Most Miles on a C14

[VirginiaJim]

But if we only spoke of the subject at hand and did not interject our various opinions and humor, what indeed would be the point?  I may as well just kick back and drink....wait a minute.  I do that already. 

[gggGary]

I plan on doing the first valve adjustment this winter.  hit 73,500 today.
I bought it in November with 71K and the original owner swore they had never been checked or set. Power commander, pipe, flies out. He was keeping a Hot rodded hayabusa because he said the Connie would never break 200MPH but he thought the busa might. (bucket list)
I,m not sure that's what the manual recommends.....

[gPink]

I plan on doing the first valve adjustment this winter.  hit 73,500 today.
I bought it in November with 71K and the original owner swore they had never been checked or set. Power commander, pipe, flies out. He was keeping a Hot rodded hayabusa because he said the Connie would never break 200MPH but he thought the busa might. (bucket list)
I,m not sure that's what the manual recommends.....

Is that the last item on his list?

[angelo]

Despite popular opinion by non-bikers, motorcycles are not really a cheap mode of transportation.

Yup.  Unless someone gets on a good run with a ninja 250 bought used with a new chain and tires....

Is that the last item on his list?

I imagine odds are likely leaning in that direction. 


Just got mine used - returned from trip with mid 20's K.  Like to see the longevity examples out there.  Gonna need to keep this bike a while.

[lather]

so Lather has the most miles at 140000miles.

anybody else?

143,500 now. Anybody else? Am I the champ? And I have 3 other bikes I share my time with.

[kwakrider]

143,500 now. Anybody else? Am I the champ? And I have 3 other bikes I share my time with.

Very similar readings, but mine's in km/h! You're the champ mate! 

[TMAX]

143,500 now. Anybody else? Am I the champ? And I have 3 other bikes I share my time with.

good to know. keep those miles going, id like to do them same and more

[datsaxman@hotmail.com]

Hellbender,

There is no mystery as to what Kawasaki dealers do for each service.  It is right in the manual.  Assuming, of course, that they are actually DOING all of those things. 

And yes, checking the valve clearances is quite a bit easier than actually pulling the cams and swopping out the shims.  Checking is only a chore because of all of the ancillary bits that have to come off to expose the engine (easy now...).  Pulling the cams is real mechanic stuff, or installing them is at least.  My local dealer NEVER gets their grubby paws on mine. 

Got the bike with a "recent" valve adjustment according to the seller.  It had 53,000 miles and ran fine, so maybe Kawasaki in Houston did a great job.  With no list of clearances, I could not verify that they were even measured.  AND, with no map of the actual shim sizes, I wonder if they ever had the cams out.  I checked them at about 80,000 miles, and replaced/juggled all of the exhausts.  Every one was too tight or at least on the tight end of the tolerance.  Every intake was within spec, so I left the intake cam in.  Sometime this Fall, I will check again.  We will be at 125,000-130,000 by then.  I expect to have both cams out. 



Adjusting the valves, along with most of the maintenance, is CHEAP if you do it yourself...
TIRES are a different story entirely. 

[mikeb2411]

Adjusting the valves, along with most of the maintenance, is CHEAP if you do it yourself...
TIRES are a different story entirely.

It's one of those things I've never done. I wouldn't mind doing it but would definitely need some guidance...any suggestions? I would love to save the $900-$1100 it costs to have the shop do it! I love "tinkering" and working on the bike but performing that service on my own is above me at the moment.

Is there anything out there that explains how to work on the bike, any instruction videos or "How-To" videos or anything like that?

[lather]

It's one of those things I've never done. I wouldn't mind doing it but would definitely need some guidance...any suggestions? I would love to save the $900-$1100 it costs to have the shop do it! I love "tinkering" and working on the bike but performing that service on my own is above me at the moment.

Is there anything out there that explains how to work on the bike, any instruction videos or "How-To" videos or anything like that?

http://www.angelridevideos.com/concours.html

[mikeb2411]

http://www.angelridevideos.com/concours.html

There's a disclaimer, "FOR ENTERTAINMENT ONLY"...what's that all about? What kind of videos ARE those ??

[VirginiaJim]

Pretty good entertainment, of the technical variety, if you ask me.  Very good vids.

[mikeb2411]

Pretty good entertainment, of the technical variety, if you ask me.  Very good vids.

Good enough to get someone through a 15k mile service?

[gggGary]

Good enough to get someone through a 15k mile service?

Using only a hammer and pliers vicegrips!

[VirginiaJim]

Good enough to get someone through a 15k mile service?

Yes.  Well worth the money.  They occasionally come up for sale here.

[lather]

Very thorough and straight forward presentation, with plenty of tips you won't find in the service manual. And a style that is not boring. I used them to do valve adjustment and throttle body sync with good success.

[whatcom]

I watched the video, was more intimidated before than during and after, not that bad, took my time with lots of breaks over a weekend including running to the dealer for shims, but for the money saved, well worth it. Following the service manual would of worked too.
At 40,000 for the first check, I did switch around and buy new shims, changed a lot only to get on the loose side so I could wait longer for next time.
I measured in thousands like most people do, maybe if I measured in millimeters like the specs say, they would probably all been in tolerance, but hey, while you have it all apart!