Busa no no thanks.....Never a fan of that bike

well, what then?

BMW?

Got an update on the washer fix. The bike has sat for three months in storage. I have always been able to squeeze a little oil out when I ran my finger across the bottom of the gasket. NONE leaked down the case as it had the previous year during storage. The bike is stored upright on stands. I took the bike on a 400 mile trip last weekend. No oil loss that I can detect. Before the washer fix, 400 miles would have meant a definite need for adding a few ounces of oil. I still can squeeze a tiny bit out when I run my finger over the front left side of the gasket but I smell no oil burning on the header and see no drips. Unfortunately, I will be changing the oil soon after my track day so I will not be able to determine if the bike will go a full 2500 miles without adding oil. I will post how much and if oil needed to be added as soon as I do a full 2500 on one oil change.

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/10/2012 @ 10:53 AM *

Keeping my fingers crossed with mine. I did the single washer fix on the left side bolts 1 and 2 only, besides adding a little torque to the middle front bolt that seemed a little loose. There was no sign of leaking at the other 3 bolts.
Not easy to see in there without removing bodywork but I don't see any leaking yet. I can touch a small left front corner area of the gasket with my finger and I do get a very small amount of oil film on my finger but that could be left over from the fix since I never actually removed the rubber heat shield and couldn't completely clean the area. I see nothing going down the side of the motor as before.
I've only ridden about 100 miles since the fix so it's hard to say if it's stopped or decreased the leaking. With a slow leak it generally builds up and coats things first before a trail of oil starts coming down. Not sure how long that process takes before the leak is obvious. I think my slow leak was going for at least a few weeks before I finally noticed it.
Hoping for the best. So far, so good.

I do get a very small amount of oil film on my finger but that could be left over from the fix

rack day in 3 days. Lots or high Rs and prolly a couple redlines..If the oil level stays good and no visible leaks, it's fixed.

....yes it did and YES it is!

After the track day, the oil level might have dropped a bit, actually so minor I can't really tell for certai. A smalll oil level drop might be normal for extended hard use like track riding. I still get a smear of oil on my finger when I run it over that lip at the bottom of the gasket. Important thing is none on the motor. Maybe some liquid gasket on the factory gasket would have been the key? Good enough if this one will last another year. I'll change the gasket next summer.

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/24/2012 @ 10:01 AM *

I will do an update on my washer fix to its almost one year since I fixed my oil leak on my 2008 ZX-14 with the washer fix and not a drop to this day and I only put washers under the left two valve cover bolts!!!
P.S. I ride my ZX-14 every day rain shine or cold!!!

Checking the Ron Ayers parts fiche in my research before ordering parts for an upcoming valve clearance check/adjustment. They show no cover gasket available for '07s and the '08s and '11s have different part numbers, as do the "ring-os" (I think this just means "ring, o" but no biggie) Any reason why the '11 parts wouldn't fit an '07 or ;08? The later cover gaskets are slightly more ($31.89 vs. $30.25) but the "ring-os" are cheaper in the later versions ($2.32 ea. vs #3.01 ea.) Flanged bolts for all years show the same size (6x22.5) and part numbers (92153-1016) Any thoughts?

Actually...you may just do better with the 'upgraded' cover gasket...yup...different part #...it's been thickened some.BUT...it still could seep....the bolts/bolt depth holes are the problem...not the gasket.

I'm doing my '07 and my buddy Mike's '08, (you remember him, Grn, the dude I was riding with in Montana?), so I'll order gaskets and o-rings for '11s.

Much easier to adjust the gasket than recall the head(towers)for re-threading(deeper).A shorter bolt would work as well...don't know IF they did anything with those though?

I was re-reading this post...on the other page...apparently they DID come out with shorter bolts!Okay...so good luck with that...it should work fine;)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/4/2013 @ 8:35 AM *

All the bolt part numbers are the same for all years. And the fiche gives a size of 6x22.5mm

Alger said his bolts were shorter. I asked the mechanic to take pics or call me when he gets the old ones out but he forgot. I think I ordered from 09 but would be surprised if 11 doesn't fit. The gasket definitely has more meat and I have been checking for the valve cover leak often and everything is kosher. It could be that they went with shorter bolts at first and found out, a better gasket suffice. I'm not sure but you should be fine. Unfortunately, I didn't have an account with ronayers at the time and couldn't dig out the parts I have used.

If you haven't done so you should get this:

kruz had to replace his and mine was cracking as well.
The updated one is way more reliable.

* Last updated by: dragking on 1/4/2013 @ 9:50 PM *

All you really need is the two left side cover bolts to be shorter(front and back)(or washer the stock ones)...I suppose you COULD if so inclined...grind off about a 1/16th" or so....that would most likely work just fine?

Ordered the '11 gaskets and o-ring washers along with some new plugs.

I suppose you COULD if so inclined...grind off about a 1/16th" or so....that would most likely work just fine?

I will be ordering the updated screws and Oring washers as well as the new gasket I have already. Yes, I see I do have an oil film on the front left corner again. Not nearly as bad as it was but still leaking. I don't want to tighten the bolts more + I need to recheck the valve clearances again...might as well get this sealed up tight once and for all.

* Last updated by: Rook on 1/6/2013 @ 8:17 PM *

All the bolt part numbers are the same for all years. And the fiche gives a size of 6x22.5mm=previous post

What are the "updated" screws?

IDK....but bottoming those bolts is very risky.The (previous) stock ones have been known to snap(off).

What are the "updated" screws?

I never heard of it...till this last posting here..?????"shorter bolts"...same part number?Hmmmmmm....The gasket doesn't have the same part number...and it's been revised.

I can't say for certain that the bolts are in fact now made shorter. If the part# has not changed, prolly the bolts are the same as always. I just picked up the shorter bolts from a post long ago. IDK who posted it bit if I had to guess, I would say, you, Grn. I must have read it wrong. ...although, making the bolts shorter so they could not bottom out as soon in the holes would be the simplest and cheapest way to solve the problem at the manufacturing stage.

I think Kaw wants the bolts to bottom out so there will always be a failsafe in place to prevent stripping the threads in the head. If the bolts bottom, they cannot be overtorqued without the fact they are out of threads being fairly apparent.

^^^Alger mentioned they were shorter.

I think I will PM Alger to ask if he actually measured the bolts. If they aren't expensive, I'll just replace them. New bolts are recommended as proper procedure in some situations that are less invasive than head cover removal.

When I had it done, the dealer mechanic told me Kawasaki's official fix was new part #s for shorter bolts, gaskets, and o-rings. They also required sealant. I'm sure this is overkill as they don't want to do it a second time. I wasn't very aggressive for specifics because I was just glad it would be done under warranty. I didn't get to see any parts, new or old, because the dealer called to let me know it was covered after they had the bike, and Kawasaki wanted the old parts for inspection.

Thanks for the clarification Alge8r. My mechanic said the bolts were the same, I think I ordered from the 09 or 11 fiche. Like you, I couldn't get upset when he told me he forgot to call or take a pic because I was exited to get my baby back! So bolts are the same, gasket and rings are definitely different AND the valve cover leak is fixed on both our bikes

New bolts are recommended as proper procedure in some situations that are less invasive than head cover removal.

* Last updated by: dragking on 1/10/2013 @ 12:38 AM *