Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted March 26, 2007 02:16 PM
How hard is it?
I have a huge amount of mods I plan to do to my bike. Some of the things I am going to do include: A Brock's Smeg, PCIII w/LCD, Heli Bars, Stebal Nautilus air horn, removing flies, Heavy Throttlemeister, and a Scorpio Alarm system, along with a few cosmetic mods like Kuryakyn grips and a Rumble Concept fender eliminator. I will have ALL these things within the next 4 months.
I have zero experience when it comes to fixing bikes but I want to learn at least the basics. Are any of these things I mentioned something I should have a professional install or do you think a beginner could handle them? I don't even have tools yet, nor do I know what I need, but I plan to get them before my projects arrive.
And thanks to everyone in the forum for helping me with my choices for my upgrades. You guys really made things a piece of cake for me.
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
  
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1badzx12r
Needs a life
Posts: 8321
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posted March 26, 2007 02:25 PM
follow directions on packages... read twice ..install once..
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S06nIz4scvI
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Raptor14
Expert Class
Posts: 264
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posted March 26, 2007 02:34 PM
1. Get a service manual from your dealer. I paid $50 for mine. They usually sell for around $60. You'll need it for the torque specs, wiring diagrams, etc. If you're gonna mod your bike it is an invaluable resource.
2. Heli bars take a total of 10 minutes, if that. Piece of cake, even for someone who has never seen a bike before. Just follow the directions. They were just right for me.
3. Exhaust and PC take a little time but the install is pretty simple. Here's some directions:
http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewthread.php?FID=27&TID=26027
You didn't mention removing the flies, which is something you should strongly consider. The above link has a reference to the instructions on another site. I think the owner of that site has locked people out if they don't register so you may not be able to access it directly. I have the instructions so if you ever consider that option perhaps I can forward. Someone may have posted the instructions on Bikeland so you might try the search function.
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted March 26, 2007 02:41 PM
Removing flies: right between air horn and the throttlemeister. That is a definite for me! My PCIII comes first and I was going to remove the flies once I get the PCIII, then I was going to do the exhaust. Thanks for the link. That makes me feel a bit better. I am going to order a manual from my stealership tomorrow. Does it also teach you how to do oil changes and what to look for with the check-ups? I just can't justify paying some snot-nosed kid who is indifferent about my bike to do it, if I can take an hour or so and do it myself. More time with my baby the better.
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted March 26, 2007 02:51 PM
Um... mind if I double-post? Lol! Raptor14: can you send me the link on the flies removal. That is a great tool for the exhaust btw. The link for the flies below it takes me to a member's page that won't let me log-on to. Oh, and any idea where I can get a quality all-in-one tool kit complete with the torque wrenches and things I will need for bike maintenance?
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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Raptor14
Expert Class
Posts: 264
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posted March 26, 2007 03:00 PM
Judging by your comments/questions you must be new to bikes. If so, learning on a ZX14 is pretty ballsy. I would have recommended learning to ride on a less powerful, lighter weight bike. You'd learn a lot more. At any rate, you got what you got.
1. The service manual covers just about anything you want to do.
2. Changing oil is a piece of cake. Use decayed dinosaur oil for the first 1000 miles or so to insure that you get the engine broken in. Then you can switch to full synthetic if you want. I changed oil at 600 and 1200 miles with decayed dinos. Then used a blend until 2000 miles. Now I use full synthetic. I recommend using the Pure One PL14612 filter rather than the Kawi filter. The Pure One is a much better filter and its a lot cheaper. They sell them at WalMart and most auto parts stores. Some have encountered a problem getting their stock filter off for the first oil change. It's easy if you have a cup type filter wrench. Put a shop rag over the head of the filter and then press the cup wrench over it. That way it won't slip and the filter comes right off.
3. The flies and the exhaust require the correct maps for the PC. Should not be an issue if you buy from Brock. Most other exhaust systems will also come with maps, but you may not have an option for flies out. If you really are new to riding, keep the flies in until you learn how to ride the thing. It becomes a beast when you take the flies out.
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Raptor14
Expert Class
Posts: 264
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posted March 26, 2007 03:04 PM
Here's another source for fly removal:
http://www.zx14ninja.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=2556&start=0
I'm outta here.
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted March 26, 2007 03:49 PM
Yes and no, Raptor. I have owned a 2002 zx12R for a number of years, and I got it brand new. I always took it to my mechanic for oil changes and what not and never had money or a need for mods of any kind so I never thought about it, and left it stock. Late last year I decided I was going to get a 14 so I researched the crap out of it, and that is when I started hopping around forums and learning more about the bike. The first few forums were all about chest thumping, "we are better than Busa's", kind of people, and did not give much information that was helpful. When I came across THIS website I realized the world I was missing out on! The awesome mods, the track (I live directly down the street from Morosso Motorsports track and never dragged), the beautification toys, and I was hooked! Problem is that these mods cost quite a bit of money and if I was going to have my mechanic do it all then it would cost me twice as much--not only that but I will never learn that way, and the thought of doing this stuff myself appeals to me. There are a number of beginners on this site that can do it, so why not I, right? I just don't want to screw-up the beast.
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted March 26, 2007 03:58 PM
The toughest part will be removing the flies, but it's really not hard, just requires care and some very basic mechanical knowledge. It's the biggest improvement you can make, and the least costly bang for the buck....good luck! Just don't drop the screws into AN OPEN INTAKE...CUZ IT WILL BE TOUGH TO RETRIEVE.
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FYYFF!!!
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princesskiwi
Administrator
MISTRESS of SMACK
Posts: 7688
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posted March 26, 2007 04:45 PM
quote:
follow directions on packages... read twice ..install once..
then post before and after pictures.
PS.
If you are unable to post pictures because you can not figure out how - then get a friend to help you with the mods to your bike.
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted March 26, 2007 09:48 PM
quote:
PS.
If you are unable to post pictures because you can not figure out how - then get a friend to help you with the mods to your bike.
so well said!
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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raptor14
Expert Class
Posts: 264
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posted March 27, 2007 03:36 AM
So Ninja_Knight, enjoy your 14. I lived in Palm Beach Gardens for 20 years. Worked at Pratt & Whitney and moved to CT when they moved their gas turbine business up here. Truthfully, I like CT better than FL. Riding up here is much more fun for me due to all the curvey/hilly back roads. I have two bikes, my neighbor and my usual riding buddy both have three. Depends on the type of riding we want to do as to which bike gets ridden. The 14 is my favorite of all the bikes I've owned. It handles well for such a large bike, it has more capability than I have, and I've had no problems with it yet.
Note that the 14 will run hot, especially in a climate like FL. You'll feel the heat coming off the engine when you aren't moving. The temp gauge tends to read on the high side so it will probably climb up to max when you're sitting at a light or stuck in traffic. In spite of that I've never overheated. I got my temp down by getting rid of the stock exhaust with the catalytic converters (which keep the heat in) and adding the PC, which richened the mixture a little (lean engines run hotter). That helped a lot. Then I add Water Wetter each summer which helps a little. Mostly the Water Wetter seems to keep the temp from climbing as fast when I'm idling at a light and it cools down quicker once I get going. Don't freak over some high temp readings as it is normal on the 14.
This is my 14 as of last year http://members.cox.net/allengeo/ZX-14/200614.jpg. I've since added a Corbin seat and a Puig Double Bubble smoke colored windscreen. Still looking for a hugger that I like.
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted March 27, 2007 05:41 AM
It is a small world. I live in North Palm Beach and I was born and raised in Darien, CT, and I WORK at the Pratt & Whitney buildings right now and have so for a few years now. I don't work for Pratt & Whittney though. My company, Weiss Group, bought one of their buildings a few years back. I agree with you 100% about riding in CT is so much better - the curves, the way the trees form a canopy over the roads during the summer and cast their cool shade over the asphalt, or riding through autumn leaves with that crisp scent of "Halloween" in the air which no true Floridian would ever understand. Aw, ya got me homesick, Raptor.
Anyway, that is excellent advice about the heat and I will pick-up some water wetter with my Dino Oil. I knew the 14 would be a bit hotter than my 12R (I never got rid of the stock can), but I did not know how much. That doesn't deter me though, but it is good to be prepared for it. I want to ride it around for a while stock (like a full weekend) and then go to work so I can truly appreciate the differences. Do you think perhaps I should wait until my first 600 before doing the exhaust mods and removing the flies?
Your bike is purty! I especially appreciate the coating you did on your pipe; it really flows with your bike. I am going to get a Corbin seat as well with the removable backrest for a passenger - would you say that it is definitely better than a stock seat on longer rides? Is it wider at all?
+1 Princess. Don't worry, I can AND WILL post before and after pics of my work. I will also take some video so you can hear the sound of my Smeg and air horn once I finish installing them.
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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princesskiwi
Administrator
MISTRESS of SMACK
Posts: 7688
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posted March 27, 2007 08:43 AM
quote:
So Ninja_Knight, enjoy your 14. I lived in Palm Beach Gardens for 20 years. Worked at Pratt & Whitney and moved to CT when they moved their gas turbine business up here. Truthfully, I like CT better than FL. Riding up here is much more fun for me due to all the curvey/hilly back roads. I have two bikes, my neighbor and my usual riding buddy both have three. Depends on the type of riding we want to do as to which bike gets ridden. The 14 is my favorite of all the bikes I've owned. It handles well for such a large bike, it has more capability than I have, and I've had no problems with it yet.
Note that the 14 will run hot, especially in a climate like FL. You'll feel the heat coming off the engine when you aren't moving. The temp gauge tends to read on the high side so it will probably climb up to max when you're sitting at a light or stuck in traffic. In spite of that I've never overheated. I got my temp down by getting rid of the stock exhaust with the catalytic converters (which keep the heat in) and adding the PC, which richened the mixture a little (lean engines run hotter). That helped a lot. Then I add Water Wetter each summer which helps a little. Mostly the Water Wetter seems to keep the temp from climbing as fast when I'm idling at a light and it cools down quicker once I get going. Don't freak over some high temp readings as it is normal on the 14.
This is my 14 as of last year http://members.cox.net/allengeo/ZX-14/200614.jpg. I've since added a Corbin seat and a Puig Double Bubble smoke colored windscreen. Still looking for a hugger that I like.
The issue is that the bars don't translate into a number.
I could tell if my 04 636 was hot because the gauge actually displayed a number.
I would not advise ignoring the temperature (or any other) warnings displayed by the bike.
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princesskiwi
Administrator
MISTRESS of SMACK
Posts: 7688
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posted March 27, 2007 08:54 AM
Ninja_Knight enjoy your 14.
I love the 14 - what a great bike.
Great for the open road, sweet in corners and still manageable at slow speeds (with the secondary fly valves in) to lane split through LA traffic.
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raptor14
Expert Class
Posts: 264
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posted March 27, 2007 10:21 AM
1. Never said to ignore the temp gauge. I've had 3 Kawi dealers say it reads on the high side so I simply don't panic when it gets hot. Mine has only hit the top bar once since I changed the exhaust and added the PC. On the road it is at the middle or below, riding slow in traffic on a warm day it goes one bar above.
2. The exhaust can is carbon fiber. That's the way they come. It isn't coated. Some guys have coated their mid-pipes and can. Looks nice. Carbon fiber weighs less but some claim they have issues. I've never had a problem with a carbon pipe yet.
3. Enjoy your daily drive/ride on the Beeline. Did it for 20 years and could almost do it in my sleep. Pretty straight piece of road. All my riding buddies up here are also from FL, came up with P&W.
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worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
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posted March 27, 2007 10:27 AM
....does one need to be a Ferrari mechanic to enjoy a Ferrari?....no, but it would be wise to have lots of driving experience beyond a year after high-school driver's ed...maybe even some high-performance driving education and more than a few thousand miles in 'simpler' cars to truely and safely make use and enjoy said Ferrari's high horsepower and complexity of operation (ie. paddle shifters, sequential gearbox, limited rear vision that complicates situational awareness, etc.....did I mention the eye-watering super high-horsepower?)...
.....it appears that Ninja_Knight has big-bore motorcycle experience, how much is unknown, but it appears he's comfortable enough to move up to the ZX-14...and maybe his time is worth more to him if he paid someone to do some of the more complicated mods for him?....still, its good to get to know one's bike as much as possible...
...enjoy your ride, N_K....ride safe....
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted March 27, 2007 10:52 AM
Thanks Princess and Worm! I am extremely excited to be getting "involved" finally. Like I said, I owned a 12R for years, and loved it, but I cannot say I am anything more than a rider. Just deciding to get my hands dirty and ordering all these terrific mods has made me feel much more in tune with my dream 14. The fastest I got my 12R was 180mph (since I did not have a healer I have no idea what that translates into. 170mph?). I plan to drag but first I am going to take an advanced riders course and get these mods out the way. Also it helps that I am such a big guy as well, any bike under the 12R or 14 seems small to me.
I do not think I will ever be a mechanic, like worm said, but I do see the importance of at least knowing how to adjust your own chain, change your own oil, or put on some simpler mods. If worse comes to worse and I take a look at the PCIII and the exhaust and say, "Heck, no way!", then I have the option to take my bike to this place called Spyder Racing about 30 minutes away - they did all my work for my 12R and were cheaper than taking it to the stealership, and treated me with respect and honesty like Brock does. With the miles I quickly put on my bike though it still is advantageous to learn to do the basics myself.
Oh and Raptor: you were mentioning how the bike may run hot, especially for people like me in FL; have you ever heard of Dex Cool orange anti-freeze? Any good? I ran into this guy at a gas station who told me about the stuff. And how are those Corbin seats of yours on long rides? Thanks all for the info!
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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nemesis
Novice Class
Posts: 51
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posted March 27, 2007 11:21 AM
"The toughest part will be removing the flies, but it's really not hard, just requires care and some very basic mechanical knowledge. It's the biggest improvement you can make, and the least costly bang for the buck....good luck! Just don't drop the screws into AN OPEN INTAKE...CUZ IT WILL BE TOUGH TO RETRIEVE. "
Oh i did that when i took of my air cleaner and the bolt that holds it fell into the carburettor,time to get the tweezer....
These things happen!
Haha
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raptor14
Expert Class
Posts: 264
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posted March 27, 2007 02:56 PM
DexCool is an extended life antifreeze patented by General Motors. It is licensed to other manufacturers, such as Penzoil. It is basically conventional ethylene glycol antifreeze with some extended life chemicals mixed in. GM has several lawsuits against it for DexCool as it apparently did not live up to its extended life claims and has caused corrosion, leading to leaks and gasket failures. Since DexCool is ethylene glycol it won't keep your engine any cooler than what you have now, which is the same stuff without the life enhancement additive that doesn't work anyway.
There is a product called Engine Ice which some swear by. It is propylene glycol and the manufacturer states that it will drop your engine temps. I've never tried it. When I look at the spec sheet the heat transfer coefficient is worse than ethylene glycol so I don't see how it can be better.
Water Wetter is not a coolant per say. It reduces the surface tension of the antifreeze/water mixture, which in theory allows slight improvements in the heat transfer between the metal and the liquid. It seems to work a little for me so I use it, but don't expect any miracles.
Being conservative, I use a specific motorcycle 50/50 ethylene glycol mixture which has all the right additives for aluminum engines, ect. I then add the Water Wetter, about 3X as much as they tell you to. It increases my freeze temperature from -25F to -10F so this winter I drained the radiator and went back to a pure 50/50 mix. Just bought the water wetter to put in the radiator for the summer.
My recommendation, don't experiment with something some guy at a gas station tries to sell you. I'm not against guys at gas stations, my dad owned one and I worked there. If you don't have a lot of experience or trustworthy friends, stick with the recommendations in the owners manual.
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted March 27, 2007 03:05 PM
quote:
There is a product called Engine Ice which some swear by. It is propylene glycol and the manufacturer states that it will drop your engine temps. I've never tried it. When I look at the spec sheet the heat transfer coefficient is worse than ethylene glycol so I don't see how it can be better.
Engine Ice<--- me and a trillion other Florida scorcher weather riders have found this to be the bestest stuff in the whole world. Not only is it a must for us on the streets, we use it in our track bikes for the summer torture too 
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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raptor14
Expert Class
Posts: 264
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posted March 27, 2007 03:08 PM
So maybe I'll break down and give it a try stevewfl. It's spec sheet just doesn't look as good as the basic ethylene glycol. Good thing is that propylene glycol won't kill your dog if he/she drinks it.
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted March 27, 2007 03:09 PM
we really use it a lot here. I don't know anyone that prefers anything over it
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted March 27, 2007 08:58 PM
I have to give it a try as well. How long have you been using it Stevewfl?
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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HOTROD360
Novice Class
Posts: 63
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posted March 30, 2007 09:22 AM
theres also another that i use gives great results as well its called 40 below you can get it at autozone or advance my wifes gsxr100 has a big motor in it and at daytona her bike wouldnt go over 207, her fan is set to come on at 210. we use this in the South Cakilac state.
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