Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: lather on September 21, 2011, 02:11:19 PM
-
Softball sized rock with sharp edges, I didn't even see it. Through me out of the saddle, landed with a big tank slapper. Red light, low pressure, Front Tire 0 psi. Rode it home 5 miles at about 12 mph, anything faster and the tank slapper threat. Looking for a wheel!
-
Bummer, but glad you made it home on a seat and not a stretcher!
-
I assume you are <more or less> OK if you were able to ride it home? Glad to hear that part of the story anyway.
I cannot help you with the wheel other than to say that you can also use a ZX 14 wheel on a C-14; that may help you if looking on sites such as Ebay, etc.
Brian
Softball sized rock with sharp edges, I didn't even see it. Through me out of the saddle, landed with a big tank slapper. Red light, low pressure, Front Tire 0 psi. Rode it home 5 miles at about 12 mph, anything faster and the tank slapper threat. Looking for a wheel!
-
Thanks, that info may be a big help, no front wheels on Ebay, cheapest new is $560 (assembly). Might as well get new bearings too. Main problem is an MSTA rally scheduled for 9/29
-
Remind me not to get anywhere near you with all that's been happening lately. Glad you're ok. Would have scared the you know what out of me...
-
It appears you can have the wheel repaired at shops that specialize in that kind of work. I have never had that type of work done but the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos are pretty encouraging and the price seems reasonable, at least compared with a new wheel. Of course if you need the bike back together that quickly it might not be possible to repair the wheel in time.
If you do buy a new wheel, it still might be worth having the old one repaired and then selling it. Of course you should disclose that it had been repaired but it might be worth it depending on the value of a used wheel and the cost of the repair and associated shipping. If there is someone who could repair it locally it might make more sense than shipping the damaged wheel twice (out and back). Just a thought to try and take a bit of the sting out of your situation.
Brian
Thanks, that info may be a big help, no front wheels on Ebay, cheapest new is $560 (assembly). Might as well get new bearings too. Main problem is an MSTA rally scheduled for 9/29
-
Remind me not to get anywhere near you with all that's been happening lately. Glad you're ok. Would have scared the you know what out of me...
I was about scared $hitless for a few milliseconds, felt like I was being attacked by the dreaded skunk-ape (local bigfoot joke) but when I saw the low pressure message I figured I would not die. TPS rocks! Thought I would need a tow and started to hike home (5 miles) but noone on the road at 1:30 pm saw figured I could ride it home. First 4 miles were no problem, only 2 cars but when I got on the big road, I remebered it was time for school to let out. 30 cars in 1 mile :o
-
I was about scared $hitless for a few milliseconds, felt like I was being attacked by the dreaded skunk-ape (local bigfoot joke) but when I saw the low pressure message I figured I would not die. TPS rocks! Thought I would need a tow and started to hike home (5 miles) but noone on the road at 1:30 pm saw figured I could ride it home. First 4 miles were no problem, only 2 cars but when I got on the big road, I remebered it was time for school to let out. 30 cars in 1 mile :o
TPS rocks, indeed!
-
(http://www.lamsta.com\gallery\gotbent.jpg)
Fixable? There is a shop that does car wheels locally, I will call them.
09 ZX14 wheel, rotors and tires on ebay for $339, what do y'all think. I could get it powder coated silver later.
It appears you can have the wheel repaired at shops that specialize in that kind of work. I have never had that type of work done but the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos are pretty encouraging and the price seems reasonable, at least compared with a new wheel. Of course if you need the bike back together that quickly it might not be possible to repair the wheel in time.
If you do buy a new wheel, it still might be worth having the old one repaired and then selling it. Of course you should disclose that it had been repaired but it might be worth it depending on the value of a used wheel and the cost of the repair and associated shipping. If there is someone who could repair it locally it might make more sense than shipping the damaged wheel twice (out and back). Just a thought to try and take a bit of the sting out of your situation.
Brian
-
Do the parts interchange?
-
Thanks, that info may be a big help, no front wheels on Ebay, cheapest new is $560 (assembly). Might as well get new bearings too. Main problem is an MSTA rally scheduled for 9/29
Sorry to hear, but I'm glad you're okay. Insurance? Of course all that depends on deductibles.
-
Thanks, that info may be a big help, no front wheels on Ebay, cheapest new is $560 (assembly). Might as well get new bearings too. Main problem is an MSTA rally scheduled for 9/29
Awe shucks, lotsa HDs for rent ;)
-
There are folks that specialize in straightening wheels. For instance.
http://www.kwicksilverusa.com/ (http://www.kwicksilverusa.com/)
There may be someone in your area.
-
Beats me- lots' o' variables in that one such as the rotors and tire- are any of them any good / do you want any of them anyway? Probably not. On the other hand the wheel itself is probably straight (because most of them are not bent) and it is a much better price than new....? Do you have the ability to change tires and balance wheels? If not, the new wheel becomes more attractive because it is virtually guaranteed to be straight and useable out of the box. Also Kawasaki may be more reliable on shipping seeing as time is so critical.
I think I would probably take the shot on the used wheel if I was confident that it would fit (a ZX 14 front wheel is the same part number as a C-14 front wheel), was straight and the seller seemed OK as near as I could tell.
Brian
(http://www.lamsta.com\gallery\gotbent.jpg)
Fixable? There is a shop that does car wheels locally, I will call them.
09 ZX14 wheel, rotors and tires on ebay for $339, what do y'all think. I could get it powder coated silver later.
-
I jumped on the ZX14 stuff. Wheel and rotor part numbers match up. If the wreck only had 640 miles on it as claimed rotors will be useful, mine are getting thin. The tire will be good for this trip at least. Wheel bearings should be good too. Shipping will be close but if it comers in the night before I can put it on in 10 minutes.
I could not find any legit local wheel places on the web, only cosmetic repairs. The place I knew about seems to be OOB.
Thanks again for the ZX14 wheel tip.
-
Sounds like a decent deal. I'm glad you found something that will work.
-
Sounds like a decent deal. I'm glad you found something that will work.
Thanks. Seems like a bit of luck if all works out.
-
Contact Russ through his site: http://www.firstclassmotorcycletours.com/ (http://www.firstclassmotorcycletours.com/)
I do his tires. He had a wheel worse than yours and had it repaired.
I think he sent the wheel to NJ?
It was on his BMW K1200LT which has a much more heavy duty wheel than the C-14.
The wheel is perfect now. It was only a few hundred dollars.
He should know the contact info of the company who fixed his wheel.
-
Thanks
-
Well at least that finally explains where the material went that BMW <should> have used in their final drives.... Wheels good. Drives bad. I'd take the lighter wheels myself.
Brian
<snip>
It was on his BMW K1200LT which has a much more heavy duty wheel than the C-14.
<snip>
-
I abused my K1200LT for almost 70K miles... I mean abused!
I rode it like a sportbike evertime I got on it.
My wife used to say that she didn't mind me dragging parts but she preferred that her foot pegs didn't drag.
And they did often. That was a great bike.
I replaced the final drive oil every other engine oil change and I never had an issue with the final drive.
Nor do I know anyone who ever had a problem. Or met any LT owner who had the problem themself.
But yet the internet has magnified the problem.
And how do we know the people with the problem maintained their bike?
I would buy another K1200LT without giving the final drive a second thought.
The K1200LT may be my next touring bike when I get tired of the C-14.
It might not be as fast, but it can do everything the C-14 does.
(http://www.ridewnc.com/images/GapBeemer.jpg)
-
Love the LT's, have a friend that rides one. I just can't justify the price yet, but I may get there next time.
I abused my K1200LT for almost 70K miles... I mean abused!
I rode it like a sportbike evertime I got on it.
My wife used to say that she didn't mind me dragging parts but she preferred that her foot pegs didn't drag.
And they did often. That was a great bike.
I replaced the final drive oil every other engine oil change and I never had an issue with the final drive.
Nor do I know anyone who ever had a problem. Or met any LT owner who had the problem themself.
But yet the internet has magnified the problem.
And how do we know the people with the problem maintained their bike?
I would buy another K1200LT without giving the final drive a second thought.
The K1200LT may be my next touring bike when I get tired of the C-14.
It might not be as fast, but it can do everything the C-14 does.
(http://www.ridewnc.com/images/GapBeemer.jpg)
-
I ....................................... Or met any LT owner who had the problem themself.
But yet the internet has magnified the problem.
And how do we know the people with the problem maintained their bike?
I would buy another K1200LT without giving ......................
I met a few. I can't vouch for their maintenance but most of them wanted to be hush about it for resale value. BMW was always great about fix'n it. That was the best thing about BMW. There was never a problem with warranty and they always guaranteed the repairs.
-
Found these on EBAY
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki-Concours-ZG-1400-Front-Wheel-STRAIGHT-/140606594849?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20bcce5f21 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki-Concours-ZG-1400-Front-Wheel-STRAIGHT-/140606594849?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20bcce5f21)
and
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/08-09-10-11-Concours-ZG1400-Front-Wheel-Rim-/270810139277?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f0d8aca8d (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/08-09-10-11-Concours-ZG1400-Front-Wheel-Rim-/270810139277?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f0d8aca8d)
Aaron
-
I've used these guys in the past,prompt shipping(free!)and good quality parts that arrived as advertised.
http://motorcycleparts2u.com/mp2u029289-2009-kawasaki-zx14-front-wheel (http://motorcycleparts2u.com/mp2u029289-2009-kawasaki-zx14-front-wheel)
-
Thanks for the help everybody. I bought a wheel assembly yesterday from Ebay and it is supposedly in the mail this morning. I am in a rush because we are leaving 9/29 for a rally. This 09 ZX14 wheel comes with rotors and a tire for 339 and supposedly only 640 miles on it. If it is as advertised it is a great deal since I will be needing rotors anyway (wearing out, not warped) plus a free tire. The wheel is black instead of silver but that doesn't matter much to me. I can't even see it most of the time.
-
This is the rock that I ran over. Actually a chunk of concrete or maybe a piece of cinder block. I think it was bigger before I ran over it as there were a couple fragment next to it and a gouge mark in the asphalt. I went back to look for my radar detector which got thown off from the impact. No sign of it :'(
(http://www.lamsta.com/gallery/wheel_bender.jpg)
-
That sucks you lost your Radar Detector, How was it mounted? Back in April I crashed my Bike with the Radar detector mounted on a Ram Mount magnetic mount, Radar Detector stayed in place even while the Bike was somersaulting down the shoulder!
-
It was attached to a home-made mount with velcro.
-
I finally got my replacement ZX14 Ebay wheel today. It was shipped from Miami on 9/16/11 but the USPS somehow managed to route it through Richmond, CA. Everything looks as advertised. The wheel is shiny black and in good condition. Identical in every way to my original wheel except black instead of silver. The rotors and carriers are also identical. The wheel had no weights and on my balance stand it did not need any. The BT014 has minimal wear so the claimed 640 miles is probably true. The rotors have acceptable runout, best I can measure with my dial gauge and thickness is .193 in. compared to the .184 in of my originals with 60,000 miles. The service limit is .18 in so these rotors are a real bonus. I also expect to get some $ worth out of the Bridgestone although I hope it wears out soon so I can put my TPS in the new wheel. I may not wait.
After a 30 mile test ride all is good, or at least OK. The BT014 turns in slower and feels heavier than a PR2, Angel ST or Shinko Raven. It also feels harsh over bumps.
-
So are you going to have your other wheel powder coated black to match?
-
So are you going to have your other wheel powder coated black to match?
I doubt it. If I spent money on something like that I might feel obliged to wash every month. ;D
-
:yikes:
-
Im betting you'll be watching the road in front of you a litte more closely from now on :)
-
Im betting you'll be watching the road in front of you a litte more closely from now on :)
I surely need to! And I usually watch for obstacles pretty good but I was approaching a blind uphill right, that increases just after the crest on a road I ride frequently. I am always looking out for an oncoming pickup crowding my lane as the locals often do around here. Even so, I still can't believe I missed spotting such a large rock. I need to step up my scanning.
-
Glad to hear it worked out with the used wheel but did you miss your trip at the end of Sept. due to the bent wheel?
Brian
I finally got my replacement ZX14 Ebay wheel today. It was shipped from Miami on 9/16/11 but the USPS somehow managed to route it through Richmond, CA. Everything looks as advertised.
<snip>
After a 30 mile test ride all is good, or at least OK. The BT014 turns in slower and feels heavier than a PR2, Angel ST or Shinko Raven. It also feels harsh over bumps.
-
Glad to hear it worked out with the used wheel but did you miss your trip at the end of Sept. due to the bent wheel?
Brian
Thanks. No we went on the VFR. The old girl did fine, trooper that she is. But now she wants a Sargent Seat for the Concours 14! She had forgotten how comfy the Sargent is on the viffer.
The VFR did well too except for an overheating episode but some nice clear Missouri creek water got her going again.
-
After another 80 miles I am used to the heavier steering of the BT014. I am trusting the front end more a pushing harder and the tire feels pretty good.
When I isntalled the ZX14 wheel I noticed a tight spot on rotation so I rechecked the runout on the bike. I think checking on the balance stand was not accurate. Using the clamp in my Starret kit on the caliper mount works much better than the magnetic stand. The left rotor does have .006 runout. I don't feel any pulsling at all on braking, light or heavy, fast or slow but their is a slight delay in initial bite that was not there before. I think this is from the high spot pushing the pistons in a bit.