Hi All,

Quick question; When running in your bikes, did you notice odd feedback through the pegs when running in? If i am riding at say, 60, then i pull the clutch and hold it, i feel an odd sensation through the pegs.. like im running over occasional little bumps in the road, but with each bump there is a grinding-like sensation. It's very strange. I have noticed it since i left the dealership. I put it down to new bike bedding in, but as it's still there at near 500kms, im now wondering what it is. My understanding is that when coasting, and pulling the clutch, the drive train should be essentially smooth as silk (except for tire feedback). I can feel it through both pegs..

I've not gone above 5000rpm yet, so no real stress on the engine.
I've also discovered my zx14r is not immune to the 3-4k vibration noise as reported by others. I hear this is the tip-over switch? I wear earplugs, but without them, it would be very annoying. Funny thing is, i didnt notice this a few days ago. It's like it's only just decided to do it?

I love this bike, and i want to continue loving it, but i would hate for these little things to impede my enjoyment of it.

Any advice would be welcome.

Cheers

* Last updated by: cjmonkey610 on 9/1/2015 @ 6:07 PM *

Sounds kind of weird what you're describing but then I have to wonder why you'd pull the clutch in and hold it at 60 mph? My guess is that's that big transmission free willing in there is what you're feeling. When I'm at a stop and put mine into gear, a few seconds later that mass starts rotating again and it nearly feels like someone bumped me from behind. It took me a while to really figure out what it was because I didn't notice it all the time. From what I understand, 14s have extremely overbuilt gears in the trans.

This bikes got plenty of quirks, but those quirks will quickly turn into personality. Your tip over sensor sounds very similar to what mine did, but it subsided with that very loud clicking after a while. 14 owners (Gen 1) used to add rubber washers to help with tip over sensor making noise. I bought a few rubber washers and shored up my IC and the tip over sensor.

Good question mate. (60 kph) I actually felt it when riding also, but i pulled the clutch to see if it was present when coasting, and lo'an behold, it was clearly present when the clutch is fully in. When the engine is driving it's hard to distinguish the sensation from the engine.. sorry, I should have mentioned this in my post

* Last updated by: cjmonkey610 on 9/1/2015 @ 7:27 PM *

1. Throttle sync may be out but not really. It's ever so slightly off > 1 variable.
2. The flip-flop of, I pull clutch in, I trigger the system to another map > variable 2.
3. The harmonics of 60 back down to idle is a harmonic slowing down > variable 3.

I now want to find out if my chassis is the problem or my engine > I kill the engine at 60, coast and feel the vibe thru the chassis. No?

No. Then it's not tire/chain/bearings/transmission.
No. Say no, it does not cause a vibration when I keep the clutch lever out and coast, no, I do not feel the pegs.

Get it broken in and enjoy it... everything should free up and be smooth as silk when you get it broken in. Beat the shit out of it a bit also... Not going to get into the "How do you break in your bike thread" but my last 3 ZX14's have all run flawlessly.... and they all saw WOT by 500miles...

Have you checked chain tension?

[quote]Have you checked chain tension?/quote]

Got to go with this as the fist call. A chain out of adjustment or with maybe a dodgy link can cause some weird vibes and noises.

Kawasaki tend to run their chains too tight. Loosen it just a little. Found this removed most vibration like you describe on my 14r and the wifes 650l

okay, found the culprit, and the good folks here at zx14r forums were on the right track. It was my chain rubbing on the top swing arm protector. not "melt through to the swing arm" rubbing, but enough to cause the feedback i was feeling through the pegs.. the protector has worn a little, and the sensation seems to have mostly disappeared. the telling clue was a friend on a ride yesterday mentioned a burning rubber smell..