smokinZX14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted September 18, 2012 03:43 PM
There has to be something wrong with your bike .. There are just to many ZX14Rs running down the strip and not having any problems ..Take it to GMD Computrack and find out for sure .. I wish i was still in Marysville so i could ride the bike and feel it for myself .. Looking at my videos and others i don't see them pulling to one side or the other ...
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Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
  
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CraZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 399
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posted September 18, 2012 03:56 PM
Thanks for the input Shane / Warbird. However, I don't consider trying to go through the only way that I have a chance of not spending even more money on this already waste of my time and money "half-assed". GMD Computrack may be great at what they do, but I'm sure they aren't free. One reason I spent $15K for a brand new bike is so that I could take it back to the dealership if something wasn't right - or so I thought. You wouldn't try to get an obvious problem fixed under warranty before taking it somewhere else? And the other problem is that these frame wizards are on the East Coast. I live on the West Coast. But hey, I've already blown good money left and right on this thing - might as well spend another buttload carting it all over the country so that somebody else can scratch their heads and make suggestions. Yeah, no thanks. And I know I'm sounding like an ass. Sorry. I'm just pissed at this whole ordeal. The bike has been measured left, right, up, and down by 3 separate places: a performace shop, a frame shop, and the dealership. Stripping it down to go back to the frame shop is only going to cost ME more money and still provides no guarantees. Whatever is wrong with this bike is by no fault of mine, and Kawasaki should step up and stand behind their "flagship" product - period.
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2003 L.E. Hayabusa
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CraZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 399
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posted September 18, 2012 03:57 PM
Thanks, Lee. I sure wish you could take it down the track also . . .
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2003 L.E. Hayabusa
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drewzx-14
Zone Head
Andrew
Posts: 553
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posted September 18, 2012 04:36 PM
just a thought, maybe you can sell that bad boy now before all these newer ones come out so that you can get something different. The sooner the better before the value drops. If you have to, just return the bike to stock. I would be upset too man. smdh. This sucks! I would have hopped that kawi would stand by their product as well. I have had many kawi's in my day and have had no issues but if I did have one I would hope they would do the right thing. HENCE WARRANTIES... I'm sure you prob would never buy a kawi again.. I would think twice as well. Good luck man.
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2009 Yamaha R1-SOLD!
2013 Zx-14R Green ABS
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smokinZX14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted September 18, 2012 04:42 PM
quote:
Thanks for the input Shane / Warbird. However, I don't consider trying to go through the only way that I have a chance of not spending even more money on this already waste of my time and money "half-assed". GMD Computrack may be great at what they do, but I'm sure they aren't free. One reason I spent $15K for a brand new bike is so that I could take it back to the dealership if something wasn't right - or so I thought. You wouldn't try to get an obvious problem fixed under warranty before taking it somewhere else? And the other problem is that these frame wizards are on the East Coast. I live on the West Coast. But hey, I've already blown good money left and right on this thing - might as well spend another buttload carting it all over the country so that somebody else can scratch their heads and make suggestions. Yeah, no thanks. And I know I'm sounding like an ass. Sorry. I'm just pissed at this whole ordeal. The bike has been measured left, right, up, and down by 3 separate places: a performace shop, a frame shop, and the dealership. Stripping it down to go back to the frame shop is only going to cost ME more money and still provides no guarantees. Whatever is wrong with this bike is by no fault of mine, and Kawasaki should step up and stand behind their "flagship" product - period.
I agree with you .. You have been to hell and back with this bike and its problem ..If it were me i would get in touch with some of the top road racers in Calif .. They may have a have someone that can help .. Even if it costs you .. Then send the damn Bill to Kawi and tell them what fuck ups they are just for peace of mind .. ..Should be able to find someone at Sonoma Raceway that can put you in touch with the right guy to find the problem .. Sears Point is no that far from you , head down there on a track day or race day and ask around ..
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Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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smokinZX14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted September 18, 2012 04:54 PM
Here is a road racing Web site in Calif ... Post up and see if they can put you in touch with some in North Ca that can help .. Worth a shot ..
http://www.afmracing.org/index.php
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Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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CraZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 399
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posted September 18, 2012 07:55 PM
quote:
Here is a road racing Web site in Calif ... Post up and see if they can put you in touch with some in North Ca that can help .. Worth a shot ..
http://www.afmracing.org/index.php
Lee, thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely look into it.
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2003 L.E. Hayabusa
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted September 18, 2012 11:45 PM
Wow this is totally unheard of. There has to be a bad batch of 14R's out there. Maybe not a lot but still something should be done. My 06 only pulls one way or the other if i put race takeoff tires that have more wear on one side than the other. Hell she's been resurrected 4 times and 2 of the crashes were pretty significant in everything visible needing to be replaced and she still steers perfectly straight.
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted September 18, 2012 11:53 PM
I've seen steering head races not seated correctly causing the whole front end to be misaligned . That could cause a pull to one direction or the other and not even be easily noticed.
When the handlebars are straight is the front wheel pointing straight?
With the front wheel off does the axle slide through the forks and tighten up with ease? It should.
A bent swingarm can cause the pulling.
Was the swingarm checked for straightness?
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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CraZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 399
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posted September 19, 2012 06:50 AM
Intimida2or - I'm wishing like hell I'd kept my '06...
The reason I think it is something on the back end of the bike is because it pulls hard to the right initially when launching even semi-aggressively at the track (low 1.6 60'). So in those moments, the front end is either barely making contact with the pavement or slightly floating - so it should not have much affect on steering. I know the bike was checked by various methods for straightness but I'll ask more questions about the swingarm before I pick it up from the dealership.
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2003 L.E. Hayabusa
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted September 19, 2012 09:03 AM
Oh man I'd be pissed buying a bike hoping to upgrade only to have a significant flaw like that and the stealerships are almost useless when it comes to this stuff. I would try and find someone else that has a 14R that rides straight and get the owner to help out by bringing that bike to your dealer and show them look fuckers that bike steers straight ! Bull shit all 14R's are supposed to not ride straight!
But it looks like you've narrowed the problem down to the rear. With the front wheel in the air it can be ruled out of making your bike pull.
Do the handlebars look straight when riding? I think if the rear is that bad out of wack it would force the front end to compensate turning in the direction the rear wants to go.
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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kawa74
Expert Class
Posts: 226
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posted September 19, 2012 10:07 AM
But it looks like you've narrowed the problem down to the rear. With the front wheel in the air it can be ruled out of making your bike pull.
Do the handlebars look straight when riding? I think if the rear is that bad out of wack it would force the front end to compensate turning in the direction the rear wants to go.
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Yes,Yes, front wheel is very light on Accelaration, almost becomes Unicycl, which ever way rear pointed she will Go !
Factory marks for aline not always good, Get tape measure , measure Center to Center from Swingarm pivot to Axle Center, side to side
Pull chain guard, step back 5' , get down and look down top of chain, see if straight, if running in alin with Sprocket., Chain Must run straight, Sprocket with chain too.
Last you can String it, Remove tank seat and tail, Tie string so it will cross over Center of Steering stem, now run just above tire some 5' to 10'' beyond tire , I tie to floor jack handle, and ajust string so run just above Center of tire, Now step back behind jack and look, you will see any run off side to side, cocked or misaliment, Old school, but still works, hope some this helps
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"I have never met a man so Ignorant that I coun't Learn from him"..."Galileo"
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted September 19, 2012 10:21 AM
I'm betting on the swingarm. It sounds suspect.
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted September 19, 2012 10:33 AM
It's definitely a warranty issue. The huge problem is always getting the factory to do something about it.
Being the biggest squeaky wheel and stressing that someone can be killed by this death trap of a machine and possible litigation processes to get this ball rolling usually scares the dealers into getting the process going.
Or finally finding out the problem and presenting the dealer with all the proof that there is something wrong.
It all sucks and shouldn't be necessary to get some warranty work done but it is how it is a lot of times.
I just had an 07 ZX6 in my shop that lost 2nd gear . The guy said he had an extended warranty. I told him to pursue it . He did and the dealer told him that the transmission is not a warranty item cause that bike has a known transmission problem that is caused by riders.
Then they scare him with " we can check it out , we need to split the crankcases and that'll cost $800 that is non refundable , we gotta send the pieces back to KHI for them to determine of it's worthy of warranty replacement. "
BS!!!
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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madnessracing
Pro
Vmax and Busa Beater
Posts: 1140
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posted September 19, 2012 10:54 AM
Are you going to the event on oct 7th I'm gonna be there maybe I can take it for a spin?
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Shorty's Performance
Team Madness Racing
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CraZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 399
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posted September 19, 2012 11:15 AM
quote:
It's definitely a warranty issue. The huge problem is always getting the factory to do something about it.
Being the biggest squeaky wheel and stressing that someone can be killed by this death trap of a machine and possible litigation processes to get this ball rolling usually scares the dealers into getting the process going.
Or finally finding out the problem and presenting the dealer with all the proof that there is something wrong.
It all sucks and shouldn't be necessary to get some warranty work done but it is how it is a lot of times.
I just had an 07 ZX6 in my shop that lost 2nd gear . The guy said he had an extended warranty. I told him to pursue it . He did and the dealer told him that the transmission is not a warranty item cause that bike has a known transmission problem that is caused by riders.
Then they scare him with " we can check it out , we need to split the crankcases and that'll cost $800 that is non refundable , we gotta send the pieces back to KHI for them to determine of it's worthy of warranty replacement. "
BS!!!
Yeah, they already gave me a disclaimer that I'd be charged for the inspection if it was determined that the problem was not covered by warranty - to which I said, it HAS to be covered by warranty because I sure as hell didn't cause it. Well, they didn't find the answer, but they also aren't trying to charge me for the inspection. It looks like I'll see the dealership in small claims court.
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2003 L.E. Hayabusa
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CraZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 399
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posted September 19, 2012 11:27 AM
quote:
Are you going to the event on oct 7th I'm gonna be there maybe I can take it for a spin?
I doubt I'll be there, Shorty. I'm thinking the best thing that anyone can do for me at this point is call this dealership if you have a 14R that does not drift off to the right (or left for that matter) when your hands are off the bars. If I wasn't into drag racing, it woud not be nearly as big of a deal. But the fact that this problem makes the bike completely unsafe at the strip makes the issue very significant. Who knows, if a few of you guys become advocates for the cause, it might make a difference.
PCP Motorsports
916-428-4040 extension #4 ask for David or leave a message.
Just tell them that you own a 2012 ZX-14R and that you are vouching for Scott McPherson that these bikes don't all drift when hands are off the bars.
Just a thought that might make a difference . . .
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2003 L.E. Hayabusa
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madnessracing
Pro
Vmax and Busa Beater
Posts: 1140
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posted September 19, 2012 11:32 AM
I've rode gabriels 2012 14r and I made a pass too and didnt pull to either side that's why I wanted to take your bike for a spin
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Shorty's Performance
Team Madness Racing
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SteddyTeddy
Pro
Posts: 1664
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posted September 19, 2012 11:41 AM
The bike needs to be taken to a frame shop. Wheel alignment is off somewhere or it could even be a bad tire. Most of the basic checks you can do yourself. Either your wheels are straight up and down and inline with each other or they are not.
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CraZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 399
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posted September 19, 2012 11:47 AM
quote:
The bike needs to be taken to a frame shop. Wheel alignment is off somewhere or it could even be a bad tire. Most of the basic checks you can do yourself. Either your wheels are straight up and down and inline with each other or they are not.
Been to a frame shop, have checked things myself as well more than twice, and I changed the tire too. I agree that it should be easier to discover, but it isn't.
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2003 L.E. Hayabusa
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CraZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 399
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posted September 19, 2012 11:52 AM
quote:
I've rode gabriels 2012 14r and I made a pass too and didnt pull to either side that's why I wanted to take your bike for a spin
It's dangerous trying to launch it, Shorty. But one thing that others and I think might be suspect is the swingarm. If you have an extra arm laying around and wanna swap it out when you're here, I'll gladly see if that makes a difference and let you take her down the strip if it appears to "straighten her attitude" :-)
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2003 L.E. Hayabusa
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SteddyTeddy
Pro
Posts: 1664
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posted September 19, 2012 02:40 PM
If its that bad off the launch, get someone to take to good quality video from directly behind you. Should be able to see something to point you in the right direction.
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madnessracing
Pro
Vmax and Busa Beater
Posts: 1140
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posted September 19, 2012 10:39 PM
quote:
quote:
I've rode gabriels 2012 14r and I made a pass too and didnt pull to either side that's why I wanted to take your bike for a spin
It's dangerous trying to launch it, Shorty. But one thing that others and I think might be suspect is the swingarm. If you have an extra arm laying around and wanna swap it out when you're here, I'll gladly see if that makes a difference and let you take her down the strip if it appears to "straighten her attitude" :-)
I have an extra swingarm and as a matter of fact I might taking a trip to sacramento this saturday or maybe monday so if you want I'll take it let me know
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Shorty's Performance
Team Madness Racing
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CraZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 399
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posted September 20, 2012 08:15 AM
quote:
quote:
quote:
I've rode gabriels 2012 14r and I made a pass too and didnt pull to either side that's why I wanted to take your bike for a spin
It's dangerous trying to launch it, Shorty. But one thing that others and I think might be suspect is the swingarm. If you have an extra arm laying around and wanna swap it out when you're here, I'll gladly see if that makes a difference and let you take her down the strip if it appears to "straighten her attitude" :-)
I have an extra swingarm and as a matter of fact I might taking a trip to sacramento this saturday or maybe monday so if you want I'll take it let me know
Shorty, it wouldn't hurt to try. I'll chat with you about it more on FB.
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2003 L.E. Hayabusa
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted September 20, 2012 10:18 AM
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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