Yep, new to me.
One thing I bought for it is lowering links, to lower it 1'',
there are tons and tons of drag racers that lower theirs
yet not one ZX14R lowering tutorial on youtube,
I found a website that covered it but not to the
extent I could actually use any of the info.
I got halfway into the project today and decided I
was over my head, had one link actually removed,
started assessing everything I was doing and
decided to put it back on before I got into
trouble.
One heads up I came across in a GSXR1000
sports bike video was that we will most likely
need to also adjust the chain when done,
so if I get back into the project, I'll be keeping
that in mind.
Anyone thinking about doing a complete
vid tutorial on this in the near future?
Bike is ok as is but would be sweet if I could
drop it 1'' or 1.25 which I think is the standard distance
for the 3 hole link set up.

Congrats on the new 14 and welcome!

I put raising links on my Hayabusa a few years ago. They're not adjustable but they raise the tail a full inch. The install was pretty simple. The main thing is torquing the bolts properly. I actually never finished the project and returned the bike to stock in order to trailer it and there it still sits. Yes, I'm sure you'll need to adjust the chain slack quite a bit. If you're lowering, that will make the wheelbase longer, won't it? I think there's a good chance the axle slots would accommodate an inch longer wheelbase. If not, you'd need to install a shorter chain.

I liked Brock's adjustable links but the last time I checked, they were only for lowering. I plan to lift the rear on my 14R and Soupy's adjustable links are the only thing I've heard recomended to do that.

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/19/2025 @ 11:38 AM *

Thanks Rook,

I appreciate the welcome and the heads up
on these issues.
I dind't think to measure the chain slack
before the operation, I'm letting the bike cool down
so I can take it back apart... lol

I'm working through a mystery this am,
my existing links look factory,
one hole each end forged 'Kawasaki' looking
they each have a '1' stamped on the inside 'fold'.
with holes being 7'' on center.
--
My new links are shaped a bit differently (if
that makes any difference) but there are 3 holes
on one end for typical lowering distance options.
---
Here's the rub, what I can't figure out,
I went for the last hole because the center hole
to the opposite end of the links
measure the same 7'' as the assumed stock link
that I'd take off, hence I chose the last hole
or the furthest out hole thinking I might be lowering
it 1'' , maybe 1.25,,
the vendor did included 'numbers' or instructions,
and hadn't replied to queries.
The bottom clearance to pipes is about 3 1/4'' now
and factory is spec looks to be 5.9''
So I've got the bike effectively lowered by 3''.... ???
----
I took the bike out for a test, it was
a noticeably bumpy ride, but didn't behave oddly.
--
I think the bike has cooled enough to go back out
and work on it, I'm going to put it on the center hole
though it seems like I'll be putting the ride height
back where it was when I bought the bike, which
is by all accounts fully stock... :shrugs:
---
Thanks again..

Probably too late but I use Brocks adjustable lowering links . Infinitely adjustable and simple.

* Last updated by: chrly on 10/19/2025 @ 3:19 PM *

Thanks,
Yeah I'll have to try them next time.

Sounds like you have a set of all or nothing links. They'll probably work for you but if you need an "in between", you'll have to go with adjustables.

Most of the 3 hole links I've used were stock, -1.5", -3" got the Brock's on the drag bike now.

That seems to be the case here.

My stock links on my 08 are cast metal. They are curved to fit around the lower mount of the shock. They have two ribs on the outer surfaces for reinforcement. The LH stock link has a 5 molded (not stamped) on it. I can't see the RH link but I assume it is exactly the same part.

As long as the aftermarket links you have were designed for a ZX-14 and the pivot surfaces fit flat to all mounts, they should work. I have a suspension removal tutorial for the Gen1 that might help you. It's in the How-Tos section. Unfortunately, the pics need to be reloaded. One thing, that top ti-rod nut is extremely hard to break loose. It took so much force, the flats dented.

Sorry, I'm having difficulty at the moment with my photos here on the forum. I hope this is only temporary. ...otherwise I'd show you exactly what my stock links look like.

Yes, these look to be OEM's as well,
cast-steel, confidence inspiring by
comparison.
I installed the aftermarket links twice,
it's about right but not perfect, I'd
like another 1/4'' lowered but the
next option is 3'' , I'd accidently
installed it that way the first time,
that was way too low for street,
at least for me, it gave up
way too much travel, and scraped
where it hadn't scraped before the operation.
---
I used a breaker bar for the top and bottom
19mm bolts, my impact wrench couldn't budge them.
-----------
Your text to link here...
I took pictures but I think we need use a
3rd party link to have them show.
I'll make my OEM link my avatar for the day,
I'll bet yours is the same, or very close,
even though I think you said yours is 14,
the previous gen.

I took pictures but I think we need use a
3rd party link to have them show.
I'll make my OEM link my avatar for the day,

The forum pics have worked well for me most of the time. It seems when my computer first connects to the internet, the hundreds of pictures I have here populate extremely slowly and it overloads my computer. My wifi somehow disconnected a few days ago and I had to reconnect. I can use the internet but my favorites on my opening browser page didn't populate for a couple days. Apparently, there are shortcuts that are wiped out by disconnection from the internet. I believe the pictures function problem is related to that. I have a second account with very few pictures so it loads in a reasonable amount of time. I hate to use it unless absolutely necessary because there is no way to delete pictures (i.e. I don't want to end up with two accounts that load slowly when I have the wifi issue). If you're having the same problem, it probably will improve as you use the forum more often.

Excellent idea to use your avatar to show pics! Yep, that looks like an OEM tie-rod.

Yes, my 08 is a Gen1. Maybe that's why the number on the part is different. I just looked at my 2024 and the tie rod has a 7.

IDK if the number on the OEM tie-rods indicates any difference between parts or if it identifies some other piece of info (such as where/when the part was made). It seems likely that the tie-rods are the same between all years of ZX-14. You could check by looking up the part number on a Kawasaki parts page. I'll bet they're all the same part number.

Yeah, absolutely no doubt they are OEM's.
---
There is a directional stamp on the insides,
at first I assumed they'd mean up, (western logic),
but then I looked at the other one that was still
in place and it's arrow was pointed downward lol, 'eastern logic'.
They are also both stamped with the number 2 on
the outside.
Paper weights at this point, until I decide to
make it stock again.
These links would make excellent handles for something,
if 1/2 to 1'' stand-offs were used when mounting,
super heavy duty.