Staff
Administrator
Posts: 37018
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posted May 30, 2008 09:36 PM
Edited By: Staff on 25 Jul 2008 08:41
*** ZX-14 FRAME RECALL 2006/2007 - OFFICIAL THREAD ***
LINK TO RECALL AT NHTSA.GOV
LINK TO DEFECT INVESTIGATION AT NHTSA.GOV

RECALL INFO:
quote: Make / Models : KAWASAKI / ZX14
Model/Build Years : 2006-2007
Manufacturer : KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.
Mfr's Report Date : MAY 12, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V222000 PE08021
NHTSA Action Number: PE08021
Component: STRUCTURE
Potential Number Of Units Affected :
Summary:
KAWASAKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2006-2007 'NINJA' ZX14 MOTORCYCLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CAN COLLAPSE WHEN A CROSSMEMBER SEPARATES FROM THE FRAME.
Consequence:
FAILURE OF THE FRAME COULD RESULT IN THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE COLLAPSING CREATING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TORQUE OF THE ENGINE MOUNT ADJUSTING COLLARS AND INSPECT AND POSSIBLY REPLACE THE FRAME IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
RIGHT CLICK SAVE AS RECALL PDF 1
RIGHT CLICK SAVE AS RECALL PDF 2














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Staff
Administrator
Posts: 37018
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posted May 31, 2008 06:38 AM
Please keep all recall discussion in this topic.
Thanks
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1badzx12r
Needs a life
Posts: 8321
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posted May 31, 2008 07:05 AM
it says five frame odi complants and 1 other then confidential ..what was that other ..and it says close to being like the gl1800 ..but that was just a welding issue not a total frame replacement ..i'm comfussed now
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S06nIz4scvI
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jeff martin

Pro (closed)
jamming
Posts: 1168
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posted May 31, 2008 07:18 AM
WOW A WHOLE 5 BIKES. Sounds like kawasaki did a better job than most. Seeing that half the bikes sold are stretched, Drag raced, And huge swing arms and tires installed. Not losing any sleep over this one.
____________
i play with boats my wife plays with my dingy.
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fish_antlers

Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted May 31, 2008 07:22 AM
quote: WOW A WHOLE 5 BIKES. Sounds like kawasaki did a better job than most. Seeing that half the bikes sold are stretched, Drag raced, And huge swing arms and tires installed. Not losing any sleep over this one.
Jeff - for once, I agree with you!
Very proactive on the part of Kawi ... Almost too proactive? Actually I'm kinda surprised that this isn't just a TSB to inspect the frame, but I'm not really sure how the inner workings of this sort of thing goes... how the OEMs define a TSB vs a recall etc.
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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Sticks_n_Stones

Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted May 31, 2008 07:57 AM
It all comes down to one certain mechanic not knowing the proper way to torque that engine mount down. I bet they are trying to find how many were done improperly so they can figure out which line it came off of. The japanese document everything, so eventually they will find the miscreant!
Also, I bet there is quite a few (into the hundreds maybe) of bikes that have cracked already but just not seperated yet. It is feasible for it to crack enough to flex and relieve the undue pressure from a maladjusted spacer shaft and yet not fail. But it might fail later, which is probably what there computer stress simulations showed. Which would explain the delay from when these frames first started becoming known for cracking. I mean, comeon its 2008!! I bet they knew about it, and how long /many miles a stressed but not failed frame could take before they reached "threshold failure" levels.
Timing is everything with lawyers and engineers.
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'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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shane661

Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted May 31, 2008 08:10 AM
I'm guessing that many frames will be cracked during the "checking for proper torque".
The service manual is very clear on how to set the preload of the collars and properly torque the bolts. Unfortunately a lot of "mechanics" will grab their impact instead of reading.
Shane
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fish_antlers

Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted May 31, 2008 08:12 AM
wondering if this is this something owners can inspect on their own?
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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ninja14

Pro
Posts: 1136
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posted May 31, 2008 08:31 AM
quote: wondering if this is this something owners can inspect on their own?
Yep - just bend down and look at the lower section of the frame where the weld is. I look at it now and then.
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2006 Turbo ZX-14.
2005 V-max 20th Anniv.
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countersteer

Needs a job
Didn't read the owners manual
Posts: 2207
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posted May 31, 2008 08:59 AM
my frame appears to be fine, but what happens if it breaks several years from now? what about 5-10 years? i plan on holding onto this bike for a while.
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Scott
Long Island, New York
2006 ZX-14, 2003 ZX-12R
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spdprorcng
Parking Attendant
Posts: 12
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posted May 31, 2008 11:22 AM
Edited By: spdprorcng on 31 May 2008 12:28
Ninja14, YES
Visible Dye Penetrant crack testing kit
I use this stuff alot on mag and aluminum cast items
Doug knows what it is, Kit about $40
You can get it at pegausautoracing.com and similar
high end race car suppliers
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entropy
Moderator
Posts: 8671
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posted June 01, 2008 07:23 AM
Edited By: entropy on 1 Jun 2008 08:27
i guess this has been answered
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This moderator uses moderation in moderation
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H0mr

Novice Class
Posts: 61
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posted June 01, 2008 09:07 AM
That's alot of reading up above, is the recall on just the 06-07 models or every zx14 manufactured to date?
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2008 SE, Muzzy's M14, PCIII, Adj. lowering links, Heli risers.
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MAXIMUS

Needs a job
Posts: 4156
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posted June 01, 2008 09:29 AM
quote: my frame appears to be fine, but what happens if it breaks several years from now? what about 5-10 years? i plan on holding onto this bike for a while.
Get it inspected and let them perform the update. this way your ass is covered. I would inspected it every few months anyways. I suspect they are doing this for liability reason, they don't want some one going out and getting killed. Just like on the auto side, when they have a few problems here and there, they turn around and publish a recall instead of a TSB, they don' want to take any chances and for the main reason, they found a real threat. If it's possible of happening they will try and prevent it. I have changed so many parts under recalls that were fine, that made me think what a waste of money and time. But bottom line is , it could happen, why take the chance.
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fish_antlers

Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted June 01, 2008 09:54 AM
quote: That's alot of reading up above, is the recall on just the 06-07 models or every zx14 manufactured to date?
Reading is required.... that's why all the information is listed above...
READ the post and your question will be answered.
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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bigdtd

Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted June 01, 2008 04:04 PM
no cracks on my frame , but they send all the good 14s to fla anyway ya know
5 whole complaints recorded and they were from one or two i bet
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2006 Black ZX-14,6 inches over,16/42, flies out,BMC Street Filter,Brock's Street Meg,Brock's Radial Mount Strap,PClll with Race map,Dynojet LCD w/Techmount, ZX-14 fender eliminator,Pilot Power2CTs,Speedohealer,Pazzo Levers,Cox Radiator Guard, Garmin Nuvi 265WT
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blackbullet76

Pro
Posts: 1134
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posted June 02, 2008 05:02 AM
Edited By: blackbullet76 on 2 Jun 2008 06:03
So, will every 06-07 14 owner be getting one of these letter in the mail?
____________
2007 ZX-14 black
Brocks s-meg exhaust
PCIII w/track map
BMC race filter
Flies removed
16 tooth front sprocket
Speedohealer
APE cam chain tensioner
Vortex rearsets
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1badzx12r
Needs a life
Posts: 8321
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posted June 02, 2008 12:06 PM
quote: So, will every 06-07 14 owner be getting one of these letter in the mail?
yeap
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S06nIz4scvI
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slates
Expert Class
Posts: 377
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posted June 02, 2008 12:24 PM
quote: So, will every 06-07 14 owner be getting one of these letter in the mail?
...from the letter above it doesn't sount like every unit. Second sentence says, "On some eligible units...".
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black zx14 - Brock's Gen3 Carbon, PCIII, no secondaries, Carrozzeria wheels, Sato rearsets, Pazzo levers, GPR V4 steering damper, Puig windscreen, Tiger Racing chain guard
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Raptor14

Expert Class
Posts: 264
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posted June 02, 2008 02:58 PM
You can check your VIN number to see if your bike is recalled at:
http://www.kawasaki.com/DefaultFrame.aspx?strContentURL=/site/VIVehicleInformation/VIChooseVehicle.asp?intCatalogID=2&intParts=0
Mine got recalled. Best to have your dealer check it just to get the paperwork filled out. Then if later cracks you might have a stronger legal standing to have Kawi do something about it.
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ninja191

Parking Attendant
Posts: 2
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posted June 02, 2008 03:41 PM
quote: You can check your VIN number to see if your bike is recalled at:
http://www.kawasaki.com/DefaultFrame.aspx?strContentURL=/site/VIVehicleInformation/VIChooseVehicle.asp?intCatalogID=2&intParts=0
Mine got recalled. Best to have your dealer check it just to get the paperwork filled out. Then if later cracks you might have a stronger legal standing to have Kawi do something about it.
It is a general recall, Not VIN specific yet. If you type in a VIN for a 2006 or 2007 ZX14 it will show the recall.
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I Ride My Bikes Like My Women. HARD!!!!
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BobC

Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted June 03, 2008 09:10 AM
I sent mail to Kawasaki UK asking if they were aware of this issue. Bearing in mind the motorcycles are all built in the same factory this was their carefully worded reply.
"Thank you for your e-mail dated 29th May 2008 detailing a recall campaign in the USA.
Kawasaki considers the safety of customers as a priority and work closely with VOSA and the UK Recall code of practice guidelines. Please be assured that should any motorcycle imported by Kawasaki Motors UK be affected by the recent recall notice published by the NHTSA in America, then we will contact owners directly to inform them about any action they should take."
VOSA is the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency which deals with this in the UK. I can only assume there have been no cases of frame failure here, or too few to trigger a recall. Yet.
____________
Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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blackbullet76

Pro
Posts: 1134
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posted June 03, 2008 11:03 AM
I looked my frame over and it looks to be fine. I'm gonna just keep ridin it. About all I can do.
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2007 ZX-14 black
Brocks s-meg exhaust
PCIII w/track map
BMC race filter
Flies removed
16 tooth front sprocket
Speedohealer
APE cam chain tensioner
Vortex rearsets
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jeff martin

Pro (closed)
jamming
Posts: 1168
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posted June 03, 2008 12:43 PM
Wonder if the american trend of obesity has anything to do with the recall. My 2003 Goldwing also had a frame recall, After it was all said and done, Out of 126.000 Goldwings 19 where found needing extra welding around the rear frame struture. Has anyone seen a crack in a Stock, never worked on 14. I checked my VIN# and it did say i would be mailed a notice. I will take mine in for inspection, But i don't see how people can stretch, Strap, and drag race this bike without problems. If there is indeed a real problem. Oh well a excuse to ride to the shop.
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i play with boats my wife plays with my dingy.
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fury
Expert Class
Posts: 427
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posted June 03, 2008 01:37 PM
I just called the cdn side. We should know something by the end of the week.
I hope my bike is not included...
fingers crossed...
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