ZX14

[Duccrazydave]

My brother picked up a 2008 ZX14 a while back. The previous owner had lowered it and stretched it out. Basically taking a decent ride and ruining it. I’ve spent the last few months converting it back to the way Kawasaki originally sold it. That included reinstalling stock rear shock links, raising the front ride height, removing the swingarm extension, shortening the chain, replacing the front (warped) rotors with EBC full floaters, new brake pads and bled the brake and clutch. Added a Fuzeblock FZ1 to facilitate the heated grips, usb outlet and other electronic doodads. Lastly, spooned on a new set of Pirrelli Angel GTs.
Had a chance to take it for a blast up in the mountains today. The obvious thing is that glorious engine. Completely usable and smooth from (literally) idle to redline. Much easier to leave it a gear or two high to keep from spinning up the rear tire on corner exits. No traction control! The suspension is very composed with just slightly too much compression damping in the front. Two clicks out took on the adjuster took care of that.
Ron had mentioned having one and, in Gunnison, we had a brief conversation about his and how much he enjoyed it. I now know why.
I dubbed my brother’s bike “The Silver Surfer”.


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[Lee]

Looks good.
It appears to have the optional passenger foot warmer exhaust.

[Grumpy Goat]

Very nice job, Dave. Congratulations.

[runnerhiker]

That ZX14 was the best engine of any bike I've owned. My K1200 RS brick was a close second. That ZX engine can do anything, from screaming high RPM's to off idle grunt. Fantastic.

Ultimately, I got tired of the ergonomics, the footpegs were too high and the bars were too low. I think you did the right thing putting it back to original configuration, what you removed was really a set up for 1/4 mile racing - not much good for anything else.