nyc zx-14
Expert Class
Manager Star Toyota Bayside,NY
Posts: 214
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posted August 29, 2008 06:03 PM
Has anyone ever installed a temperature gauge on their ZX14?
Has anyone ever installed either an analog or digital temperature gauge on their bike? If so, where'd you get it and how difficult is it to do? I'd like to know the exact engine temperature of my bike and not rely on the "idot" gauge of bars that Kawasaki provides now.
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Currently?
2007 Kawasaki ZX-14, 1999 Kawasaki VN 750, 1976 Suzuki RE-5 Rotary
http://www.goldiesplating.com
   
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kawabonzai
Zone Head
Leader of the Back.
Posts: 537
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posted August 29, 2008 10:01 PM
 Edited By: kawabonzai on 29 Aug 2008 23:13
How about ..
Daytona Digital Temp - http://www.motosport.com/street/product/DAYTONA-DIGITAL-TEMP-GAUGE/?prodId=839325&sMMY=nofilter&cat0=METRIC
Square Digital - http://www.dynotunenitrous.com/store/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=221
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PC-III w/USB, Muzzys M14 + Carbon Oval + M10, BMC Race Filter, Flies Out, Buell Pegs, Heli Risers
www.TucsonSportRiders.com - Tucson's Premier SportRider Community
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nyc zx-14
Expert Class
Manager Star Toyota Bayside,NY
Posts: 214
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posted August 31, 2008 06:16 AM
Thanks kawabonzai.
When installing a gauge, should I be monitoring oil or water temperature? Where do I drill in the sending unit?
____________
Currently?
2007 Kawasaki ZX-14, 1999 Kawasaki VN 750, 1976 Suzuki RE-5 Rotary
http://www.goldiesplating.com
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obba
Expert Class
Posts: 455
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posted August 31, 2008 01:37 PM
A bit cheaper,
Ebay 310079494232
Comes with a splash guard.
As an extra bonus for FREE  "This will also help you get more performance out of your engine".
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kawabonzai
Zone Head
Leader of the Back.
Posts: 537
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posted August 31, 2008 01:44 PM
Edited By: kawabonzai on 31 Aug 2008 14:45
quote:
Thanks kawabonzai.
When installing a gauge, should I be monitoring oil or water temperature? Where do I drill in the sending unit?
Inline is a possibility ...
http://www.dynotunenitrous.com/store/scripts/prodlist.asp?idcategory=42
Ignore the Traxxas temp gauge above, that RC shit wont work. It only measures radiant heat and needs to be wrapped around the heat source.
____________
PC-III w/USB, Muzzys M14 + Carbon Oval + M10, BMC Race Filter, Flies Out, Buell Pegs, Heli Risers
www.TucsonSportRiders.com - Tucson's Premier SportRider Community
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nyc zx-14
Expert Class
Manager Star Toyota Bayside,NY
Posts: 214
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posted August 31, 2008 06:04 PM
quote:
quote:
Thanks kawabonzai.
When installing a gauge, should I be monitoring oil or water temperature? Where do I drill in the sending unit?
Inline is a possibility ...
http://www.dynotunenitrous.com/store/scripts/prodlist.asp?idcategory=42
Ignore the Traxxas temp gauge above, that RC shit wont work. It only measures radiant heat and needs to be wrapped around the heat source.
These look GREAT. Thanks! Should they go on the upper or lower hose? Also, does anyone know which size to order?
____________
Currently?
2007 Kawasaki ZX-14, 1999 Kawasaki VN 750, 1976 Suzuki RE-5 Rotary
http://www.goldiesplating.com
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nyc zx-14
Expert Class
Manager Star Toyota Bayside,NY
Posts: 214
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posted September 01, 2008 08:34 PM
Well, I deceided to tackle the temperature gauge today. I fabricated the "T-Adaptor" from a copper 3/4" plumbing fitting which I soldered the threaded temperature gauge fitting into. I then gold plated the entire part to prevent any future corrosion.
After draining the coolant, I cut a 3/4" section out of the return (upper) radiator hose and using hose clamps, inserted the fitting.
I drilled the gauge into the right side plastic next to the factory gauges.
Install proved uneventful and thankfully.... NO LEAKS!!!! Here are some pics:
Here's the finished product:
Here's a closeup:
Here's the T-Connector (sorry about the poor quality of this pic):
____________
Currently?
2007 Kawasaki ZX-14, 1999 Kawasaki VN 750, 1976 Suzuki RE-5 Rotary
http://www.goldiesplating.com
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neverknow
Novice Class
Posts: 79
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posted September 08, 2008 06:23 PM
Looks great! So what are we actually running when are bars are pegged on the dispaly? Can you provide a "real" temperature for each bar up to "high temp"?
Thank you in advance....
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nyc zx-14
Expert Class
Manager Star Toyota Bayside,NY
Posts: 214
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posted September 08, 2008 07:20 PM
quote:
Looks great! So what are we actually running when are bars are pegged on the dispaly? Can you provide a "real" temperature for each bar up to "high temp"?
Thank you in advance....
I was thinking on doing EXACTLY that! I'll work on a chart soon. The very top bar comes on at 210 degrees. Will note other temps when I ride tomorrow.
____________
Currently?
2007 Kawasaki ZX-14, 1999 Kawasaki VN 750, 1976 Suzuki RE-5 Rotary
http://www.goldiesplating.com
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neverknow
Novice Class
Posts: 79
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posted September 09, 2008 06:45 PM
Our not are...... sorry to all you English majors.
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nyc zx-14
Expert Class
Manager Star Toyota Bayside,NY
Posts: 214
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posted September 11, 2008 12:15 PM
Here are the water temperatures as they relate to the "idiot" bars on Kawasaki's gauge:
1st Bar = 100-140 degrees
2nd Bar = 140-160 degrees
3rd Bar = 160-180 degrees
4th Bar = 180-210 degrees
5th Bar = 210-230 degrees
These are FAIRLY accurate. Notes were made while riding so they may be off a couple of degrees. Temperature probe is mounted inline on the upper radiator hose (return hose) when the water is coming out of the motor and before it enters the radiator..
____________
Currently?
2007 Kawasaki ZX-14, 1999 Kawasaki VN 750, 1976 Suzuki RE-5 Rotary
http://www.goldiesplating.com
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FasterThanStink
Pro
Posts: 1218
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posted September 11, 2008 02:38 PM
Thanks! So 5 bars is pretty hot. Good to know as mine spends most of it's time there in town.
____________
Speed has never killed anyone,
suddenly becoming stationary...
That's what gets you.
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smokinzx14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted September 11, 2008 03:04 PM
quote:
Thanks! So 5 bars is pretty hot. Good to know as mine spends most of it's time there in town.
Well in today motors 210 to 230 is normal ... Not like the old days of 180 Deg temps .... These motors run at peak hp numbers at or around 210 deg ... Heat is HP ... Believe or not a motor will last longer at 210 deg Vs 180 degs ...
As long as the motor doesn't puke water you have nothing to worry about ..
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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neverknow
Novice Class
Posts: 79
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posted September 11, 2008 08:30 PM
quote:
quote:
Thanks! So 5 bars is pretty hot. Good to know as mine spends most of it's time there in town.
Well in today motors 210 to 230 is normal ... Not like the old days of 180 Deg temps .... These motors run at peak hp numbers at or around 210 deg ... Heat is HP ... Believe or not a motor will last longer at 210 deg Vs 180 degs ...
As long as the motor doesn't puke water you have nothing to worry about ..
Why will the motor last longer at 210 and not 180? Does anyone know the opening thermostat temperature on the 14?
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neverknow
Novice Class
Posts: 79
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posted September 12, 2008 03:06 AM
Does anyone see a benefit to changing cooling to Engine ICE™? Will this negate the warranty?
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nczx14
Expert Class
Posts: 108
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posted September 12, 2008 03:08 AM
The two fan mod is worth it and you never worry about going over two bars from the top.
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2K7 everything possible without going in the engine.
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neverknow
Novice Class
Posts: 79
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posted September 12, 2008 12:00 PM
quote:
The two fan mod is worth it and you never worry about going over two bars from the top.
Can you provide a resource for this kit and does the kit enable the fans to operate once the ignition is off? As many have mentioned, there has to be a significant spike in temperature when the bike is shut down due to the fans not operating when the key is off.
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nczx14
Expert Class
Posts: 108
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posted September 12, 2008 12:38 PM
Edited By: nczx14 on 12 Sep 2008 13:46
You have to be able to do your own work and know a little bit about wiring. It's quite simple. It runs with the factory fan by the same circuit. I'm using a Derale fan but you can make just about any small electric fan work. Alot of folks are using ZX6 and ZX14 fans as the second fan. If I had wanted to piss my time away bidding on ebay I would've went that route, but in stock and next day shipping is why I went with Derale. This pic was taken during trial fit.
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2K7 everything possible without going in the engine.
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smokinzx14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted September 12, 2008 03:45 PM
quote:
quote:
quote:
Thanks! So 5 bars is pretty hot. Good to know as mine spends most of it's time there in town.
Well in today motors 210 to 230 is normal ... Not like the old days of 180 Deg temps .... These motors run at peak hp numbers at or around 210 deg ... Heat is HP ... Believe or not a motor will last longer at 210 deg Vs 180 degs ...
As long as the motor doesn't puke water you have nothing to worry about ..
Why will the motor last longer at 210 and not 180? Does anyone know the opening thermostat temperature on the 14?
Higher temps offer a better fuel burn .. Better fuel burn less unburned gas getting by the rings , Less fuel in the oil and less break down of the oil ... Cleaner oil less wear .. There are other reasons but i don't feel like typing for 3 hours ... lol .. 
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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neverknow
Novice Class
Posts: 79
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posted September 12, 2008 07:56 PM
OK tnks
Will try your route.
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