Has anyone on here got any problems with paint dead spots from riding the 14R?
I am getting an area on the right hand side of the tank just next to the tank protector that is being affected by my right thigh, obviously just the way I sit on the bike, but eager to get input from others with the ZX14R.
My solution to this problem is this.

mmmm GREEN CARBON!

What other problems are you guys finding with the current model?

Neil

* Last updated by: Neilp on 1/6/2013 @ 12:57 AM *

Love those large cf tank protectors I am seeing on 14s these days. Those little fishbone protectors are fine if you never lay on the tank but all around riding postions, a protector that is closer to a bra will keep the tank from getting scuffed by repeated contact with jacket or pants.

I used a large vinyl tank bra on my 14 for the first 4 years then went to a MagKnight bra tank protector. The magKnight is fake cf and after one season, the fit has changed. It no longer sticks directly to the tank right in front of where the seat and tank meet. Also showing signs of wear--a couple small cracks on the edge and the finish is scuffing off the center where my coat touches it.

The best thing for keeping the tank pristine is a full coverage bra or a half bra. I will be going with TechSpec tank grips next season but my plan is to cover that up with my old Lockhart Phillips half bra for touring and general use. The 14 is a five years old now and I'm not so particular about the paint finish. I've had to make several repairs after minor mishaps with fairings falling on the floor and such. I still know the tank finish is many times more vulnerable to damage from ordinary use than any other part so it makes sense to keep it covered as much as you can.

I've found this stuff to work wonders for scuffs from contact with soft materials and even minor scratches.

It will bring the gloss right back to showroom. I've used products like this on the tank and all fairings every year now. At some point it would prolly be wise to clearcoat the bike.

I certainly don't see any dead spots on yer 14R tank there Neil...she looks sharp as can be from here!Good job on that CF!

You'll get this on ANY bike and not just the 14. Any place where your body is moving round in contact with the paintwork it's gonna scuff and eventually rub through. I've gone with the Kawasaki gell knee pads this time but on my last few bikes I've just stuck some clear sticky backed plastic sheet on there which does the same job and you get to keep the appearance of the stock bike. Personally, I'm not a fan of sticking bits of carbon effect sheet all over the place.
Rubbing compounds or even 'renovating' polish will certainly restore a dulled of scuffed finish but each time you use them you're thinning out the clear coat and you'll be down to the base paint in no time so I steer clear of them. Prevention is better than cure.

* Last updated by: pegscraper on 1/6/2013 @ 11:12 AM *

yeah what I get on my bike are paint chips on top of the tank from tiny rocks bouncing off of my jacket and hitting the tank! I'd have to wrap the entire tank to protect it...

Let me ask you Neil...did that cool looking CF cover go OVER the existing tank pad from the factory?Or did you have to remove that first?I couldn't find THAT design on their site....what model # part is that?I will be debadging the bike when it gets here...so the tank won't have any lettering on it.That's not a 14R is it?

Okay...just read your other post...zx6 tank cover.I think it looks really good.Can't see why it wouldn't fit the 14R?That green carbon...very nice touch;)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/6/2013 @ 3:17 PM *

Where you make contact with the paint really varies according to your riding position/how far back or forward you sit in the seat. Some sit all the way up against the tank, and some farther back.

I sit far back and for my riding position, my inner knees are the only contact point where I touch the tank. And my contact is really on the back part of the tank cover and the foreman gills. So I cut some tank pads to go on the side right where my knees grab........I cut them out of the Tech spec material.

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 1/6/2013 @ 3:32 PM *

Yup..that's works as well.I generally sit up close..knees against the inner tank concaves.

I wax the tank every week, hopefully that will help from getting the scuffs

I knew right away that my knees rubbing the clearcoat off of my tank was not going to work, as anal as I am about the bike.

each time you use them you're thinning out the clear coat and you'll be down to the base paint in no time so I steer clear of them. Prevention is better than cure.

It is not really possible to explain how many rubouts are safe before the clearcoat is gone. I have only gone into the paint layers when I used automotive sandpaper or extremely concentrated rubbing with stronger abrasive rubbing compounds. I have had this happen a couple times while repairing more severe scratches or pitting. With the two layer effects of many finishes today, you will see the sparkly metal flake layer disappear before you go through to the lower paint film. Usually almost unnoticeable. IMO, you are very safe to use the milder products like 3M scratch remover as long as you apply with a soft cloth and without the use of power tools. The tank probably has a thicker clearcoat than the rest of the bike too.

....but yes, at some point, you would want to clearcoat the bike again to be safe if you wanted to keep the original paint.

Have a look at this stuff, have been using for 10yrs + on various bikes and alwaysd good
http://www.thetankslapper.biz/

Hey Neil,

I wrapped mine with 3M protective film

Clear Amour