kawasaki_rick
Zone Head
Posts: 512
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posted June 03, 2008 03:08 PM
I just talked to my dealer. They say they have to do a mandatory engine removal. WTF. I dont want those goons taking my engine out to do the frame inspection. This is bullshit. Im gonna talk to a kawi rep and see what they wanna do. I can just see it now Bolts left out etc. My bike gone for a month. Crazy. Also i have 2 zx14s great 2 times the fun.
  
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MJ
Zone Head
Posts: 560
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posted June 04, 2008 03:09 AM
quote:
I just talked to my dealer. They say they have to do a mandatory engine removal. WTF. I dont want those goons taking my engine out to do the frame inspection. This is bullshit. Im gonna talk to a kawi rep and see what they wanna do. I can just see it now Bolts left out etc. My bike gone for a month. Crazy. Also i have 2 zx14s great 2 times the fun.
Yep that sounds like a load of laughs. Your engine mount collar must have been over the 18ft/lb torque limit, so they now have to do a complete frame inspection to be sure the frame isn't damaged. I wonder how damaged it'll be when they get it back together 
Every bike thats overtorqued will get the tear-up..I mean tear-down 
If it was me I'd grab a lawyer and tell them buyback the bike or we're going to court. One of the guys that had a knock from a bad factory rod did it, after they tore the bike down and found the prob he got a lawyer....next day they bought it back 
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KikonZX14
Pro
Novice
Posts: 1813
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posted June 04, 2008 03:52 AM
I've just checked using my VIN number and it says that there is "No outstanding recalls for this unit", so I suppose I'm ok. Still though last Monday I did contact my local dealer and they requested me the VIN, so I suppose they are doing the same check (using Kawa's web page).
Best Regards,
David
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Feel the need for SPEED2007 ZX-14 Black with Red Flames (Helibars, Sliders, Yoshimura TRC Ti 4-2 Slip Ons, Fender Eliminator, Zero Gravity SR Windscreen, Custom Heel Guards , Speedohealer V4, Pazzo Levers -soon to come: Flies out / PCV w/A/T kit and later 16T sprocket)1990 Honda Steed (Japan model same as Shadow)1993 Kawasaki Vulcan EN 500 (gone as I trade it in for the ZX-14)Santiago, Chile, South America
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shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted June 04, 2008 07:21 AM
quote:
I just talked to my dealer. They say they have to do a mandatory engine removal. WTF. I dont want those goons taking my engine out to do the frame inspection. This is bullshit. Im gonna talk to a kawi rep and see what they wanna do. I can just see it now Bolts left out etc. My bike gone for a month. Crazy. Also i have 2 zx14s great 2 times the fun.
Rick, I'm not clear. Is the bike at the dealership currently, or did they just tell you that when you bring it in they need to remove the engine?
I would ask to see the service bulletin.
Shane
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zxbob
Pro
Posts: 1692
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posted June 04, 2008 04:08 PM
I just got an official "Warning and Recall" notice in the mail today from KHI.
Both my ZX-14s are listed for inspection.
Bob
____________
Good parts aint cheap and cheap parts aint good !
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ZREXER
Expert Class
Posts: 492
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posted June 04, 2008 07:02 PM
O.k........I'll say it.The Zx-14 is by far the best bike I have ever owned. I have not had one single problem with my '06. No engine knocking, not a single oil weep, no brake issues.......nothing! Fires up instantly every time, idles smoothly. Does not burn a drop of oil. It is just a terrific machine.
Yeah the frame issue is a bummer, but I'm not going to do a 'chicken little, the sky is falling dance.' I'm also not going to run "lemming like' to my dealer to have them fuck around with my absolutely pristine bike.
My attitude is if it is not broke, don't fix it!
When the first posting of a broken frame was posted, I included checking the potentially affected areas of the frame every time I lube the chain. Takes about 5 minutes. I drop the little belly pan so I can get a better look. No I don't have 'X-Ray' eyes, but I am convinced you will likely be able to see some hair line cracking before out right failure.
Am I taking my life in my hands by ignoring the recall..............possibly, but with only 5 documented cases in 11,000 bikes, those are odds that are reasonable to me. 5 divided by 11,000 gives you .0004545 or it means .9995455% of the bikes are fine so far! My feelings would be different if 50 or 500 bikes were defective for sure.
How exactly do you check the torque of a bolt without actually torquing it down a bit more? I'm not a mechanic...............Explain?
There are good dealers out there with competent mechanics for sure, but do any of you have enough faith in your dealer to remove and replace your engine correctly, retorque all the critical bolts correctly? My fear is my bike may last 100,000 mikes as it is, but fail prematurely because they screw up the remove and replace engine procedure.
Would any of you take a bike that was completely rebuilt (new frame) by a typical dealer up to 185mph with no worries? God, I keep hearing problems with dealers even doing things as simple as oil changes.
One thing I curious about is the '08 frame. I looked at a '08 ZX-14 last night. I did not have the best light, but the area on the lower shock mount looks identical to mine. It does not look any beefier in this area.
When I heard the '08 frame was being made by a new process my first reaction is despite the hype, it was a way for Kawasaki to reduce their frame cost by a $1.99 ea. Lowering cost is the motovation by most manufacturers, not making it better. If it happens to be better after lowering cost, it is just a lucky side benefit.................cynical shit aren't I!
One thing I am curious about is that the ZX-14 frame is an evolution of the ZX-12 Frame. Were there any frame issues on the ZX-12? I have never heard of any. For those of you that have or still have ZX-12's, does the lower shock mount area look much different?
Things will be very interesting if a single '08 ZX-14 fails in this area!
One final thing to ponder. I would love someone in the after market to come up with a brace that could be welded into the affected area to beef up this area. In my opinion this would be a much better fix than replacing the frame. It would be a minimal tear down to the bike to do this as well. Any competent welder could weld it in for you. A little black paint and no more worries ever.
Enjoy your bikes guys...............the world is not coming to an end!
Legally/ethically, Kawasaki had to come clean on this. They look at the costs. How much to inspect 11,000 bikes? How much if we have 5 dead riders families sue us in court? It is a business, it is dollars and cents.
I work hard for my money like all of you do, it does piss me off and I am not making light of the issue, but we need to have a little prespective on this.
I get iired when I hear 'let's sue the bastards/get a class action lawsuit started. That is what is wrong with society today, this crazy suit mentality.
I am actually amazed their are not more major issues. The build cycle is so short on most sports bikes now. Only 2 years on 600's & 1000's and then a new frame and engine again!
I plan to keep my ZX for a long time. I actually thought for a short while about dumping it and getting something else, but there is not a single bike in it's price range that i really want more.
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mcmmotorsports
Novice Class
Resident Mental Patient
Posts: 57
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posted June 05, 2008 05:18 AM
I entered the VIN for my '07 and it shows "No outstanding recalls for this unit."
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shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted June 05, 2008 09:22 AM
Is the tightening procedure outlined in the service manual correct? It shows 18 ft-lbs. of preload on the collar and 44 ft lbs. on the nut.
Shane
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blackbullet76
Pro
Posts: 1134
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posted June 05, 2008 11:07 AM
I bought my 07 in November of 06 and the VIN shows the frame recall.
____________
2007 ZX-14 black
Brocks s-meg exhaust
PCIII w/track map
BMC race filter
Flies removed
16 tooth front sprocket
Speedohealer
APE cam chain tensioner
Vortex rearsets
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kawasaki_rick
Zone Head
Posts: 512
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posted June 05, 2008 11:31 AM
Kawasaki rep told me today that the only thing to do is let the backwoods dealer take my engine out and inspect the frame. What a load of bullshit. It isnt their problem that ill have a bike with less than 1100 miles with the engine removed, who knows what left off or fucked up. Or it isnt their problem that my bikes value dropped overnight with this recall. He went on to tell me if i didnt like the idea of removing the engine, i could keep riding it. But they werent responsible for anything. I geuss you can sell a product now, and it can have a clear defect, and all you have to do is say it isnt our problem. Ive bought a new kawi for the past 5 yrs straight. But they wont be getting my business again. I was gonna get a new zx10 this yr. But im going to suzuki now to get a gsxr 1000. Sorry for the blow-up . But im pissed as hell right now.
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zx14mike
Zone Head
Posts: 891
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posted June 05, 2008 04:53 PM
quote:
I just got an official "Warning and Recall" notice in the mail today from KHI.
Both my ZX-14s are listed for inspection.
Bob
Yep, i just got my notice in the mail as well.
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fury
Expert Class
Posts: 427
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posted June 05, 2008 05:37 PM
Well.
I got the call.
I called my X kawasaki Dealership.
Sad really. The sales man was good.
Service manager killed the relationship.
I have multiple recordings of the foolishness I had to go thru to get my bike looked after.
The recording of Kawasaki's agent is unreal. She didnt care. By the end of the conversation all I stated was just so you are aware all my conversations have been recorded.
This did not seem to make much of a change. I didnt really care. All I stated was if I did not get this resolved I would forward my recordings to my lawyer.
Long and short I have an appoint ment with another dealer that allowed me to watch as they strip the bike.
They will start by checking torque specs. Mark the bolts with a marker and loosen them then re-tork to specs. If it dont line up. Strip the bike and check for cracks... I hope all goes well.
I will let u know next week.
I have been hearing something funky since I put the bike back on the road.
I have a very short riding season. If I have to wait a week it will be to long. I havent ridden the bike since this post.
According to the rep only 1 person has had an issue. I know of three from this board. Anyone choose to comment?
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blackbullet76
Pro
Posts: 1134
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posted June 06, 2008 05:12 AM
If that's the procedure, I hope mine passes the torque test. I'd hate for my bike to be tore down
____________
2007 ZX-14 black
Brocks s-meg exhaust
PCIII w/track map
BMC race filter
Flies removed
16 tooth front sprocket
Speedohealer
APE cam chain tensioner
Vortex rearsets
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tater
Expert Class
Shakin off the Haters
Posts: 212
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posted June 06, 2008 05:16 AM
I called the kawi dealer and i cant get mine into the shop until june 19th,
____________
ZX-14 06
Flies out
-1 front, +2 rear
2 Bros carbon fiber pipes
Tiger tail
Carbon fiber windscreen
64inch wheel base
lowering links
RC components wheels
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted June 06, 2008 05:31 AM
I'm hoping they have to tear my bike down for a frame check. Then if the frame is good, I'll contact Carpenter and have a ported head sent my way. Any other ideas while the engine is out? I heard that bigger cams are not necessary without a bore/stroke kit or turbo install.
My goal is near or over 200 RWHP with stock displacement. Or have them buy the bike back and I'll get an '08. Win Win as far as I'm concerned.
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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butterthegreat
Expert Class
Posts: 329
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posted June 06, 2008 06:26 AM
Just got my letter in the mail.....it says don't ride the bike til it's inspected.....oops!
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slates
Expert Class
Posts: 377
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posted June 06, 2008 08:58 AM
My dealer is telling me that they can inspect it, but if they have to do the further tear down, that they won't have the "time" to do it until the Fall. I called another local dealer and he stated it would be the same for them, that their booked through the middle of July right now.
____________
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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fury
Expert Class
Posts: 427
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posted June 06, 2008 09:28 AM
My advice.
Have the bikes inspected.
If they do not have time to service the bike. (Record all conversations if it is legal in your area.)
Call your lawyer.
Not your issue.
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johnnyrocketzx14
Expert Class
Posts: 207
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posted June 06, 2008 07:26 PM
my letter just showed up today, the nearest dealer to me is 60mi. and they suck, the others are 100 miles.... Who is paying for my gas to get it there???? ohh thats if i owned a trailer...
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07 ZX14
Brocks Sidewinder, Stretched, lowered, strapped,Drag seat, PCIII W/Hub, No flies, BMC, Speedo Healer, Muzzy NOS/Shifter,
1.41 60, 5.77 1/8th 8.89 1/4
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MJ
Zone Head
Posts: 560
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posted June 07, 2008 04:07 AM
quote:
My advice.
Have the bikes inspected.
If they do not have time to service the bike. (Record all conversations if it is legal in your area.)
Call your lawyer.
Not your issue.
Yep, lifes too short to dick around on this. If they want to pull your motor or more, just get a lawyer and pay him some moola to put the heat on kawi. They buy back your bike and you can move on For me the money for the lawyer would be well spent 
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted June 07, 2008 08:11 AM
quote:
Yep, lifes too short to dick around on this. If they want to pull your motor or more, just get a lawyer and pay him some moola to put the heat on kawi. They buy back your bike and you can move on For me the money for the lawyer would be well spent
Why would you get a lawyer, and what would you sue for? It's not unusual for an OEM to have a recall, and if Kawi says they'll make your bike right if they find a problem, I can't see what legal leg you'd have to stand on.
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted June 07, 2008 09:12 AM
 Edited By: stevewfl on 7 Jun 2008 10:13
maybe he wants to sue because the noise and snapping sound of all the ZX14 frames breaking around him are destroying his ears
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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jeff martin
Pro (closed)
jamming
Posts: 1168
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posted June 07, 2008 10:27 AM
quote:
It all comes down to one certain mechanic not knowing the proper way to torque that engine mount down. I bet they are trying to find how many were done improperly so they can figure out which line it came off of. The japanese document everything, so eventually they will find the miscreant!
Also, I bet there is quite a few (into the hundreds maybe) of bikes that have cracked already but just not seperated yet. It is feasible for it to crack enough to flex and relieve the undue pressure from a maladjusted spacer shaft and yet not fail. But it might fail later, which is probably what there computer stress simulations showed. Which would explain the delay from when these frames first started becoming known for cracking. I mean, comeon its 2008!! I bet they knew about it, and how long /many miles a stressed but not failed frame could take before they reached "threshold failure" levels.
Timing is everything with lawyers and engineers.
Hey sticks did you get a notice yet ?
____________
i play with boats my wife plays with my dingy.
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fury
Expert Class
Posts: 427
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posted June 07, 2008 10:30 AM
quote:
quote:
Yep, lifes too short to dick around on this. If they want to pull your motor or more, just get a lawyer and pay him some moola to put the heat on kawi. They buy back your bike and you can move on For me the money for the lawyer would be well spent
Why would you get a lawyer, and what would you sue for? It's not unusual for an OEM to have a recall, and if Kawi says they'll make your bike right if they find a problem, I can't see what legal leg you'd have to stand on.
I have been told by 2 dealers they have no time for this.
My problem?
Poor reception.
Poor service.
This does reflect on Kawi.
Why would you sue? 4 month riding season.
1 month down.
Loan payments on said machine. (no use)
Why would you sue?
I am pretty easy going guy. Impatient when I get screwed around.
If there is a problem with the product no dealer should be able to say "sorry this is our busy season" Not our problem. Have a nice day.
Why would you sue?
Sorry for the rant. But it felt good.
The recordings I have from Kawi upset me even more...
Her response. So what do you want me to do? HELP E GET MY BIKE FIXED...
Why would I sue.
I am going to try to edit the recording. (delete my name and shit and post it 4 u guys.)
Will see if I can do it good enough.
If not I will not post it.
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jeff martin
Pro (closed)
jamming
Posts: 1168
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posted June 07, 2008 10:40 AM
Just spoke with my local dealer and he said he has looked at two bikes and both where over tightened. So apparently the fix is simple if the frame isnt cracked and the bolts are to tight they just loosen re-torque and send you down the road. It there ok then your done. If the frame is cracked it has to be replaced. So check your frame and if no cracks and you are indeed on the recall, then no more riding until its checked and fixed. Ride until it cracks and you will be looking at a new frame. No crack no big deal !
____________
i play with boats my wife plays with my dingy.
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