I was adding ~1/4 liter/600 miles. I consider that more than "uses a tiny bit" so I voted MY BIKE USES OIL. Mine was also broken in by the book. I don't think it really makes a big dif how you break in modern engines however I'm more comfortable to go for a bust the cherry fast and hard break in. The busa was redlined right out of the dealership lot (1 mile straightaway right around the corner heheheheheh location location location). No leaks runs good. No regrets.
I guess I've got the only ZX-14 that uses any oil. Not sure if mine burns it or leaks it past the rocker cover, always a thin film on the L/H fairing and I can smell it burning on the header when I shut down. Mine was broken in by the book, last bike I ever did this with. Now I ride 'em like I stole 'em on the way home frome the stealer.
No, Kruz you aren't the only one. Certainly not. We've been reading these threads for years. I imagine there are a good number of owners with a slight leak at the rocker cover and they don't even know it because that rubber heat shield (...or is it a leak shield?) blanket over the motor would conceal it quite well.
I had all the symptoms you have + you forgot to mention the bead that forms on the left header stud.
Never had a drop on the floor.
Not leaking internally -- no blue smoke atoll.
Yeah it is a dirt trapping mess on the motor so I DO think it is something that should be on the fix it list.
It's not too hard to fix --
Three rules:
#1 Use a brand new head cover gasket (that part was updated after '08 and I suspect it is less prone to leaking)
#2 Might want to go with brand new head cover washer rubbers. The rubber prolly gets fatigued after a while and looses it's resillience.
#3 Stay away from synthetic oil for a while......at the very least, it leaks easier and after hearing some well informed conjecture, seems to me quite possible that synthetic causes the inevitable engine leaks to happen sooner. Switch back to conventional if you can stand it and let that cook in your motor for 10K miles. The leaks might stop.
* Last updated by: Rook on 12/30/2011 @ 8:47 AM *
08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected
2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!