Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: lonekazoo on April 25, 2013, 11:22:30 PM
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Have a couple of questions that I couldn't find in a search, so posing them to the group.
I recently sold my '01 C10 and picked up a nicely cared for '08 C14.
Upon a cold start, I hear 1 or 2 seconds of a worrisome clashing noise that immediately goes away. I'm hoping it's a cam chain tensioner or such. Doesn't happen so much on subsequent starts. Is this typical?
Also regarding cold starts, I'm familiar with the behavior of the ZX14 motor--on a cold start the RPM's initially rise about 1K above idle for about 1 minute and then gradually return to normal idle speed. I've heard this on other C14's as well. On my bike, it starts and stays at idle speed with no warm-up cycle. I know the previous owner pulled the flies. Are the butterflies responsible for the fast idle warm-up cycle? If this is the case, is it a good idea to physically increase RPM's briefly to get oil pressure up?
Thanks!
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Yep, noisy almost tractor sound for a few seconds on cold start is due to cam chain tensioner is normal.
Can't say about initial startup fast idle as my fly's are still in.
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Secondaries are not relevant to warmup. Idle set at 1100-1200 seems to work well.
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Secondaries are not relevant to warmup. Idle set at 1100-1200 seems to work well.
I remember reading that the secondaries are wide open at cold start and then snap mostly closed at some point after fast idle. So they don't do anything at initial start, but are involved in some way afterward.
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Yep, noisy almost tractor sound for a few seconds on cold start is due to cam chain tensioner is normal.
Ok, thanks! That's good to know. I'm in that early stage of thinking "should I have bought new" and "is this noise the reason he sold it cheap?"
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Some bikes have the noise, some don't.
I have it mine. Mine makes the noise. Max cranked his bike up last night and I didn't hear it all on his. Nice looking bike by the way, even if it is the wrong silver color.
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Some bikes have the noise, some don't. I have it mine. Max cranked his bike up last night and I didn't hear it all on his. Nice looking bike by the way, even if it is the wrong silver color.
Max who?
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Maxtog.
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Maxtog.
No kidding, I am sure that was interesting. ;)
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Using Jims verbage, I "haven't it mine" Once I switched to the K&N filter the noise went away, I "have it mine" before ;)
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Welcome, and you will love you KiPass :D
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Try holding the clutch lever in while starting, you may find it's quieter and not so much clunk into gear the first time.
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Some bikes have the noise, some don't. I have it mine. Max cranked his bike up last night and I didn't hear it all on his. Nice looking bike by the way, even if it is the wrong silver color.
Yep no noise- but it is the RIGHT silver color- true silver!!
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No kidding, I am sure that was interesting. ;)
Indeed! I am an interesting person. Nice meeting VirginiaJim!
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Indeed! I am an interesting person. Nice meeting VirginiaJim!
I am interesting as well "ask Jim" and yeah he is good people!!! :thumbs:
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Using Jims verbage, I "haven't it mine" Once I switched to the K&N filter the noise went away, I "have it mine" before ;)
I'm a master of the King's english! K&N didn't help me.
And you had to quote me twice? :doh:
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Thanks for the responses!
Another quick question: I commuted home in heavy rain for the first time today, and every time I stopped, a steady flow of steam rose from the fairing openings, fogging up my instruments and windshield. Is this just a case of high humidity/high dewpoint? My C10 never did anything like this. I'm sure passersby thought I was overheating, and it was really disconcerting to me. Worried I might be missing a fairing shroud or baffle somewhere and that water is getting somewhere it shouldn't.
One thing different from stock is that the previous owner wrapped the headers, does that cause extra steam? Should I be worried??
Thanks again!
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Thanks for the responses!
Another quick question: I commuted home in heavy rain for the first time today, and every time I stopped, a steady flow of steam rose from the fairing openings, fogging up my instruments and windshield. Is this just a case of high humidity/high dewpoint?
It is just water pouring onto the hot radiator and headers. It is normal and will do the same thing when you wash the bike with the engine running.
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It is just water pouring onto the hot radiator and headers. It is normal and will do the same thing when you wash the bike with the engine running.
Thanks, Max. I guess I'm just not used to seeing that amount of vapor coming off the hot parts, I do live in the desert. I think the dewpoint was very high today which probably formed more steam.
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It is just water pouring onto the hot radiator and headers. It is normal and will do the same thing when you wash the bike with the engine running.
Why would you leave the engine running while you wash the bike? :o
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Thanks, Max. I guess I'm just not used to seeing that amount of vapor coming off the hot parts, I do live in the desert. I think the dewpoint was very high today which probably formed more steam.
Yeah, what Max said. Plus when you ride the bike after riding in the rain you'll get a burnt oil smell coming up from the headers.
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I've always thought it smelled like burnt fall leaves....
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I've always thought it smelled like burnt fall leaves....
That was the leaves stuck to your exhaust.
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oh..
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Why would you leave the engine running while you wash the bike? :o
This is what I was taught. Supposedly it prevents water from keeping the bike from starting (that is probably way old school), it allows the windshield to be operated for washing, and it helps to dry faster.
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Why would you wash the bike?
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Why would you wash the bike?
+1 Good point, it takes away from riding time. ;D
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Why would you leave the engine running while you wash the bike? :o
^^^^^fixed :D
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This is what I was taught. Supposedly it prevents water from keeping the bike from starting (that is probably way old school), it allows the windshield to be operated for washing, and it helps to dry faster.
I don't see the logic but anyways...
I raise the shield before I start washing and she dries off plenty fast at 80mph. 8)
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Why would you wash the bike?
Gives me something to do while I'm drinking my beer.
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Gives me something to do while I'm drinking my beer.
:goodpost: :chugbeer:
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Gives me something to do while I'm drinking my beer.
I can find better things to do while drinking beer than to wash a bike. But, what the heck, I'll come over to your house and drink beer while you wash your bike. Should be good entertainment. I'll provide commentary.
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I can find better things to do while drinking beer than to wash a bike. But, what the heck, I'll come over to your house and drink beer while you wash your bike. Should be good entertainment. I'll provide commentary.
You're on! After enough beers you'll be up washing your bike as well Jim.
:chugbeer:
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After enough beers, you should be having the women folk out washing the bikes.
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Why would you wash the bike?
Well, I rode 20 minutes through a storm last night (and got surprisingly not terribly wet, myself). It helps, but clean is better.
I like my things sparkly and clean.
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I don't see the logic but anyways...
Like I said, it is mostly a holdover from older bikes. Hot engine means ignition area and such are all hot and less likely to "foul" with water.
I raise the shield before I start washing
On the 2nd Gen bikes, the windshield will immediately go down as soon as you turn off the ignition (unless you want to drain the battery). Not sure if your gen 1 is the same...
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The superior Gen 1 stays where we put it. Doesn't the gen2 have a two finger salute for the windshield problem?
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Like I said, it is mostly a holdover from older bikes. Hot engine means ignition area and such are all hot and less likely to "foul" with water.
On the 2nd Gen bikes, the windshield will immediately go down as soon as you turn off the ignition (unless you want to drain the battery). Not sure if your gen 1 is the same...
Max, before you turn off the ignition hold the up button for the windshield while turning off the ignition. It will stay right where ya put it :)
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The superior Gen 1 stays where we put it.
I don't consider staying put a superior feature. I very much like it going down when I turn it off so it will fit in the CycleShell
Doesn't the gen2 have a two finger salute for the windshield problem?
Not sure what you mean, but I will quote the manual:
Electric Windshield - “WINDSHIELD SET”
This setting menu can be used to set the initial position of the windshield. The initial position of the windshield can be selected from 4 standard positions. When the engine starts, the windshield moves to the set position automatically.
1 Bottom Position (Basic Position)
2 Middle Position
3 3/4 from Bottom Position
4 Top Position
When the ignition switch is turned to the "OFF" position, the windshield automatically moves to the "basic" (bottom) position. Be sure nobody is adjacent to the windshield when switching the ignition to "OFF."
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Max, before you turn off the ignition hold the up button for the windshield while turning off the ignition. It will stay right where ya put it :)
Sounds like the perfect solution. Is that documented? I can't find that in the manual...
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Sounds like the perfect solution. Is that documented? I can't find that in the manual...
Nor can I find it documented but it works perfectly.
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After enough beers, you should be having the women folk out washing the bikes.
2011 Full Tilt Riders Bikini Bike Wash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BaZxx7cz-Q#ws)
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yessss
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Like I said, it is mostly a holdover from older bikes. Hot engine means ignition area and such are all hot and less likely to "foul" with water.
I never wash my bike when it's hot. Hot metal and cold water don't always play well together.
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After enough beers, you should be having the women folk out washing the bikes.
That's true G but it wouldn't matter how many beers were involved, my wife would never wash my bike for me.
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It sounds good but it never worked for me either. :(
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OK, gotta add one more quick question to the thread, again--can't find anyone with a similar problem:
I'm hearing a squeaking noise from the front wheel, like rubber on metal, definitely timed with wheel rotation. Doesn't sound like brakes dragging. I've checked clearances around the tire and don't see any evidence of tire rubbing. Also, after some rides I'm smelling what seems to be burning rubber as I shut down. I'd really like to elimnate this. I've already checked, and there's no bikini stuck in there from the last washing...
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I think you should examine your front wheel very carefully. That's my stand.
So are you saying that not only do you wash your bike (shudder), you wear a bikini whilst doing so? If so, that's grounds for banishment.
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I think you should examine your front wheel very carefully. That's my stand.
So are you saying that not only do you wash your bike (shudder), you wear a bikini whilst doing so? If so, that's grounds for banishment.
Don't be so hasty there Jim! We don't know if Kazoo is a man or a woman, do we?
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Right again, Conrad. Here I go making assumptions....
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I think you should examine your front wheel very carefully. That's my stand.
So are you saying that not only do you wash your bike (shudder), you wear a bikini whilst doing so? If so, that's grounds for banishment.
Nope, no bikini...however, occasionally I'll don the speedo. Funny, both of those articles of clothing sound like they're motorcycle-related.
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I think you should examine your front wheel very carefully. That's my stand.
So are you saying that not only do you wash your bike (shudder), you wear a bikini speedo whilst doing so? If so, that's grounds for banishment.
Nope, no bikini...however, occasionally I'll don the speedo. Funny, both of those articles of clothing sound like they're motorcycle-related.
Speedo? :o Carry on Jim! ;)
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I took apart the front end and examined the axle, bearings, seals, etc. The axle was scored at one bearing, with dark looking grease that looked and smelt burned. The spacers were missing most of the coating.
I'm going to go ahead and replace the bearings, seals, and spacers. I didn't have the parts on hand, so I put high-temp grease on the axle and seals and put it all back together until I can order what I need. Lo and behold, the squeaking is gone. I also noticed that the axle nut had been tightened WAY too tight.
Thanks for the suggestions!
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I took apart the front end and examined the axle, bearings, seals, etc. The axle was scored at one bearing, with dark looking grease that looked and smelt burned. The spacers were missing most of the coating.
I'm going to go ahead and replace the bearings, seals, and spacers. I didn't have the parts on hand, so I put high-temp grease on the axle and seals and put it all back together until I can order what I need. Lo and behold, the squeaking is gone. I also noticed that the axle nut had been tightened WAY too tight.
Thanks for the suggestions!
Good to hear you got it sorted out!
:thumbs: