Not the typical oil post. My 2008 started smelling like oil burning on the header but could not see it just walking around the bike then it started really crappy idling. It would still race up ok twisting the throttle but sounded like crap at idle. Pulled side covers to unplug the PC5 but no change altho I did see oil all over the engine so lifted the tank for a look and lotts of oil on top the valve cover. Said screw it and it has sat for the last 3 months on the lift and have not looked at it.
Harley still starts and still sounds like a Harley so I ride it. The 2021 Harley even has more miles on it than the 14. The 14 has to get inspected next year so I guess someday before next June I will have to look at it. Told the wife maybe I will start looking for a 2015 ZX14 which did not go well since I have 4 bikes. She does not understand the word "TOYS".
I wonder if that is a legal reason for divorce?

I knew what it was as soon as you started explaining the signs. It's the infamous Gen1 valve cover leak. I'm surprised it took this long on your bike. The head cover (valve cover) gasket needs to be changed to the updated part. The ring-Os also need to be changed and you might as well change the spark plug well gaskets. I believe the ring-Os were updated too and I think the bolts even were so check on a set of new OEM head cover bolts. It also would be a good time to check the valve clearances.

Put a wrench on your head cover bolts. I'll bet they're finger tight. You can tighten them back down according to the special torquing sequence and that should slow the leak down. I doubt it's going to stop leaking just by retorquing, maybe if you do the washer fix but that didn't stop mine from leaking completely. Replacing the head cover gasket and ring-Os did.

Check the oil level. If your oil light never came on, I doubt the oil level had anything to do with the poor idle. ...but if the oil level is low, might as well try bringing it up to the high line and see if that makes any improvement.

If there's no reason for a divorce but at least one of the parties wishes to end it, they call that "irreconcilable differences" and it's totally legal and legit. You lose half of your stuff.

...so maybe we should talk about me buying this bike from you to save your marriage. You won't need to touch it, just buy your 2015 and I'll take the 2008 as is. As always, I can't blame you for wanting to keep it. I can tell you, the Gen2 is a fine replacement for it though.

I just put a deposit down on a 2026 Hayabusa. I'll have to cough up the other 18 thousand when the bike gets here. I'm still in need of a Gen1, preferably a MSB 08. See what you can get on a trade for it but I'd like to own it if I can beat that deal. Still got my number Bobby? I got yours.

Rubber has memory. Heat cycling, age, the rubber loses that memory, goes hard and shrinks; starts to leak and no added washer will help for the lock down bolt for the top cover; over tighten the bolts; etc.

Like Rook says, it's both done and the redesign solves the problem. Change the oil and filter, install new plugs and air cleaner. Check valve shim clearances, new valve cover gaskets and bolt down rubbers. Ron Ayres.com for parts, or if the local dealer will match internet parts Ron uses.

Ass far as a wife goes, I'd just tell her another bike is coming, see what happens. I never married just for that reason. It's bikes first and babe, you got to live with it. Trust me, you're better off single if no woman can live with one more bike.

* Last updated by: Hub on 11/17/2025 @ 7:28 PM *

Wife has a job and I do not plus I have 4 bikes and she has 1. She still has not forgiven me for buying the Harley without asking but since I am such a good housebitch she tends to some what overlook some things. She is happy that her Can Am beat the HD doing a 20 mph roll on.