I've fitted an Evotech engine guard and I really like the way it looks and the protection it will give against chipping of the down pipe etc. However it does seem to leave the electrical connectors exposed to water penetration above the guard and behind the perforated area on the top left (which were behind a plastic cover before the guard was fitted). I've definitely followed the instructions (https://evotech-performance.com/media/uploads/012541DucatiMultistradaEngineGuardInstructions.pdf) on where to clip the connectors but it just seems doomed to eventual problems. Anyone fitted one of these and got an answer? Am I concerned unnecessarily? Also what are those two connectors for (so I can know the risk of they get water ingress)?
I have just done the exact same fitting today and was wondering that myself, if you come up with a solution let me know. I may take the guard off again and tape some thin plastic around it just for piece of mind. Alan
Im thinking of a similar route. By the way I had my panels (cam-belt cover, hugger, mudguard and clutch cover protector) dipped at A1hydro print in Whitney following your recommendation and was pretty pleased with what they did. I reckon it's better than carbon and 1/3 the price!
Excellent, they do a good job. Having been in the garage while that strictly stuff was on TV (I knew who got booted off last night) I found an old grip puppy and reckon that would be good to keep the connectors safe and dry.
I might stick the grip puppy to the actual engine guard after all they were behind a plastic shield last time, plus wrap them as well in “something”. What ever I do it will be watertight.
You could undo the connectors and add dielectric grease to the connections and re-attach. In that location I might add heat shrink sleeve over the connection also.
So back in from the garage, nice neat insulating tape around the sockets and plugs followed by some heat shrink and pliers to pinch a bit of the excess together while I gently heated them, looks lovely and I am convinced no water ingress. To make sure I cut a bit of the grip puppy and stuck in to the inside of the guard, I have yet to fit this back on as I want to put a dob of instant gasket into the engine end of the wire as I don’t want crap going on there. Hopefully the guard will fit back on ok with the grip puppy stuck to it but as I can’t be arsed to go and get some instant gasket right now it will have to wait until tomorrow.
I've had mine fitted for a year and had no issues with water in the connectors. But I have had the bolts loosen. I have now fitted new bolts using threadlock on the threads and would advise doing the same.
I wrote to Evotech asking for their thoughts and this was their reply "Hi Steve, Sorry the design is the design. If you feel it is not up to requirements or your standards. Please take it off and send it back for a full refund including return postage. Regards Garry"
Not sure but the main problem is water through the offside perforations (see white connector behind them on photo at beginning of this post ... there's also a black connector that doesn't show up on the photo due to poor lighting in the shot).
I stuck something behind the offside perforations to stop just this happening, basically it was behind a plastic cover so it must be ok.
Shame though with a new piece of kit at £80 from a 'quality' engineering company, but as he says 'the design is the design' [even though its crap - listen to your customers eh?... phah]
Guys, be careful of adding tape, heatshrink etc around a connector like that. The connector is a water-sealed type and does not need any further protection other from stone or debris impact. When you add tape or covering you are introducing a way for the water to get trapped by the seals and ingress could happen if its constantly wet. Trust me on this, i am an automotive EDS designer (i design wiring harnesses for cars and bikes) and what you are suggesting is a recipe for future problems. Just my 2 cents worth. All early bike designs had issues, new connectors and technology has made life much better, trust the technology and you should be fine. The only thing i would do is to place a shield in front somehow to help stop spray and debris but leave it open to the air and engine heat
