Hi all , just want to say I am looking forward to getting to know you all and the opportunity to learn a lot about my new to me ZX14R . I got lucky on a used '13 SE , 4500km , pretty tidy overall condition , I have had it a couple of months now , and must say I really love it a lot . I am not new to Hyperbikes , I own a Gen 2 2012 Hayabusa and love that bike immensely , but wanted to add the Kawasaki for something new to mess around with . I know Rook from another great forum site , and he suggested coming over here for contact with like minded Kwaka folk to talk to , so here I am mates . I am from South Australia , I ride my bikes in the hills surrounding my city of Adelaide mostly , and I enjoy modifying my rides to how I like them , not necessarily because they need to be .
Cheers ,
toad

Welcome!

Welcome toad14R. Are you roadtoad (I think I got it right) from the Busa forum? I check that site out a lot. There are a lot of good people on that site and they really help each other out. The same with this forum, a lot of good smart members like Rook, Grn, cruderudy, to name a few and if you really want to get technical, we have Hub. Mechanically, electrically, he knows it all. Sometimes he's way over my head. Smart guy. I've got a 2012 14R. Brock alienhead2, ECU flash, and 43t rear sprocket. Love the bike and I'm sure you'll love yours, too, when you get it set up the way you want it.

* Last updated by: mokaw on 10/21/2019 @ 11:49 AM *

WHOOP WHOOP!!

The toad is a standup individual of the highest caliber!! I know this guy from many messages and threads or Hayabusa.org!! He is quite knowledgeable and has been very helpful to me on many occasions not to mention he's one of the few guys who can clean the CSs off his tires with one of these bikes which deserves some major props no matter what. Glad you are with us now Roadtoad!

Are you roadtoad (I think I got it right) from the Busa forum? I check that site out a lot.

Thanks for the welcome fellas , yes , that would be me from the Org. roadturd .... Well there are certainly some nice ZX14 on here , I have been reading up peoples posts and their bottom line descriptions of their machines , a lot of very impressive builds . I guess my 14 will be similar deal to both of yours , I am aiming for a fun , slightly faster streetbike , and will do the suspension etc. and wheels , pipe , map and flash . I got my ecu over in the US right now and that will come back to me with exhaust and pc5 , clutch kit very soon . The wheels had to be back ordered through the US and hopefully arrive soon also , and have the suspension here at home . The rear shock is setup and fitted but the forks still have to be serviced and sprung for my considerable weight . I am looking forward to putting all this stuff on it , and just riding and enjoying the bike for awhile . The bike sure is a lot of fun , surprisingly good in tighter corner roads , and very comfortable ride position . I like the stock gearing for now , but wonder if I might enjoy shorter later on , I will see I guess and hopefully read up some info about this and a good quick shifter setup for my club foot !!
Cheers

Hi there Rook , looking forward to learning from you mate and everyone on this well traveled forum . I got to say , Rook has been more than a bit of an influence on my 2 hyper bike ownership , and he is a much respected character on my other forum . I do sometimes wish we lived on the same continent to get a ride in together , because I know he gets in the zone on both his machines also .
Thank you for the warm reception mate ,
toad

I do sometimes wish we lived on the same continent to get a ride in together , because I know he gets in the zone on both his machines also .

Well, Yahnni said the wife would have to throw me out after a week of room and board in New Zealand but if I could just skip over to South Australia for a couple weeks that would suit me!! ...I'll take the 14R you get the busa!

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/22/2019 @ 6:37 AM *

Hahahah , you wont out stay your welcome in SA , especially if I put you up in the tent with a swag outback Rook !! Guess you have to try both the bikes out , to know which one uses the updates best . Of course both will be set for 120kg + ( me ) , so might have to pack you out with extra heavy padding and stuff , to even up a bit .

Well we will see then. Maybe the land down under is in my future!

BTW, I have heard the term "L2" mentioned on the org often. What does that designation refer to?

L2 is the Busa , 2012 'L2 model'

* Last updated by: toad14R on 10/23/2019 @ 1:30 PM *

L2 is the Busa , 2012 'L2 model'

That sure is a great looking bike. So "L2" means the Gen2 busa 2012 and later with factory upgrades like Brembo Brakes.

No , L2 means 2012 with tokico's like yours , 2013 L3 + with Brembo's + abs . The 2008 was K8 , 2009 was K9 , then changed to L0 for 2010 and so on .
I just re read your post Rook , I think you sort of know already my thing is he last model before abs , anyway , I had to fit my Brembo's , hahah

* Last updated by: toad14R on 10/23/2019 @ 5:06 PM *

Very nice--I see you have the Brembo MC and all...I suspect the MC is where the magic is for the most part. ..and I see you're rocking the Ohlins front and rear as well. ...and the BSTs!!

What really grabs me is that swingarm. That must be aluminum. The stocker is steel then?

That is a Japanese sourced Striker / G Craft swingarm , yes large aluminum extrusion , billet ends , very stiff connstruction . The stock Busa swingarm , both Gens actually are also aluminum construction , I just loved the Japanese artisans work on the custom . I have built the L2 to be my hills bike , because I don't fit comfortably on a liter bike , this is my , albeit longer and heavier alternative , although it is lightened by Gen 2 standards .
I chose Brembo billet calipers , along with RCS pumps for clutch and brake , combined with 330mm ductile iron Braketechs , a combination that I find stops pretty well .
I am planning to build the ZX14R into my other hills bike , I really am excited about this new project bro , going to take some time though , as the Busa has , to be now chassis finished .

I really am excited about this new project bro , going to take some time though , as the Busa has , to be now chassis finished .

Yup. Time and (CHA-CHING) money.

There is that guy who has that awesome rapid filling aluminum fuel tank on the org too. Love those double doors but not a weight loss.

Did you compare weights of the Japanese swing arm to the OEM?

The Yoshi tank is 2.4kg lighter than stock for Busa and 24 liters . Very nice desirable piece , a fella I have some Busa interaction with in another State of Australia , just got his ,and is very happy .
That swingarm on my Busa is only around 1 kg less , the Busa arm standard , is pretty light anyway . The arm is a lot stiffer and stronger than the stocker though , and that one is number 10 made .
Just got good news on one of the orders I am waiting on for the 14R is in transit , and also about to drop my FGRT807 set off for re sprung and service . Really looking forward to fitting and setting those beauties up .

The Yoshi tank is 2.4kg lighter than stock for Busa and 24 liters .

That swingarm on my Busa is only around 1 kg less , the Busa arm standard , is pretty light anyway . The arm is a lot stiffer and stronger than the stocker though , and that one is number 10 made .

I see your review of the Striker G Craft arm over at Webikejapan. LOL funny how we find each other on the web even off the forums! $2100 + shipping.

The Yoshi tank does not list price but I'm guestimating that to be a couple thou as well. I don't care. I gotta have those. I'd leave them bare to show them off for a few years and then I'd paint them to match. Crazy, nobody'd know they were there but I would.

and then I have to have a good turbo on that bike. Another ten grand.

You see why I don't have a bike newer than 2008 yet. I might look forward to buying a new one in about 2030 or so if I'm lucky.

Just got good news on one of the orders I am waiting on for the 14R is in transit , and also about to drop my FGRT807 set off for re sprung and service . Really looking forward to fitting and setting those beauties up .

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/26/2019 @ 1:12 PM *

You can save more weight on the Busa ,if you choose turbo , then you probably won't need to.... I run a DME aluminum subframe 3kg saving , a lighter Shorai battery 2kg+ saving ( even lighter types out there ) full titanium axles , suspension and engine mount bolts . All fasteners are titanium under load , and aluminum anywhere not , but sometimes chosen ti for durability such as fairing bolts . I have shaved a chunk off that bike , and it really handles nicely from it . I have also have future plans for this Busa , but my 14R gets a turn now .

Welcome toad14R.
Always good to have another Aussie here!
(Hopefully you'll back me when I get roughed up by these boy's in the "Off Topic" forums!

Nah, top forum and top blokes here!

And any guy who keeps his bikes in the lounge room is okay in my books!

You can save more weight on the Busa ,if you choose turbo , then you probably won't need to.... I run a DME aluminum subframe 3kg saving , a lighter Shorai battery 2kg+ saving ( even lighter types out there ) full titanium axles , suspension and engine mount bolts . All fasteners are titanium under load , and aluminum anywhere not , but sometimes chosen ti for durability such as fairing bolts . I have shaved a chunk off that bike , and it really handles nicely from it . I have also have future plans for this Busa , but my 14R gets a turn now .

Wow! I can only dream. Man I would definitely keep that bike forever. It's one of a kind.

Do you really save weight with the Ti axles? I always thought stock aluminum axles would have to be half the weight of Ti.

Hi Yannih , thank you for the great welcome , and yes , excellent we are both Aussies mate !! I always keep the bikes inside , I like to keep them close , and so does my dog . I will enjoy getting to know you and the rest of you all , I can tell already , your a great bunch of like minded bike aficionados .
Cheers bros .

Now Rook bro , you do know the Busa stock axles are hollow steel , of course you do bro , but though quite acceptable weight , they also do weigh ; front axle stand alone 430 grams and rear axle stand alone 463 grams . Well these set of front and rear I run are Zeta Ti axles , and weigh ; front axle stand alone 254 grams and the rear axle stand alone 309 grams . Stand alone = no nut etc. So ,these Zeta axles, even compared to my spare set of ti axles , are a fair bit lighter , but are pricey . I actually have 2 titanium swingarm pivot axles , 1 is very light but a hybrid ti and aluminum , the other a full ti and heavier item the L2 currently uses .
Well as you all know with these modern bikes , once you swap out the stock exhaust , buy lightweight wheels , lithium battery , everything else is a small chips off the bikes total weight in comparison , and correspondingly it seems ,expensive per gram !!
Anyway , I have managed to shave weight extra off , for example , I always disliked the Busa top triple clamp and clip on plate and bars !! Junked all that , swapped over for a just under 1kg setup , that changed the bar position a bit , but I really like it . Then the mirrors are super light carbon items , all the disc rotors are lighter and added some thin carbon pieces around various parts of the bike . There is more , but we will get back onto the ZX14R now .
Good news , dropped the Ohlins forks off this morning to get prepped ready for fitment , so happy about that . I spent the whole weekend with a void shipment tracking number , and I just got contacted with the right track about half an hour ago , so that will be the new Brocks exhaust + pc5 , ecu flash and clutch kit on its way .
Invested in a factory service manual , got some exhaust gaskets , and oil oem filter , but no tool in stock , so might fit an after market to go on with and need to get some Repsol full synthetic and also some permatex copper , I guess . No news on the wheels yet , and pics when it all comes in .

you do know the Busa stock axles are hollow steel , of course you do bro

need to get some Repsol full synthetic

There are so many members on the org, I think I forgot what a weightloss guru you are Roadtoad. I remember you know your BSTs but now I'm remembering other info you shared. Stick around. I'm going to have questions.

No news on the wheels yet , and pics when it all comes in .

I haven't actually pulled the front axle from the 14R yet , but I was given one with the Ohlins fork deal , and it uses a aluminum nut that neatly fits in the fork lower , but the rest , main section is actually a steel hollow axle . The Zeta company make a set of front and rear axles in titanium for the 14 , so I will be investing at some stage , but I have blown my budget for this year and foreseeable future .
The Repsol oil I plan to use is the 4t full synthetic 'street' 10w to 40w . I run this in my Busa , and seems to be good , consistent performing in the Aussie conditions I subject it . I can only go by my Busa experience , so we will see I guess .

As far as comparing oil longevity between my busa and my Gen1 ZX14, they last about 2500 and if I go past that, I will notice a reduction in shift smoothness and maybe some missed shifts on both bikes. That is with any kind of conventional oil I have used and also with Rotella synthetic which I have been using in both bikes for the past few years. The 14's oil does get a lot darker in color than the busa's after the same number of miles but the oil seems to work about the same in both. I felt the busa shifted smoother than the 14 at first but after a few years, the 14 seems as smooth. I always got a little bit of a rough feel with the 14 going from second to third when I'm accelerating hard.