cc737
Novice Class
Posts: 51
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posted April 09, 2011 02:58 PM
08SE frame cracked
Hey all-
I had the motor out of my 08 for a rebuild and was cleaning the frame before re-installation and noticed a 360* crack around the lower crossmember weld on the right side. I spent some time reading the "15 pg frame cracked" thread here afterwards... good info. I ran my VIN through the Bikeland provided link at Kawa and it came back with "Your warranty expired on 02/23/2009" and "No outstanding recalls for this unit.".
I don't see a punch mark above the VIN on the frame, but it wouldn't have one anyway being it was an 08 and not recalled? I understand the punch is put there by a dealership after the bike inspection is done...not by Kawa. right??
I had my 18yr. old daughter on this bike quite a few times last summer and it makes me a little sick to think I could of been a ride or 2 away from a disaster.
Anyway...what do you guys suggest for options? Weld it, insurance total, try to get Kawa to fix it?? Sucks as its finally getting nice up here in upstate NY and now this...thanks for the input.
Cliff
  
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smokinZX14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted April 09, 2011 03:39 PM
First off are you sure it is a crack ? My 06 and 09 looked cracked also but it is just the way the weld looks ...If it is cracked there is a good chance the guy that pulled the motor cracked it by removering the lower engine bolt the wrong way... All it takes is to turn the bolt to wrong way just a little bit and bang cracked frame .. I have seen this happen to two bikes that the motor was pulled .. Either way i would call Kawi and see what they have to say before i did the repair myself ... Any good welder can fix it very little cost to you if kawi tells you to stuff it ..
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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cc737
Novice Class
Posts: 51
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posted April 09, 2011 03:59 PM
yeah it's cracked...you can stick your fingernail right in the crack. The crack is right in the middle of the weld bead. The guy who pulled the motor is an excellent mechanic and actually aware of this problem beforehand so probably not likely that he did it, but a crack right in the middle of a weld bead??? really?? seems like the bead itself comes into question at some point shouldn't it?
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smokinZX14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted April 09, 2011 04:15 PM
 Edited By: smokinZX14 on 10 Apr 2011 00:17
quote:
yeah it's cracked...you can stick your fingernail right in the crack. The crack is right in the middle of the weld bead. The guy who pulled the motor is an excellent mechanic and actually aware of this problem beforehand so probably not likely that he did it, but a crack right in the middle of a weld bead??? really?? seems like the bead itself comes into question at some point shouldn't it?
Well we may never know the cause ...The upper and lower engine bolt is a tricky little basturd ... Both the ones i saw crack were done by really good mechanics ... The right way to remove them are as followed .. Insert and allen wrench in one side of the bolt .. Hold the allen wrench tight and not let the bolt turn at ALL while you remove the Nut from the other side !! Now that the nut is off use the allen wrench and screw the bolt in ( Clockwise ) .. This screws in the spacer into the engine block and takes the preload off the frame .. Now just remove the long engine bolt by pushing it out of the frame .. No need to turn it , just push it out ... You can see why it is so easy to fuck up ...Try to remove it like a normal bolt ( counter clockwise ) and you have a broken frame ..
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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cc737
Novice Class
Posts: 51
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posted April 09, 2011 04:30 PM
understood...sounds similar to my old zx12.
You know of any 08's doing this?
If I have it welded what is the frame metal?...chrome moly or aluminum or something exotic? thanks
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smokinZX14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted April 09, 2011 04:40 PM
quote:
understood...sounds similar to my old zx12.
You know of any 08's doing this?
If I have it welded what is the frame metal?...chrome moly or aluminum or something exotic? thanks
Your 08 is the first one i have heard with a frame problem.. The 08 frame is different than a 06 07 that had the frame problem .. 06 and 07 wasn't really a frame problem , it was a over tightened frame spacer problem ..
Your frame is aluminum and any good welder can fix the problem .. Just make sure you set the spacer prelaod by the book and you should have zero problems ..
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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cc737
Novice Class
Posts: 51
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posted April 10, 2011 05:58 AM
Do you know a number to call Kaw on this...or would it be better to just call a local dealer?? I'll go that route first. Thanks
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johnsonzx14
Expert Class
Posts: 487
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posted April 10, 2011 06:54 AM
My 06 still hasnt been checked... can you see where it maybe cracked with out taking plastic off?..I need to get mine in...
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