Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: 556ALPHA on October 16, 2011, 04:45:25 PM
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My wife and I are on our BRP vacation and decided to stop at a rest area for a little break, maybe 20 minutes. Upon returning to the road I noticed that my Display area was burned by the sun between the Speedo and the Tach in the black plastic area. The display had a large black spot that covered the clock area but after about 30 minuted it returned to normal. The area just below the clock where the clear display meets the platic is now deformed like a lighter was held to it. I will post pictures when I return home. I thought I remember reading about this but forgot and did not cover the area. It is kind of ridiculous that the bike cannot be left in direct sunlight. Has anyone had theirs replaced under warranty? Thanks.
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Search is an easy function (although not terribly good on this board software)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=3473 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=3473)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2595 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2595)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2540 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2540)
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Is there a difference in the different year models or do we all have the same one?
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Search is an easy function (although not terribly good on this board software)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=3473 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=3473)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2595 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2595)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2540 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2540)
Thanks, evidently your skills or search words were more effective than mine. Believe me this forum is tame when giving search related answers in comparison to some others so I definitely tried first with advanced google. I also tried the COG forum but had less than stellar results.
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Most of my reading has seemed to focus on the display that has gone back to normal. The part that bothers me is that the black plastic above the selector buttons where it meets the display looks like a heat gun was left on it and deformed. I will take it to the dealer when I get back, the front TPM battery is flashing now since its cooler so they should be able to fix that too.
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Is there a difference in the different year models or do we all have the same one?
The display should be identical (or nearly identical) on all C-14's.
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Most of my reading has seemed to focus on the display that has gone back to normal. The part that bothers me is that the black plastic above the selector buttons where it meets the display looks like a heat gun was left on it and deformed. I will take it to the dealer when I get back, the front TPM battery is flashing now since its cooler so they should be able to fix that too.
Thank goodness we have a real warranty on the Concours, unlike so many bikes. Your situation does sound rather odd. I have read many thousands of messages on the forums and have never heard of the plastic actually melting. Perhaps there was an electrical short of something odd going on with yours. There is no way normal direct sun could be hot enough to melt plastic.... unless it was lensed...
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It's been an issue since they first came out, thought to be caused by the edge of the screen magnifying the sun's rays. Some have had the red needles distorted/melted. Always cover the dash if leaving in the sun, or fit a tinted screen.
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My wife and I are on our BRP vacation and decided to stop at a rest area for a little break, maybe 20 minutes. Upon returning to the road I noticed that my Display area was burned by the sun between the Speedo and the Tach in the black plastic area. The display had a large black spot that covered the clock area but after about 30 minuted it returned to normal. The area just below the clock where the clear display meets the platic is now deformed like a lighter was held to it. I will post pictures when I return home. I thought I remember reading about this but forgot and did not cover the area. It is kind of ridiculous that the bike cannot be left in direct sunlight. Has anyone had theirs replaced under warranty? Thanks.
How hot was it outside?
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There is no way normal direct sun could be hot enough to melt plastic.... unless it was lensed...
It's been an issue since they first came out, thought to be caused by the edge of the screen magnifying the sun's rays. Some have had the red needles distorted/melted. Always cover the dash if leaving in the sun, or fit a tinted screen.
Lensing! Bingo! Wow- I was just hypothesizing about it, I didn't know it has really happened before! I wonder, would something like THAT be covered under warranty?
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I had my dash replaced when the needles melted. I have another theory on why the distorting/melting might happen. I always cover my bike with a bike cover as I live in Tucson and the sun is brutal. My needles melted when covered. The dash is not far from the toaster oven glove box and is made from the same or similar plastic. We all know that gets hot enough to melt ipods and such. After a ride, could it not be a combination of prolonged heat from the sun with heat from the engine and or radiator and headers that warp the plastic?
Aussie
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KiPass has warded off all evil rays and heat heat waves on my C14.
But being in FL, or when riding in Phoenix/South Cali, I always cover my gauges up with a hand towel. Not to protect them because KiPass does that, but i like mine looking brand new and on my old ZX14 the sun sorta had faded the ornage and it was a pet peev (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
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I had had the display go dark on my 09 but came back to normal after about 15 minutes, Now when I stop I put my gloves over that area. As far as the sun melting the dash it can happen. On Gold Wings with a certain after market windshield, if you park in the direct sunlight the sun would come through the windshield and reflect on the dash and melt it.
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Sorry, but if I have to remember to carry a towel to cover my gauges then I'll go buy another bike if Kawasaki doesn't cover it under warranty. They certainly can't expect us to only ride at night or on rainy days!!! :o
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Before the server crash, there were plenty of these threads. Kawi blames them on aftermarket shields. If you take it in for warranty work, make sure you put a stock shield back on first or it may not be covered. It happened to mine, I just left them without having them replaced.
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Sorry, but if I have to remember to carry a towel to cover my gauges then I'll go buy another bike if Kawasaki doesn't cover it under warranty. They certainly can't expect us to only ride at night or on rainy days!!! :o
I use the towel only to prevent long term fading of the needles in the sun, such as they all do over time bikes/boats/my old Zx14/etc
The goldwinger guys hang their jackets on the windscreen, i haven't got that far yet ;D
And lookie, early 2010 model and gauges look BRAND NEW
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/LR/20111003-DSC_7576.jpg)
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How hot was it outside?
70's
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I think I remember reading about a warranty claim and they referred to it as Sun Branding. So you might look that up and see if it's a term Kawasaki would recognize and replace the damaged part under warranty.
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I think I remember reading about a warranty claim and they referred to it as Sun Branding. So you might look that up and see if it's a term Kawasaki would recognize and replace the damaged part under warranty.
If you go that route you may want to pop a stock windshield back on....just sayn'
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Hmmmm :nuts:
If you go that route you may want to pop a stock windshield back on....just sayn'
Before the server crash, there were plenty of these threads. Kawi blames them on aftermarket shields. If you take it in for warranty work, make sure you put a stock shield back on first or it may not be covered. It happened to mine, I just left them without having them replaced.
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Hmmmm :nut s:
oops and yea I'm nuts (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
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We know.
LOL
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If you go that route you may want to pop a stock windshield back on....just sayn'
Although I agree, nowhere did 556Alpha say he was using a non-stock windshield...
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Attached Photo:
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The way I remember the branding issue the consensus was that the edges of the OEM shield were maginfying the sun's rays and if the angle of the sun was right the black plastic got overheated. People were sanding the edges to make them dull. The odd thing in my case was when I went to sand my edges they were already very dull. Nevertheless, when I remember to, I drapemy jacket or a cloth over the panel or shield.
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Looking at your picture, the branding issue that I recall was different, more like a line burned into the plastic.
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Yeah, that looks more like you got hit with a laser beam or some kid with a magnifying glass was looking for ants on your dash. Unfortunately the only fix is to replace the dash assembly and all that entails. The odo will change as well. Take it to the dealer and let them sort it out.
I agree with Lather, that's different than what we've seen here so far but it's still the same sort of thing.
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Dang, that's ugly!!!
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Just park in the shade from now on and quit bitchin'........!
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:yikes:
Yikes, that's no good!
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Looks like someone took a torch or lighter to that thing. Wow!
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That pic looks like something behind the dash tried to catch fire. If nothing else, the dealer should be checking what is directly behind and below that spot for safeties sake.
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Wow! That is horrible! I would be very upset, indeed!
(By the way, you should resize to something not so insane before posting... perhaps 1600x max?)
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Wow, that is nasty. There have been quite a few branded dashes and instruments reported here on these bikes but that is the worst one I have seen. The tach. needle on mine has a small melted spot on the side opposite the needle itself but it is only about 1/8" in diameter.
You could cover the dash in the future to prevent that if you want- I find an old dried- up rodent works best to keep the sun off the dash.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/KiPassdSquirrel.jpg)
Brian
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Thanks for all the constructive and the one not so constructive comments. I will call the dealer tomorrow and see what they say. The intention of my post here was to be informative. GEEZ, some of you guys really need a life.
I'd rather have a sense of humor than a life. ;)
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I'd rather have a sense of humor than a life. ;)
Oops, I think he developed that sense and deleted the comment you replied to :)
Personally, I do find that rat thing pretty disgusting and not quite funny... but it takes all kinds.
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WTF???? :o
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Wow, that is nasty. There have been quite a few branded dashes and instruments reported here on these bikes but that is the worst one I have seen. The tach. needle on mine has a small melted spot on the side opposite the needle itself but it is only about 1/8" in diameter.
You could cover the dash in the future to prevent that if you want- I find an old dried- up rodent works best to keep the sun off the dash.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/KiPassdSquirrel.jpg)
Brian
^^^^ that is animal abuse! (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/lol8.gif)
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Just don't turn him loose and turn a gun on yourself.
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Wow, that is nasty. There have been quite a few branded dashes and instruments reported here on these bikes but that is the worst one I have seen. The tach. needle on mine has a small melted spot on the side opposite the needle itself but it is only about 1/8" in diameter.
You could cover the dash in the future to prevent that if you want- I find an old dried- up rodent works best to keep the sun off the dash.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/KiPassdSquirrel.jpg)
Brian
That looks like a mini T-Rex. ;D
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The 'rat thing' is a squirrel.
If Kirby came from Egypt, you would stand in line and pay good money to see him just like King Tutankhamen.
It does not take all kinds, it is just that there are all kinds roaming the planet and we have become accustomed to that.
Humor, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder and Kirby tickles me. Actually, the idea of Kirby tickles me. Just consider that I only mention Kirby about 2% of the number of times I think of Kirby in any given situation; Kirby goes to the circus, Kirby waits in the mailbox for the mailman, Kirby gives out candy at Halloween, etc., etc. ad nauseum. And I heavily restrict Kirby posting here- what you are seeing are just a few thoughts of his that sneak past my better judgment or those few times Kirby acts without my knowledge.
You were looking at a picture taken of Kirby's bad side. Then again, I guess Kirby doesn't really have a good side.
Brian
<snip>
Personally, I do find that rat thing pretty disgusting and not quite funny... but it takes all kinds.
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I took the bike to the dealer today and he did not have that shocked look. He took several photos and asked if the stock shield was what I have on the bike, which further made me feel that he has been down this road before. I also asked that the front battery in the TPMS be replaced and the rear TPMS activated since it never worked from day 1. As far as the comments I deleted my post because it serves no purpose other than to get a thread locked that I feel is important. The post had nothing to do with the squirrel which I happen to get a laugh out of, I miss the KiPass threads. It also had nothing to do with jjsC6, he and I communicated and all is good. So l will post the Kawasaki reply next week when I hear back.
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Good Luck!
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Yeah, Kawasaki has heard of this before. ::)
I believe all you will need is the instrument cover, not a new instrument cluster. The cover is pretty reasonable in price (something like $70 as I remember) and will not result in any new odometer readings or anything similar. When the needles or instrument faces are 'scorched' is when the entire cluster has to be replaced.
Best of luck,
Brian
I took the bike to the dealer today and he did not have that shocked look. He took several photos and asked if the stock shield was what I have on the bike, which further made me feel that he has been down this road before.
<snip>
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The dealer called and said that they are just going to replace the cover as stated above. My Speedo needle was a little distorted but not worth replacing and having a different mileage to worry about. Waiting for the part to arrive.
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Did they offer any explanation as to why/how it may have happened?
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No but they did not give me a hard time so I left it at that, especially considering I did not buy it from them and they are replacing it at their expense (retail 90.00 part). The sun was positioned above my left shoulder, not head on. It was very intense and my LCD had a black spot for about 10 minutes but it went away. I will carry a white towel from now on which is a shame but good insurance. I am getting the flashing TPMS battery from the front as well and they are taking care of that under Warranty and activating the rear which was never on. Hopefully its battery will be ok and things will work out. I will update later.
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No but they did not give me a hard time so I left it at that, especially considering I did not buy it from them and they are replacing it at their expense (retail 90.00 part).
It will be at Kawasaki's expense, not the dealer's. I am sure you knew that, but what you said didn't come out sounding that way.
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It will be at Kawasaki's expense, not the dealer's. I am sure you knew that, but what you said didn't come out sounding that way.
I believe the dealer just front the bill for the parts and labor pending review again of the warrantied item. Then Mama Kawi reimburses the dealer.
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They presented it in a manner representing THEY are paying for it but as stated above I am sure they will be reimbursed by KAWI. They have no motivation to go out of their way to spend money out of their books on me. I am gonna have them do a few things while it is there to support them just because.
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I am getting the flashing TPMS battery from the front as well and they are taking care of that under Warranty and activating the rear which was never on.
:o
So you never got a pressure reading from the rear?
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Hopefully activation will work but I don't think we've had any luck with that in the past. The activation is upping the tire pressure to about 50/60lbs or so. My bet is on a dead sensor.
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i had some dash meltage/warpage on a bike a few years back .
Now I aways make it a point to put my gloves over the dash when i leave the bike .
Its caused by the sun hitting the screen just right creating magnifying effect.
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:o
So you never got a pressure reading from the rear?
not from day 1, just dashes in the rear display section.
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556, when that malfunction, do you get a warning or just nothing?
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556, when that malfunction, do you get a warning or just nothing?
nothing, no flashing like low battery or anything. instead of a pressure numerical value I just have dashed for the rear.
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The dash is not far from the toaster oven glove box and is made from the same or similar plastic. We all know that gets hot enough to melt ipods and such.
I wasn't aware of this. I suppose I should take my Bic lighter out of the glove box.
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I had mine melt as in previous pictures and it was replaced under warranty last month. Apparently it is an electrical component that gets quite hot and moves close to the plastic gauge cover with vibration. My dealer said they turned it over when replacing the cover so ti is further away. So it is not the sun causing the plastic to melt.
Cheers, from Australia.
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Interesting.....I'd like to know which component it was and why it seeming to get hot after the bike is shut down?
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I had mine melt as in previous pictures and it was replaced under warranty last month. Apparently it is an electrical component that gets quite hot and moves close to the plastic gauge cover with vibration. My dealer said they turned it over when replacing the cover so ti is further away. So it is not the sun causing the plastic to melt.
Cheers, from Australia.
Thanks for the info. I will ask my dealer to check for that, however my speedo needle was burned as well so the sun has to have some part in the issue unless the component you are speaking of effects the entire area.
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UPDATE
The dealer replaced the cover which he stated retails for 90.00 under warranty. In addition he replaced the front TPMS sensor which was flashing low battery in colder conditions and he replaced the rear TPMS sensor as well. It was never working from day one. Here is a photo of the replacement job. I decided to keep the cluster with a slightly heated speedo needle for DMV and mileage purposes. I will definitely keep the dash covered while stationary from now on.