10,000 miles, easy on the throttle, cruising at 70mph, a ticking developed, and got worse. I tried to get within the AAA towing distance (to home) and the sound progressed to get louder, faster, and eventually gave up on him. At one point I stopped to inspect it, saw nothing visual except my oil level was low and a possible head gasket leak (oil). I filled up with oil again, and 5 miles later it sounded like i lost a cylinder or two...couldn't even limp to the 5 freeway(I was on teh 166, mid point between the 5 and 33).

I looked and the oil level was low again.

I'm guessing that it still had some oil in it but the oil light never came on.

Thank God for the extended warranty...and I was just about to take out the secondary flies too.

Just a heads up to everyone...CHECK YOUR OIL! I know I had oil in mine cus I checked it a month ago, and barely did 200 miles since then, but nevertheless, the fact that the oil light never came on, even when it died...worrisome, considering that it looked like it was empty through the sight glass.

If you checked when the engine was warm and it looked empty, it was all but empty. My oil looks extremely high when I check on a hot engine. Warning light sure should have come on. There might be some kind of multifunction meter display for low oil too.

Ticky-ticky sounds like bike down sensor but if it changed tempo, I doubt that was it. Especially if you know you were loosing oil.

My guess is you had a rod bearing blow. That would seem much more likely to happen with low oil. If it was rod bearing, you are lucky. Others who have experienced this busted out the side of their motor.

Here, HB. Have a look at this. The first couple posts are just happy birthday wishes but what follows might be of interest to you.

http://www.zx14ninjaforums.com/messages.cfm?threadid=3DFBD575-1372-66AE-3BC9CDD83AA14388

They're questioning whether I had oil in the engine...well I can document everything and besides, I'm very picky about my cars/trucks. I heard the warranty company i went with has a habit of claiming no maintenance was done to get out of paying for warranty work...this might get ugly. at least i'm not working now and i have plenty of time for court if i have to sue them ... but still, want my bike back and wish i knew why the hell it pooped out as it did :(

They're questioning whether I had oil in the engine

HB: Well, I said try to explain if this was even no oil and it wet sumpedid it did and show me ALLLL 4 skirts scored it has lost so much oil is shove the rest up the insurance investigator's ass is...

INN'STAY"GATE"TORE: I'm going to pour that insurance man a drink he eats his words with it.

HB: Well, you know the history of a few 14's and I never crashed the bike, nor saw a leak where it sits. I must be sitting on one of the case is closed or should I say, Dogo's doggy door blew the roof off and just a hairy pillow remains.

INN'STAY"GATE"TORE: I don't want to hear your sob story. We got oil in the hole and that was not something I can take you to court with you looking the FOOL!

HD: I don't think the insurance company better catch wind of you and it's their work against your word of war stories from '06 to......

INN'STAY"GATE"TORE: Say no more. We got your back they come back with the wool E bully.

kinda hard to translate that hub, but as of today, i'm ready to fight this to the end. my former employers dumped me so long ago i cant even remember when it waas, except that i know it wasn't this fall or summer...and unemployment isn't going to last forever. my bike was my main form of transportation and i'm pissed. now i gotta pay for the inspection that hte shop did (not covered by the warranty according to them). i already know i gotta sue the warranty/insurance for that...if they refuse to fix my bike, its not going to be small claims and i might require legal assistance in the form of an advocate with a doctorate.

of course the engine ran out of oil...WHEN IT BLEW UP! damn, this is bullcrap. like i would do this on purpose...sheez.

so i saw the heart of the beast today...didn't even see the bike anywhere...the heart was just in a corner somewhere, apart and cold, lifeless and destroyed. kinda like my financial status :/ my pride and joy is gone - - not sure what'll be left when its all over.

HB, The more they talk, the worse it gets for them. Think parts just let lose with loss of oil? No oil is when the whole bike burns from end to end is the first to go are the cams = Last to be lubed. Your cams spotless?

Show me the MONEY! No oil loss if the last PAzYearazzUP = PAY UP Sucker! You have a tight case just keep this thread going and pictures flowing. No one leaves here with smoke smelling u-p their clothes and shut case kit.

One for the Defense> Next question, Press Sea Cute yOu are... Didn't know you had a gasheturn knee.

Go after them, HB. You have some sort of settlement coming to you. Don't give up on that pride and joy. You have the time to do your own legal digging so go for it while you can. Don't trust the legal advocate to do anything more than standard procedure at best. It's always a good idea to have a professional at your back but do your own digging and feel the satisfaction of fighting your own battle.

Just went through a divorce and feel that if I knew the standard procedure of a divorce and the typical outcomes, I could have done just about everything my attorney did. It is not worth the $250-300/hour unless you are earning a pile of money yourself. One thing, watch your emotions. Anger can't help in the bargaining process. That's one way attorneys are valuable. They are detached and analytical.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-amicus-brief.htm Your cap is what?; $5,000.00 in small claims? And was that ever adjusted for inflation or just the same cap?

I'm just troubleshooting an oil problem. Someone starts in on some way they diagnose a part in hand is check my pea nice to the courts now. Two sides to the story. YOu pop a cam and that cam tower cap is normal wear, not gray aluminum ground down like stone ground the flour.

I do not see how they can claim oil being the fault if no oil light ever came on. Nor, is the engine in danger if there is oil at the bottom of the glass. Remember, the engine takes 4.3qts. If I top that off with .3 and it overfills the marks; I'll drink the rest. In other words, you had at the most, 4 quarts; you see oil at the bottom of the window is show me how 3.5 or 3.9qts. left, will blow up the bike.

And did someone measure all that oil in the engine that is sitting there now? Once again, I sit on the fence, being two sides to the story. Go get'em, HB!

* Last updated by: Hub on 10/2/2009 @ 10:31 PM *

Really hope ya get this sorted out-extended warranty?You should be covered then ,right? Just a heads up for anyone else-when you go to start your ride-YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEE THAT OIL LIGHT "ON" before it fires up.(maybe not as long after you've been riding)but definitely when she's FIRST being started.If the oil lamp is NOT lighting at first startup-SOMETHING IS WRONG!!!!!!Just thought I'd share that with ya.If it does not "go out" within a few seconds-SHUT THE MOTOR OFF!They may "have ya" if you tell em "the oil light never lighted"-they're gonna say "WHY did you run the motor WITHOUT confirming the thing was getting oil according to the Owners manual?Sorry-be careful WHAT you tell em!!! That oil light coming on momentarily at startup verifies that 1)it's working, and 2)the oil pressure is still low-course,I know you knew that.If it's not coming on at startup-there's something going on.If you ride it and it blows-they're gonna try to put it on you,not a faulty lamp or something else. Really sorry yer bike's not okay-but you reopened my eyes on checking that oil light.It's easy to just overlook that little thing,I know I see it,but sometimes my mind doesn't really "notice" that it's on or off.Any visible damage to the oil sensor?Isn't it right down there where it could get hit by a rock or something?Mybe the oil pump itself got clogged,or just quit on ya?But that should have triggered a dash lamp anyway.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 10/3/2009 @ 12:22 PM *

FWIW.. divorce+attorney fees = soon-to-be-divorced gets f*cked.

been there, done that, got the empty wallet to show for it.

b*st*rds.

oh, did I mention that I HATE lawyers?

oh, and the warranty companies - had to sue them to get them to buy a new engine for an old LandCruiser I had.

long story, too long for here; but I came to one inescapable conclusion:

I HATE lawyers!

* Last updated by: ZX14Bobo on 10/3/2009 @ 7:45 PM *

I'm sure they know everyone hates them and that is why it is necessary for them to think so highly of themselves. It also makes it easier to casually send a $1000 bill for a few fast phone calls and showing up in court for 15 minutes. Or how 'bout charging $500 for showing up so late the trial had to be postponed a second time? Oh jeeze,god, please don't get me started! Mistakes, "I didn't hear you," "I forgot." In most professions, you eat that sh!t so you don't lose your customer.

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/3/2009 @ 8:13 PM *

Thanks for all the info guys...I lost my job a while back so I have plenty of time to drive to court and fight this battle...or even talk to attorneys to see if i can find a shark that want to fight for me (for a reasonable rate...or if nothing else, give me good info).

Wonder if they have the time as well? If they have an attorney on retainer, I'm sure they won't. Either way, I'm fighting this thing 100%...but I'll be bikeless for a while unless they kick in something to get the work started.

My shop is telling me they never pay for the inspection...I've told them I'll pay if they do not, but I will sue the warranty company for it if they don't.

I miss Tumbaodera...I rode her every day at least :(

We made beautiful music together :(

if they think I'm going to take any of this lying down...

We develop a strong attachment to these machines. Sounds like you are making your plan. That is a beautiful bike and I can see that you took excellent care of her.

You're right, there is no way ant attorney will spend as much time as you will preparing for a court battle. An attorney will already know what to expect and that gives them an advantage but you can even that up if you can support a good argument with evidence.

They will want to meet with you to attempt to settle out of court if you fight this so know what you are willing to give up. Perhaps you will settle for a new engine and reimbursement for inspection and other related fees. Judges do not want to spend a lot of court time on this sort of thing. If you have a good case, you won't need to do a lot of explaining and defending. The truth is the truth.

well, a complete low mileage engine/transmission/fuel injection as a running unit from a wrecked low mileage bike is around $3,000 or so. Stick it in yourself, and you are back on wheels next week, if you had the $3,000 to spare, which sounds unlikely if you have been off work quite a while.

A lawyer's bill for a trial? More than the cost of a motor, likely. That is why most jurisdictions have a "Small Claims" court, no lawyers required. Where I live the Small Claims limit is $25,000, that is where this sort of issue should go, self represented. Unfortunately the process often takes several months.

Extended warranty companies are usually all about avoiding liability if possible, must have been lack of maintenance, owner abuse, etc... much like mortgage insurance, an insured dies, must have been a "pre-existing condition" not covered by the insurance....

and yes, I am a lawyer, 25+ years. When I bought my new ZX 14 I declined the opportunity to purchase the "extended warranty", not worth the ink on the paper they are printed on, and often more profit to the dealer from the extended warranty sale than the bike sale itself.

if the bike was financed, maybe ask th3e finance company to intervene, other wise they are going to be sucking wind with security of little or no value.... just a thought. If the bike was fully paid for, final alternative is to part the bike, probably $1,300 - 1,400 for the bodywork, $400 + for the fuel injection, $200 plus each for the wheels, frame for maybe $800, seat $75, front forks $500, then there are all the other bits, brakes, starter motor, electronics, guages, engine parts, head, $$, etc., etc., and use the proceeds to buy another ZX 14 if so inclined despite the engine problem experienced, or whatever other form of transportation you may choose.

sorry to hear of your misfortune.

oh, and for those who hate lawyers, some clients are not all that likeable either, facts are facts, and facts are stubborn.......

Paul

* Last updated by: laverda1200 on 10/8/2009 @ 11:04 AM *

oh, and for those who hate lawyers, some clients are not all that likeable either, facts are facts, and facts are stubborn.......

My lawyer offered to dump me a couple times when I expressed dissatisfaction with his work. He had half my retainer in reserve at all times, of course.

Somehow, the legal profession developed its own code of business ethics and practices to ensure that they will get paid and that they will not need to yield to demands of clients. Most other professional people who provide a service are unable to operate under the same rules. Their clients will go elsewhere to find a service provider who is willing to share risk with the client more. The fancy language and grammatically incorrect sentences that go on for a paragraph also seem to be an insulting effort to convince those of us outside of the legal biz that we can not understand the law. It really is quite simple (and much shorter) if it is stated in plain English.

Paying for legal services is one of the least tangible things most of us will ever pay such a large fee for. You are buying advice or bargaining skills and it costs a lot. There is often a personal issue involved. I suppose it's a tough spot for both attorney and client to be in. I'm sure that some attorneys make a great effort to spend as little of their clients' money as possible.

Hey HBguy

there is a 2009 ZX 14 low mileage (2,400 miles) complete engine/transmission on eBay right now with a couple of days left to run in the eBay listing, buy it now $2,500, or starting bid of $1,950, no bids as yet. Even a 30 day warranty offered.

The seller is breaking a very nice looking low mileage bike he says he bought from an insurance company as a theft recovery, recovered after the insurance company had already paid out the claim. He has a video up of the bike running just before he broke it for parts. Sounds sweet in the video at least. Pick the complete engine/transmission up for $2,500 or less, would have to be cheaper than lawyers fees, and then still go ahead and sue the extended warranty company in small claims at your leisure while riding your bike with its economy replacement motor....just a thought, it is what I would do personally if I was in your situaution and financial conditions permitted.

Paul

ps
and Rook, I agree about "plain English" drafting, I have been doing it for 25 years with varying degrees of success. Too bad you had an unhappy experience with your former lawyer, there are good ones out there. Try and find someone who subscribes to the "value billing" concept, like I do. If the results suck, I may not even render a bill, or be paid very little. If the results are stellar, I am paid really really well, well above normal hourly rates, and clients who achieve stellar results seem happy with the arrangement. It does result in the lawyer picking the cases he/she accepts very carefully, and turning away a number of people, as sometimes there may not be a happy result possible with room in it to also pay a lawyer, maybe like HBguys's situation, for example. There is no room in that set of facts for HBguy to be a happy client of a lawyer paying any fees, not enough money involved for one, which is why Small Claims Court's exist...

Thanks. Good advice and it was free!!!!!!!

One thing that always causes a negative feeling about expenses is when it is for something you don't want. Lots of people don't want to get divorced but they still often need legal representation. HB would be in the same boat. He didn't want his bike to blow up and he doesn't want the hassle of fighting for what he already paid for.

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/10/2009 @ 11:14 PM *

Thanks guys for the info. Looks like these guys want to play hardball...I got enough financial problems of my own so yeah, I'm going to have time/energy to take my unemployed butt to small claims and plan to get some free legal counseling also in the meantime.

The main reason the warranty is being denied: I did my own oil changes...no invoices from shops.

The main argument from them:
--hard acceleration starves the oil pump from oil (really? maybe they should put that on kawasaki's official zx14 page)
--i might have had a power commander installed (this is after it was inspected by their company twice)
--its unusual for an engine to go bad when its just one year old and 10,000 miles (no sh.t...you're telling me)
--people abuse bikes

here's the kicker...its been 'inspected' twice by Western whatever, and they still haven't even looked at the oil pump to see if it failed. their claiming that the wear on the bearings indicate lack of lubrication. NO SH.T! It was spewing a cloud of grey for about a mile while i was in the middle of nowhere!!!

I think this is also the last Kawasaki I ever buy. This defect is unacceptable to me. I KNOW how good I've taken care of this bike, and deserve better than to shell out so many thousands of dollars just to be able to repair it and sell it to break even. credit card debt, here I come!

* Last updated by: HBguy on 10/15/2009 @ 12:13 AM *

sorry to hear of ur trouble HB!
i hope you get some satisfaction at the end!