Just blew my radiator today....right at 10k miles. Not hot out, but bike always runs hot in slow traffic. Anyone else have this problem? How much to fix? Had to tow the bike.....store it at the towing place since the dealership is closed today and monday.....sucks. Luckily it was in town and not out in the sticks.

A small rock punched a hole in mine on a trip last year. Repaired it enough to get home with some stuff from an auto parts store. Found a replacement on eBay.

Did yours just blow, or was there a puncture of some kind? -bg

Dang man! Sorry to hear of your fiasco. I'd sure like to know what the repair shop says they found when inspecting the hoses/reservoir. My service center charges $30/hr. labor + cost of parts.

Without knowing what all was affected when the radiator blew, it would be tough to know what all parts you might need. Here's bikebandit.com's URL for radiator parts on the ZX-14. This, by no means, says they're the cheapest and it does pay to shop around, but at least you'll have a good general idea:
http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/2008-kawasaki-motorcycle-zx1400c8f-ninja-zx-14-air-cleaner/o/m17219sch550625

I picked up a stone in my rad on my zrx12 and took it to a shop a dealer recommended and they screwed it up, then I found this new shop and he repaired it for $150 and it looked great and I felt was worth it because a new one was $650. I had the 14 rad off and dropped it(I know clumsy *ss) and took it to him to check it out and he preasure checked it at no charge which was great. I think what I'm trying to say is find someone who is enthusiastic about what they do and know what you want. For you guys in the calgary area the shop is Foothills radiator beside Pro-Am on edmonton trail.

radiators on ebay from $125 used-$400 new

Got it fixed an running....had the shop do the labor and I took the radiator to performance radiator in Tacoma. They patched 3 holes on the back of the radiator and pressure tested it. The guy swore it would hold as long as the radiator itself....we will see. Total cost....tow: 200.00, labor (bought new ramp to load in truck as well) 450.00., radiator repair 50.00. Guess it could have been worse....will see how it holds on my trip to Utah in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for posting that. Glad to hear you're back up and running. Keep us posted.

Well....I'm down again....the radiator repairs seemed to hold. But I sprung a leak on the bottom seam of the radiator this time. Not gushing out....but not good. It has been real hot here lately in the 90s and the bike got hot and I think it built up to much pressure and blew the seal. Maybe the repairs are restricting flow....don't know. Regardless, I tore it apart this morning (doing it myself this time) and am now looking for a new radiator that doesn't cost 650.00 bucks! Does anyone have a link or lead on that? Also, what is the fix for the overheating while I have it torn apart....different fan? I heard using Ice fluid helps too. Thanks!

a new radiator that doesn't cost 650.00 bucks! Does anyone have a link or lead on that?

There are several available on eBay at the moment... -bg

when you do get a new one invest the $40 in engine ice its well worth it. even on 90+ degree days my bike never gets above 3 bars

As always,I'm curious....HOW does a radiator "blow holes in itself",especially at such low mileage?Is this a stock,installed at the factory radiator?Or some 2nd.Certainly if it was overheating,the overflow would head for the least resistance...the coolant bottle.????????????????????????I mean..isn't that the place it goes?Or am I wrong here?Mine's been hot on occasion,but never overflowed outside of the radiator/bottle.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 8/16/2010 @ 4:03 AM *

+1 on engine ice. Just make sure you remember to change it come winter time.

y its good to -28 f

The original problem was three holes in the back of the radiator....maybe kicked up by gravel and then thrown against the radiator by the fan? Don't know....but it was fixed and pressure tested to 15psi and held fine. Then I rode it around 400 miles and started to see leaks after it got real hot (but didn't "overheat")....thought it was the repair, but I took off the plastic and started it up and it was leaking somewhere else....hard to tell, near the bottom somewhere. Maybe the cap is bad and it didn't release pressure when it got hot....or it is just a bad radiator, don't know. Soooooo.....it is back at the radiator shop to see if it can be fixed again. I looked at the ones on ebay and honestly....they could be just as much of a problem as this one since they are used and don't look that great. I will try one more time with this one. At least I will be getting good at taking off all the plastic by then!

Boy,if mine was poppin leaks like that....woooo...I'd pay out the bucks an just get it replaced....most likely buy a new one....but ebay is okay if you find the right guys.You could try this seller...I've bought a whole bodywork set from him,and various other parts...excellent and safe to deal with.His store name is "velocityking"(e-bay motors).He will deal straight with ya.Tell him Monty sent ya...may cut the price some as well.

thanks Monty...I appreciate the heads up

just drop an egg in there.

NO -JK!

Had it fixed again....one last try for the radiator repair and pressure test. I also put engine ice in the bike and it runs noticeably cooler. If it holds it holds.....if not, I tear it apart and put in a new one! Great to be back riding again....but already need another rear tire.