I will get on calsportbike.org and see what I can do ....

Really feel for ya aegis.Bad support for sure.Almost unthinkable really.No engines?That aint so at all.Don't know WHY Kawasaki would be doing this...it seems so....unprofessional.You know of course they want to understand WHY the thing blew...naturally.But this dragging their feet....it's just weird.Sorry again man...hope it all gets sorted for ya real soon;)I think if you were Ricky Gadsen...or someone like that...you'd have a new engine by now.Just isn't okay...not to me anyway.Maybe you COULD contact Ricky and see what he thinks...maybe?He does have a website.

aegisranger,

I just put up an alert at socalsportbikes.org. I am trying to get something going, hopefully I will start hearing from them soon, I will also talk to Irvine Police to see what I can do legally on their property, or in front of their property, if I get enough people togheter maybe you could PM me and let me know if you want me to tell them your name or any details, also if you want to tell me who you talked to at corporate etc ...

If you end up getting a lawyer, maybe he could give some advice.

Keep in touch,

car-abuser

Today’s update…
6/17 I called the dealer’s service manager and he says he will be starting the teardown next week. He had a pretty positive attitude about the project, so at least I have more confidence in them. He says that nobody from Kawasaki has contacted them about my bike.
I then called Kawasaki (again) and was told in no uncertain terms that they WILL NOT replace the engine or the bike. They flat out deny ANY knowledge of ZX14 engines having an issue, or that they EVER sent a replacement engine. He says it’s impossible to get a replacement engine because there is no part number for one… they simply do not exist. He says my only way to get the bike fixed is to have the engine rebuilt by a dealer. I can take it to any Kawasaki dealer, but they won’t tell me which one I should take it to. It’s up to me to decide that, they can give no recommendation. What great customer service…
I have filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, and with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation. I did both of these because I have a consumer complaint, and I’m also concerned about the safety issue of having motor oil spray out in front of the rear tire… I’m not the only one this has happened to, and Kawasaki should do something about it before somebody gets hurt or killed.

aegis,

I'm a wall sitter. I get to sit on the fence and watch the race, the battle, year honor, I pee scent something smells fishe. I see you have taken your oath, aegis, peez be seated. I have here Exhibit-A:

On the day of pickup from said dealer, this is a brand new bike, not used so we do not know the [previous] history, right? When you looked over the bike, could you see what condition the tires were in? How many miles on the speedo when delivered?

When you brought the bike home that day, did you exceed the recommended RPM at any time of the break in period?

So the trick question is: "Did you exceed the rpm limit" found in the owner's manual? That means it's blueballs for 500 miles @ 0 <?> 500mi.... Period! 4,000rpm is the limit for zero to 5 and now 6,000rpm is the limit from 5 to 1000 miles.

"The first 1 600 km (1,000 mi) that the motorcycle is ridden is designated is designated as the break-in period. If the motorcycle is not used carefully during this period, you many very well end up with a "broken down" instead of a "broke in" motorcycle after a few thousand kilometers."

Quote taken from a 2013 Ninja ZX-14R Owners Manual by Mother Teapot Heavy Industries.

Year honor, I pee scent Exhibit-B, the Own Hers Man You Will Pay is now the Heavy Industries defense is to ask you under oath... "Did you or did you not exceed the factory call if they keep calling out the turtle.

Signed,

NOLTT saying to read the owner's man you will find out soon enough you exceed that one rpm is "Case OPEN!"

Hey Hub,
I bought the bike in North Carolina and rode it home the same day, 540 miles, behind my 17 year old daughter in a car. A nice, but boring and slow ride. The rest of the 1000 mile break-in was just commuting to work the next week. When I picked it up it was at 0 or 1 mile and the tires looked new. Of course I don't know how much someone might have revved it before I got it.

* Last updated by: aegisranger on 6/18/2013 @ 8:27 AM *

I think there is this beltightening? Back order is the production line gets first dibs, you wait a week for parts, we do have your order and will fill it soon. That's both my counter shock is that one part that held my second set of wheels is why my rims don't match. I was having blueballs looking at that bike in limbo for a week so I had the part on the other wheel and this time I broke the bike in as per manual... Just to see the difference either way.

I used to add oil to the internet [read what's his name's break in] beater.
I have yet to add oil to the book bike @ 1,964 mi.

And at 600 miles I dumped the oil as per interval. I did not anal with dumps in between. This is the mileage since after one oil change: book style.

Of course I don't know how much someone might have revved it before I got it.

Playing devil's advocate, yes, you want to point to the casualty and from box forward, we more or less want to clear the crate from say, it's not the crate. So out of the crate, less than 1 mile on it says; they started it and all they needed to do was take it thru the gears, we know it runs, turn around in the lot or down the street, come back, no way can you point to the dealer.

So we want the crate back to the boat, back from the dock and back in the hands of mother teapot and her mondaysaki built on tuesday, crated wedneZday, dealer to you and now before we get the lawyerage involved, that's the evidence I'd have to lay on you is did you exceed the rpm limit even going to work @ 65 mph in 6th is still over the limit.

I am showing you and you better show whoever gets involved with your bike is "Did you" see this book they might show as their side? So right out of the box in the court room is, aegi, "DID YOU EXCEED" is they might ask that question and I don't know if it's valid?

All I'm doing is playing break-in games with my 14. If you ask me, no, my bike never blew up under me. No, I did not break-in the bike as per. Yes, I do have an oil consumption issue was some wild break-in, no, I have yet to lose a drop of level that has been broken-in by factory lines of thought.

I'll let you decide on that 'broken down' vs. 'broken in' scenario to the jury. If it can be used as evidence against you and how you broke the bike in. You know how you broke it in. And I don't think that one 500 mile run home would harm it... IF... You did not exceed... Are you starting to see the drilling you are going to get? Your word against the words in the owner's manual?

* Last updated by: Hub on 6/18/2013 @ 9:00 AM *

Good preparation, Hub.

I dont't believe the witness has stated anything damaging to his case, here, online, yet...

I’m also concerned about the safety issue of having motor oil spray out in front of the rear tire… I’m not the only one this has happened to, and Kawasaki should do something about it before somebody gets hurt or killed.

You want the engine sitting in the back like a dragster? We've been sitting over and engine for I don't know how long? Are there catch pans mandatory for road race bikes so they do not go down, goo up the track> Yes.

So we add more weight and add a pan to each and every bike for one bike to blow up? Is that how you take care of one or a few incidents? I sure do not know the odds of every bike that's gone thru a case, but there are a lot of drag racers with I don't know how they were broken-in, but do they need some sort of oil screen/gap/pickup tube in cavitation: update?

Good preparation, Hub.

I don't believe the witness has stated anything damaging to his case, here, online, yet...

Thanks meb. Last thing I'd do is start complaining about getting a hand built. Those are going to be a lot of new parts and it's like a brand new engine again. Yes, there will be nicks and dings pulling and installing, but that's how it goes. It's not going to some national roadster show to complete.

But yeah, a hand built, be it the engine, frame, [engine/frame together], turns the bike into something different: I can't explain it. Handles better. Runs smoother if you can believe that, with all the same parts back in the same positions.

Other than more blueballs waiting to get it back, I don't know what to tell you? Per Sue It?

aegisranger,

I am still trying to get something going, but I am not getting too much concrete support, but I am not too surprised, it's CA. One person said to start a petition, a few others had some stupid ass comments ...

Will keep trying, if you get a petition going, I will sign it, have you been able to contact the person that did get a new engine from Kawi ?

aeigsranger,

A guy on the other board left this message, said to get in contact with this guy, (if you haven't already)

Heres an insider scoop...

Most Dealers dont want to do the work because they will only get so many Hours under kawasaki warranty! So they tell customers it will be months before they can get to it because they hope you will walk.

Heres the name of the guy that will eventually get your warranty approved or denied...he is actually a really good guy...cover pretty much anything unless you try to hack up your bike and blame the dealer...

However i have been through many dealers and Kawasaki will replace every part through and entire motor but will not send a complete motor.

Kawasaki Irvine
John Horensky
call Kawi corporate and ask for him...might be a pain to get ahold of him FYI

* Last updated by: carabuser on 6/18/2013 @ 4:42 PM *

Good update!
I have been talking to Kawasaki’s customer service throughout this process and have not been happy with all of the ‘no’ answers I’ve gotten. It seemed like Kawasaki was ignoring my problem and was just waiting for the dealer. Well, I was wrong. Kawasaki has been working behind the scenes, trying to get my issue resolved. The customer service reps probably didn’t know that.

I was called by my dealer yesterday to see if I could stop in and meet with them after work. When I arrived there was a Kawasaki Field Service Advisor there with my bike all torn down. He showed me what happened – rod hole in the case, all the debris and pieces that were in the oil pan, etc. We talked a lot about the plan to get it fixed.

He is trying very hard to get an engine shipped from Japan, but that is a long-shot. Most likely my dealer will get a bunch of parts and do a rebuild. Of course it would be easier on everyone (and better for me) to get the new engine. If we have to do the rebuild, I’d rather my local dealer do the work than send it out. They do good work and I trust them, but it will take longer.

After talking to the Field Service Advisor and seeing that they are serious about resolving this issue, my confidence in Kawasaki growing.

I’ll continue with updates, and I’ll post some pics of my engine soon.

Carabuser - looks like things are progressing good now, no need to escallate things with petitions or protests. I wish we didn't even have to discuss it, but the customer service guys just kept saying no no no. At each step I told them I was posting on the forums, the most they could say was 'sorry your having this problem'. They had me thinking I'd be months without my bike.

It was so nice to talk to someone from Kawasaki who was positive. And wow, this guy really knows his stuff. My dealer service dept is great and I trust them, but knowing that they have this kind of back-up support if they need it is nice.

Ageis:

Who is this pleasant fellow? got a name?

"He is trying very hard to get an engine shipped from Japan, but that is a long-shot"...this they can do...if they choose...hell..they make the bikes.There's a line of motors sitting right there waiting to be installed by the guys on the line.I think they'll break down and ship ya a complete motor...when it's all said and done...keep yer chin up...I know it's a real bummer.They're kinda slow with their shipping and all...and sometimes it can sound like a runaround because they don't always know what the other's doing.It'll work out...you'll see.

It may even be they end up removing one from another bike somewhere...and sending it...have you asked about that?They can do a lot of things to get this resolved.The main thing...they don't want a bunch of customers badmouthing their Company....no way.I had some issues as well...not as serious as yours...but that guy in Irvine...He offered to make it right. I worked it out...but he did offer.Sent me a cool sweatshirt as well....with no strings attached.Turned out okay.They will try to make this okay ...a lot of it's in the initial contact...how that goes.Sounds like you did fine...they had that rep there...that's pretty unusual.

Mine is doing fine...I hope.Any sounds or anything before or leading up to that deal...maybe you noticed something odd sounding a week before or something?

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 6/20/2013 @ 9:26 AM *

There's a video of Ricky Gadsen's 14R blowing up at the strip....so it 'could' happen...yours isn't the first...and they know that.

"There's a video of Ricky Gadsen's 14R blowing up at the strip....so it 'could' happen...yours isn't the first...and they know that."

That's whats bothering me, there have been two bikes on this board alone that have done this, and they were not modified, who knows how many more there are, and with the infamous #3 bearing, IF there was something wrong, did they fix it ?

Here's the deal. I want to see the cam journals is what you want to be concerned about. I want to see the oil pump blades and if there are 'pickup' score marks from the inserts deteriorating [before] it blew up it says, I sucked up debris small enough to clear the screen, crush it between the blades; passed it up to the head; cam comes around and wipes it into the bore journal; I believe I have damaged part(s) are the head and oil pump.

So you want to go back to the shop, look at the cam journals for deep score marks, the oil pump is a given [on the parts page] list rebuilding that thing. My trans gear mesh eats itself so this is 'splash' debris floating in the oil. Would I look at the teeth for embedded crush? Yes. Do I want a spotless rebuild and need to wash that 'debrisplashasettled' on just about every part inside? Yes.

That too means 'time wise,' I'm going to order 1 rod? Reuse the other 3 rods? I am now at two crossroads and it's who is giving numbers to whom? Say on a grid sheet that already has the X to Y numbers is that X: I need an insert for the new crank to new rod. I need to order more insert to that X to Y rod journal. I have no clue how long the time frame will be because that is the main holdup are the inserts.

My second 'wait time' will be the case is here. Now I need to journal up the X to Y of the crank to case journals. Boy, I wish someone was on the ball is here are my 3 rod X's. See my request sheet? So since you have the case and crank, you can journal up some new X to Y rod-crank/crank-case me all the inserts is see my 3 rods on the request sheet is you fill in the blanks? See that holdup if the factory has no clue what the other 3 rods are? It's wait for the parts and now reorder the journal inserts.

See that hang time having the parts ready to go but the inserts? And if I open the shop manual, look at every part in that blowout page that says 'R' for: replace the rod bolts and nuts. That's 3 sets, and you better check that build sheet "against the book's R's." Buy the time the engine is built, the riding season is half over, or one engine plugged in: is a day away. That's how it's going to go down.

If you have to go back and handhold the build sheet, make sure they order parts is parts against the man you will have another rod go out they do not R&R per page.

* Last updated by: Hub on 6/20/2013 @ 10:07 AM *

I think letting a shop rebuild it is a crap shoot, IF they are good wrenches and do everything correctly, then it COULD come close to "new" but I really don't have that confidence with ANY of the dealers in my area, not to say that there are not good wrenches, but .......

It's like the new car that someone hits you head on, in a front wheel vehicle, and the insurance refuses to total it, even after said customer says it will "NEVER" be the same, and the owner get plagued with YEARS or unwarrented trouble from an otherwise almost bullet proof car, ASK ME HOW I KNOW ......

* Last updated by: carabuser on 6/20/2013 @ 10:22 AM *

I don't know if it helped or not but me and a buddy (who is looking at getting a 14) both sent comments and links to this thread. I would like to think Kawasaki was doing the right thing all the time, and maybe they were. If not I hope we helped in some small way.

It's like the new car that someone hits you head on, in a front wheel vehicle, and the insurance refuses to total it, even after said customer says it will "NEVER" be the same, and the owner get plagued with YEARS or unwarrented trouble from an otherwise almost bullet proof car, ASK ME HOW I KNOW ......

So, how do you know, car-abuser?

Wow, you come by that handle via some righteous ways, huh?

But, you've got an interesting point here.

Aegis:

If Mama Kaw wants to rebuild the motor instead of new, how about you get them to price *each part*, give you the total, and you let the insurance adjuster get over their sticker shock, before they then declare it totaled?

You get a new cycle...

Sound good?

I think with what you've done here...and your time spent trying to get this to be okay...you're gonna get a payday....that's what I think.I think Kawi's gonna send a new motor...and chalk up the broke one for research.That's what I think.I mean...as a business..they HAVE to put the skids on somewhat...otherwise,every teensy issue would become so much time and money spent...they don't want to encourage fake claims and such.God knows they've built a gazillion of these things over the years..and probably had gazillions of 'fake stuff' get sent in or whatever.It'll turn out okay...hang in there.They will as you know try to save face....it's just business...so be positive.You'll have yer baby back and running sweet.If there IS a mfg defect...they're not about to play it up...so ya gotta see it a little bit as they do.However..I personally don't think there's anything defective...just a 'crap shoot'...you happened to get one that somehow made it through the initial tests...they thought it was fine....it can happen.Anyone ask you for the bar code for your bike yet?The one they assign each bike for the 'results' of their factory run(s).You might want to add that into the mix....I'm sure Kawasaki would honestly want to know IF the bike left the plant with some sort of anomoly.There's a LOT at stake for them....having someone get maimed or worse from a known production issue...nah...they definitely don't want that.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 6/20/2013 @ 2:12 PM *