Hello all,

I have been lurking on this forum for a while now, but after purchasing a '13 ZX14R, I just wanted to say hello to the community, and also take this opportunity to ask a question in hopes that one of you experts can provide a quick answer.

After putting a light scratch on the previously nice and shiny left fork top plug (fork cap). I wanted to hide that mark with a set of billet aluminum fork caps with the "ZX14" logo laser cut into the top of them. Since they mount using a set screw that grips the 24mm hex head that is part of the fork plug, I need to make sure that both the left and right fork plugs are oriented the same way, so as to make sure the "ZX14" logo is set horizontally on both sides. So, my question is can i simply put a 24mm wrench on the fork top plugs and slightly turn them to adjust their orientation, or do I have to take off the handle bars and also loosen the upper fork clamp bolts?

Thank you in advance for your expert input. Also, picture of my new ride.

* Last updated by: milanista on 8/6/2013 @ 9:42 AM *

I have 2 really nice fork caps that I had on mine, but the problem is the set screw digs in to the blue adjustment screw on the fork and knicked the shit out of it because it starts to screw into it to lock on. And after all that they would shake loose after a 20 min. ride because of the vibration. So now I have $80 fork caps I can't use and lil nicks in my fork adjustments. There easy to put on but when your screwing them in you hear it screwing into the very soft metal. Not worth it really.

* Last updated by: zx14racer on 8/6/2013 @ 10:08 AM *

I put a set on mine abot 8 months ago, But i did change the set screw out when installing as they were too short.and have put 9k on the bike since then. see botton of page for pics. when installing just rotate the cap until you have it in the desired location and tighten.
fork caps

* Last updated by: Blkcasper on 8/6/2013 @ 10:15 AM *

LOL!!!Surrounded by the mighty American 'Iron'!.......might I say...."PERFECT!"...nice comparo between...'kicking azz' and sofa surfing;)'fork caps' thread...upper pic of whole bike;)...excellent Casper...just excellent!

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 8/6/2013 @ 10:21 AM *

Thank you, Blkcasper. So, just to confirm, no need to remove handle bars and loosen the upper fork clamp bolt, correct? Simply turn the top fork plug with the 24mm wrench, install the billet fork caps and done? Nice bike, by the way.. :-)

ZX14racer, I'm sorry to hear about you marring the spring preload adjusters with the set screws of the fork caps you have. The ones I got have the set screws down low, and it looks as though it will grip against the 24mm hex head, not the adjuster. I am thinking of wrapping the 24mm hex head with teflon tape or electrical tape, to prevent scratching.

And Milanista... Beautiful machine you have there....

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 8/6/2013 @ 10:29 AM *

Thank you, Grn14...much appreciate the welcome and compliment...

I have some fork caps that came with the GenMar risers. They are held in by rubber gaskets so the orientation doesn't matter.

They are smooth tho, no etching or images. They were natural aluminum color, so I Plasti-dipped them. They look great. If you want a basic set covers maybe you can get just the covers from GenMar or find out where they buy them?

Nothing to contribute here, but lots learned thanks boyz! If you do go with any of the above suggestions, Milan, please post a "finished" pic!
Peace, W

Her is a picture of my setup. Fork caps, matching brake/clutch reseviour covers and key lock cap. The key lock cap you may have to modify as the earlier models the key lock sits higer up in the mount. All parts fit all year ZX14.
Also got the chrome lever covers and change out gauges to a white reverse color. Easier to see at nite.
D3 Driven jell grips, barend mirrors, Was going to change out stock grips but the feel as good as any of the after market levers and adjustments are ok. May end up doing so at a later date tho.

* Last updated by: Blkcasper on 8/13/2013 @ 11:45 AM *

No need to do anything with the forks. Just mount the caps in orentation you want and tighten down. You can find the fork caps, key cover, brake/cltch resiviour as a complete kit on ebay for about 120 bucks.

* Last updated by: Blkcasper on 8/13/2013 @ 11:51 AM *

Looks good Casper...very cool;)

Lookin' good, casper. I'll install mine when i get back home in a few days, and will post pictures.

Installed the fork caps last night. I couldn't get the fork plugs oriented so as to have the "ZX" logo sit horizontally, as I didn't want to either over-tighten them or have them too loose, so I had to settle to have them oriented slightly at an angle. Sorry about the poor quality photos.

* Last updated by: milanista on 8/16/2013 @ 9:09 AM *

Spin the fork legs in the upper/lower crowns to line them up. No over tightening is that band-aid fix.

Thanks for the advice, Hub. I may have to do just that this weekend, although I don't think the caps look that bad the way they are now. The angle they sit on now matches the angle of the clip-ons.

Looks great man

Thanks, Casper. So does your bike. Whereabouts in CA are you at?

In northen cali. Modesto/stockton area. How about u? Only seen 1 or 2 2nd gen 14's here. Quite a few 1st gens in the area tho

I'm in the Bay Area (San Jose). The Gen2 ZX14's are pretty rare around here too. See lots of Busa's, though.

I'm in Orange County, hardly ever see a gen2, more gen1's, some Busa's mostly harleys and 1000's and 600's ...

Plenty of Hardley's here as well. I guess the song "Outlaw" by War had a big impact 'round here...