tiger8u
Parking Attendant
Posts: 15
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posted August 12, 2006 02:57 PM
HELP? Vibration under braking? And squeeky brakes
Aloha ZX14 riders.
Please read and let all know if you have any similar brake problems under slow braking or semi hard braking?
I have black ZX14, has about 2200 miles on it. When I first got it after about 300 miles the front brakes started to squeek at slow speeds (7 to 2mph) till a stop. Very irritating, took it in and the Kawasaki Dealer tried cleaning the disc with some brake cleaner, but the result was short lived, maybe 15mins.
Took the bike back again for the second time, and the dealer sanded the rotors and the pads for glazing. This was short lived as well?
The third time I told the service guy I wanted to have the brakes replaced. He replaced only the pads. I had asked them to replace the rotors and the pads, but they said Kawasaki would only warrant the pads. Soon as put the pads on. they still squeek, he said to ride it for about 500miles to let them brake in. Well 700miles later same problem.
As for the vibration under braking 40 till stop and maybe squeezing on the brake leaver about 60-70percent. the handle bars would vibrate and ocliate until you completely let off the brakes.
I took the bike back to the dealer for the fourth time. The service guys didn't even touch the brakes and said they only tighten my head bolt on the triple clamp. The service guy said the bike just fine. I had to take the guy out and show them the vibration while he was riding another bike next to me.
The kawai service guy can't figure out the problem and say Kawasaki won't warrant replacing the brake rotors and calipars.
He basically told me to go to another dealer.
I am totally livid. My attorney says I may have grounds for a lawsuit. Any suggestions?
Sincerely
James Novey
please call me or email me if you have any suggestions
jamesnovey@hawaii.rr.com
808-381-1888
  
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vegasdude
Zone Head
Posts: 821
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posted August 12, 2006 04:04 PM
 Edited By: vegasdude on 12 Aug 2006 17:05
If this is the dealer you bought the bike from, have your attorney send them a letter stating that if this bike is not fixed properly, then a lawsuit will be filed and your dealer will also pick up attorney fees as well. Also check out the lemon law for your state. Most of them state that if you bring the vehicle with the same problem 3 time within a given time frame, they owe you a new one.
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted August 12, 2006 06:14 PM
The vibration is coming from warped rotors...had that on my 10 and now it's starting on my 14 too at 7000 miles..under full warranty dude.
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FYYFF!!!
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted August 13, 2006 07:07 PM
FBA,
Mine come and go. I suspect they are warped but it does not do it every time I brake. I was going to wait until my 15,000 mile valve check to have the techs check them out. Hey what would cause these puppies to warp? I've only kicked the ZX over 110 a couple times and even then I never used the brakes to slow....Maybe 21 hours of consistant riding has something to do with it eh.
Rob
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smokinZX14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted August 13, 2006 07:18 PM
Mine squeek from time to time ..... No vibes but i don't ride that hard either, most of my hard riding is at the drag strip and i coast with only light braking to stop ...
Get a lawyer to write the dealer a letter , it will get fixed really quick ... I had to do that with my old RD350 back in 1973 because i broke 3rd gear .....It got fixed real fast!!!!!!
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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htosado
Zone Head
Posts: 949
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posted August 13, 2006 10:09 PM
My brakes tend to pull to one side if I'm into a turn and hit them. I thought it was something to do with my new braided lines, but mine are starting to squeek and vibrate too. I'm pretty hard on my brakes, and I'm about 230lbs. I would like to know the results of your investigation.
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted August 16, 2006 08:01 AM
Just a quick update, my rotors do appear to be warped. I let the shop manager test ride the 14 and he said outside of the rotors that is one hell of a ride. Pays to keep these guys happy.
Rob
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mustmoto
Expert Class
e-famous
Posts: 230
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posted August 16, 2006 09:02 AM
Tiger,
Has your dealer actually called Kawasaki for authorization for repairing the brakes? Perhaps they are under the impression Kawasaki won't cover the rotors and haven't made the call to the Big K.
I think this may be the case.
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SoCal ZX-14 Rider
Expert Class
Posts: 351
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posted August 16, 2006 10:09 AM
I agree with the warped rotor diagnosis. If the vibration didn't happen before the pads were replaced I would suspect the mechanic who replaced them. Who knows what he did.
Those rotors bend easy. I had a rotor lock on mine the first week I bought it, what a bad bad idea. I just bumped the bike forward forgeting to take it off and had to by a new rotor for the front. Can't remember but I think it was $200+.
I saved the old rotor and you can't even tell its bent even a little. Lay it on a perfectly flat surface and it hugs all sides flat to the surface. Put it on the bike and NO brakes. it was pushing the pad in and forcing the brake fluid back up into the reservoir causing brakes to pulsate.
My fronts squeak for weeks then stop for weeks. I have no idea why. Seems like everytime I go for a good ride in the twisties they quiet down for awhile. I have 7000 miles on mine. Original pads.
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If I'm not riding her, I'm dreaming about riding her! Mount up!
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tiger8u
Parking Attendant
Posts: 15
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posted August 16, 2006 11:52 PM
The dealer say they contacted Kawasaki, then they replaced the pads. The second time they were in this asumptive tone of telling me that they would contact Kawasaki to replace the rotors and the calipers. After a couple days the service manager tells me that Kawasaki won't warrant replacing the rotors and the calipers. What I am most irritated about is that the service manager is taking a stand and says there is nothing wrong with the bike. It is so obvious the squeeking and the ocilation. I think I am going to try to contact Kawasaki myself.
James
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted August 17, 2006 02:02 AM
Lawyer's letter to the dealer and Kaw will do the trick...Kaw will replace under warranty...I suspect that it's your dealer who being the dick.
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FYYFF!!!
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted August 17, 2006 04:52 AM
I'll throw my 2 cents in here. I agree with FBA, I don't get your dealer. The dealer will get paid for
his time and rotors will be billed to Kawasaki, the dealer is in a no lose situation.
My suggestion would go to another dealer. For the record I bought my bike from dealer 1 and
I will never go back to them period. Dealer 2 has been outstanding and I will pay them back
for their service. The service manager wanted to ride the ZX-14 and I told him here are the keys and
your mission is to verify that the brake rotors are warped.
He did but said that service has to do a runout in order to get Kawasaki to cover it.
No big deal. When it gets done and I suspect it will be sometime next month I'll post an update.
Robert
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tiger8u
Parking Attendant
Posts: 15
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posted August 22, 2006 07:24 PM
Has any one else had this problem?
Sincerley
James Novey
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tiger8u
Parking Attendant
Posts: 15
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posted August 22, 2006 07:26 PM
Has anyone else had this problem?
Sincerely
James
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surfinlate
Parking Attendant
Posts: 30
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posted August 25, 2006 10:46 AM
Yes noticing slight pulsing,
,mines got 5000 miles on it (8000km)
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MATTZ14
Expert Class
Posts: 282
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posted August 25, 2006 10:59 AM
Mine have started sqeeking @ 2200 and the rotors have seemes to have hot spots for the last 1000. No stutter.
____________
Later days, better lays
07 BLACK ZX14 Getting customized waiting for the white stuff to go away
06 BLACK ZX14 GONE Recall was a little late.
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nabrxx
Needs a job
Posts: 2853
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posted August 25, 2006 12:27 PM
Its the only flaw I can find with this bike....the damn front brake squeeking. Only the last 5ft of a stop...hard or soft.I keep monitoring this site for a solution, Ive got 3800 miles on her and when I replace the pads im going to do it based on peoples experience here. i ride like I wear shoes, dont want to have to leave it with the dealer for long. No vibration though.
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What we don't understand, we can
make mean anything...
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mugsymd
Expert Class
Posts: 169
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posted August 27, 2006 07:40 PM
I have the squeaks occassionally too.
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1987 Red/White Ninja 750
1988 K1
1991 FatBoy
2004 VROD
2005 K1200S
2006 ZX-14 - Red
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speedgene
Zone Head
Posts: 996
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posted August 28, 2006 12:35 AM
quote:
The kawai service guy can't figure out the problem and say Kawasaki won't warrant replacing the brake rotors and calipars.
With under 1,500 miles, I haven't heard one peep out of my brakes? How hard is it to set a dial indicator on the discs and read the numbers against the factory manual? Were the discs ever checked for, "runout?"
Does the front wheel spin freely without the calipers dragging against the discs, or won't the quad seals (inside the caliper) retract the pads enough?
Are you missing a wheel weight (too off the wall) for the induced 40mph vibration? At this time, it sure sounds like disc pulse? Can you feel the brake lever pulse back and forth in your hand?
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E-tard
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MATTZ14
Expert Class
Posts: 282
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posted August 28, 2006 08:32 AM
no pulse. Just skreech.
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tiger8u
Parking Attendant
Posts: 15
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posted August 31, 2006 02:35 AM
You guys won't believe this one...
I called the kawasaki number for customer service. They tell me Hawaii is not part of the US Distribution and I would have to talk with Pacific Kawasaki. These are the same clowns that sold me the bike and "tried" to solve the problem. I am going to write a letter to the corporate office in Japan.
Any body else have these squeeking brakes and shutters and ocilations.
Sincerely
James
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slates
Expert Class
Posts: 377
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posted August 31, 2006 05:10 AM
My brakes have been squeeking on the last 5ft when coming to a stop. It's been doing it for the past 500 miles or so...currently at approximately 1400 miles.
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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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I_WANA_BE_A_COWBOY_BABY
Parking Attendant
Posts: 2
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posted March 03, 2007 06:30 AM
Edited By: I_WANA_BE_A_COWBOY_BABY on 3 Mar 2007 06:53
Mine are vibrating too. The whole front end oscillates under hard braking. It happens most often under hard braking where you go over a bump coming down from 50-40-30, like at an intersection. Mechaninc at the dealer told me I'm too fat (220) "We're not 120lb Japanese guys" and I need to get after market springs because I'm bottoming out the suspension under hard braking!! That's just rich.
Blake
Honestly, I don't think its the rotors. It could be the new frame design flexing. I think we could find out with a video camera and a measuring tool of some kind to show the distance between the axle and the body over time. Kawasaki would be hard pressed to refute a youtube video. I suppose they have their dealers hamstrung to avoid a recall. Kinda like Honda did with the Goldwing frame.
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Tool man
Needs a job
Posts: 4493
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posted March 03, 2007 03:05 PM
quote:
Mine are vibrating too. The whole front end oscillates under hard braking. It happens most often under hard braking where you go over a bump coming down from 50-40-30, like at an intersection. Mechaninc at the dealer told me I'm too fat (220) "We're not 120lb Japanese guys" and I need to get after market springs because I'm bottoming out the suspension under hard braking!! That's just rich.
Blake
Honestly, I don't think its the rotors. It could be the new frame design flexing. I think we could find out with a video camera and a measuring tool of some kind to show the distance between the axle and the body over time. Kawasaki would be hard pressed to refute a youtube video. I suppose they have their dealers hamstrung to avoid a recall. Kinda like Honda did with the Goldwing frame.
Quite a theory you have there, about the frame flexing... Blake
In your first post your really step off into the deep end, I look forward to some more of your enlightening scientific hypotheses and engineering ideas.
Guys I now have over 10,000 on my bike never once a squeak. The rotors have some superficial bluing after a run in the canyon. which clears up after a short time.
Here is a hint a old racer gave me about warping rotors,
"They warp after overheating" (obviously) the trick is to drag them a little (if possible) a couple of times before coming to stop. This slows the cool down time and helps prevent warping
____________
The banks are failing..
The banks are failing...
Invest in Ammo
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ninja14
Pro
Posts: 1136
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posted March 03, 2007 03:26 PM
quote:
My brakes tend to pull to one side if I'm into a turn and hit them. I thought it was something to do with my new braided lines, but mine are starting to squeek and vibrate too. I'm pretty hard on my brakes, and I'm about 230lbs. I would like to know the results of your investigation.
If you brake while leaned the bike will tend to come upright.......which may seem like pulling to one side, but it's normal bike dynamics. There is only one front wheel/tire and there can't be any actual pulling........
$.02
I get the squeek now and then (10,200+ miles) esp after the rotor gets wet. Then it goes away.
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