND THE PIPE IN SO WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND WE’LL GO FROM THERE.  LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS.

 

Marc Caravaggio
Parts Manager
Alba Action Sports
(858)486-4380 X.204
(858)679-7947 fax

Email to Marc
So is it just the invoice that you need or the proof of date when it was bought? The pipe is the newer model Alba. From what I was told the older one was a 2 piece. You guys came out with a three piece pipe not even 2yrs ago. I'll send it in but Paul asked to see pics and I sent him detailed pics of the complete pipe as well as the damage. Sux because while I'm waiting to find out what's going to happen my bike is sitting in the garage with no pipe and this at the peak of our race season. It's going to take at least a week for you to get the pipe and I only know how long for you do your inspection. May just be a complete waste of time for me. What exactly are you inspecting to determine anything? The pipe has NO DENTS, NO DINGS, NO ABUSE ANYWHERE! If it needed to be sent in I wish Paul would have told me that a week ago at least...

Email from Marc
I NEED THE ORIGINAL INVOICE SO I CAN FIND OUT THE DATE IT WAS PURCHASED.  OUR PRODUCTS ONLY CARRY A 6 MONTH WARARNTY ON WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS AND IT APPEARS THAT IT FALLS OUT OF THAT 6 MONTH PERIOD.  I’M INTERESTED TO SEE THE PIPE ITSELF BECAUSE IN THE PAST WE’VE HAD CUSTOMERS TRY TO WARRANTY PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED.  IF YOU SEND IT IN WE CAN SEE WHAT WE CAN DO BUT I DON’T WANT TO MAKE ANY PROMISES WITHOUT SEEING THE PRODUCT.

 

Marc Caravaggio
Parts Manager
Alba Action Sports
(858)486-4380 X.204
(858)679-7947 fax

My last email
Well if it's only a 6 month warranty then it's definitely not covered. WOW! So there's really no need to send the pipe out is there? That's time and money wasted. Since the pipe only comes with a six month manufactures warranty (which is awfully a short warranty) there's not much I can do except look into getting a pipe that's more durable. The Alba performed well for me but if I would have known then what I know now I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED AN ALBA. Sparks is offering a 2 year warranty on his pipes so that's probably the direction I'll be looking. I know you have to do what's best for your company but I wish I would have gotten the invoice from the dealer. I also wish I would have been advised of this short warranty as well. At least I would have saved myself the aggravation of trying to have something warrantied that's not even under warranty. Well, on to something more durable...

Whatta you guys think?

Sounds like they have a crappy product and know they do. However, the way you are responding to them almost sounds like you are trying to hide abuse to the pipe(although we all know you don't abuse your stuff, they don't.) I think you should just wipe your hands clean of this pipe and go with a different company.I can't believe that all that is happening to that pipe.

What did I say? The reason I'm saying that I don't really want to send it to them is because I feel it will be a waste of my time and money. On one hand he's saying it's not under warranty, on the other hand he's saying send it to them to inspect it. I sent them pics of the pieces that are coming apart and you can see from the pics that the pipe is not abused. I'm upset b/c I haven't ridden in over 2 weeks and this is going to drag out even further another 2-3 weeks waiting on them to send me something back. Honestly, I wouldn't purchase another one if they gave me half price off. I'd probably be in the same situation in a year or so. Here's a post from someone on another site that had the same problem....


Wow Man! That does suck. I use alot of Alba products on my YFZ including their Pipe and I usually have good things to say but this sounds whack. Your topic caught my attention because I had the exact same thing happen to my header that your buddies did. It developed a hair line crack at the collar at the front of the pipe where it mounts to the head, so there was an exhaust leak. I discovered it after I noticed a drop in power, back fire popping on decel, and no high revs. It did not break completly like yours did. I have the older 2 piece design. I called the parts dept. and told them about my situation and at first they said the same "we'll send you a new header pipe for X amount of dollars". This was some time last year, about the same time they were coming out with the new three piece. I asked to make sure they were going to send the two piece and replied that they no longer have them in stock. Then they put me on hold as he went to check the stock room. He said he found a used one with one ride on it for dirt cheap (sorry can't remember the exact price but I wanna say around $20?) So I thought, okay-cheap fix. No problems since. I bought the Original pipe almost 3 years ago now and gotta agree, it performs and sounds good. Ask them if they can do something similar. I'd stay on the phone with them too, Hope that helps.  

Its not what you said, its just how I am thinking they will take it. They are gonna be thinking "He doesn't want to send it back because he abused it." They won't look at the inconvenience factor to you. It's good you arent going to waste your money and time to send it to them just so they can say, "I am sorry but we will have to enforce our 6month warrant" and now you are out a pipe and money and maybe a couple races. Hey, I have an idea, drope the bike off at Sky, they can fix it;) Just need to leave it for 3months.

what an over $300 piece of junk! that is terrible Rob! i would go with the sparks you cant go wrong. in the past i have had no problems with the warrentee department at sparks. they are good! too bad this didnt happen a couple of week ago i just sold my ceramic coated & powdercoated full sparks for $200, new packing and everything!  :-\

Yeah, after reading through it I can see where they might think that. But then they should take into consideration the pics I sent. My thinking was that I'd be sending it in for nothing if it fell out of the warranty. And as far Sky (lol). You hit the nail right on the head. Took them over a month to change my swinger when it cracked. All they had to do was give me the part and I could have done it myself in a couple of hours. Since my bike now is out of the warranty, they won't see for ANYTHING! As far as pipes, my next one will be either a Sparks (because of new 3 year warranty) or a Yoshi (have never heard anything bad about those coming apart).


 :banghead.gif

This is an Email that I just got from Marc...
SCOTT, THE REASON I WANT TO SEE THE PIPE IS TO SEE IF WE CAN WORK SOMETHING OUT OR DO A PARTIAL WARRANTY DEPENDING ON ITS CONDITION.  I NEVER SAID THAT I WOULDN’T DO ANYTHING OR THAT I’M NOT WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU, I JUST NEED TO SEE THE PIPE BEFORE I MAKE ANY RASH DECISIONS.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND IT IN, I’M MORE THAN WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU AND GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED INSTEAD OF YOU PURCHASING ANOTHER FULL SYSTEM ELSEWHERE.

 

Marc Caravaggio
Parts Manager
Alba Action Sports
(858)486-4380 X.204
(858)679-7947 fax  

My reply...
I gotcha Marc! I'm just alil upset that's all. I'll see if I can box it up and send it out today. I just don't want to have to spend alot of money on something that should have lasted longer than alil over a year. But I do want to at least make some type of effort to get this resolved. Where do I send it and to whom do I send it to?

  They'll probably get back to you after their inspection and tell you you'll have to purchase a new one. I would then tell them your posting this on the biggest ATV forum in Florida and see how it affects their market.
   

Well it sounds like Alba wants to stick to there sorry warranty and not take care of the customer......their loss I guess even though you are out a 300$ exhaust set up....
I am in the customer service buisness and we would ask as they did to see the pipe but we d require an invoice (bunch of red tape put on us by corporate)...BUt to see the pipe to study what went wrong as to make the proper fix so it does not hapen again. And they could have sent you another and wrote off the damaged one....It is not that hard to take care of the customer and fudge the paperwork later if you know what I mean.... Tough break kid.......

I just sent them an E-mail to the Complaint Dept listed on their webiste  marc@albaaction.com
 Here is what I wrote hope it helps. 

Marc

My name is Bill Norris. A fellow rider has posted a situation involving you folks regarding a defective pipe for his YFZ450. Here is the link to referenced topic.   

http://www.atvflorida.com/forum/index.php/topic,25927.0.html

 

Here is my concern, we have 5000 members on our website where the concern is posted and more than 5000 on another local Florida based website that this post has also been submitted to. There is more than a likely chance that someone considering the purchase of your product will be reconsidering their purchase options after reading this. Your current decision just doesn’t make good business sense for customer retention.

 I am currently running a White Brothers "E" series 2.  Similar to the concern that was posted on the Website; I experienced a failure of the pipes mounting bracket. The pictures were sent and reviewed by the staff at White Brothers. I received a new updated version of the exhaust system within days of sending the old version back to White Brothers. The Pipe was nearly 2 years old. This is a clear great customer service & satisfaction; further more a company that stands by their products 

I am not expecting you to change your decision based on this letter but only to consider the repercussions of poor customer service

Thanks for considering my letter

Bill Norris

Florida ATV Association

Hey, thanks Chuck! It's great to have brotherly support  ;) . That's nice how White Brothers took care of you and I would have thought that they would have done the same thing for me. Well, I have the pipe boxed up but I'm not expecting much. I've already set myself on telling them to keep the pipe if their not talking right.


Yeah, that's what I was thinkin also and kinda why I felt like it was a waste of time to send it out to them. But if I don't put a foot forward to resolve it then I can't complain much can I?

i would wipe my hands and go with another company. i delt with a similar issue with Yoshimura and they had me mail the pipe to them and they shipped me a new one with no questions asked. they didnt even care when it was purchased. for your bike i would go with CSR due to the good luck and performance gains that "THE MOTOCROSS MAVERICK" has had. as he said i just sold his exhaust for him  (pretty much barnd new) for 219 shipped. sorry for your inconvenience but things happen for a reason.... I'm a firm believer of that...

Ride1Rob, I'd be upset too. Maybe try to get a hold of ATP Racing & see if they can give you any advice on how to handle your situation.
I bought her '05 YFZ (black & green) & it has an Alba Pipe on it, just a thought.

glad i went with HMF

Most of the problems that have happened to you are due to bolts vibrating loose. i have been running there exhausts for 2 years now and have not had any problems because i check all the bolts after everyride. The one time my header broke is when my header bolts were loose and it broke due to vibration. All exhausts and i mean all will crack and break because i have had a sparks an HMF and a duncan and i cracked all three i think it leads down to maintance to keep them together. Rob if you would like 2 talk to my dad he can talk to them for you beeing as i am sponsored by them and know the right people to talk to maybe my dad can try and talk to them

you would be amazed how many exhaust companies out there are made bye the same person. alba balwin hmf all identical exhausts

Thats what i'm looking at is an HMF slip on for my 400ex. 

just use what I do in this situation,,,,,,

customer service "I'm sorry sir, we cannot warranty your part because it is clearly out of warranty by now."

me "you do realize I am posting my entire experience on the largest ATV website in Florida with over 6000 members reading it right?"

customer service "I do realize that, but if we make an exception in your case then we would lose our shirts making exceptions everywhere to everyone and we cannot do that, I'm sorry for your inconvenience"

me "is it because I'm black?"

customer service 'click'

;-)

Id@

 :Clap.gif

lol that is so funny!!!!!!!!!  :Clap.gif

You're right in certain situations, but in mine... You're wrong. My header bolts have never been loose as I always loctite them to keep such from happening. When I removed the cracked header... bolts still tight! Also, explain why the rivets in the front of the canister rattled loose? I had to rivet extra rivets for security. In the front of the canister where it's welded to the rear of the back part of the pipe... Weld is cracked all around and moves a tad bit. From what I'm told from the dealer that I got it from, they've changed the pipe again from the one I have. I wonder why :-\ . And you state that you've been running their "Exhausts" for 2 years. How many have you had to put on that bike? Maybe it wasn't an issue for you because you purchased a new one every few months or so.

you are right! that pipe was a piece! and there customer service? garbage! i had one little crack in the aluminum can where the head went in on my sparks. called them up no questions we will send you a new one once they get the old one. 6 month warrentee with that kind of product they shouldn't even have a warrentee on it!

Thanx KB but no thanks on your offer. It may decide to come apart on me. And since you have the bike now, that pipe was ordered from where mine was but a bit after mine. The bike you have was not ridden for months so yours doesn't have the time on it.

I would go with another system, send them your system, when and if they send you a new one turn around and sell it.  That way you are not out anything.

For what its worth...I bought my son a brand new DRX90 mini quad. It comes stock with an aftermarket style race pipe. I have had the exhaust bolts fall out 3 times in 6 months. I have called the dealer & he sent me 2 new sets of bolts(free). I used loctite on the first 2 sets & they still vibrated out.

The silencer rivets...3 out of 4 vibrated loose & 1 fell out. I replaced the bolts & the rivets with a total cost of about $3.00 including the loctite.
Now I check the whole quad for loose fasteners after every couple rides. So far so good. The rivets I put in there are better than the stock ones anyways.

My question to you is what color loctite did you use? red, blue or green?

When using loctite for high temps, you MUST use the green. Red or blue wont hold long.

Oh yeah, my bet is you will get a new pipe. Just be nice to them & dont lose your temper........I know its hard when dealing with something like this.
If you make them feel bad for this incident they will take better care of you.
I wouldnt threaten them with internet bashing, that will get you cut off with a quickness. my $.02

Rob,
 I just pm'd you with some info,as for everyone else-remember this is a big company and they get alot of people who claim the product is bad and then show pics and then send something totally different and expect to get new product for stuff they did not take care of or use the correct way.These pipes are made to use on the track and if you are taking care of your bike these things do not happen for the most part,but,some things do happen and this is when you see what kind of company you are dealling with.As for ALBA,we have been dealling with them since about 3 years ago and we have had our own situations with some products but as long as we could send in the part and let them see what happened they have always(even before we were sponsored by them)made sure to make it right!!!!Alba has made sure that we are always running and has always found a way to get us the right product at the right time with the best quality-some things get by and they WILL take care of it if they see it is not rider error but product error..I will tell everyone that if you call Kevin or any of the other parts personel or even The owner himself(Corey) you will get nothing but experienced and helpful,caring atv'rs who will get things moving the way they should.I know guys,this sounds like a corporate commercial,but,in all of my deallings with ALBA i have never been let down and when i call i know i am speaking with someone who knows what an ATV is.

Thanks for listening and they are working on Rob's situation as we speak,
Toby

 I am a manager at a performance part manufacturer.We also normaly require some one send a part in to us for review if they have a problem . The review normaly consists of us trying to figure out what caused the failure ,Material,assembly,design,or abuse. If we find it was abuse we try and figure out a way to protect the product and make it more durable and able to better handle this type of abuse.9 times out of 10 if it was abuse we will still send the customer a new or barely used part to fix their situation in good faith they will still recommend our product to others, bottom line is a person who abuses or does not take care of their stuff will never admit to it or do not relize what abuse is becouse they were never taught how to respect and take care of things.We have a saying at work that states take care of a customer weither they were wright or wrong and they may tell 1 person how great you treated them tell them you cant help them and they will tell everyone they know how crappy they were treated. Fasteners comming loose on race vehicles is the #1 cause of most part failures and the #1 cause of crashes (in drag racing anyhow) .A lot of people do not know how to properly use loctite either, bolts and nuts must be cleaned in acetone or MEK to remove all oils and must be dried before applying loctite , you should wait 24 hrs before using what you have loctited.The red ultra high temp loctite is all that will work on exhaust and brake parts but is almost impossible to remove once applied. blue is the easiest to dissasemble, red and green can be removed with enough heat. I have seen exhaust on atv's crack like this before it normally starts with a loose header bolts and then the donut ring starts wearing ,eventually the rider notices and tightens things up,But it will begin to loosen and wear on the donut ring somemore,eventually the nut bottoms out on the stud making the rider think its tight  but its not slowely the vibration allows the pipe to rub against the exhaust coller allowing it to etch into the tubing ultimately reasulting in failure.I am in no way accusing Ride ! Rob of this becouse I know he is a maintainance freak and regularly checks his bolts , this is more of a warning to others about what can happen.

   Sorry I strayed off my topic a little its the A.A.D.D. I suffer from. Anyways its the product reviews that help us find better ways to build our products and improve performance.We will almost always replace a customers part with a exact part or a better one.No company is perfect but give them a chance to make things right before you threaten or bash them they may surprise you.There is no way a designer can prepare for all things a product will go thru during initial design work ,it is the everyday user that will push it to the max and show you the products weekness and give you a better Idea of things that need improving.

  sorry to go on and on I have just been at the other end of the phone a few times and know what it takes to work these things out.The worst thing to say (before giving ample time to correct the problem) is I am gonna tell everybody how crappy your stuff is or post about how bad your part is all over the internet , becouse every company deals with customers you just cant satisfy no matter what you do and generally its the people that start off saying those things written above , at which point the company decides why bother trying they are gonna bad mouth us no matter what if they havent already.

   thank  you for reading.
Matt

I also had a problem with my Alba pipe for my LTR that I purchased late last year. The weld broke on the pipe. I called them and they said they would need to inspect it before making a decision. I sent it back and was suprised on the level of customer service they gave. They sent out a new pipe as soon as they recieved and inspected it. It was a hassle being without it, but they stood by their product and had a new one sent to me; some company will won't give you the time of day. I work in the Motorcycle/ATV industry and I myself would ask to inspect it, so I understand the situation. Giving threats on something simple is un-needed and only prolongs the process of getting what you want and ends in un-wanted stress on both sides.............................Industry.

When the time is right I plan on going with HMF  ;)

I understand what you guys mean in your posts, but there's nowhere in my post where I'm bashing their product. EVERYTHING I stated is fact. THe pipe is falling apart and it's not because my bolts aren't tite. If you read the Emails, I was given the runaround and was even quoted on getting another pipe for $325 or $80 for the header. Doesn't sound like they were so worried about taking care of me until I got upset. As far as bashing them, all I did was to tell others what I'm going through and let peeps determine for themselves. I stated how much I loved the performance of the product but if it won't hold up it's no good. The guy Marc seems to be pretty Genuine and I stated that when I posted this.

If they were so worried about me sending them false pics there are ways around that. Did you see the pics that I posted? Does that pipe look abused to you? If they weren't sure that the pics were genuine then why ask me to send pics in the 1st place. I've spent 10 days going through this when all they had to do was ask me to send the pipe to them from day 1. There are several reasons why I should be upset. 1) Is the pitiful warranty of 6 months, 2) If it required inspection they should have had me send it to them Last week on the 1st email, 3) There's more than one issue with the pipe. 4) Someone tried to get me to pay $325 for another pipe and didn't even consider my situation until I got pissed. 5) Cory (who Gunnslinger states is the owner) emailed me saying he's seen this before so it's not uncommon.

Keep on it Rob! They will do whats right or they will lose customers. You are right in that you have not bashed their product, all you have done is post how they treated you and there is nothing wrong with that.

I am sure they will take care of it for you,A lot of times its all about who ya talk to,If they dont take care of it please tell us becouse I have an Alba pipe on my 450r and if they screw you over I am selling it on ebay or cutting it in half and sending it back to them proclaiming it as junk it all depends on how i feel at the time.

Thanx Scrb15 and everyone else whether you agree with what I'm doing or not.



(LOL) Don't go that far! Try to enjoy the pipe! But if it craps out on ya, think about me then (lol). I'll keep you guys posted on what happens. I wasn't able to ship it out today b/c I was busy removing the bearings out of a motor for a rebuild. Will have it shipped out on thursday.

If they dont take care of you I will cancel the order for 30 of these Alba pipes I ordered and was gonna resale them on Ebay.....lol   j/k

I think they will hook you up bro......You have done the right thing......

here is the reply I got from ALBA regarding the E-mail I sent them.

BILL, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE HEADS UP INFORMING ME AS TO WHAT IS BEING POSTED ON YOUR WEBSITE REGARDING OUR COMPANY AND THE PRODCUTS WE MANUFACTUER.  I NEVER EXPECTED THIS TO ESCILATE TO THE LEVEL IT HAS, ESPECIALLY FROM A CUSTOMER THAT IS LOOKING TO RECEIVE ANY TYPE OF HELP OR WARRANTY FROM US.  OUR STANDARD COMPANY PROCEDURE TO WARRANTY ANY PRODUCT WE MANUFACTUER IS TO HAVE THE PRODUCT RETURNED TO US WITH A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL INVOICE.  UPON INSPECTION AT OUR FACILITY, WE CAN TRY AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM SO SEE IF IT’S A RESULT OF MISUSE, NEGLECT, MODIFICATION OF THE PRODUCT, OR IF IT WAS TRULY A MANUFACTUER DEFECT.  IN THE PAST WE’VE RECEIVED PARTS BACK FROM CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE OBVIOUSLY BEEN ABUSED AND NEGLECTED AND THEY STILL EXPECT US TO WARRANTY THE PRODUCT WHEN IT IS CLEARLY NOT OUR FAULT.  OUR STANDARD WARRANTY IS FOR 6 MONTHS AND IS VOID UNLESS PROOF OF PURCHASE IF PROVIDED.  IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, ROB HAD ORIGINALLY ASKED US FOR THE PRICE TO REPLACE THE TWO PARTS AND ONCE WE QUOTED HIM, HE COMPLETELY TURNED AROUND AND EXPECTED US TO WARRANTY IT (IT KIND OF THREW ME THROUGH A LOOP).  EVEN THOUGH HIS PIPE IS WELL OVER 6 MONTHS OLD AND HE ISN’T ABLE TO PROVIDE US WITH AN INVOICE, I NEVER ONCE TOLD HIM THAT I WOULD NOT WARRANTY HIS PIPE AND MULTIPLE TIMES SAID THAT I WAS WILLING TO WORK WITH HIM TO GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED.  AGAIN, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE HEADS UP AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED BEFORE IT GETS EVEN MORE OUT OF HAND.  THANK YOU.

 

Marc Caravaggio
Parts Manager
Alba Action Sports
(858)486-4380 X.204
(858)679-7947 fax
   

Marc is correct in his posts, almost anyway. I asked how much a can and a header was. I didn't ask to be quoted on the full system. I figured that I could simply replace the can and the header and problem solved. They stated they didn't sell them like that so he volunteered to quote me on the price of getting another full system. READ THE EMAILS AS THEY SPEAK VOLUMNS! And if you guys did read it you can remember where I posted that I was moving on to something more durable. He (Marc) asked me to send it in because he didn't want me buying another brand. Like I said, He seems to be Genuine. Me posting this has gotten me some help from some awsome peeps and had I not posted this those calls wouldn't have been made. Thanx for all you guys that are trying to help with my situation.

here is a clear example of what can be done when we as ATV/OHV riders get behind for a common goal. Imagine the same strength behind the fight for our riding areas and the Florida ATV Association. We are stronger in numbers and our voices can be heard.
On my own accord I contacted ALBA in support for what I felt was a poor business practice. With the understanding that I went through the same thing with White Brothers. I know that there is always an opportunist to get something for free or just work the system. I believe however each scenario should be assessed  on a case by case basis. Good Luck Rob

Rob,
 we have not boght new pipes every couple of months,and have had a problem or 2 but they have always fixed and all we have had to do was send them back and they were fixed.They are the best performing pipe and we have had all of them HMF,S P A R K S and the rest and they were not as good as the ALBA,you brought the right brand,the only thing imeant about the pics is that they get alot of pics that look sincere but they end up finding out that this is not the same pipe,they will take care of you!!!!!

Toby,jake's dad

 :Clap.gif

Id@

Rob I think they will take care of you and if they do I believe you should  continue to use their product .If they replace it in good faith you should use it in good faith and tell all how they made things right . However like I said before if they tell you to p!ss off let me know and I will spread the word everywhere.  ;)

 :Clap.gif

Get a new one, sell it on ebay, then buy something else.

Well, I shipped the pipe out to them this morning. Guess we'll see what they have to say when they get it. Gonna post more pics of the pipe so you guys see what they're going to see off of the bike.

They should replace it... ;)

They will clearly see that it has nothing to do with neglect.  It's probably just a defect.

WHy would you say their warranty is crappy. You only get a 6 month warranty on a brand new $7,000.00 quad. ???
Sounds like the ball is rolling though. Truly, they dont have to do anything since you didnt keep records of the purchase. A warranty statement is a legal binding contract you enter when you make the purchase.
Good luck, I still say you will see a new pipe in a week or so

 I agree the original quad warranties are only 6 month. I had an extended 3 year warranty on my 450r and just read the good bad and ugly section BARNEY'S ST.PETE SUCKS  and that will tell you exactly what crappy customer service is like. My 3 year extended warranty wasn't worth the ink printed on the paper.

Is say it's crap b/c there are pipes out there with 2 and 3 year warranties. In terms of the 6 month warranty  on the quad, they do give you an option for a 3 year. And you're right! They don't have to do anything. I didn't think they were and that's why I posted in my email that it was probably a waste of time and I was ready to move on. Marc wasn't willing to see a customer unhappy and move to another product so he's trying help me out.

Anyway, these are pics of the pipe right before they were shipped today. Alil dirty, but no abuse...

http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=221309

http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=221310

http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=221311

http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=221312

http://www.uploadhouse.com/viewfile.php?id=221308

now, granted I don't ride as much as you, but I've had my yoshi pipe on my 400 for 2-3 years and not even one little sign of coming apart like those.

Id@

You probably dont jump as much and ride as hard either also a 450 is a higher reving engine with much more harmonic vibrations that would cause these type failures, but I do believe they should replace it for him becouse when they built it they knew what it was for a RACE BIKE that would see alot of hard high RPM riding and should have built it strong enough for it to handle. I also have a 450r with a Alba exhaust it has been on my bike for almost two years now and I must have over 500 hrs on it with no troubles at all , but I probably dont ride as hard as Rob either . I am watching what happens closely cause I am curious how they will handle this . If they screw him over I will never suggest their exhaust to anyone ever again.

correct, I hardly ever get into the high RPMs,,,,,probably hardly ever over about 6K.

and jumping is not good to the quad with a rider that weighs what I do ;-)

Id@

HMF makes Alba's and Baldwins pipes. I think if you got a year out of your pipe consider yourself luckily. So your pipe made it  over a year without repacking it. If you ride alot you should repack your pipe every 90 days. If the packing gets blow out your pipe will run a lot hotter and cause extra stress on the rivits along with extra vibration, due to no packing. Headers sometime crack due to the way you tighten your pipe while installing it. I Always tighten the silencer first, seems like it reduces stress on the header. ;)

 i have a 2004 yfz450 that i purchased new in aug of 2003. i bought the ALBA exhaust kit because it was/is the best bang for the money. my quad has never seen trail riding. only mx. i have only had two issues with my pipe: the pipe that enters the canister cracked all around that flange that is rivited to the canister and the metal core inside the pipe you wrap the insulation around cracked in two. after rebuiling my engine with some 'work'. i had the pipe and inlet-flange rewelded(because i don't have the means of welding stainless). i re-rivited the flange to the canister, cut down the can and repacked the exhaust for a grand total of...$35 bucks. all this 3 years from the date of purchase. i know my experience is isolated but take it for what it's worth. by the way, the cut down canister did help the bottom-end some.

Simular Design as HMF but they do not make the ALBA pipe,it is made by a custom shop in Ca.-still the best pipe for a yfz.

Well, they recieved the pipe yesterday and said that it was sent to R&D for inspection. Hopefully I'll hear something before the day is out...

Email from Marc on 7/12/07
ROBERT, I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A HEADS-UP THAT I RECEIVED YOUR PIPE AND BROUGHT IT OVER TO MY R&D DEPARTMENT TO INSPECT EARLIER THIS MORNING.  AS SOON AS I HEAR WHAT’S GOING ON, I WILL GIVE YOU A SHOUT BACK.

 

Marc Caravaggio
Parts Manager
Alba Action Sports
(858)486-4380 X.204
(858)679-7947 fax  
 

glad to know they are keeping you in the loop about it.

Id@

Tel them to throw in a free graphics kit or youre going to the media! :D

Well, I got an email from Marc yesterday and this is what he said...

ROBERT, I’M WAITING FOR MY R&D DEPT. TO SWAP OUT YOUR CANISTER AND WILL LET YOU KNOW ONCE I GET IT BACK IN MY HANDS.  HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

 

Marc Caravaggio
Parts Manager
Alba Action Sports
(858)486-4380 X.204
(858)679-7947 fax
   

If that's all that they're going to do it's not going to hold up  :(  . The new can is not all that needs to be fixed as you guys can see in the pics were the end pipe before the canister has cracked around the weld. Hopfully they took care of that also  :-\  . I'll post the finished results and give you guys the skinny once I get the pipe back.

Well, I sent Marc an email yesterday expressing to him the concern about the weld being cracked. He said he'd have them to check that area. I also expressed my concern about this being a temporary fix that may only last for a few months before the pipe starts to fall apart again... HE DIDN'T RESPOND TO THAT QUESTION  :-\  . My thoughts as of now are to get the pipe back from them, sell it, and move on to something else.

Email to Marc
Marc, did they take a look at the end pipe where the welds have come apart
before the canister? This is not going to be a fix that's going to last me a
few months and I'm right back in the same boat is it? Thanx!

From Marc
ROBERT, I'LL MAKE SURE THEY DOUBLE CHECK THE AREA BETWEEN THE CANISTER AND
THE MID-PIPE BEFORE I GET IT OUT TO YOU.

Marc Caravaggio
Parts Manager
Alba Action Sports
(858)486-4380 X.204
(858)679-7947 fax

What should I make of that?

Get it back and try it out. If it breaks again, through it away and buy another brand.

pipes aret ment to last forever they will wear out after a few months and yo will have to get a new one thats just how it goes it doesent matter what brand it is

Ummm, maybe for you Jake. If something small happens to your pipe they hook you up being that you're sponsored by them. And no, pipes don't last forever. But I'll name you 3 guys on this site that have pipes that are at least 2 years old or better and have had not the 1st problem that I'm having and their pipes are still in mint condition in terms of them holding up:

1: Dreth (Well over 2 yrs on Sparks),
2: T2 (2 yrs on Sparks),
3: Wayne (Lil under 2yrs on Yoshi),
4: A Trinity pipe that's currently on my bike that I got from a friend whose motor I'm rebuilding (almost 3 yrs old). Not the 1st flaw on this pipe yet!!! I'm sure there are many many others on this site as well.

It all depends how you hard and fast you ride. If your casing 100 ft. long triple jumps, crashing, blitzing through whoops, running 20 minutes moto's full blast a pipe will only last so long.
Your pipe probably should have lasted longer. Good luck on your next buy!
 My friend had a sparks pipes for awhile and it broke all the time, At the mounts. They make um as light as possible thats the problem.

We have ran the Baldwin pipes for almost 3 yrs and no trouble at all. The new Baldwin pipe is the best one of all. More horsepower and quieter.