BIG BLUE_ZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 374
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posted February 11, 2010 10:41 AM
Wheelies and engine damage
There is a debate on another forum regarding wheelies causing engine damage due to lack of oil. Their discussion is rooted in anecdotes rather than mechanical facts.
I understand the oil pick-up is located more toward the front of the pan. From that perspective I can see how having the front of the bike in the air for an extended period of time may starve the engine of oil. But wouldn't bike engineers considered that in their design? I'm not a big wheelie guy however; I have several friends who wheelie all the time from 100 yards to 1/2 mile or more with no apparent issues (bikes other than a 14).
Are the forces involved in a wheelie that much different then those imposed on a bike while racing as far as shifting oil is concerned? I know there has been some discussion on oil flow with LSR and 200mph mile runs. Can you engine guys explain mechanically as to the real danger if any of running wheelies with the 14. Thanks!
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2012 Blue on Black ZX14R with Go Faster Stuff...
2007 Blue ZX14 Gone...
  
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Hellmutt
Needs a job
Posts: 2013
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posted February 11, 2010 11:12 AM
Not sure about the 14, but used to ride with a pack in western Ohio that involved a couple ex-members of Star Boys stunt team from Cleveland Ohio area -- these guys were a blast to ride with as they'd pull Interstate wheelies at 70-80mph and ride them for miles and miles!! One of them rode an older ZX7 and it eventually spun a few mains from starvation. So it is definitely possible -- I'm sure that there's a few 14 owners here that can substanciate this rumor or possibly have another story about it.
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British flying couch with endtables and an orange thumper
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salsa1
Needs a life
Posts: 5971
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posted February 11, 2010 05:21 PM
Was (and is)a problem by starving bearings on the crankshaft of a ZX-11; not sure about the ZX-14 or other bikes....
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Salsa1
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INTIMIDA2OR
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RED rider!
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posted February 12, 2010 05:01 PM
Can't be good if the motor is starved of oil. One test would be to hook up an oil pressure guage and see if the pressure drops at those extreme vertical angles.
If you think about it though thes bikes hold quite a bit of oil.
If you are runninl low on oil tht would be bad. Perhaps running the oil level a little high would hp prevent sucking air.
But then you don't want to run high oil levels too long either.
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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gilberjj
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Friend of Fast
Posts: 3196
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posted February 12, 2010 05:22 PM
I've done a lot of 1/4 mile wheelies, but I'm not talented enough to hold it for much longer then that. No problems here!
Here's a cool compilation of a bunch of my wheelie vids
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NQytC1WXEQ
This guy's got it figured out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YUbOVx9wAg&feature
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted February 12, 2010 05:42 PM
Turn the bike into a dry sump oil system, then there will be no more starvation !!!
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
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gilberjj
Needs a job
Friend of Fast
Posts: 3196
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posted February 12, 2010 05:47 PM
quote:
Turn the bike into a dry sump oil system, then there will be no more starvation !!!
I could buy another engine for the price of a dry sump....... all for a problem that doesn't exist.... no thanks
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted February 12, 2010 06:18 PM
quote:
Turn the bike into a dry sump oil system, then there will be no more starvation !!!
There ya go!
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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