So it’s winter time again and time to look over the bikes and see what needs to be done. I just got back from a 1600 mile ride from CT to the tail of the dragon and had a blast. I’ve been riding my 2009 ZX14 since 2008 and just a tick under 60,000 miles. I’ve done 3 cross country rides and have been in every state in the US and even hit Nova Scotia and Quebec Canada. Have done two top speed events at Loring Air Force base with a top speed of 203.45. Tons of track days and two up rides with both my son, daughter and wife. The bike has been absolutely fantastic. I’ve been over every inch of her 20 times over. So this winter I’ve decided after the third suspension rebuild to go full Ohlins. I wasn’t going to but the old forks chrome is tired and with the per load adjustability on the Ohlins rear is going to be great. I’m also adding Brembo GP4 front calipers and stop Tec 330mm disks to go with my Brembo RCS19 brake and clutch master cylinders. Last year after my last cross country ride I did chain and sprockets, air cleaner and tires so that stuff is good. I’ll do plugs and a new throttle cable just in case and then call it a day. Out of all the bikes I have this one I have the most connection. I really had to give this one some thought because the damn suspension and brakes cost more than she’s probably worth but she’s a family member in my messed up head. Lol

Go ahead and do it. That bike will run perfectly for a long time. Look at this way, you probably won't ever need to replace those expensive aftermarket parts. I've heard of ZX-14s crashing or having problems but I've never heard anyone say they wore the engine out.

That’s what I was thinking Rook. Even if I sold her and bought a new 14R I really wouldn’t be getting anything more than I have. Sure the new one is 100 cc more but honestly on long distance rides you don’t need anymore power. I did the valves and had the lot of porting work done around 25,000 miles and she still sings like a sowing machine. Lol

I've heard of ZX-14s crashing or having problems but I've never heard anyone say they wore the engine out.

Hey Rook, does an engine blowing on you count?

It will never happen to me!

* Last updated by: yannih on 11/4/2020 @ 3:48 AM *

Even if I sold her and bought a new 14R I really wouldn’t be getting anything more than I have.

Hey Somefun, take a look.
You might be surprised...

Gen1-Gen2 Upgrades/Changes

* Last updated by: yannih on 11/4/2020 @ 3:58 AM *

Yannih that’s pretty cool stuff for sure. Part of my deal is the memories from the rides that would keep me from selling her. But I’ve already had the throttle bodies increased a bunch of cc and the head ported. She puts down 194 rwhp and had the emu flashed to a custom tune. Added the muzzy fan and engine ice for better cooling. Heather grips USB ports shift star for smoother shifting. I’d love a bit more torque from the extra 100 cc’s but traction control and abs I don’t care for or different power mods. I have a Ducati Speciale and I wish I could take the TC off without messing her up. With my brake up grades and suspension she should be great. I do love the new Zx14R don’t get me wrong but that I’d only have to go through her also and add the full system and all the other stuff anyways. I’m nuts with making things just how I like them.

Hey Rook, does an engine blowing on you count?

Yep, that's "having problems." It's not from normal wear though. At 60,000 miles, I think Somefun's 14 is here to stay.

Yeah her track days and top speed runs are over. Well there was that long ass road in Montana while riding cross country with my buddy on his Busa thinking he was going to pass me! Lol ??

I have 50k on mine and I'd still do top speed. I just about hit 180 at 49k miles of course I have +4 on the rear and I don't know if it would do 190 mph with that. I'd let her go as fast as she'll go still.

* Last updated by: Rook on 11/6/2020 @ 8:02 PM *

I’m good with letting her stretch hey legs. Coming back from the dragon we we’re ripping about 165 for a quick shot. But I would love to bring my H2 to Loring and let her go....The my 14 with a 30 shot hit 203 not strapped. If I strapped the front I’m sure I would have picked up an easy 8 more. But I think the H2 would be in the 220’s. She’s 268rwhp and I lighten her up by about 30 pounds...

* Last updated by: Somefun on 11/6/2020 @ 5:19 PM *

I'm pretty sure I bought your nitrous kit off you! still have to get that fully installed.

Shit that’s right Rook I totally forgot! Yeah it got the job done for sure. Lol

Pictures when you're done with her!

Absolutely! It’s been a good week for parts coming in. I got my Shorai battery in, NGK Iridium spark plugs, Brembo M4 calipers, Brake Tech rotors, HH sinter pads, Titanium caliper bolts (race spec for safety wire), Front Ohlin’s FGRT 207 forks and new Moto Pro throttle cables. I’m waiting on the rear TTX Ohlin’s rear and some new tires and then I’ll have everything I need to start the job. Should be a blast for sure. I’m looking forward to trying the 330MM rotors and seeing how she stops. I already have a Brembo RCS19 Master cylinder on there. She stops well but she’s a big girl and I know she can do better lol Can’t wait for next season….

I got the spark plugs changed out cleaned the air filter, installed the new Shoria battery and was in the process of changing the throttle cables out but I ordered the wrong ones from motion pro. Need to swap them out but it was a real good idea because when I pulled off the old ones they had a bunch of broken strands. Now I’m thinking to upgrade the coolant hoses because they seem very hard and they are 11 years old and very close to the Muzzy header pipes. Going to add the samco hoses and clamps. I also ordered a new fuel pump and filter assembly. I figure I have a shit ton of miles on this one so it would be a good idea.

Samco I like those.

Does anyone have any experience with the quantum-t35 fuel pump with regulator and filter. I order a fuel pump. The price was great vs. the stock one for 500. I’m hoping it’s as good.

* Last updated by: Somefun on 11/16/2020 @ 5:28 PM *

Had a great time this past weekend. Got a bunch done on my girl. Added the Ohlins forks with the new brake Tec 330 mm rotors and M4 Brembo calipers with all titanium bolts. Waiting on the rear shock to come in and a few more cool parts. Also installed the new fuel pump and filter. She’s coming right along....

* Last updated by: Somefun on 11/24/2020 @ 7:57 PM *

Very nice!

Rubber, suspenders and stoppers,,,,, that is going to feel sooo different.

I was used to the wallow of the OEM forks but there's no question that the Ohlinss make the bike feel better in a corner.

Yeah looking forward to ripping on her. I’m really interested in seeing how the 330mm Brake Tec rotors work with the M4 Brembo calipers and the RCS19 master cylinder. Hoping there’s a good difference from just having the RCS19. She stopped pretty good but definitely would like a bit more braking power.

* Last updated by: Somefun on 11/26/2020 @ 8:48 AM *

I've only experienced the busa and the 14 but a friend tells me his 14 now has the least effective brakes out out of all of his bikes. Hard to believe. The 14 brakes have always been all I could ask for. The only reason I would change would be for the novelty of some cool aftermarket brakes.

I've only experienced the busa and the 14 but a friend tells me his 14 now has the least effective brakes out out of all of his bikes. Hard to believe. The 14 brakes have always been all I could ask for. The only reason I would change would be for the novelty of some cool aftermarket brakes.

Man those Ohlins forks and Brembo M4's look good. Maybee someday to go with my Ohlins shock.