princesskiwi
Administrator
MISTRESS of SMACK
Posts: 7688
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posted June 20, 2008 08:32 PM
quote:
UPDATE: Finally the shop received the bolt kit from Kawasuki Canada, engine removed and the frame was okay no cracks. They sent picks to kawasaki with engine out etc and waiting for word to put bike back together. The shop manager told me, they should have the bike ready for pickup tuesday. Lets hope for the best!!
wait a minute... didnt you say your bolts were back ordered a month or two just a few days ago? Bu they arrived within 3 days....
maybe you owe Kawasaki an apology?
____________
The dose differentiates a poison and a remedy....
  
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted June 21, 2008 06:56 AM
 Edited By: Sticks_n_Stones on 21 Jun 2008 09:16
In other words PK, Kawi isnt operating at its normal slow pace they stepped up everything big time. After hearing about the disturbingly high amount of failed bikes I can see why.
FYI: in the last two days I've had 3 guys I didnt know warn me about getting my bike checked. Two of them had 14's that are "waiting in the dealership for there inspection". Both of them said there dealers had informed them that they had found cracks on 14's they had inspected, and the dealers were in different cities. But when I called one of them, they still refused to tell me anything over the phone. WTF? Gag order?
____________
'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 June 21, 2008 07:13 AM
quote:
maybe you owe Kawasaki an apology?
I think the last thing anyone here owes Kawasaki is an apology.
Shane
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BlueLightning
Expert Class
Posts: 227
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posted June 21, 2008 12:33 PM
Hey I had to nag the hell out of Kawi to get bolts and its almost 2 weeks and I still have no bike. Shouldn't kawi have a few bolt kits in every shop because not all are going to pass instead of still having to wait for shipping.
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ratbyk
Expert Class
Posts: 179
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posted June 21, 2008 01:29 PM
I'm in a bit of a unique position. I live on Vancouver Island BC Canada but purchased my bike off ebay in Oklahoma. I have received the recall letter. I checked with Kawi Canada and was informed that I was the importer not them and to take it back to the US.
I have contacted Port Angeles Power, the closest Kawi dealer to me and made arrangments to bring the bike in on Fri June 27 to be checked.
Has anyne on the forum had their 14 checked by PA Power? Just wondering how experienced/competant they are. Really hate to be told I am going to have to leave it and come back next month or what ever.
This not just worry some, it is getting scary. Right in the middle of the riding season.
I have eye balled the affected weld ares and all seems/looks good.
Anyone got advise on PA POwer?
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted June 21, 2008 01:57 PM
rat... bit of a bummer, but it is a risk you take when you import a gray market bike, knowing you have no warranty in Canada.
Hope it goes well!
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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rideharder
Zone Head
Posts: 821
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posted June 21, 2008 06:03 PM
The frame sucks..
I work on welding cracks..
They dont know how to look for cracks omfg!
Dont trust the frame!
I worked 11 years at Chromalloy Turbine Corporation..
Background
175 aircraft engine parts per month..
Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation
The Chromalloy Florida Facility in Fort Walton Beach covers over 275,000 square feet. Its 250 employees repair roughly 175 aircraft engine parts per month. Installing a new system for alkaline, acid and electroplating rinse waters benefited Chromalloy in two ways. As the system filters the wastewater it produces a sludge that contains metals. The company recycles the sludge on-site to reclaim the metal. Chromalloy also installed aqueous product parts washers to replace its TCE (trichloroethylene) vapor degreasers that produce hazardous waste thus, bringing the company into EPA compliance, and minimizing their liability.
Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation is based out of Fort Walton Beach and is one of the world’s leading suppliers of advanced repairs for jet engine parts. Chromalloy strips plating off gas turbine engine parts, evaluates the need for repairs and then re-plates the parts using a metal thermal spray operation. Other operations include welding, chemical cleaning and machining.
Pollution Prevention Improvements
Installed a new system for alkaline, acid and electroplating rinse waters
Reclaims metal from the sludge that is produced from the filtering of wastewater
Installed evaporators to reduce wastewater discharge
Replaced the TCE vapor degreasers with aqueous parts washers
Results
Reduced wastewater discharge from 35,000 gallons per day to 0
Reduced the amount of raw materials needed
Created a safer working environment
Chromalloy also enhanced its image by gaining good publicity, two awards of environmental excellence from its corporate office and positive recognition by regulatory agencies
Testimonial
"It’s a good program and a lot of companies can benefit from it."
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MJ
Zone Head
Posts: 560
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posted June 22, 2008 02:47 AM
quote:
The frame sucks..
I work on welding cracks..
They dont know how to look for cracks omfg!
Dont trust the frame!
I worked 11 years at Chromalloy Turbine Corporation..
Background
175 aircraft engine parts per month..
Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation
The Chromalloy Florida Facility in Fort Walton Beach covers over 275,000 square feet. Its 250 employees repair roughly 175 aircraft engine parts per month. Installing a new system for alkaline, acid and electroplating rinse waters benefited Chromalloy in two ways. As the system filters the wastewater it produces a sludge that contains metals. The company recycles the sludge on-site to reclaim the metal. Chromalloy also installed aqueous product parts washers to replace its TCE (trichloroethylene) vapor degreasers that produce hazardous waste thus, bringing the company into EPA compliance, and minimizing their liability.
Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation is based out of Fort Walton Beach and is one of the world’s leading suppliers of advanced repairs for jet engine parts. Chromalloy strips plating off gas turbine engine parts, evaluates the need for repairs and then re-plates the parts using a metal thermal spray operation. Other operations include welding, chemical cleaning and machining.
Pollution Prevention Improvements
Installed a new system for alkaline, acid and electroplating rinse waters
Reclaims metal from the sludge that is produced from the filtering of wastewater
Installed evaporators to reduce wastewater discharge
Replaced the TCE vapor degreasers with aqueous parts washers
Results
Reduced wastewater discharge from 35,000 gallons per day to 0
Reduced the amount of raw materials needed
Created a safer working environment
Chromalloy also enhanced its image by gaining good publicity, two awards of environmental excellence from its corporate office and positive recognition by regulatory agencies
Testimonial
"It’s a good program and a lot of companies can benefit from it."
WTF ???? I think somebody just tried to 
What a waste of copying/pasting 
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted June 22, 2008 07:09 AM
Rideharder, what the hell are you doing pasting that? Don't they teach you engine mechs to read and right your own stuff anymore? 
You say you "inspect welds". Is that visually or with NDT? I'm in NDT myself, 18 yrs and counting. 4 years of which was performing the overhaul inspections of US Navy engines. And you are correct: There is NO better training for crack detection than inspecting a turbine engine during overhaul. Damn things are cracked friggin everywhere, tight ass little fatigue cracks in Titanium to big ass weld cracks. I was always amazed how they would re-use ANYTHING from those old wornout engines...
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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epd345
Pro
Posts: 1494
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posted June 22, 2008 01:42 PM
Hi all new to the forum. What pisses me off about the recall letter that I just received on 6/21/08 is that I bought my 2007 ZX-14 as a new leftover on 5/30/08 and I'm sure they knew about the recall. My recall notice says "do not ride", my question is how am I supposed to get the bike to the dealer if I can't ride it??? I have no way to transport!!
____________
2012 ZX14, Ceramic Coated Brock's CT Meg, PCV, throttlemeister
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cous
Parking Attendant
Posts: 5
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posted June 22, 2008 01:48 PM
kawasaki sould pay dealer to pick up bikes with this type of recall since they say do not ride till inspected
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cous
Parking Attendant
Posts: 5
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posted June 22, 2008 01:51 PM
frame recall
kawasaki sould pay dealers to pick up bikes since it reads do not ride till inspected
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epd345
Pro
Posts: 1494
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posted June 22, 2008 05:23 PM
I agree, my bike has 510 miles on it and I have been loving it so far.....Now I'm disappointed about such a major issue with the bikes frame!!! I was on the fence when I bought the bike vs a Hayabusa!! I am going to call Kawasaki USA tommorow and see what they will do for me.
____________
2012 ZX14, Ceramic Coated Brock's CT Meg, PCV, throttlemeister
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kawasaki_rick
Zone Head
Posts: 512
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posted June 22, 2008 05:56 PM
Dont waste the time to call. They wont do nothing but say take it to the dealer and get new frame. Its not their fault that you payed them 10-12k for a new bike, also its not their fault with this recall your bikes worth considerably less to sell outright, Its not their fault your thinking that the ass-end might fall off your bike and kill ya. I geuss they are saying they can screw up and not stand b-hind their product. must be nice.
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jeff martin
Pro (closed)
jamming
Posts: 1168
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posted June 22, 2008 08:47 PM
quote:
I'm in a bit of a unique position. I live on Vancouver Island BC Canada but purchased my bike off ebay in Oklahoma. I have received the recall letter. I checked with Kawi Canada and was informed that I was the importer not them and to take it back to the US.
I have contacted Port Angeles Power, the closest Kawi dealer to me and made arrangments to bring the bike in on Fri June 27 to be checked.
Has anyne on the forum had their 14 checked by PA Power? Just wondering how experienced/competant they are. Really hate to be told I am going to have to leave it and come back next month or what ever.
This not just worry some, it is getting scary. Right in the middle of the riding season.
I have eye balled the affected weld ares and all seems/looks good.
Anyone got advise on PA POwer?
They are a long time dealership and if you piss off the locals your done. I would say there a good dealership and not to worry.
____________
i play with boats my wife plays with my dingy.
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted June 23, 2008 05:32 AM
Edited By: Sticks_n_Stones on 23 Jun 2008 10:12
Yep, I made sure not to ride my bike until its "officially" checked. Don't know how it ended up in these pics from last weekend...  
For Boss69, heres a better picture of the Nelson-Rigg bag (the side flaps are usually tucked and clasped under the bag)
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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epd345
Pro
Posts: 1494
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posted June 23, 2008 09:52 AM
Just spoke to Kawi USA and made an appt at my local dealer for the recall inspection. Also scheduled my 600mile service at the dealer. I voiced my dissatisfaction with the whole recall notice since I just bought the bike and the KAWI USA rep said that "he would be taking care of me on the 600 mile service". I'm not sure if that means a discount or what. Either way I will let you guys know what that means after I get the bill for the serivce and I find out if I need a new frame.
____________
2012 ZX14, Ceramic Coated Brock's CT Meg, PCV, throttlemeister
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shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted June 23, 2008 09:55 AM
quote:
Just spoke to Kawi USA and made an appt at my local dealer for the recall inspection. Also scheduled my 600mile service at the dealer. I voiced my dissatisfaction with the whole recall notice since I just bought the bike and the KAWI USA rep said that "he would be taking care of me on the 600 mile service". I'm not sure if that means a discount or what. Either way I will let you guys know what that means after I get the bill for the serivce and I find out if I need a new frame.
Wow, maybe I should give them a call...I got mine on 5/16.
But, I'd rather they just cover installation of the $3k in aftermarket parts I purchased. :-)
Shane
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Port_Angeles_Ninja
Expert Class
Posts: 388
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posted June 23, 2008 10:31 AM
ratbyk,
PAPower is where i bought my 14, i have never had any problems with them. I have not had anything major done there, just scheduled service and 4 rear and 1 front tire put on. They have never screwed up any of this simple stuff and seem to me to be competent and good to work with. I didn't have the recall done there because i was working in tacoma at the time so i had it done at Puyallup Power Sports. They said mine was the 7th bike they had done the recall on and all were OK.
Good Luck
____________
Red/Black 85' GPZ900
Blue 07' ZX14
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted June 23, 2008 12:10 PM
Just dont forget fellas, to make them do the visual inspection NO MATTER WHAT THE TORQUE IS. You can do it yourself, too, but two eyes are better than one.
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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D-ZX14
Parking Attendant
Posts: 5
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posted June 23, 2008 04:13 PM
****PLEASE READ*****For what its worth, I took my bike in for an inspection and my collars were found to be 4ft-lbs overtorqued. Per the procedure, the dealer disassembled my bike and VISUALLY checked the welds for cracks. I have a MAJOR issue with this procedure. I think Kawasaki should give all owners with overtorqued collars NEW FRAMES. A visual inspection by an uncertified welder/inspector (i.e. dealership) is unacceptible. What if the crack is not visible by the naked eye when the bike is inspected?? At the very least, Kawasaki should send out engineers to do a more robust inspection like magnuflux. However, they are not doing that. I have called Kawasaki to discuss my concerns and the customer rep. people were not technical enough to answer my questions. I called the lead engineer from the National Highway Traffic and Saftey and he understood my concern. He also said he can only make Kawasaki perform the recall, but he can't tell them how to resolve the issue. Also, per the procedure, when the dealer inspects the frame and if they don't find cracks, they will install a new collar kit at a lower torque value. This is also a concern of mine since I have been riding the bike for 2 years in the mountains placing stresses on an already overtorqued frame. And now Kawasaki is just going to replace the bolts at a lower torque value. Will this lower torque do the job since I have already stressed the frame at a higher torque condition? I'm really concerned about this and as a result, I sent a letter to Kawasaki's Director of Public Affairs with a copy to the National Highway Traffic and Safety. I'm going to also seek legal advice. Lastly, I took my bike in on June 13th and the dealer called me today saying the welds were not cracked and the bike was ready. So that means I have the same frame with new bolts torqued at a lower value. I must admit, I'm scared to ride it because of the reasons above. I think I'm going to leave it in the shop until I hear back from Kawasaki.
By the way, if you have the same concerns as I do, which are valid until a Kawasaki Engineer tells me why my concerns are invalid; you can go on the National Highway Traffic and Safety (NHTS) website and download the investigation report sent from their lead engineer, Robert Young. In the investigation report, you will find Roberts email address and phone number. Also, in the report you can find the name and address of Kawasaki's Director of Public Affairs, Roger Hagie. I suggest calling and writing letters to these individuals instead of wasting time calling the 1-800 number. Maybe if enough people call, we all will get new frames or new bikes.....we need to take the guess work out of this process.
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ratbyk
Expert Class
Posts: 179
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posted June 23, 2008 06:34 PM
I'm in a bit of a unique position. I live on Vancouver Island BC Canada but purchased my bike off ebay in Oklahoma. I have received the recall letter. I checked with Kawi Canada and was informed that I was the importer not them and to take it back to the US.
I have contacted Port Angeles Power, the closest Kawi dealer to me and made arrangements to bring the bike in on Fri June 27 to be checked.
Has anyne on the forum had their 14 checked by PA Power? Just wondering how experienced/competent they are. Really hate to be told I am going to have to leave it and come back next month or what ever.
This not just worry some, it is getting scary. Right in the middle of the riding season.
I have eye balled the affected weld ares and all seems/looks good.
Anyone got advise on PA Power?
_____________________________________________________________
Jeff Martin and PA_Ninja, thank you for the vote of confidence for PA Power. I will not be PO of the locals,. Actually I know Carolyn in the parts dept from eons ago during my/our XS11 Yamaha forum days.
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Rideharder
Zone Head
Posts: 821
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posted June 23, 2008 07:54 PM
Edited By: Rideharder on 23 Jun 2008 21:06
quote:
Rideharder, what the hell are you doing pasting that? Don't they teach you engine mechs to read and right your own stuff anymore?
You say you "inspect welds". Is that visually or with NDT? I'm in NDT myself, 18 yrs and counting. 4 years of which was performing the overhaul inspections of US Navy engines. And you are correct: There is NO better training for crack detection than inspecting a turbine engine during overhaul. Damn things are cracked friggin everywhere, tight ass little fatigue cracks in Titanium to big ass weld cracks. I was always amazed how they would re-use ANYTHING from those old wornout engines...
I been certified in all my metals. And it just iritates me knowing each shop that gets the bike, has a different way they go about doing their inspections. The hardest metal that i had to certify in was the cobalt cast. I did the turbines for Eglin AFB. But I gotta tell you that these engines from GE and Rolls Royce, their CRFs engine components are over 65 yrs. The components definitely seen their days of heat treat. I talked to a gentleman named Mike at the Kawasaki dealership and he stated that he will not give me the inspection procedure because he is afraid in a round about way that people would be tampering with it to have their frames replaced.It is very upsetting knowing that the bike has to be tampered with, without no inspection sheet to look over to reassure me ..I am taking my bike to the shop next week and I am going to inspect every weld with a penetrant and black light.
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lowcel
Expert Class
Happy on 2 wheels.
Posts: 157
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posted June 24, 2008 04:49 AM
quote:
Dont waste the time to call. They wont do nothing but say take it to the dealer and get new frame. Its not their fault that you payed them 10-12k for a new bike, also its not their fault with this recall your bikes worth considerably less to sell outright, Its not their fault your thinking that the ass-end might fall off your bike and kill ya. I geuss they are saying they can screw up and not stand b-hind their product. must be nice.
What annoys me is that if this were a recall on a car the dealership would provide the customer with a rental car while the work was being done. However due to this being a motorcycle they don't have to do anything. It doesn't seem fair. I just purchased my 14 two months ago, it doesn't seem right that I may have to be without it for a month or longer due to a problem that is in no way my fault.
____________
2007 Z14 SE - Yoshimura TRC full race exhaust w/ carbon can - PCiii w/ map from HPC - Flies removed - Pipercross air filter - Speedohealer - Puig Double Bubble - Fender Eliminator - GPR Steering Damper - Puig Frame Sliders - HID's - Halo's
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted June 24, 2008 05:50 AM
D-ZX14- Magnaflux is a slang term for Magnetic Particle Inspection, which only works on magnetic metals, ie steel.
Dye Penetrant is the simplest, most logical inspection and IMO should be required for EVERY frame that is overtorqued. Which would require them to strip the welds and lugs, inspect, then repaint. Not an unreasonable thing to expect considering the implications of a frame failure!
A Ultrasonic Weld Inspection would be the preferred inspection choice, but that is a spendy proposition with a limited pool of shops and personnel capable of doing it, at an aprx. cost to the shop of $200-300 per frame. The problem (from Kawa's point of view) is two fold: lack of availability of people to perform the inspection, requiring bringing them in from out of town for some shops meaning additional downtime and ALOT more $$$, and maybe more importantly, they would find ANY defect in the weld and document it, putting the kawi engineers into the position of having to "buy off" each individual bike's defects. You could reasonably expect that a large percentage of those welds would have defects such as undercut, slag inclusions, and lack of penetration since they were not assembled to the default standards those inspectors would be using.
All in all, not a nightmare scenario that Kawi will ever willingly put themselves into! It would be simpler to just replace the frames, which has its own logistical problems: whatever factory is making the 08 frames would have to double its capacity, which most likely means slowing or dropping production of a new yet-to-be-released model to cover it.
So Kawa is taking the only route they see as viable: visual inspection and crossed fingers that a crack hasn't already started that will grow even with the new lower torque numbers...
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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