Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Runner on November 05, 2017, 11:38:53 AM

Title: Plastic dash cover deforming
Post by: Runner on November 05, 2017, 11:38:53 AM
This is my situation, I have couple bumps that are coming out from behind the area between tach and speedometer. They are on the small area just below the display screen. One is about the size of a BB and the other is slightly bigger but does not protrude as much. For those of you that may have removed the plastic face plate is there any electrical component that could heat up and cause this? I brought it up to operating temp sitting still and did not feel any heat. To explain the location a little more; they are on the small horizontal area above the select and reset buttons. I did the Google thing and nothing popped up so sure appreciate any help.
Title: Re: Plastic dash cover deforming
Post by: VirginiaJim on November 05, 2017, 12:33:43 PM
Year of bike and mileage..  Pictures would help as well.
Title: Re: Plastic dash cover deforming
Post by: Runner on November 05, 2017, 02:32:14 PM
It's a 2009 with 28K miles. If it was mid summer I would consider the sun, but don't think that is the case now. I am techy challenged; if someone will give me a number to text to or an email address I will be happy to send pictures and ask them to post to the site.
Title: Re: Plastic dash cover deforming
Post by: VirginiaJim on November 05, 2017, 06:35:26 PM
Stock wind screen?
Title: Re: Plastic dash cover deforming
Post by: Freddy on November 06, 2017, 05:35:17 AM
The early bikes were prone sun damage of the dash and red needles caused by heat from screen magnification if left in the hot sun at a certain angle in summer.
Title: Re: Plastic dash cover deforming
Post by: chap on November 06, 2017, 06:47:35 AM
If it would work in a 2009. I have a 2010 Instrument cluster in mint condition with 15k miles on it. I would sell it if you are interested.
Title: Re: Plastic dash cover deforming
Post by: Runner on November 07, 2017, 05:49:52 AM
I guess the sun is the most likely the reason, still hard to believe 80 degrees could be an issue. Thanks for the input from the site.
Title: Re: Plastic dash cover deforming
Post by: mikeyw64 on November 07, 2017, 06:37:33 AM
I guess the sun is the most likely the reason, still hard to believe 80 degrees could be an issue. Thanks for the input from the site.

Its not the temperature that's the problem.

A magnifying glass will burn an ant as well if held at the right angle on a sunny winters day as a warm summers day



Title: Re: Plastic dash cover deforming
Post by: VirginiaJim on November 07, 2017, 08:37:00 AM
Mikey is right.   The short stock shield is especially prone to this.  You can minimize the issue by sanding the edges to dullness.  I have some minimal branding on my dash thanks to that shield.
Title: Re: Plastic dash cover deforming
Post by: maxtog on November 07, 2017, 02:58:29 PM
We believe the gen1 shield had that problem (a lens effect that could damage the dash) and that the gen2 shield, 2010+ (and gen2.5 mailbox-slot shield) don't have the issue, or at least not as much.  The gen2 shield is taller, has a different curve, and I believe sanded edges.
Title: Re: Plastic dash cover deforming
Post by: khager01 on November 16, 2017, 08:32:50 AM
Its not the temperature that's the problem.

A magnifying glass will burn an ant as well if held at the right angle on a sunny winters day as a warm summers day

I just wanted to add that I had the same thing happen on my V-Strom with an aftermarket Shield, it didn't start happening until December even though I have the shield on all throughout the summer (100F+) here in Texas.

The bike was always parked the same facing north at work everyday, it wasn't the temperature but the low December Sun that worked its magic.