Hello,

I just purchased a 2015 ZX14r with 2300 miles. The lower cowl on the left side had some scratches, so I purchased a new one to replace. I have watched several videos, but I can’t get the lower cowl loose from the plastic it attaches too. I removed the 2 visible bolts on outside, and the plastic push pin behind the front wheel. What am I missing?

Thanks,
Travis

Take off the complete left side, all that slided onto the nose fairing. Vids on the Broocks site. then there are a few more push pins and screws on the inside.1 ram air covers, 2 gills, 3 tank cover, 4 left side. Just did this for 7500 mile maintenance checkup

* Last updated by: cruderudy on 10/4/2017 @ 7:44 AM *

No...no need to remove the whole side panel.There are TWO fasteners inside the lower panel at the seam.The rearmost edge of the panel is a phillips screw.The one is an allen...the one closest to the front.Take the Phillips screw(at the rear seam of the panel)all the way out.Now loosen the allen at the front to allow the bracket to come free of the fastener in there.It may have to come all the way out.Remove the bracket.The screw and allen heads are facing in toward the motor.You'll see em behind that seam.I would pull the side cover out.
I'm not contradicting you Rudy.But the whole upper panel does not need to be removed.better safe than sorry until it NEEDS to come off.

I used a phillips( VERY SMALL)to get in there.One of those you can buy at an automotive parts store that has the phillips bit already built in..small wratchet..maybe 4-5 inches long.And a small allen for the front one.

Now fold the panel upwards and out,being careful to NOT snap the tabs(or slots) running along the top seam of the panel.Install just the reverse of this.If you've never installed the side cover...be aware that as you slide it forward into the front slots that you make sure the tab aft of the tines in there is sliding UNDER the rubber boot...where the allen attaches to the tab.And make sure as you're doing this that the tabs at the top of the cover are going INSIDE(under) the tank cover panel.If they aren't..DO NOT push on them to try and get them under that lip.Pull the cover away from the tank panel edge there(pulling gently DOWN,just enough to clear the tabs),and reposition the cover UNDER the lip and SLIDE the panel forward till the tabs go into the slots on that upper tank cover edge.This has to be done BEFORE you secure the allen screw in the center tab of the cover..the black allen screw(yours may be silver).I used a small flat bladed screwdriver to 'open'the rubber slot as I pushed the side cover tab into it.The front tips of the tines need to go in between the inner black fairing and the outer painted part..Rock the side cover gently and push forward.The frontal tine edges must align with the slot cutouts on the midfairing.all the way forward.Once that's in,reinstall the brackets and screw/bolt into the lower panel seam area.Install the lower bolts,and the Quickrivet up front.You can see the brackets on a parts diagram on Babbitt's online or another site.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/4/2017 @ 10:22 AM *

It seems like a complicated process to remove that piece. The scratches don’t look as bad now...lol

It's not complicate at all.

Watch Brock's video it shows you step by step, only takes a couple of minutes and not hard to do.

Did you also buy replacement insulation piece that's glued to lower cowl?

The only other thing I do is spray fairing parts that slide together with
some dry silicone spray for easier reassemble without having to feel like you are
forcing it.

* Last updated by: piken on 10/4/2017 @ 11:31 AM *

I didn’t get the insulation, but I can purchase it. This is my first bike like this, and I primarily purchased it to resell.

* Last updated by: Travis104 on 10/4/2017 @ 1:19 PM *

It sounds complicated...it really isn't once you do it.Just a bit time consuming.The inner bracket screw and bolt is what takes the most time.I tried seeing if an extension would reach in there from the other side....nope.Would make it easier.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/4/2017 @ 1:59 PM *

Thanks for the help guys. I got the old one off and everything back together. I was just being a pansy, and not pulling very hard on the grill. How important is the insulation? I didn’t realize it had it there or I would have ordered it with the part.

I wouldn't worry about it, not doing much where it's placed. Just not factory without it.

Just saw the insulation piece new on Ebay for like $20 depending on what
side you need. Not sure what retail price is.

I think the Gen2 is pretty much the same to just take off lowers as the Gen1, isn't it? Two bottom bolts, plastic rivet and three small bolts to the side fairing.

http://zx14ninjaforum.com/messages.cfm?threadid=0083B460-D56B-84E2-1A6649F299C86EE7

I wouldn't worry a bit about the foam. I'm planning to take mine out. If you want, pull the foam out of the old one and stick it in the new one. May need some high temp spray adhesive you can get at THD.

Nope.Not the same.Not sure WHY on the 2012's and up they designed the brackets at the lower seam inside there.Really a pain to deal with.Seems unnecessary.The o6's on up didn't need those.Much easier.Heat flex?idk.First time I removed mine,I was thinking..'wtf?'what are these doing there?Seemed like a useless addition.Hadn't(and haven't)heard of a lower fairing on any 14 coming off with normal operation.They had their reasons though...maybe I'll call and ask.

No I never heard of just the lowers blowing off except that one Ricky Gadson video where I think they forgot to fasten them. Those lower brackets that bolt to the oil pan on the Gen1 are good but those are about the only bolts that come loose except for fender bolts and couple other non well nut fairing bolts. Maybe that has something to do with the redesign.

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/4/2017 @ 7:04 PM *