Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: RBX QB on September 12, 2014, 02:16:43 PM

Title: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: RBX QB on September 12, 2014, 02:16:43 PM
Anyone seen this failure mode yet? Bike has been dropped a couple times (but the Canyon Cages took it like a champ), and I've never dropped anything onto that panel. Only thing I can think is that the action of closing the glovebox repeatedly over the past 3 years caused the cracks to develop (flexing over and over).

Actually, I didn't know I had 2 cracks until I took the panel off to fix the large one. Only thing holding it together are the screws for the grip heater switch.

Any good epoxies or glues you guys would recommend?

(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn143/kiruvetat/Kawasaki/991734C3-3889-4055-A4D5-5B7ED658CF62.jpg)

Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: Rhino on September 12, 2014, 04:44:19 PM
 :yikes: That bites. Haven't seen that failure before. I've had my top left faring off many times. I've modified the glove box so I can open it without the bike on and therefor open it all the time. No problems so far.
Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: clogan on September 12, 2014, 06:25:47 PM
:yikes: That bites. Haven't seen that failure before. I've had my top left faring off many times. I've modified the glove box so I can open it without the bike on and therefor open it all the time. No problems so far.

same here.
Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: jtk1531 on September 13, 2014, 01:56:21 AM
my right side panel cracked at the bolt hole area... i'm planning to get a new panel rather than fix it. had some brake fluid leaks previously (which flowed into the bolt hole), and the panel had some white discolouration that couldn't be removed.
i do park the bike daily under the sun at office. so it could've been a combination of the sun and heat that caused the cracking.
Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: Conrad on September 13, 2014, 06:38:30 AM
Snip...

Any good epoxies or glues you guys would recommend?

JB Weld!     :thumbs:
Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: sailor_chic on September 13, 2014, 07:24:03 AM
I have very good luck using this stuff. It has a been quite useful for me with many projects.

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/13/6/epxy_5min/overview/Loctite-Epoxy-Instant-Mix-5-Minute.htm (http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/13/6/epxy_5min/overview/Loctite-Epoxy-Instant-Mix-5-Minute.htm)
Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: rocknrod on September 13, 2014, 08:31:39 AM
Never used it but Eastwood has some great products like this: http://www.eastwood.com/tpo-teo-and-pp-plastic-welding-kit-80w-iron.html (http://www.eastwood.com/tpo-teo-and-pp-plastic-welding-kit-80w-iron.html)
Not sure what the actual part costs and time to repair it would be. Probably easier to use the Loctite product though.
Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: rotorbike on September 13, 2014, 11:11:34 PM
This panel was broken on a damaged 12 I bought and I repaired it using Plastex. Couldn't recommend the product enough. Easy to work with and a really strong repair.

http://www.plastex.net (http://www.plastex.net)
Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: Scaffolder on September 14, 2014, 05:43:25 AM
I think my 2010 did that. Not sure which side. They fixed it under warranty.
Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: Rhino on September 15, 2014, 06:59:59 AM
If I were to try epoxy I would cut a piece of aluminum sheet or even thin but stiff plastic of some kind as a backing in a shape like this:

(http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac177/sreinschmidt/991734C3-3889-4055-A4D5-5B7ED658CF62_zps50590b28.jpg)

An add it under the faring. would cause it to be lifted slightly under the fastener but it is the only way to make the fix strong enough.
Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: The Pope on September 15, 2014, 07:11:13 AM
Befor I'd do anything, see if Mama Kaw will replace it under warranty.

But if they will not, I'd agree with several of the suggestions on how to fix it.
Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: RBX QB on September 15, 2014, 12:43:25 PM
Thanks for the suggestions.

I hadn't thought about seeing if Kawi will cover it, but it's free to ask (other than my time and gas to head to the dealer). If that doesn't work, I'll apply ALL of your suggestions into one monstrous repair.
Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: stevewfl on September 15, 2014, 12:52:21 PM
I paid 20-30 for a whole new piece, drama free repair  ;D
Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: Rhino on September 15, 2014, 01:01:58 PM
I paid 20-30 for a whole new piece, drama free repair  ;D

$30 would be a no brainer for me. I expected the panel to be a lot more expensive.
Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: RBX QB on September 15, 2014, 02:25:29 PM
$30 would be a no brainer for me. I expected the panel to be a lot more expensive.

Ditto.


I paid 20-30 for a whole new piece, drama free repair  ;D

ebay?
Title: Re: '11 Glovebox Panel Cracked...
Post by: Rhino on September 15, 2014, 02:30:05 PM
$58 on bikebandit.com

http://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/2010-kawasaki-concours-14-abs-zg1400c/o/m148769#sch639785 (http://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/2010-kawasaki-concours-14-abs-zg1400c/o/m148769#sch639785)