[quote] Can someone SHOW me this breather hole?Or exactly WHERE it is on the rez?I've never seen this...I'd like to./quote]

It's not a 'hole' as such. If you look at the white plastic washer between the reservoir cap and the diaphragm you'll see it has 3 small radial grooves. These let air in above the diaphragm to equalise pressure while the fluid chamber remains sealed.

Brakes faded at 265km... 48km worth of miles on the freeway, meaning, before touching the pads/oil/discs/calipers to cause heat. My favorite off-ramp took me almost to the intersection of that short exit ramp. Lever goes to the grip if not tagged it. I no longer run that hot off that ramp; knowing how quickly fade came in to the mix.

Okay Peg...got it.Didn't realize the 'mechanics' of this reservoir.My bad...

I heavn't read the whole thread but I wouldn't trust a dealer to find the fault. Do it yourself.

Old brake fluid. Pretty much explains it. Fellas, change your brake fluid annually (at least in yoru bike). What, one 12 oz can of DOT 4 cost about $8.

It's either the old brake fluid, or I also think it could've been rider input. I know, I'm sure people will be offended by that comment but for real 9/10 accidents are due to rider failure. It could very well be that Tim perceived and remembers actuating the brake lever but either didn't. Out there a few laps, in the heat, running hard, this shit happens all the time. I know I can start getting sloppy after a few laps at the "track" I run at, by about 10 laps running hard I start to feel myself making mistakes... fortunately a couple times it could've ended badly I was able to reel it in.

[quote]*This thread* makes me want to change my brake fluid ASAP.
It gets regular service, sure, but I think I'll just "tighten up" on my maintenance schedule a bit.

/quote]

That's just what I've been thinking since reading the thread 3 days ago so I did it today along with the clutch fluid. I don't do track days and the brakes are still as good as they ever were but at just over 3 years old and coming up 23k miles it was a year over due anyway according to the schedule.

The afternoon prior I dropped into my local Kawasaki dealer to check the front brakes in preparation, as I noticed the master cylinder fluid was below the halfway mark. They advised all "good for at least another 6000km & safe for trackday", topped up the master cylinder fluid and sent me on my way.

The can they used to top it off could have been left open or old and absorbed water from the air.

On the bright side it takes, what, an hour to flush and bleed all of the hydraulics, even without a speed bleeder?

I just baste all the fluid outta the res...then refill.That works,doesn't it?

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 8/24/2015 @ 2:08 PM *

Not sure if trolling, grn :)

Even with the additional bleed ports by the master cylinders it is short work to pump new stuff through with practice, and it is kind of fun! Get a rhythm going (That's what she said).

* Last updated by: tooncinator on 8/25/2015 @ 10:03 AM *

LOL...Guess that'd be...what,11 years now?Long time to troll;)

I need to get out now on my bike and get some Harley riders to wave me by...I LOVE my Ninjas!

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 8/25/2015 @ 12:46 PM *

"*This thread* makes me want to change my brake fluid ASAP.
It gets regular service, sure, but I think I'll just "tighten up" on my maintenance schedule a bit.
I'm sure glad you're OK. There was a brief description of you "over the bars", and then picking up the cycle. We all do that huh? "Wow, I just landed on my ass. Wait! The cycle is still fallen, I'd better get right over there 'n pick it up. Ummm, whats that grinding sound from my shoulder?"
I'm just glad you're OK, Tim.
Find something you trust, and ride that."

Thanks mebgardner.
I think I will. Pity, I really like the 14.

"I heavn't read the whole thread but I wouldn't trust a dealer to find the fault. Do it yourself."
Indeed Auron. Dealer has allegedly tested the fluid, on advice from the parent company, and claimed that it had too much moisture content. No actual values or details supplied though despite my request.

"Old brake fluid. Pretty much explains it. Fellas, change your brake fluid annually (at least in yoru bike). What, one 12 oz can of DOT 4 cost about $8.
It's either the old brake fluid, or I also think it could've been rider input. I know, I'm sure people will be offended by that comment but for real 9/10 accidents are due to rider failure. It could very well be that Tim perceived and remembers actuating the brake lever but either didn't. Out there a few laps, in the heat, running hard, this shit happens all the time. I know I can start getting sloppy after a few laps at the "track" I run at, by about 10 laps running hard I start to feel myself making mistakes... fortunately a couple times it could've ended badly I was able to reel it in."
Sound advice re the fluid changing VicThing that I'll now be following religiously. I'll be using hi temp Dot 4 from now on.
Re. mistakes. Yeah, I've run through that in my head a few times, but the lever was still limp after I crashed the bike & only came hard again after ~5mins. Having ridden bikes & bicycles for so many years, I'm unlikely to have made such an error too. It's all second nature now.

"On the bright side it takes, what, an hour to flush and bleed all of the hydraulics, even without a speed bleeder?
"
Indeed tooncinator. It's a pretty easy one man job on a bike.

I rode the bike down to get a quote on a repaint job on Monday. Felt great to be back on it despite the scratches! Bike started to overheat on the way so I stopped, suspecting gravel in one of the thermo-fans. This turned out to be the case and it looks like it's actually burned out the motor. Put an ohmmeter on it and the coil is open circuit. Guess the big fan's rooted. (Edit, put 12V direct to the big/LH fan tonight and she's definitely dead.) The small fan still works ok. BTW, looking at the circuit diagram they come off the same fuse & relay and should both operate at the same time.
Does anyone know if fans from the pre. 2012 models fit in it's place? (Edit, ordered a 2nd hand 2012 fan on eBay from Florida. Hopefully it turns up before the plastic's all repainted.)

* Last updated by: TimMc on 9/7/2015 @ 4:38 PM *

Thank God! I replaced brake fluid last weekend. It was easy DIY job. One $8 bottle DOT4 covered front/rear and clutch.

Here's the complete & updated email chain with Kawasaki Australia. They've found a way to wipe their hands of the issue and passed the buck onto myself and the dealer. No reply from the dealer and no actual fluid testing results from K.A. I'm over the whole thing. Just want to fix it up and move on. Sadly, probably to another brand.

"Hi Jeremy.

Thanks for getting back to me again. I appreciate you having the brake fluid tested. Do you have a copy of the results and can you give me the readings?

I also appreciate you pointing out the 24,000km/24 month fluid change period. However, it's quite apparent you have not read the entire correspondence below. My bike has only travelled 7,500km and is only now 25 months old. Are you saying that this would not have occurred a month ago? Hard to believe a few weeks would make such a difference, particularly on such a low km, garaged bike.

Further, knowing the fluid was old and getting low I specifically took it to the dealer the day before the track day for a check and to ascertain if the system was suitable for the forthcoming track day. As I wrote below, "They advised all "good for at least another 6000km & safe for trackday", topped up the master cylinder fluid and sent me on my way.". What more could I have done here to ensure the bike's (& ultimately my own) safety?

It's very disappointing to read your dismissive final comment "we advise that this is the final position of our company and no further communication regarding this will be entered in to." This being the case I'll certainly want no further dealing with Kawasaki and Kawasaki Australia. As I wrote below, I'll now "fully dismantle & inspect all; seals, cylinders, bores, lines and joints myself." I’ll then be repairing the bike and selling.

Regards,

Tim ****

RPEQ no. ****.

From: tsd.support@kawasaki.com.au
To: tim_****
CC: kbservice@teammoto.com.au
Subject: FW: Kawasaki Support Enquiry
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2015 05:06:09 +0000

Dear Mr ****,

Kawasaki Motors thanks you for your further communication.

Our company has employed the expertise of a reputable and impartial independent oil sample testing company to perform a scientific analysis of the brake fluid from the front braking system of your Kawasaki ZX1400FDF.

It has been determined that the moisture content and particulate contamination contained in the brake fluid is exceptionally and unacceptably high and would have drastically reduced the wet boiling point of the DOT 4 brake fluid.

This may or may not have been apparent during normal road type operation but would have been more evident and much more likely to cause a braking system issue when operated in a competition like manner.

We sincerely urge you to consider the ramifications of this situation with your motorcycle in the future and encourage you to always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation that the brake fluid must be replaced every 24,000 kilometres or 2 years whichever occurs first. (Refer Page 123 of your owner’s manual – see below)

It is also important and we strongly advise you that should you decide in the future to operate your motorcycle or indeed any motorcycle on a closed circuit racing course in a competition like manner, that you discuss this with your Kawasaki dealer first and take whatever necessary steps required to ensure that your motorcycle is suitably prepared.

We sincerely and genuinely hope that you understand the information we have provided you with, and that it has been helpful. Please direct all future communications to your local authorised Kawasaki motorcycle dealership and we advise that this is the final position of our company and no further communication regarding this will be entered in to.

Page 123 of the genuine Kawasaki ZX1400FDF Owner’s Manual – Periodic Replacement

Kind Regards

Jeremy Fuller
Supervisor, Technical Services
Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd
W: www.kawasaki.com.au

Disclaimer: The contents of this email are confidential. This email is intended for the addressee only and no responsibility is accepted to any third party for the whole or part of the contents of this email. If you receive this email in error, then please notify the sender and delete this email. Any views expressed in this e-mail are those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd.

The recipient of this email must not engage (or permit any of its personnel or employees to engage) in any social media or online activity which may cause damage to the reputation of Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd, its related bodies corporate, employees, officers or contractors. The recipient of this email must remove or require any removal of content that may be posted or published by it or its employees or personnel using the internet, website or a social media platform that relates in any way to the business of Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd or its related bodies corporate.

From: Tim ****[mailto:tim_****]
Sent: Monday, 24 August 2015 8:29 PM
To: info <info@kawasaki.com.au>
Cc: Alex **** <kbservice@teammoto.com.au>
Subject: RE: Kawasaki Support Enquiry

Hi Allan.

Thanks for getting back to me so promptly.

I’d like to first start by saying that Alex **** from Team Moto Bowen Hills has been nothing but professional & helpful, both in this matter and in all my previous dealings with him. I’m glad to see that he’s recently returned to the Bowen Hills dealership.

However, I’m not satisfied the real cause of my problem has been found. I just find it almost unbelievable that a newish, low km, well-maintained & stored motorbike such as mine can have such a catastrophic fault, while other, much older & harder ridden bikes have no issue. You mention below “may have caused the moisture contained in your brake fluid (which is several years old) to “boil”. This would have allowed vapour to develop in your front brake lines causing the “loss” of front brake”. My bike is only two years old, has been serviced by the book and is well garaged & looked after. When you send someone out on one of your track day test bikes (that’s been serviced by the same schedule?), do you tell them “don’t brake too hard or you could have complete brake loss”? While I agree that it’s quite likely that the fault is related to a combination of heat, moisture and fluid turning to vapour, this fault is normally precipitated by a feeling of sponginess at the lever rather than total transition from a firm lever to no lever pressure at all. At the track I was; not braking hard enough to invoke the ABS, not hard enough to perform “stoppies” (getting the rear wheel airborne) and certainly not as hard as, the admittedly lighter, ZX6Rs & ZX10Rs that swamped me into each corner. It was a cool morning. Only four degrees when I arrived.

Have you put any of this to the K.H.I. motorcycle technical staff in Japan (or elsewhere) for their opinion? If I was them I’d certainly be wanting to be hear about it - and direct from a subsidiary rather then an outside source. No I’m not threatening here.

I’m extremely disappointed that you’re not prepared to look further into this by at least; further disassembling of the front brake system (master cylinder in particular), checking all seals and testing the fluid sample removed from system.

After receiving your email Friday afternoon I picked up the bike on Saturday. On return from my current work in Perth I will fully dismantle & inspect all; seals, cylinders, bores, lines and joints myself. The ABS is a bit of an unknown to me but I’ll be looking into that hardware as well (you say you’ve already checked the software). I'll contact Alex and take the sample of fluid he's saved for testing. I trust this is in a sealed container to prevent further contamination. I’m no mechanic but unless I can find an issue I’ll be repairing the bike and selling. I just don’t trust it. Disappointing, as currently this is my bike of choice, regardless of price.

Regards,

Tim ****.

From: info@kawasaki.com.au
To: tim ****
CC: kbservice@teammoto.com.au
Subject: RE: Kawasaki Support Enquiry
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2015 06:26:35 +0000

Dear Mr ****,

Thank you for contacting Kawasaki Motors with your enquiry and we were very sorry to hear of your accident while on our KTGA track ride day.

Kawasaki Motors has been working closely with Team Moto Bowen Hills who has been investigating your report of “front brake failure”. Alex **** the service manager at Team Moto Bowen Hills has advised Kawasaki Motors Pty LTD, that they have now concluded their investigation on your ZX1400FDF (VIN: JKBZXNF19DA003937) brake system. During this investigation NO manufacturing defects or any other abnormal operating conditions were evident with the brake system installed on your motorcycle, and they were found to be operating normally without fault. Your ABS system has also been checked using the latest Kawasaki diagnostic computer software, which also did not reveal any faults with your motorcycles ABS system.

Alex has also advised us, that the most likely cause of your front brake concerns was actually caused by abnormally high temperatures in your front brake system, this may have caused the moisture contained in your brake fluid (which is several years old) to “boil”. This would have allowed vapour to develop in your front brake lines causing the “loss” of front brake.

Alex has replaced the brake fluid in your front brake system and he has done this under Team Moto “goodwill” with no charge to you, your motorcycle has been thoroughly road tested and is now ready for collection.

Kawasaki Motors would therefore advise remaining in contact with Alex at Team Moto Bowen Hills, as he is best suited to assist you with all your Kawasaki needs. Please also be advised that we have copied Alex in on this email, so he is fully aware of the concerns you have raised with Kawasaki Motors.

Kind Regards

Allan Jenkins

TSD Assistant - Dealer Tech Support

Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd.

W: www.kawasaki.com.au

Disclaimer: The contents of this email are confidential. This email is intended for the addressee only and no responsibility is accepted to any third party for the whole or part of the contents of this email. If you receive this email in error, then please notify the sender and delete this email. Any views expressed in this e-mail are those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd.

The recipient of this email must not engage (or permit any of its personnel or employees to engage) in any social media or online activity which may cause damage to the reputation of Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd, its related bodies corporate, employees, officers or contractors. The recipient of this email must remove or require any removal of content that may be posted or published by it or its employees or personnel using the internet, website or a social media platform that relates in any way to the business of Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd or its related bodies corporate.

From: Tim
Sent: Thursday, 20 August 2015 2:10 PM
To: info <info@kawasaki.com.au>
Subject: Kawasaki Support Enquiry

Image removed by sender.
To the Kawasaki Support Team,
Please find below a support request from Tim *******

Customer Details
Enquiry Type

Product Details
Kawasaki Dealer

VIN or HIN

Dealerhasbike

Kawasaki Model

2013 ZX14R

Enquiry

Total front brake failure on ZX14R.
Hi. I have a 2013 ZX14R a few weeks out of warranty. The bike has travelled ~7500km and is kept in my garage in Brisbane. It as a full service history at the same dealer I purchased this, and my last bike from 15 years ago. On this Tuesday August 18 I attended the Kawasaki track day at Qld Raceway. The afternoon prior I dropped into my local dealer to check the front brakes in preparation as I noticed the master cylinder fluid was below the halfway mark. They advised all "good for at least another 6000km & safe for trackday", topped up the master cylinder fluid and sent me on my way. In my first session on track early Tuesday morning after ~10 laps without issue (no sponginess or notable fading) my front brakes failed completely heading into turn one. No lever pressure at all despite me frantically pumping it hoping for some retardation. Consequently I sailed though the corner, into the gravel trap where the bike dug in & I went over the bars. On picking up the bike I checked fluid level (still good) and lever pressure (still zero, but returned after ~5mins). Luckily the limited retardation available using the rear brake & engine braking had slowed me enough to limit the damage to both myself & the bike, though I'm sure panel damage alone will be in excess of $2K. My main concern however is the catastrophic brake failure I experienced. Please understand I'm no racer or regular track day attendee. I am however a 75kg, 50 year old rider with 33 years constant bike riding ownership & experience. I'm also a Registered Professional Engineer (RPEQ ****) who deals in safety engineering for a living. I have left the bike with my dealer for assessment. They can find no fault except indicating that the brake fluid likely boiled (fluid discolouration was mentioned). I've told them that I no longer feel safe riding this bike on road or track unless a fault is found. In my industry we don't let these things slide. This is NOT a normal failure. If it was there would be dead track day riders everywhere. There were several other ZX14Rs present, most with riders much heavier than I & who rode & braked much harder who had no issue. I need you to contact me to discuss this issue ASAP."

Sorry for your misfortune Tim. It's a shitty situation, and everyone might end up taking a bite. Kaw might lose a customer, and you're obviously going to incur some unfortunate repair bills.

What was the cause and who's at fault? Well that's just bits and pieces of corn in the shit.

I think the moral of this story is that people who are taking their bike to a track need to prep it as much as possible for that duty. Taping over a few things are the last of what someone should be concerned about.

There's plenty of videos on youtube of shitty things happening at track days. One of the worst I saw was someone's unwired oil plug came out and spilled fluid. The first guy to go down tried and tried and tried to warn riders there it was slick, but rider after rider just went down like dominoes. Finally he was able to get the idiot corner marshals attention after probably 5-10 riders went down.

Thanks Vic.
Yes, sound advice.

Finally traded my 14R in on a new BMW R1200RS. Mixed feelings...

* Last updated by: TimMc on 12/5/2016 @ 3:40 AM *

I've owned many Beemers and loved them all. But they're different. Gonna be a bit of an adjustment from the 14R. Good luck with the RS.

Can someone SHOW me this breather hole?Or exactly WHERE it is on the rez?I've never seen this...I'd like to.

believe it's the open vertical channel through the threads. If pressure in the reservoir expands enough to squeeze air past the seal, it should flow through the channel. In extremes, the fluid might do the same rather than explode the reservoir. It's not really a breather in the sense it exchanges air in and out; it's more a pressure relief channel. I have often found the rubber diaphragm expanded when I remove the cover. The air in the res might have blew it up like a balloon and perhaps was allowed to escape through the channel.

Never ever, once in a while I'll have some screeching (rotors) sounds but goes away after some riding.

I just noticed Diet Pepsi bottle cap threads have pressure relief channels too.

Lucky the rear brake is really good then.

I got a brake fluid tester and test mine regularly. Colour of the fluid is no indication of condition.

Color is definitely an indicator of brake fluid condition. In the US, clear brake fluid is Anything other than clear means contamination. Contamination of course takes shape in many forms, with yellowing usually the first signs of contamination. The more contaminated, the lower the boiling point. The more boiling, the more likely hood of bubbles forming in the brake system.

Now I'm not saying that brake fluid that's 3 months old and yellowed a bit needs replaced. But if you're taking the bike to a track, it might not be a bad idea just to ensure there isn't any issues.