ok, its only part zx14 .... @ ZX-14.com

HOME

ARTICLES

JOIN

BIKELAND > FORUMS > ZX-14.com > Thread: ok, its only part zx14 ....

NEW TOPIC NEW POLL POST REPLY

dubious

Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442

posted June 13, 2010 09:11 PM

Edited By: dubious on 14 Jun 2010 05:18

ok, its only part zx14 ....

Well, it aint no Turbo zx14 but in some ways, much better.

I bought this Vmax a 18 months ago and it beena slow steady transformation into what it is today.
Its a 2002 , so anyone who knows Vmax's knows it was a faux CF paint job, which was real ugly.
So I had it shot with some back Sikkens urethane, installed zx14 master cylinders, and modified rizoma resevoirs as I had a spare set laying around, and the stockers were leaking and the finnish was corroded.

Put drag bars, bar end mirrors,different signals, different tail light, and chopped the stock rear fender.
I then dropped ~60 lbs off the bike removing the center stand, the stock exhaust for UFO 4-1 and replaced the stock massive battery with a lithium 7.5 amp.
Factory Pro carburator jet kit gives it good boost of power and then I also installed a Vboost switch.
I run the Vboost on almost all the time, as it picked up what feels like about 30% better throttle response as low as 3000 RPM,

Last summer I had a car brake check me, and I nearly rear ended him because the front suspension was busy flexing, casuing the front tire to hop under full brake application.
I also had a moose run out on the road and at 65 MPH I got brake fade .

The front end and brake upgrade was a necessity in my mind.
Once you own a bike as refined and composed as a ZX14 you become spoiled and have high expectations.

So, on went the billet tripples, zx14 forks wheel brakes, and michelin front tire.

Last year the stock forks would bottom very easy even with 8 psi in them (air forks) and they wouldn't hold air all day. (got worse). The factory forks also flexed allot, and would cause the speed wobble the Vmax's are famous for to become exagerated. Frost heaves runnning parallel in the road used to make the bike wander.

Well, even with the stock bias on the rear, and the radial on the front this thing doesn't even hint at twitching its head like it used to, or wander at all. Amazing difference.
Even with a 17" wheel compared to the stock 19" wheel with a 3.5" total height difference due to tire profile, it handles much better in corners, and straightline tracking.

Its been an excellent bike for sport touring...haha... imagine that. I bought it because I wanted a torquey 2 up bike, and it s been great for that.

The Vmax still has alot of charcter, even if it is not the quickest bike anymore.
Foremost it has been an excellent tool to share the best pas time in my life with family.
My daughter even helped with the wrenching on the bike, fork spring changes and bleeding the new brakes.

Well, here are some pics of me and Family and some places we love to ride.
Hope you enjoy.
Lyle

____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.

dcjens

Pro
Wet side of Washington
Posts: 1059

posted June 13, 2010 09:59 PM

great pics!!
____________
Black 06

Shane661

Needs a life
Posts: 11494

posted June 13, 2010 09:59 PM

Edited By: Shane661 on 14 Jun 2010 05:59

That scenery is incredible.

TooHype

Expert Class
Go Hard or Go Home !!
Posts: 427

posted June 13, 2010 11:46 PM

Edited By: TooHype on 14 Jun 2010 08:02

Hell I'd say "Ya done good !!"

....That scenery is incredibly Breath Taking! ..It's flat here where I am ...The 1st State in the Union
____________
Go Hard or Go Home !!....2007 Diablo Black ZX-14, BMC Race Filter, Brock's Alien Head, Brock's Radial Mount Strap, PClll with Custom Map, Flies removed, Muzzy fan, Muzzy lowering links, Muzzy Fender Eliminator, 16/41, Speedohealer, Stretched 6", Lowered 3" IN GOD I TRUST !......If You’re a Hater….KILLYASELF !!

eklipse636

Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046

posted June 14, 2010 03:00 AM

That is some beautiful mountains! Looks a lot better than pine trees...
____________
Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32

Stu64

Zone Head
Posts: 548

posted June 14, 2010 03:06 AM

Nice pics Lyle, bike looks good too!!!

Compton

Zone Head
Posts: 969

posted June 14, 2010 03:11 AM

looks good buddy!!!
____________
b.w.
zx14, little longer, little louder, little lower.
08 Busa, just a little longer and louder and lower than the 14

zxbob

Pro
Posts: 1692

posted June 14, 2010 03:18 AM

Lyle . . . . . great to see you got out and enjoyed some time with your wife.

That is some beautiful country . . . . cept whats up with the white stuff on the mountains ?

Bob

____________
Good parts aint cheap and cheap parts aint good !

Hellmutt

Needs a job
Posts: 2013

posted June 14, 2010 04:46 AM

Ssweet VMAX and awesome surroundings.........really like the custom fitments on the bike -- cool piston reservoirs too!
____________
British flying couch with endtables and an orange thumper
________________________________________________

Click here to visit Hellmutt's homepage.

dubious

Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442

posted June 14, 2010 06:32 AM

ahhh thanks guys.
Thats my 14 yr old daughter with me.

Thats the reason my other bike isn't priority.
I figure after this summer, she will be more interested in hangin with her boyfriend.
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.

Beondwacko

Expert Class
Posts: 393

posted June 14, 2010 12:02 PM

Great pics & I really like the mods you have made to the bike. Well done !
____________
08' Atomic Silver, PCIII, Brocks pipe,BMC, -1, strapped front end

tshultz

Zone Head
Posts: 556

posted June 14, 2010 01:22 PM

great pics
I miss my vmax

dcjens

Pro
Wet side of Washington
Posts: 1059

posted June 14, 2010 08:16 PM

Lyle, where is this? sheer cliffs! I miss my daughter. She can live at home forever
____________
Black 06

dubious

Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442

posted June 14, 2010 08:25 PM

Those pictures were taken at Moraign Lake, and Lake Louise in Banff National Park,
Canadian Rockies on the Canadian Icefield Highway.

I hear ya, we are going to miss having her around. We told our she can live at home as long as she wants.

The Vmax has great character, especially with awesome brakes, stiffer frt end, and Vboost on 100% of the time!
Love the sound of it at 9000 rpm too!
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.

dcjens

Pro
Wet side of Washington
Posts: 1059

posted June 14, 2010 08:39 PM

Holy crap that place is unreal

searched it
____________
Black 06

epd345

Pro
Posts: 1494

posted June 14, 2010 08:44 PM

Bike looks great! 14 front end looks at home on the Max!
____________
2012 ZX14, Ceramic Coated Brock's CT Meg, PCV, throttlemeister

dubious

Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442

posted June 14, 2010 09:08 PM

Thanks,
I still can't beleive how much better it handles. No more wobble, or weaving in ruts, or bottoming while braking, and man does it brake. Pick a line in a corner and it stays there.
The rear is getting 17" rim, CT2 radial to match, and some better shocks.

we zx14 owners are spoiled with the best brakes in the business!
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.

Superman T