We have a big zx14 community in South Africa and we meet up fairly often.
On discussions amongst ourselves we don't seem to have the problem here with "Head cover gasket leaks". Some of the 14's have up to 70K km on them.

I am wondering if it has something to do with the extreme cold weather you guys have. Some of you cant even ride for 3 to 4 months or more.

We all know that rubber seals don't like freezing weather (your space shuttle was a example of that ) and they dont like just sitting there for a couple of months.

I would like to know if the guys in Australia for example have the same problem?

I live in south Florida and I too had the problem and we see 30 degree temps for like 2 days a year but I bought the bike with the leak because it’s an easy fix and allowed me to pay less for the bike! I spent 34 cents and 3 hours of my time to fix it but my bike was originally bought in New Jersey so maybe you’re on to something!!!!

We ride 12 months out of the year down here in Texas and still get the head cover gasket leaks, mine started at about 10,000 miles. IDK, maybe it's something peculiar to U.S spec bikes?

* Last updated by: Kruz on 3/2/2012 @ 7:04 AM *

Interesting, never thought of that. I live in Denver,Co and I truly ride my bike around 6 months out of the year. I will pay attention to that now.

If the climate is not the culprit, maybe it has to do with how the bikes are made. Maybe the South Africa bikes are made a little differently.

We get the European spec bikes in South Africa. (my optional language setting is French) Then we have some Grey imports not sure which market they were destined for.

I create a lot of windage in the crankcase. That sporty ride should pressurize the seals. There is/was/still is, not a leak to be had. Yes, I replaced the valve and and 4 spark plug gaskets, but not the notorious, 'I need a washer fix' of the valve cover rubber gaskets. I dry both surfaces so there is less possibility of a flow for oil to move out of. If oil is under something, it still causes a gap for that liquid, no? It is contacting a 3rd variable [oil present].

Besides, when you 'down unders' turn your key off, the oil drains the other way, not out the valve cover(s).

I think temp has a lot to do with the leaking. The colder it gets the more the parts contract. The greater the expansion and contraction, the greater the leaking.

^^+1mine leaked like a sieve last winter storage. Only started it one or two times. No drops on floor but ran all the way to the oil drain plug guard. and it was stored vertical on stands.

* Last updated by: Rook on 3/9/2012 @ 10:45 PM *

My bike was always stored in a heated garage. Never under 50. Previous owner didn't have it long enough to store. 1st winter was spent in dealer's showroom. Only time it was exposed to cold was when I drove it to the dealer's to get the leak fixed.

What is the mileage on your ride alg8er?

SAZX14: around 3000 miles.