I bought my 2012 ZX14R in late November of 2011. In the past two months, I have noticed that the bolts from the fairing stay have FALLEN OUT. This has happened TWICE! After observing it the first time, I went to the stealership to make them aware of the issue. I replaced the top bolt and nut and got another nut for the bottom bolt. Everything was fine for about a month. Yesterday, on the way to meet up with some friends for a ride and I noticed that the side fairings were flapping a bit in the wind. I stopped to check out the problem and I noticed that the entire top bolt was missing again and the bottom bolt was missing the nut. Fortunately, I was somewhat near a local motorcycle shop that was able to provide some replacement parts and loctite. Have any of you guys had this issue before???

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* Last updated by: sickZX on 5/18/2012 @ 10:30 AM *

Somebody else mentioned those being loosened up.I went out and checked mine when that first guy posted about it.Mine were fine...the top one took about a 1/4 turn...but it was tight actually.Loctite...ya..that should be fine I would think.I haven't had any issues with any of my bike's parts yet.Everything is doing okay.Glad ya got that fixed.

This is the second thread that has mentioned this problem. I have gone out twice and checked my hardware to ensure things are tight.

It might be a good idea for all of us with 14R's to go ahead and proactively loctite these things.

Thanks for adding this thread!

* Last updated by: Fowvay on 5/18/2012 @ 12:27 PM *

I agree...thanks for reposting this deal.My question now though is....WHY would these be coming loose?.I NEVER had one loosen up on my 07.In many seasons of riding.Are they missing a washer or something?

Just an aside here..IF and WHEN you go to remove your belly fairings for whatever reason...that Phillips screw that connects the midfairing to the belly fairing...do NOT leave that out thinking it'll save ya time for the 'next' removal.I didn't see any reason for having that pesky thing in there...until...about a month or so later...when I noticed that mating surface on the midfairing and lower was...developing a nice little gap in there....and it was allowing small rock chips and stuff to get wedged in between those two panels...not okay.I think eventually it could have possibly broken that front tab deal off.I put em back in...she's just fine now.No gap.No rock chips an chit .I also realized...taking that complete side fairing,and belly fairing out as one piece was a lot easier than just removing that belly fairing for most of the access to the engine sides and stuff.The whole shebang comes off pretty nicely as one piece.(minus the side covers that is).And if you're used to cranking down on those wellnuts...any wellnuts....I'd advise you guys NOT TO.Those wellnuts attached to the upper fairing there...the one(s) that sit just in front of that/those upper fairing attachment bolts...that tab WILL crack if you tighten those down when reinstalling your inner upper ram cover(s).Just snug.That's all.

You guys know about the tabs in the black plastic sides where the midfairing slides inward as you're pushing everything into place...you can see em from looking down at the ram hose between the hose and the inside of the fairing a few inches or whatever before it connects to the airbox.There's 'three' places that need to line up right at that one spot...two tabs on the midfairing(green),and a black one on the black plastic inner piece right there.That little black tab rides 'into' the slot on the fairing,while the two green tabs slip UNDER the black indents.They should sit flush with each other,and be flat...same as the ones just ahead of those about three or four inches forward in the same general area.If there's a gap between the two parts(fairing tabs(green)/black plastic piece)..something isn't fitting right.You have to remove that lower pushpin that's at the lowest point of the rubber cover in there(before it angles down and under the radiator hoses).That'll free up the fairing to be able to push it UP against that black plastic inside piece....it should now fit...install those two midfairng silver large bolts,tighten down to hold in place,check the alignment on that tabbed piece again,and install the pushpin.That should line everything up where it's snugged together.WARNING...make sure that midfairing 'bolt hole tab' that goes over the hot wind piece is connected(in place that is) to the bracket there.You don't want to accidently not notice it while 'pushing' on the fairing,you could snap that off if you aren't watching.It goes over the bracket.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/18/2012 @ 1:10 PM *

The bottom photo... the two fasteners in question... are those Nylock nuts? The kind with the plastic washer crimped into the top?

Yeah they are Nylock nuts. They have blue plastic washers inside.

It's somewhat of a relief that you guys at least know what I am talking about, but at the same time I am a little more paranoid about checking the bolts before I ride from now on...

The original nuts and bolts that were in there did not contain Nylock or Loctite - they were just nuts and bolts. I was told that part of the bike is factory-assembled and the dealerships do not even have to mess with it when they assemble the bike..

The dealership is telling you the truth. These fasteners are installed at the factory and not touched during prep and assembly.

The factory nuts are flange cap nuts. I'm going out now to put loctite on mine so I don't have to worry about them this summer.

Hopefully this is only a issue with the early production models. My bike was made in December, 2011, and I haven't had any issue with loose fasteners yet.. knock on wood.

Another plausible factor is that I purchased the first 2012 ZX14R that the dealership assembled. He said that he has sold seven more 2012s but nobody else has reported a similar issue.

Well shit...I've got another issue here...with MY 2012...see that tag in there...on that steering head assembly?Mine 'peeled' off...just like Sick's is.I'm pissed.

Grn, mine was flopping around right out of the box. I peeled it off and stuck it on a flat surface under the seat before I ever started my bike for the first time.

Pretty poor way for Kawi to attach the VIN data decal if you ask me.

Part of the SE packageLOL!!!!!

I had that issue myself. After about 500 miles or so, mine started rattling. Turns out it was missing a bolt. Will be checking again before I ride again this afternoon.

Oh, and Sick, what part of Houston are you from?

@TXblueSS - I am actually in Baytown, but I ride with a bunch of guys on the SE side of Houston. I like to hit up Baytown, Pasadena, LaPorte, Seabrook, Kemah, League City, etc. What about you, where are you at?

I probably would have noticed that you were from Splendora if I had checked your avatar section.. SMH..

happened mine this evening, lost one nut, bolt half out, lowwer nut was loose

Where are you located, Motero?

Dublin,Ireland

Thanks. I guess these issues are global.

Mine, too.

Just came back from the 600 mile 1st service. When I dropped it off, I told them the entire front fairing was wagging up 'n down when going over large and small bumps. Turns out, a few of the side fairing bolts were loose, and one main fairing (as pictured, near the steering stem) nut was gone.

They replaced and Locktite'ed all of them into place. Now a maintenance item check for me.