fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21895
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posted June 22, 2007 08:14 AM
quote:
FYI for those that wonder what the noise is, i'm told it's the fuel tank vent valve releasing excess pressure. Quite normal. Without it, the result would be similar to Apollo 13.
yep  I've owned tons of bikes that do this! I prefer the venting off of excess pressure to the "explosive" alternative! 
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
   
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CAdynoservice
Parking Attendant
Posts: 1
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posted June 24, 2007 09:18 PM
I have a few more options to suggest for over-temp prevention:
1.) Don't slap-on an aftermarket exhaust without doing something about the fuel side of the equation. Hint: lean = extra hot.
2.) If you're doing item 1.) in 100+ degree conditions have enough common sense to ensure that you aren't also running it low on oil.
3.) Try using professionals when you decide to experiment with motorcycles.
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princesskiwi
Administrator
MISTRESS of SMACK
Posts: 7688
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posted June 25, 2007 05:58 PM
quote:
Nice report, but I'm amazed you rode in those conditions in leathers.
Heat stroke can kill faster than one can dope out it's happening to you, confusion- disorientation- seizure- coma-big sleep!
Nice to be young.
I know I came close to expiring - worse yet the bike stranded me and if I was riding in the middle of no where - who knows what the out come would have been.
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21895
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posted June 25, 2007 06:35 PM
 Edited By: fish_antlers on 25 Jun 2007 19:37
quote:
I have a few more options to suggest for over-temp prevention:
1.) Don't slap-on an aftermarket exhaust without doing something about the fuel side of the equation. Hint: lean = extra hot.
2.) If you're doing item 1.) in 100+ degree conditions have enough common sense to ensure that you aren't also running it low on oil.
3.) Try using professionals when you decide to experiment with motorcycles.
1) The stocker overheated... so did the non-stock...
2) They were full of oil and factory prepped
3) No experiment. Bikes were factory prepped
4) Bone stock production bike not factory prepped also displayed same failure.
5) Got any other suggestions?
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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Jim K
Expert Class
Posts: 141
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posted June 25, 2007 07:19 PM
The fan will stay on when hot if you shut it off with the 'Kill switch". But yes the key must remain on.... possibly avoiding the "heat spike"? This is what I do. I also do this ... when I get home and it's really hot I have a fan in the garage that I park in front of the bike and blow air through the fairing. Of course this won't work out on the road. But it helps with the cool down time.
I love this bike!!!
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Never did get the whole "Harley" thing!
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princesskiwi
Administrator
MISTRESS of SMACK
Posts: 7688
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posted June 26, 2007 05:21 AM
Edited By: princesskiwi on 26 Jun 2007 08:46
quote:
The fan will stay on when hot if you shut it off with the 'Kill switch". But yes the key must remain on.... possibly avoiding the "heat spike"? This is what I do. I also do this ... when I get home and it's really hot I have a fan in the garage that I park in front of the bike and blow air through the fairing. Of course this won't work out on the road. But it helps with the cool down time.
I love this bike!!!
I really like the 14 too.
I am really looking forward to see what they do with it for 2008.
Do you think kawasaki will take any of the technology they have developed for the Concours and put it on the 14?
(Like the keyless ignition???)
I really like the set up Corbin built for the 14 last year at Laguna.
I wonder how comfortable the back is with the bags on?
Anybody buy the Corbin set up and ride with a passenger?
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted June 26, 2007 05:14 PM
phytrax has the corbin setup, haven't heard from him lately but he was loving it
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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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Smurfslayer
Novice Class
Posts: 37
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posted July 01, 2007 05:38 AM
Interesting about the overheating... I haven't noticed it run that hot yet, but I like the 2nd fan idea.
Not sure what the connie will have in the way of Cruise, but here's how I put electronic cruise control on the 14
www.bighammer.net/zx14.html
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Dave
www.usrkba.org
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stu64
Zone Head
Posts: 548
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posted July 03, 2007 09:25 AM
Can't agree with this statement.......
The ZX-14 has ample wind and weather protection, comfortable seating and out of this world power and performance.
Wind protection sucks eggs in stock form....even for me at 5'9"
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21895
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posted July 03, 2007 04:52 PM
works fine for me and I'm bigger than you... the ZX-14 is like an easy chair!
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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H2 to ZX12
Needs a job
two stroke power
Posts: 3674
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posted July 17, 2007 04:52 AM
Edited By: H2 to ZX12 on 17 Jul 2007 06:47
black bikes $28,000, black leathers $1500, black lugage $1200, black helmets $1000, overheating and heatstroke in the Nevada summer sun priceless. what were you two thinking about? nice article btw
worm-dog is that you? wait too skinny 
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted August 08, 2007 09:21 AM
Here's your answer to the cooling problem: either buy and install another fan on right side of radiator (looks to be plenty of room, the Concours 14 has 2 fans on similar setup), or the cheaper route is install a 10" automotive cooling fan, follow this link for directions for this easy install. http://www.zx14ninja.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=7199. I like the idea of using the emergency flashers button for the fan override, but don't have the wiring diagram to do it right. I hate cutting and splicing new harnesses but you do what you have to sometimes. Better idea would be to install a lower temp fan sending unit so it activates sooner. wonder why all bikes fans start operating at so high a temp? too much draw at idle?
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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Smurfslayer
Novice Class
Posts: 37
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posted August 08, 2007 09:56 AM
I found a website with a bunch of fans listed and the 10" fan from Haden was 650 cfm and only 5.3 amps draw. Assuming you're not running heated grips or clothing at the same time, I can't see this running down the alternator, much less the puny stock fan.
There are 2 Permacool fans also - 19110 & 19120 that are either 2.5" deep or less, and less than 7 amps draw, but both push(pull) more cfm. I haven't looked into either yet but given the dimensions they should work the same.
I don't think the flasher switch wiring would be necessary for a fan this big, moving this much air since it won't have to work as hard, or as long to cool the bike down. In fact, it will probably cycle off after minute or so if the comments in that post are as reported...
I have the Hayden fan part # 3670 on a post it in front of my terminal now so I can check on and order for my next mod.
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Dave
www.usrkba.org
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted August 08, 2007 10:24 AM
the reason for the e flasher switch was to get the fan to come on sooner than waiting for the thermal switch to kick in. you can get around this by finding the fan sensor, taking off the wires and hooking up a controllable thermostatic switch like this http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=700+115+4294860934 I've done this numerous times on cars but never had a bike that had heating problems till now. You're right, though, if your fan setup cools bike properly you don't need to run the fan after shutdown unless you are drag racing and need a quick cooldown. or just like the sound of the fan running when you shut down 
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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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johns
Expert Class
Posts: 205
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posted August 25, 2007 05:34 PM
I have tried all the band aid fixes for high indicated temps. I have never had a boil over problem. Used Water Wetter with de-ionized water, Engine Ice, Engine Ice cut with de-ionized water, Engine Ice cut with de-ionized water with Water Wetter added. All of these simply delayed the engine reaching higher than normal temps in slow moving traffic or at stop lights when the ambient temp is above 90 degrees. Without the more efficient coolant my ZX-14 ran one bar above the middle when the ambient temp was over 90 even at freeway speeds. The most effective soloution I have found so far is to increase the airflow through the radiator by removing the airfoils on the front fender. I will be replacing the front fender entirely with a ZX-10 fender as soon as the parts arrive. This reportedly works even better at increasing the radiator efficency when the bike is moving. Since removing the front fender airfoils the indicated temp has never gone above the middle mark on the freeway even at ambient temperatures approaching a hundred. You still need the more efficent coolant. I also intend to add the Muzzy fan blade and a manual fan switch. Bottom line is that this is poor engineering and typical of Kawasaki to leave loose ends for customers to have to work around. Hopefully this problem will be resolved by Kaw in 08.
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2006 ZX-14 (sold)
2012 ZX-14R (Brock's Perf. project bike Louisville Slugger)
2013 Honda VFR1200F
2003 124 C.I. H.D. Super glide
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phytrax
Zone Head
Posts: 526
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posted August 26, 2007 04:08 AM
Edited By: phytrax on 26 Aug 2007 05:15
Had a few girls on the back, comfort is fine with the bags from what I hear. Not much room behind the peg though, just enough to get a good heel on. You will have to trim the plastic on the key to get to the helmet lock with the bags on, otherwise you can't turn it in the keyhole.
I am very happy with the wind protection and the seating position, also. I'm comparing to a Gixxer 1k and a KLR650. Probably sucks compared to the C14.
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Concourse14- Corbin Seat, Candy Apple Red Paint, Area P Slip-On
RIP+ZX-14- Brock's Gen3, Heli Risers, Corbin Bags, Corbin Seat and Oval Backrest (Burgandy Snakeskin and black alligator), Muzzys Frame Sliders, flies out, 18t front sprocket, PC3, Puig Double Bubble, Pirelli Diablo Strada's
KX450F - kickstand
>>> MySpace --CLICK-- <<<
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johns
Expert Class
Posts: 205
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posted November 21, 2007 05:24 PM
I installed the ZX-10 fender and the bottom line is that with more efficent coolant
(water wetter & de-ionized water with a 20% antifreeze solution) my overheating
problem is gone. I didn't install the Muzzy fan or fan switch. Most of the problem
is being caused by insufficent air flow to the radiator which you can resolve either
by removing the airfoils on the stock front fender or better still by installing a ZX-10
front fender.
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2006 ZX-14 (sold)
2012 ZX-14R (Brock's Perf. project bike Louisville Slugger)
2013 Honda VFR1200F
2003 124 C.I. H.D. Super glide
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted January 25, 2008 09:36 AM
quote:
I installed the ZX-10 fender and the bottom line is that with more efficent coolant
(water wetter & de-ionized water with a 20% antifreeze solution) my overheating
problem is gone. I didn't install the Muzzy fan or fan switch. Most of the problem
is being caused by insufficent air flow to the radiator which you can resolve either
by removing the airfoils on the stock front fender or better still by installing a ZX-10
front fender.
Did you notice a difference as a result of the fender with the bike at red lights and stuck in traffic and such too?
I wish one of us in scorching west Florida would've experienced an over heating prob with our 14s so I could better understand this phenomenon
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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johns
Expert Class
Posts: 205
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posted January 26, 2008 07:11 AM
Yes I did steve. When the bike is moving it runs at a lower temp because there is more airflow through the radiator so when you stop at a redlight the bike is cooler than it would be with the stock fender. The lower running temp means it takes longer to reach a high enough temp to turn on the fan and when you start moving again it cools back down quicker. I usually ride in either lightly congested or rural areas by choice so you probably need increased fan capasity and a manual fan switch if you are riding in congested traffic on extremly hot days. My bike used to run a bar above the middle at freeway speeds (70 mph) when temps were above 90. As stated earlier the coolant changes made a difference but not as much as increasing airflow with the fender mod. I have now installed the ZX-10 fender and I think the effect on cooling is aboit the same as removing the airfoils from the stock fender. Looks better with the ZX-10 fender though. I am going to install the Muzzy fan and the fan switch next as a backup measure. I am making some minor performance mods which includes increasing compression by milling the head which will create more heat.
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2006 ZX-14 (sold)
2012 ZX-14R (Brock's Perf. project bike Louisville Slugger)
2013 Honda VFR1200F
2003 124 C.I. H.D. Super glide
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butundo
Parking Attendant
Posts: 6
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posted April 13, 2008 08:08 PM
do you have a photo of the 14 with the zx10 fender?
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johns
Expert Class
Posts: 205
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posted April 13, 2008 09:46 PM
No I don't. This won't help much but go to ZX-14 ZZR-1400.com look in the performance upgrades and you will find a thread (pics with ZX-10 fender kits). The mounting bracket kits were made and sold by dubious who also posts here. The one photo in this thread is not very good. My bike is black and the fender doesn't show up very well in photos. My personal opinion but I think it looks much better than the stock ZX-14 fender and it works to reduce engine temp by unmasking the radiator. There were quite a few posts over there concerning the effectiveness of this mod in reducing temps.
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2006 ZX-14 (sold)
2012 ZX-14R (Brock's Perf. project bike Louisville Slugger)
2013 Honda VFR1200F
2003 124 C.I. H.D. Super glide
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Smurfslayer
Novice Class
Posts: 37
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posted April 14, 2008 04:39 AM
I'd just like to point out that so far all the heat fixes and results appear to be subjective opinions. Not to take anything away from those who have installed the zx10 fender, or the big fan, different coolant etc. But unless we perform back to back tests under controlled conditions with no other changes the reported results can be nothing but subjective.
I still have done no cooling mods specifically but for some water wetter and tinkering with the mixture. Honestly I never had any exhibited problems so I don't think it made a difference. I probably will put the bigger fan on since I haven't seen triple digit bumper to bumper traffic... although I have seen high 90's bumper to bumper and had no overheating issues. I think the fender, or bigger fan obviously move more air to / through the radiator which has to increase cooling efficiency but we don't have solid numbers. FWIW...
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Dave
www.usrkba.org
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johns
Expert Class
Posts: 205
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posted April 14, 2008 06:15 PM
I encourage you to do the testing smurfslayer since you're bike is still essentially stock. As I stated in an earlier post I never had any overheating problems either if you mean boil overs like fish referred to. I just didn't like the temp indicator running above the middleof the gauge at moderate speeds and on days when the temp was barely 90 degrees. In slow traffic it always ran above the middle even at more moderate temps (mid 80's) and the fan was on every time I stopped for a red light at 2 bars above the middle. You are right in observing that the results from the fixes I have used are my opinion based on my own experience as I didn't data log anything, I only observed the coolant temperature indicator before and after the mods in daily usage.
____________
2006 ZX-14 (sold)
2012 ZX-14R (Brock's Perf. project bike Louisville Slugger)
2013 Honda VFR1200F
2003 124 C.I. H.D. Super glide
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butundo
Parking Attendant
Posts: 6
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posted April 16, 2008 07:42 PM
quote:
No I don't. This won't help much but go to ZX-14 ZZR-1400.com look in the performance upgrades and you will find a thread (pics with ZX-10 fender kits). The mounting bracket kits were made and sold by dubious who also posts here. The one photo in this thread is not very good. My bike is black and the fender doesn't show up very well in photos. My personal opinion but I think it looks much better than the stock ZX-14 fender and it works to reduce engine temp by unmasking the radiator. There were quite a few posts over there concerning the effectiveness of this mod in reducing temps.
My wife just picked up at 07 zx10SE. I will have to check our her front fender and see the difference.
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johns
Expert Class
Posts: 205
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posted April 23, 2008 06:20 PM
sit down on the floor in front of the ZX-10 with the bike upright and look at the front of the bike & then do the same with the ZX-14. The ZX-10 fender doesn't extend out around the fork legs like the ZX-14 fender does and direct airflow out toward the edges of the fairing. It allows more airflow directly back toward the radiator. Less aerodynamic but more efficent for cooling the radiator.
____________
2006 ZX-14 (sold)
2012 ZX-14R (Brock's Perf. project bike Louisville Slugger)
2013 Honda VFR1200F
2003 124 C.I. H.D. Super glide
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