MikeT
Parking Attendant
N/A
Posts: 9
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posted September 28, 2006 05:49 PM
ZX14 in Melbourne Australia
I bought my red ZX-14 on 30 May 06 and have clocked 5000k so far. I think I was the first one on the road in Melbourne, and to date I have not seen another one on the road, though I know they are there because my local dealer has sold several, and yesterday they showed me a black ZX-14 that had been t-boned by a probationary (first year) female driver and had AUD$10K damage done to it. The young bloke riding it was thown off over the bars and thankfully not badly hurt.
My ex bikes are Kawasaki Z1, GPZ900R, GPZ1000RX, Katana, BMW K100, ZZR1100, 99 Hayabusa, HD 88 CI Dyna Wideglide, 04 Hayabusa, (The ZZR1200 just didn't do it for me, so I bought another Busa) then being very pissed off with the second (2004) Busa, (slow, crappy handling) traded it on the ZX-14.
The ZX-14 is an awesome machine, I blast through the traffic into Melbourne and back out to the Dandenong Ranges (40Klms East of Melbourne where I live) and race it up the mountain round the switchbacks to home. The only real bitch I have is the lack of (relative) power below 4000 RPM, and the flat spot at 3200 RPM. This is caused, I am led to believe, by the secondary throttle butterflies remaining closed until around 7000 RPM and an ignition retard in second.
I have difficultly believing the second throttle butterflies stay completely closed because it goes against engineering principles, the engine cannot run with closed intakes, so I think they must partly open. I am thinking of making a perspex cover and replace one airbox access cover so I can observe the action of the butterflies with the airbox sealed. Second thought is if they truly remain closed, to drill a small hole (around 1/4 inch) in each butterfly to allow a small airflow prior to them opening. This would likely increase the bottom end power without the problems encountered when the second butterflies are removed.
Any thoughts anyone?
Is the ignition retard in second gear really there? (it feels like it) and is there a fix as rumoured in a local magazine.
Finally, do American and European riders think the suspension is a bit soft? Some of the roads I burn up around here are a bit bumpy. Our freeways and major roads aren't bad, but some of the back roads are a bit rough, and I bottom out sometimes, mainly the forks. I've upped the compression and rebound damping two clicks front and rear, and this has helped, but I think I may have to look at stiffer springs.
Mike Taylor- Melborne Australia
    
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vegasdude
Zone Head
Posts: 821
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posted September 28, 2006 05:52 PM
Take a look at brocks pics...........
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zx1kr
Pro
Posts: 1301
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posted September 28, 2006 06:35 PM
 Edited By: zx1kr on 28 Sep 2006 20:01
Problems? The are no problems with the flies removed. They were myths that were busted. Pull the flies, don't drive yourself crazy. Let me know when you decide on a set-up ie: pipe, flies out , pc3 etc. let me know your elevation & I might have the map to get you right.
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MATTZ14
Expert Class
Posts: 282
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posted September 28, 2006 06:48 PM
Hey Mike
Welcome aboard.
First, removing the secondary butterflies is not as scary(for lack of other word) as it was originally portrayed. It really is a good thing. However, if you read Brocks study that he did. The flies do actually stay closed for quite a while. No need to make that clear cover. he documented all of it. Including running it on the dyno with the covers off. If I remember correctly. He put a ton of time into his study and ther is alot to read.
Second, I changed my forks 4or5 clicks to get it were I wanted it, so when I hit a dip such as a driveway, it wouldn't bottom out.( We aren't talking high speed. I almost had to come to a complete stop and just roll through the dip otherwise. I only did 2or 3 in the rear. Not really a problem in the rear just didn't want them way different. I liked the twisties from on the factory set up, just not the around town.
Isn't May your fall there? You Been riding all winter? If so, what is winter like? I got my bike in May also and I have ridin it as much as possible, even in the rain a few times, and I only have 3500 on mine.
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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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MikeT
Parking Attendant
N/A
Posts: 9
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posted September 28, 2006 07:33 PM
Thanks guys, and MattZ14, you're right, it was the start of winter when I bought the ZX, but we have had some mild dry winters and are in the middle of a drought, with water restrictions and the like, and another bushfire season coming up. Bit of a worry mate. It has been a mild winter, though I have been blasted a couple of times with heavy rains. The Z is fantastic in the wet, and hard to bring unglued even when the road is under half an inch of water!
I read Brock's write-up a few weeks ago, but have difficultly believing the flies stay completely closed, thought maybe opening the airbox may have affected their operation, so then thought about observing their operation with the airbox sealed. Looks like I'm barking up the wrong tree.
It's not only the "retarded" feel below 4000 RPM that is a problem, it's the "switch" to hyperspace mode that one needs to be careful of. Last weekend I went out with my Son, he was on his SV-650S, and I blew him away on the twisties back of where we live, scraping the soles off my Johnny Rebs, and making him look like a pansy (he has been merciless this last year with my handling problems on my 04 Busa- "maybe you're getting to old for this Dad" and the like", so pay back time. The problem was though, I nearly came unstuck a couple of times as the power kicked in. I'm bent over, already flying, and the afterburner comes on just when I didn't need it! Anyway, I can't bitch, I just need to get on top of it, keep the revs right and I'll live!
I think ultimately a power commander might be the key, but I was thinking there might be a wire I can cut like the Busa, which removes the retard.
Mike T- Melbourne
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted September 28, 2006 08:10 PM
Where's the pics???
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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MATTZ14
Expert Class
Posts: 282
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posted September 28, 2006 08:28 PM
Yea Mike
Mine was really unpredictable when it hit the powerband. 60% of the time it would just dance the front end off the ground. 35% of the time It would carry the front tire about 3". 5% of the time it would want to stand straight up. Now with the flies out only get the dancing. That's from go to redline. No more 2 stroke band or nitous style kick. Also not touchy down low. Do you have any other mods?
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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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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted September 28, 2006 08:37 PM
Right on Aussie!
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MikeT
Parking Attendant
N/A
Posts: 9
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posted September 29, 2006 03:16 PM
No more mods, though I removed the rear fender and made up a bracket to mount the number plate right under the tail light and back a bit. I haven't fitted a number plate light yet, so will likely get picked up by the Plods in the next week or so.
There isn't a lot of aftermarket stuff available here yet, though a local company makes carbon fibre moulded huggers for most bikes, and are apparently ready to deliver a few hot off the presses for the ZX-14 to the Kwaka dealer down the road. Around AUD$140 (US$100) for a tank protector that covers the rear half of the tank, and stops it getting carved up and looks shithot! (Australian term for very good)
Just fitted a new Battlax 014 to the rear and will be going out to play this arvo or tomorrow morning. Bought my freeloading Son a new rear tyre for his SV650S so I am hoping I won't be so far ahead this time, you know, three and four corners ahead, and feeling lonely as a bastard on fathers day!
No pics available, someone knocked off my new Pentax digital SLR, so I'm stuffed until I get my head around this assault and go out and buy another.
Might try the cell phone camera.
Mike T Melbourne.
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MATTZ14
Expert Class
Posts: 282
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posted September 29, 2006 03:24 PM
Cell phone cameras work pretty good once you get them to a computer. I have a nice solution for the light on the number plate. The pics I have taken haven't come out though. Depends how far back you put your plate though.
I am also interested in that CF stuff. email me the info if you can get it, please. Thank you.
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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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MikeT
Parking Attendant
N/A
Posts: 9
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posted September 29, 2006 03:31 PM
Matt, I will post the details and send a pic (cellphone pic) when I buy one, be a few days I think, though if I can escape this afternoon (it's Saturday morning 0930hrs here) I'll swing by the bike shop and see whether they are in yet. I fitted one to my Busa and it was better than the made in China crappy plastic stick-on protectors and looks good too.
Mike T
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