Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: dgshaffer on December 03, 2011, 06:57:52 AM

Title: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: dgshaffer on December 03, 2011, 06:57:52 AM
Has anyone posted a procedure for the fairing removal on my C14? I did a search but nothing came up.

I really enjoy night riding with a lot of light! I have a set of PIAA 910's and a set of PIAA Cross Country HID's that I'd like to mount under the mirrors. Not both but that's what I have to work with. The 910''s are a pencil beam that's amazing at night and only 55 watt! The CC HID's are HID and brighter than hell and also only a 55 watt draw.

I'm going to fabricate a mount for under the mirrors using the three bolts used on the swivel for the mirror but I need to chase the wires under the fairing.

I'm sure removing the fairing plastic is something you've all done so I'm hoping someone took photos during the removal showing what comes off first and what to look out for and what can break if you're not careful.
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: CigarSki® on December 03, 2011, 07:12:15 AM
And so, the fun begins!
The plastics are simple and a pain in the A at the same time. Remove the cover on the top of the tank, remove the glove box, remove the R&L upper fairing pieces keeping in mind that there are two push rivets behind the windshield. Play nice with the mid and lower pieces as there are alignment tabs to break. Keep any eye on the plastic washers. Enjoy.
There may be more to it than I wrote, but, it's all logical progression.
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: VirginiaJim on December 03, 2011, 07:29:01 AM
I don't think so but possibly.  Start at the top and move down.  Take pictures as you go and do the Zen thing.  Become one with the plastic bits.  Make a cardboard template so that you can keep track of the screws or put them back in the same holes.  The plastics have many tabs that must fit in the right places and interlock.   I always miss one and have to take out all the screws again.  I don't advise drinking while doing this.  Drink afterwards.
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: philipintexas on December 03, 2011, 08:03:21 AM
Good advice, start at the top and work down, keep specific notes on size & type of screw, there are several lengths and types. A shop manual is a big help.

(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/philipintexas/Painting%20the%20Concours/PaintingtheBike005.jpg)
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/philipintexas/Painting%20the%20Concours/Decals001.jpg)
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/philipintexas/Painting%20the%20Concours/NewREDmotorcycle004.jpg)
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: Conrad on December 03, 2011, 08:05:36 AM
I don't think so but possibly.  Start at the top and move down.  Take pictures as you go and do the Zen thing.  Become one with the plastic bits.  Make a cardboard template so that you can keep track of the screws or put them back in the same holes.  The plastics have many tabs that must fit in the right places and interlock.   I always miss one and have to take out all the screws again.  I don't advise drinking while doing this. Drink afterwards.

 :yikes:
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: ljcorby on December 03, 2011, 08:06:44 AM
Wow, Phil, that's one bright color.....got any pics of the finished product?


Good advice, start at the top and work down, keep specific notes on size & type of screw, there are several lengths and types. A shop manual is a big help.

(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/philipintexas/Painting%20the%20Concours/PaintingtheBike005.jpg)
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/philipintexas/Painting%20the%20Concours/Decals001.jpg)
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: philipintexas on December 03, 2011, 08:28:44 AM
ljcorby: I added a photo to the above post.
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: ljcorby on December 03, 2011, 08:29:31 AM
Thanks.
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: Flathead on December 03, 2011, 01:13:42 PM
I highly recommend Fred's videos, and they are currently on sale for the holidays...

http://www.angelridevideos.com/ (http://www.angelridevideos.com/)
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: ljcorby on December 03, 2011, 01:49:09 PM
+1  Highly recommended..

I highly recommend Fred's videos, and they are currently on sale for the holidays...

http://www.angelridevideos.com/ (http://www.angelridevideos.com/)
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: dgshaffer on December 03, 2011, 07:06:16 PM
:yikes:

I'll second that!  :yikes:  :yikes:
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: dgshaffer on December 04, 2011, 05:12:28 AM
Got it...

Thanks for the advise. I'm sure I'll end up with a service manual pretty quick either way.

Does the windshield need to come off to start this?
What about using a little dielectric grease to lube the alignment pins during reassembly?

Thanks for your time.
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: Conrad on December 04, 2011, 06:54:00 AM
Got it...

Thanks for the advise. I'm sure I'll end up with a service manual pretty quick either way.

Does the windshield need to come off to start this?
What about using a little dielectric grease to lube the alignment pins during reassembly?

Thanks for your time.


The manual will tell you to remove the shield first but you don't have to. They want you to remove the shield so that you can pop out the plastic rivets at the top. You can pop the rivets out by raising the shield and pressing in on the center with a small L shaped Allen wrench, then just pull em out.

As for the grease on the pins? It won't hurt but you really don't need it.
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: Conrad on December 04, 2011, 06:55:49 AM
Dang that's a bright orange Phill! What color do you call that, I mean other than orange? Looks good.
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: vortex2 on December 05, 2011, 06:33:56 PM
If you are having trouble with the front plastics, just ask one of your friendly local forest rats to help.
Mine customized my bike like this....
Sometimes they get a little over enthusiastic
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: ZG on December 05, 2011, 06:37:05 PM
If you are having trouble with the front plastics, just ask one of your friendly local forest rats to help.
Mine customized my bike like this....
Sometimes they get a little over enthusiastic

 :yikes:
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: dgshaffer on December 05, 2011, 06:40:54 PM

Did ya get ta eat it?
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: C1xRider on December 05, 2011, 08:28:24 PM
Ouch, and Yuck.  I can tell you first hand it's hard to get that smell of burnt hair and blood off the pipes and motor.
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: Z71 on December 05, 2011, 08:40:13 PM
Ouch, and Yuck.  I can tell you first hand it's hard to get that smell of burnt hair and blood off the pipes and motor.

Very true.  I stood next to a damaged car in this body shop yard some time ago .  The car ran into several wild pigs a day ago or so and they basically destroyed the front end .  The smell of of blood, guts and hair was overpowering from 10 feet away.
Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: vortex2 on December 06, 2011, 03:32:42 AM
Just try getting it off your boots and pants.....

Title: Re: Plastic removal photos?
Post by: mcclaskeyj on December 08, 2011, 12:19:02 PM
Wow! That's exactly what my '08 looked like when my wife and I took one out a year ago. I mean that's the EXACT same spot and damage mine had. Did you drop the bike after impact? We just went right through it and eventually came to a stop.