TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted August 22, 2007 09:33 PM
How much does your C14 vibrate?
My C14 is a smooth bike, but above 3500 it begins to vibrate and the levers have a pretty good buzz going. The bars don't make you numb but there is a perceptible vibration. As well as in the pegs and tank. I have checked the motor mount torque and it is fine.
Anyone else?
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
  
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AllStingNoBling
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posted August 23, 2007 02:29 AM
I feel it in the tank.
Actually, come to think of it, I am getting an odd noise coming out of the head stock area. It sounds a bit like a set of keys jingling in your pocket, or two loose washers jingling on a screw. The bike's in the shop for the 600 mile service, and I'm having my shop check it out. I'll keep ya'll posted on what it could be.
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bigfatboss
Expert Class
Posts: 101
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posted August 23, 2007 06:34 AM
I get a vibration from the clutch. Smooth when engaged but let the lever put and I feel a vibration through the bike. Its not real bad and my son who had a Kawi Z1000 said it was normal. I don't think so.... nothing should vibrate on that bike. Mine goes in for service next week so i will make it a point to mention it.
 
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bigfatboss
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posted August 23, 2007 06:36 AM
I should clarify... it does this at a light when the bike is stopped, in nuetral. sorry
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Stalwart
Needs a job
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posted August 23, 2007 08:24 AM
 Edited By: Stalwart on 23 Aug 2007 09:25
Yes, the clutch does vibrate/rattle at idle but it is EXACTLY the same sound out of the ZX-14, from which the engine comes. This is normal.
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Stuart
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Ridin' the Trump train.
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Wii
Parking Attendant
Posts: 23
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posted August 23, 2007 08:31 AM
I think on some bikes the clutch noise at idle is much more audible.
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AllStingNoBling
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posted August 24, 2007 02:56 AM
Okay, got my bike back from the 600 mile service. Prognosis of the jingling sound in my bike's steering-head: it was a loose washer  Go figure?!
I just also want to say that after the first service, the bike is MUCH smoother than it already was. Oh yeah, 6000 rpm dispatches pretty much anything on the highway, in any gear.
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wormgear
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posted August 24, 2007 02:59 AM
Mine has a pronounced lever buzz as it goes thru 5K. Otherwise very smooth.
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GodDamnit there's always such a big temptation to be good, to be good! (Tom Waits)
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bigfatboss
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posted August 24, 2007 08:14 AM
What actually takes place on the first service?
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AllStingNoBling
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posted August 25, 2007 04:41 AM
quote:
What actually takes place on the first service?
Well, for me it was the requisite lubrication change-outs, of course, but they (the shop) also went through and checked hoses, adjusted idle, and did a couple things I requested of them. Frankly, most of it is mickey-mouse stuff, but the main thing I wanted taken care of was that loose washer in the steering head I couldn't get to. The rattling/jingling was driving me friggen' crazy, and was worth the cost ($241.25) of the service.
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bigfatboss
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posted August 25, 2007 05:56 AM
That would drive me crazy to. I have got a couple things rattling under the fairing that I will ask them to check.... minor rattles you can't here with a helmut on but I do. I am a picky bastard.
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TedG
Moderator
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posted August 25, 2007 08:39 AM
$241 is obscene for an oil change and a few minor adjustments. The loose washer is warranty. Hopefully you got a massage with a happy ending with that.
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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wormgear
Expert Class
Posts: 339
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posted August 25, 2007 06:59 PM
Changed my oil to amsoil motorcycle 10w40 and the 5 K buzz was reduced by half. installed throttlemister today and buzz is gone. It was coming from the right bar end cap.
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GodDamnit there's always such a big temptation to be good, to be good! (Tom Waits)
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted August 25, 2007 07:54 PM
I just switched to 100% synthetic today, No difference.
Wormgear, AllSting, what is your oil level? Is it low in the window, High? I am wondering if it is windage. The 12 was very sensitive to oil level.
The Throttlemiester thing is very interesting. Could be that those rubber mounted end caps are exaggerating the vibration. Very interesting Watson.
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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wormgear
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posted August 26, 2007 03:26 AM
My oil level was close to the bottom mark with dino oil and close to the top mark now with the synthetic.
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GodDamnit there's always such a big temptation to be good, to be good! (Tom Waits)
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08CC14
Expert Class
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posted August 26, 2007 09:07 AM
I'm getting very little vibration except in high gear at low rpm. She's smooth as silk.
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'08 ABS Concours 14
'97 YZF600R
'00 ZX6e (rideable but needs paint)
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tundra tom
Novice Class
Posts: 68
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posted August 26, 2007 03:25 PM
Ted, Here's a twist on the 4000-6000 vibe. Mine does not vibrate in first gear!
I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't the VVT since this is the range that it functions in and possibly does not engage in first gear.
Higher RPM's (above 7 grand) are smooth again.
Kawi customer dis-service called me back (voice mail) and said it is inherent in the motorcycle. So WHY was the demo bike I rode smooth through out the tach???
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"When my time has come, I prefer to be in the Saddle rather than the Recliner"
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TedG
Moderator
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posted August 26, 2007 04:58 PM
Mine too seems to be load related. 1st is pretty smooth, second has a bit more, 3rd a bit more, etc. I reduced the amount of vibes at high RPM in the bars. Allstings vibrating washer was the clue. I removed the top triple clamp, and the nuts that adjust the steering head bearings has a washer between that has tangs that engage both nuts. The top nut locks to the top triple clamp by pressure and the washer locks the actual actual adjuster nut. My top nut was barely finger tight, I tightened it and couldn't get the tangs to line up, so I flipped it over and was able to tighten it better and the tangs lined up. Then I installed the top triple clamp and tightened up the center nut and then tightened up the clamp bolts. This seemed to lessen the vibes in the bars at 6000 and above.
Here is the bad part, I switched over to 100% synthetic from Kawasaki it seems like it is vibrating more. I can feel it in the pegs more. Unless the bars are smoother and I now notice the peg vibes more.
I am waiting for my service manual to come in and I will sync the TBs and I will look at the torque of everything.
I am suspecting the tank, It does seem that fuel load makes a difference. The tank may be in a bind. I found that to be an issue on the ZX12 and it improved it a bit when I got the tank out of a bind.
Reach down and touch the clutch cover and the engine is glass smooth.
I am going to probably get a Throttlemiester and see if it helps. The peg thing is bugging me.
All of my vibe problems are 3500 and above RPMs below that are dead smooth.
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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tundra tom
Novice Class
Posts: 68
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posted August 28, 2007 04:49 AM
I met the guy who bought the other C-14 ABS from the same Dealer. We switched bikes, his also has the 4-6m vibration. His seemed to be more bar related while I can feel mine in the body parts as well. BTW he installed the extra large Throttle Meisters and they didn't make any differance.
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"When my time has come, I prefer to be in the Saddle rather than the Recliner"
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted August 28, 2007 04:04 PM
Mine is not smooth above 7 grand. It is much worse up there.
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted August 28, 2007 07:15 PM
Sometimes I am more sensative to it, today on the way to work is felt so smooth. I rode it at lunch and again smooth, but it felt buzzy on the way home.
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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tundra tom
Novice Class
Posts: 68
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posted August 30, 2007 05:49 PM
Took it for post work ride today without the Bags and the vibration is GONE!
Kidding...kidding. Mine almost feels like a bad Harmonic. The vibes are worse in certain parts, tank, bars, frame even the seat at differant RPM's.
While tearing up some back roads it does smooth out some at 8 grand and beyond, not 3500 smooth but much better than 5000. Maybe it's just me but as I ran the tank down very low I noticed it more too.
The pig sure hauls ass for it's size.
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"When my time has come, I prefer to be in the Saddle rather than the Recliner"
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ldsrider
Parking Attendant
Posts: 8
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posted July 11, 2008 10:12 PM
quote:
I feel it in the tank.
Actually, come to think of it, I am getting an odd noise coming out of the head stock area. It sounds a bit like a set of keys jingling in your pocket, or two loose washers jingling on a screw. The bike's in the shop for the 600 mile service, and I'm having my shop check it out. I'll keep ya'll posted on what it could be.
I get that same noise! Did you ever find out what it was? I have been looking everywhere.
I am reminded of Brian Bozworth (Oklahoma Sooners/Seattle seahawks) . he used to work on a Car assembly line. he would to talk about tying a coke bottle on a string and mounting it in a car door just to make noise for the new owner.
Scott
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idphillips
Parking Attendant
Posts: 21
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posted July 12, 2008 05:12 AM
Ok....switched over to Amsoil 10w 40 and Engine Ice yesterday. Vibrations still there above 4500 although not as bad as with the Dino oil. Had them check the header bolts as I noticed some increased exhaust noise towards the engine instead of the can and guess what ? They were a little more than finger tight. As far as the vibes go...didn't someone else on here mention they had to have the engine counterbalancers adjusted ? Or was that my imagination.
Either way quirks or not this thing is definitely a "flying pig". Now .... time to swat the flies and add the PC3 and AreaP 
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fASTESTbUSAaROUND
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted July 12, 2008 07:08 PM
I'm out riding the Dragon this week, and had a chance to ride my buddy's 07 FJR. It has the exact same vibe issues, but starting at 4200 rather than 3900...that's just the nature of these bikes. My ZX is smooth as glass at all RPM's. I'm more pissed about the heat issues...fucking disgusting in 90 degree temps...at any speed. I'm forced to sit way back in the seat to get rid of some of that heat. My 04 FJR had heat issues as well, but nothing like this C14. This is seriously bad design...and there's fuck all to be done about it. Had I known just how bad it was before I bought it, I would have passed on the bike.. Yes, it's a great all around bike, but the heat issues overpower everything else for me.
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FYYFF!!!
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