himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted July 01, 2007 05:14 PM
Goldwing ZX14 part 3
Hi All,
I wanted to update everyone on how well the ZX is doing.
In a word WOW. As good as this motorcycle has performed in the past, man it's even better now.
In the car industry most engines hit their best stride at about 40,000 miles, I believe this to be true in motorcycles as well. Although I still have a bit over 12,000 miles to go to get there 27,000 seems to be working out pretty good. Here are some of the more interesting facts.
1. Cam chain rattle is more quiet now then before, I'm guessing it has to do with true breaking in, the ZX is ridden almost every day and so I hear it twice a day. Every once in a great while she will make the noises of new (mainly when she sits for more than a day) but that's very rear.
2. Chain I know this puppy is expensive but I don't think I've adjusted it more than 6-7 times since new, this is also the longest I've owned a chain without replacement (although I'm starting to get hints that she's on her way out). Seems she is requiring the WD-40 after every day ride (160 miles) and that neat snapping sound is becoming a bit more noticed. Now to be fair I've been hitting a lot of rain over the last month and that will remove the lube pretty quick.
3 Riding in the rain. Some of the guy's who live in Florida can agree with me on this, the rainy season is here and I've hit some pretty nasty storms. As the season began I was preferring the VFR but now that I'm getting used to it, both bikes work well in the rain. Two words helped me here "SLOW DOWN" Early on I was trying to stay with the faster traffic, the problem is around Disney there are a lot of people who are going to drive 30 miles per hour in the fast lane causing the faster traffic to slam on the brakes as well as myself . Now I just ride in the lane that feels more right, most of the time in a real heavy downpour the cars will pull off to the side, ah better for this Smuck-o to get by. I think in more cases than I care to admit when a bike pulls behind a car in a heavy rain storm I think the car driver freaks an makes a stupid move...Just an opinion.
30,000 mile valve adjustment. Alright here is where I may catch some hell, but as God is my witness the neat Valve noise at 3000 rpm is all but gone, I don't really think I'm going to have her checked until 45K. I may change the spark plugs (and even that's up in the air) but this engine sounds and runs better than it ever has why mess with a good thing. Am I Crazy???
MPG (OK remember puss boy here) In the last 2 weeks I've been seeing 45+ mpg. Is this a result of the engine break in? Could a slightly dirty air filter slow the whole air fuel mixture down and increase MPG? I swear this was proven true with my VFR. I'm not sure but I like it.
I know the ZX is a better bike today than it's ever been, and I really believe that all engines respond better when driven so ride on all.....Ride on.
Robert
ZX-14 27,196 miles
VFR 93,543 miles
  
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted July 02, 2007 01:25 AM
Great news!
Have you used WD40 on the chain for the entire 27.000 miles?
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted July 02, 2007 06:18 AM
fantastic post, thanks
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted July 02, 2007 02:18 PM
Yes 100% WD 40, I'm going to order a new sprocket and chain to have ready. Best part about WD40 is the rear wheel is pretty easy to clean.
News of the goofy things I've learned. In Florida we have these bugs called Love-bugs. This year they were pretty bad, my brother says to me use the Bounce dryer towel to remove the bugs from the bike/paint. Well me and my wisdom thought hey why not use those puppies on the rims. Hey lets face it they're cheap and you throw them away after use, and hey they don't do a bad job of cleaning. Just a thought.
Rob
ZX-14 27,364 miles
VFR 93,543 miles
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted July 02, 2007 02:42 PM
quote:
News of the goofy things I've learned. In Florida we have these bugs called Love-bugs. This year they were pretty bad, my brother says to me use the Bounce dryer towel to remove the bugs from the bike/paint. Well me and my wisdom thought hey why not use those puppies on the rims. Hey lets face it they're cheap and you throw them away after use, and hey they don't do a bad job of cleaning. Just a thought.
They were hell outside of Tampa too.
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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LeoVinceZX14
Expert Class
Thankfully...its paid for...
Posts: 386
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posted July 05, 2007 07:40 AM
himile14:
Your posts are great info on how the bike may respond as the miles roll on. I just got mine so she is just getting broken in. That said I will eventually crank on a few miles myself. Put on 500 in week one and trips are what I do in my free time. I am a Florida rider too, so I hear you on both the rain and bugs. Don't miss the love bugs now though. Doubt if I'll ever see 45 mpg, but cool to know the bike is capable of it. Keep rolling man.
Ride safe.........
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'12 14R SE
PC V
Custom map
BMC filter
Leo Vince 4-2-1 w/ carbon can
Sato frame sliders
Supersprox 42T
Cox radiator guard
DID 530 X-ring chain.
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himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted July 05, 2007 01:49 PM
Leo,
I feel pretty confident that she is pulling stronger today than when she was new. After I go to bat on the valves (Previous post) it seems as though the ticking sound is creeping back into the engine. To be fair, I rode her Monday then again this morning so with 3 days off maybe she is mad at me for leaving her alone for so long. Most likely change out the plugs at 30,000 miles and if this continues I'll get her tuned. Honda and Yamaha make the best valve trains and when I talked to Kawasaki I tried to tell them that in a PC kind of way.
Still this has got to be one of the best touring motorcycle's around and I'm still very happy with my choice.
Rob
ZX14 27,524 miles
VFR 93,715 miles
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted July 06, 2007 10:26 PM
quote:
Leo,
I feel pretty confident that she is pulling stronger today than when she was new. After I go to bat on the valves (Previous post) it seems as though the ticking sound is creeping back into the engine. To be fair, I rode her Monday then again this morning so with 3 days off maybe she is mad at me for leaving her alone for so long. Most likely change out the plugs at 30,000 miles and if this continues I'll get her tuned. Honda and Yamaha make the best valve trains and when I talked to Kawasaki I tried to tell them that in a PC kind of way.
Still this has got to be one of the best touring motorcycle's around and I'm still very happy with my choice.
Rob
ZX14 27,524 miles
VFR 93,715 miles
ok since your post have you rolled it over 30?
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted July 07, 2007 04:42 AM
I'm trying...no on a typical week I will ride 480 miles on the zx and 320 miles on the VFR. This week I only worked 4 days so both got 320 miles, plus what I ride on the weekends which has been next to nothing due to all the work I'm doing at home....
I will need to get up to the bike shop this week to order the sprocket for the ZX and I'm starting the think the damper on the VFR also needs replacing.
Here is the list that I feel the VFR is going to need next tune up. I write this because the ZX will be no different as she ages.
Damper: Never been replaced.
Fuel filter: a real pain in the ass to replace but simple task once every things apart. I replaced this puppy at 42K so she is due. I suggest every 50K or so.
Rear Shock: This one is interesting, a racer friend of mine suggest that 40-50K is not out of the question. Currently the VFR is at 32 and she will make 40 I really don't feel any more comfy than that. The sag will messes with the performance and with a bike with this many miles everything sags (if you know what I mean :^).
I'm planning on sitting down with the tech's and getting their opinion and I'll update you all Monday.
Robert
ZX 14 27,533 miles
VFR 93,880 miles
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