kspz3

Expert Class
Posts: 334
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posted June 12, 2008 07:10 PM
Edited By: kspz3 on 12 Jun 2008 20:11
Poll Question: Frame Recall Results Poll
I thought it would be a good idea to watch some stats on this recall to better understand the extent of the issue
Poll Results:
65 votes (89%)
Passed Torque Test - No Problem
1 votes (1%)
Passed Torque Test but found Crack
4 votes (5%)
Failed Torque Test - Full Inspection - No Problem
3 votes (4%)
Failed Torque Test - Full Inspection - Found Crack
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slates
Expert Class
Posts: 377
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posted June 13, 2008 04:56 AM
bump - i'd really like to see these results if everyone would please vote
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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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mark524
Expert Class
Posts: 297
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posted June 13, 2008 07:12 AM
i had my motor out over the winter and put it back in according to the manual. so I guess I'll never know if mine was right or not.
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blackbullet76

Pro
Posts: 1134
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posted June 13, 2008 10:34 AM
Mine passed the torque test and they didn't see any cracks.
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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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BlueLightning
Expert Class
Posts: 227
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posted June 13, 2008 01:59 PM
Failed the torque test waiting for dealer to pull the motor out. For final word should know monday.
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crazx14

Expert Class
Posts: 399
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posted June 13, 2008 03:50 PM
quote: Mine passed the torque test and they didn't see any cracks.
+1
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2003 L.E. Hayabusa
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kawabunga

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Cogswell Cogs Installed
Posts: 284
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posted June 13, 2008 05:06 PM
I have inspected 2 of my customers 14's in the past 3 days and both have passed the torque check test. I have about 30 lined up for next week.
Both took 35 ft. lbs to loosen. Kawasaki says 36.9 ft. lbs or less to pass.
No cracks evident from what can be seen. The areas Kawasaki is concerned with require motor removal to see them. If the 14 passes the first test, motor removal is not required.
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BlueLightning
Expert Class
Posts: 227
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posted June 13, 2008 08:13 PM
Well Kawabunga I'm not a mechanic or engineer. But man how much did they over torque to cause weld failure?? Seems more like design flaw than anything else.
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drewzx-14

Zone Head
Andrew
Posts: 553
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posted June 14, 2008 12:03 AM
Mine was torqued properly and when inspected visually they did not see any cracks.
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2009 Yamaha R1-SOLD!
2013 Zx-14R Green ABS
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kawabunga

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Cogswell Cogs Installed
Posts: 284
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posted June 14, 2008 02:03 AM
The adjusting collars ( rear top and bottom motor to frame spacers that have reverse threads ) are what the issue is. They are torqued to 11 ft lbs with the motor mount bolt in place. Most people that install and remove the motors do not do this correctly and heres why. Let's say you have torqued the collar correctly using the motor mount bolt they way you are supposed to then you torqued the motor mount bolt's nut to 44 ft lbs. If the bolt moves during the procedure which you are tightening clockwise the collar on the opposite moves counter clockwise tighening it over spec. This is actually a procedure that needs to be done with 2 people to be absolutely correct with no doubts.
The frames are cast aluminum , when the collars are over tightened they are putting pressure on both sides of the frame. Top and bottom collars doing this together puts a lot of lateral strain in the weld areas.
I do not believe it's a design flaw. Maybe a production error in assembly. I am very curious to see how many are actually having a problem. I expect the numbers to be very very low.
Keep in mind there will be a lot of internet lies about this topic. I am keeping track of all the 14's I do and will keep you guys posted as they come through the shop.
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xstatik121

Novice Class
Posts: 79
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posted June 14, 2008 05:44 AM
They ran the VIN for my 14 and nothing come up for any recall...
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07 ZX14 Plasm blue~PCIII cust mapped~TwoBrothers dual~Vortex sprockets down 1 in front~BMC air filter~Lowered 2" in rear 3/4 up front~200 Metzeler~Roaringtoyz links, stand~Shogun sliders~~Puig DB...
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00Busa
Expert Class
Trying to go FASTER !
Posts: 270
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posted June 14, 2008 09:44 AM
Kawabunga, I need to get on that list !
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'00 Busa / '06 14 /
IT AINT BRAGGING, IF YOU CAN BACK IT UP !
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kawabunga

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Cogswell Cogs Installed
Posts: 284
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posted June 14, 2008 04:35 PM
If you can come by monday anytime Busa I will do it while you wait. I will even let you watch the procedure. Keep in mind that if the bike fails I cannot let you leave with it and the motor will have to be dropped for frame inspection. Thanks
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BIGZXDADDY
Expert Class
Posts: 270
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posted June 15, 2008 03:03 PM
i think production dates and mileage along with results would be interesting too
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"never drive faster than you can see, besides it's all in the reflexes"
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Burnoutzx14

Parking Attendant
Stretched/Lowered/NOS
Posts: 18
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posted June 15, 2008 05:45 PM
quote: If you can come by monday anytime Busa I will do it while you wait. I will even let you watch the procedure. Keep in mind that if the bike fails I cannot let you leave with it and the motor will have to be dropped for frame inspection. Thanks
Just a maybe dumb question, but why does the motor need to come out for an inspection? I can see all the way around the lower frame with a mirror. all looks ok.
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rOck oN!
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kawabunga

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Cogswell Cogs Installed
Posts: 284
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posted June 15, 2008 06:57 PM
Kawasaki requires the motor to be removed if the bike fails the torque test. Full documentation of procedures with pictures are required if the unit fails. Pictures are worth a thousand words. If no cracks are found and the pics reflect that after motor removal, a new collar and motor mount bolt kit are installed when reinstalling the motor. If the pics reflect cracks then the frame will be replaced by Kawasaki. Serial number area of old frame will be cut out and sent to Kawasaki. They are being very thorough with this recall. more so than any other recall I have experienced and I have been through the Goldwing frame recall and Yamaha tranny recalls. Kawasaki is doing the right thing with their requirements and documentation. This will prevent fraudulent warranties and future issues in the event someone didn't follow the correct procedures aka..accountability.
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Raptor14

Expert Class
Posts: 264
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posted June 16, 2008 12:39 PM
My 14 was no Kawasicki (bolts overtorqued) or Kawasucki (frame cracked). The inspection process was actually quite pleasant. Took it to the dealer that I bought it from (35 miles away). Pre-arranged a ride home with a buddy if the bike had to be left. The dealer had just received notice from Kawasaki on my particular bike and was preparing a follow-up letter to be sent to me. They just handed it to me to save a stamp. The service rep went through the procedure with me and told me that they would not remove the motor without my permission. However, if motor removal was required, the could not certify that the inspection was performed unless it was removed. The bolt torques were within the original spec so they were not required to check for cracks. However, they did do a mirror inspection. Then they marked the frame next to the VIN to indicate that the frame had passed the recall inspection and I received paperwork stating that it had passed. Then they checked the tire pressure, oil level, etc. and gave it back to me. Took 30 minutes total time.
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creepdog
Novice Class
Posts: 68
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posted June 17, 2008 02:50 PM
took mine in this morning.it passed.
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full trc pc k&n filter pulled flies stacks ign. advancer custom mapped
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Billzx14
Parking Attendant
Posts: 8
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posted June 17, 2008 03:20 PM
Wow am I the only one that is piss off about this recall. My bike has now been in the shop for 1 week and all I know is that it failed the torque test and the engine has to come out. No one could tell me when I will get my bike back. Is Kawasaki going to do something for the people that have to get the frame replace? I am sure when its time we sell our bikes it will cost us money in resale value, and if you ask me I would walk away if I was told the frame has been replaced. I like my motorcycles made on a line not by Techs that are underpaid to do the job. I have about 12000 miles on my bike and I like it alot and I know its the 1st year out but I would never throught of a frame issue how long have they been making frames??
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BlueLightning
Expert Class
Posts: 227
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posted June 17, 2008 04:39 PM
No Billzx14 your not the only one pissed my bike is in the shop too, it failed waiting for the engine bolt kit from Kawi which seems to be a requirement before they can pull the motor. Be a week thursday and no idea either when getting this bike back. I have been in contact with Kawasaki cause the shop told me it would be a month to get the bolts in because they were out of stock. Apparently kawi wants the dealers to contact them directly before the ship the screw kit (at least that was my understanding talking to kawi) so there is no fraud. So still waiting for the engine to be pulled and see what happens from there.
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fish_antlers

Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted June 17, 2008 04:57 PM
quote: No Billzx14 your not the only one pissed my bike is in the shop too, it failed waiting for the engine bolt kit from Kawi which seems to be a requirement before they can pull the motor. Be a week thursday and no idea either when getting this bike back. I have been in contact with Kawasaki cause the shop told me it would be a month to get the bolts in because they were out of stock. Apparently kawi wants the dealers to contact them directly before the ship the screw kit (at least that was my understanding talking to kawi) so there is no fraud. So still waiting for the engine to be pulled and see what happens from there.
Need to point out to everyone that the this member is not dealing with KMC, but instead dealing with CKM (Canada) ... companies seem to handle things differently as this has not been the case with Stateside members.
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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kawabunga

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posted June 17, 2008 04:57 PM
There is nothing wrong with the frames. The issue is the collars being over torqued. The frames are cast aluminum and the lateral stress persented by the over torqued collars may and I say may cause the frame to crack.
If a frame needs to be replaced it will not devalue your bike. The frame will be stamped with the same serial numbers from Kawasaki. If anything it may help the value because the issue has been addressed and corrected with no further worries for yourself or the next owner.
If you are concerned about under paid techs. Bring it to me, I have been doing this professionally for 36 years and I am certainly not under paid and take great pride in my work and my client's motorcycles. I treat the bikes as if they were mine.
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Billzx14
Parking Attendant
Posts: 8
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posted June 17, 2008 06:08 PM
ya right last time i heard of something that had a frame replace it came with a salvage pink. I am in calif so how can i get my bike to you? anyways it is nice to know Kawasaki check there tools that put our bikes together ONCE EVERY 2 YEARS!!!!!
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Billzx14
Parking Attendant
Posts: 8
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posted June 17, 2008 06:21 PM
Forgot just done with the Sunday paper Sears has torque wrench on sale for 49.95 going to send it to Kawasaki maybe they can buy a few and have a class on how to use it.
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Port_Angeles_Ninja

Expert Class
Posts: 388
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posted June 18, 2008 09:45 AM
mine passed torque check, no cracks visible
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Red/Black 85' GPZ900
Blue 07' ZX14
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