HIGH MILEAGE 2008 Kawasaki ZX-14 Makeover!!

#dynotune #zx14 #motorcycles
Have a high mileage bike you'd like to freshen up?? Give us a call at Proven Power Cycles for your makeover! 727-256-0001
Today at Proven Power, we have a 2008 Kawasaki ZX-14 in the shop with TONS of miles. For the most part, this kawi is completely stock. He does have ohlins suspension, but other than that, it is what it is. This customer brought his motorcycle in for some maintenance and tune. The further we dug in, we found additional things such as 10 year old tires!! How to check the date code of a motorcycle tire? We show you where the date DOT code is on a motorcycle tire. The other thing he wanted us to do is a valve adjustment. So we also show you how and what it takes to do a valve adjustment on a Zx14. What is considered high mileage on a sportbike? Can you tune a high mileage motorcycle? YES! If you take care of your motorcycle and keep up on the maintenance, your motorcycle will run for a very, very long time! This 2008 zx14 is a great example of that. He also ordered bored throttle bodies AND polished velocity stacks as well as block off plates. Another thing we noticed was a leaking head gasket. We swapped this out when we did the valve adjustment anyways so it all worked out. He also picked up a used Brocks CT Full Titanium exhaust. Buying a used motorcycle exhaust in good condition is a great way to save some money and get the results you're looking for. After some new tires, valve adjustment, after market exhaust and a dyno tune, we were able to pull some great power out of this street bike!!

[@nickrider5220]

Good work. Personally I'd want as much mid and high mid-range to haul the big bike out of corners, trade a little at the top for a chunk in the middle....ie 1000cc type mods not required for me at least !

[@Thecleananunseenteam]

Mine has 64 thousand miles running like new still great bikes

[@provenpowercycles]

Hell yeah!

[@alejandrotobienne8220]

That bike will do 100k easily.

[@provenpowercycles]

We agree! Seen one at a bike night with over 160k on odo !

[@faraitheprod]

Awesome project, love the more detailed videos on jobs you guys do.

[@K-carbon]

171 with the new exhaust no tune 180 with tune

[@captainsensible298]

Losing 30lbs with the old cans AND getting 180 wheel HP means 200hp at the crank, thing will be a monster, 10K rpm in ANY gear means your going quick no matter what gearing you have. 12s and 14s are all stupidly fast. Would have gone with the 200 / 50 on the back wheel rather than the 190.

[@tjteknik1]

I know of a ZX14/ZZR1400 with at least 96.000 miles on it. Still running smoothly. If you treat it properly and don't trash it around like a mental sportsbike, but more like a touring bike - it will last forvever.

[@provenpowercycles]

I've given mine more than a few reasons to blow up on me and it still keeps on trucking! It's a very impressive motor to me!

[@tysoncott7402]

mad respect to you fella’s for checking/adjusting the valves on a ZX-14, no need to tell you thats not an easy task on that bike.

[@provenpowercycles]

Def wasn't easy. Luis is a great tech and I'm glad I found him 🤙

[@alejandrotobienne8220]

This why I only FK with these guys. Glad to be in Central Florida. Wish these dudes where here in Orlando

[@nbowling10trio]

Love these old ninjas

[@johnnyappleseedz422]

I have a 2017 ZX-10RR and just went over 42,000 miles. Would've had closer to 60K if I wasn't down waiting on necessary parts from Japan. Some people do ride!! Always appreciate your videos.

[@justinbundey2879]

What’s ur price for a valve adjustment on the Zx14’s

[@provenpowercycles]

Give us a shout at the shop! Sorry on delay. 727-256-0001

[@zzrider805]

50k miles is barely ran in. I own an 06 with 185k km / 115k miles since 2014, but I don't thrash it, I'm 58. I do my own maintenance by the book (oil changes every 12k km / 7,5k miles). It's a 1352cc engine and by today's electronic standards is a very simple bike, it only has fuel injection. 0 problems, besides wear items. It'll run forever the way I ride it.

[@rickeyanthony6596]

I have a 2008 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 Special Edition all stock with only 11,500 miles on it. The bike is still like New

[@theonlyredspecial]

These engines are built like tanks. Mate has one with 120,000 miles on it. He services it himself twice a year with 300v oil and changes filters before he should. He has the clearances all set perfect every other year. He really looks after it. Has the cats off it. Straight through and it was remapped. Still makes 188hp at back tyre Some would say he babies by overservicing it but it still rides like a new bike. He doesn’t do track days but can ride it hard. Just never hits the red line and says on the road he would change around 10k if he was pushing hard. Says that’s still more than enough for the road. I’ve only 8,000 on mine from 2020.

[@provenpowercycles]

They are beasts for sure! Properly maintained, these things can go forever!

[@tbrowning9643]

Another great video, love all the details. Good job guys👍🏻

[@zzrider805]

About valve clearances check and adjustment: yes it's harder to do compared to a non monocoque frame bike, because you only have access to engine top end from the sides, but there's room to do it. Better if you take the throttles bodies off. Currently, I'm in the process of adjusting valves. My bike, a 06 Gen1, has now 185k km / 115k miles; last valve check was done roughly @ 70 k km/ 45k miles, which is 110k km / 70 k miles ago (!). After all this mileage, the bike being ridden sensibly, only 2 exhaust valves and one intake were out of spec, and not by much: exhaust spec is 0.22 ∼ 0.27 mm /0.0087 ∼ 0.0106 in.: 1 was 0,18 mm/0,007 in., the other 0,20 mm/0,008 in.; intake spec is 0,18 mm/0,007 in., 1 valve was 0,12 mm/0,005 in. Bottom line: if you don't thrash it, it will last a long time without the need of valve clearance adjustment About spark plugs (NGK CR9EIA-9): the bike's running fine. I'm going to change them just because the bike's all stripped down and it's the first time they're going to be changed under my ownership...so the same spark plugs are on the bike for also roughly @ 70 k km/ 45k miles, which is 110k km / 70 k miles ago (!) Bottom line: if you don't thrash it, spark plugs (NGK CR9EIA-9) will last a long time without the need of changing. As a side note, they came out pretty easily, just like they were on the bike for 12k km / 7,5 k miles...

[@provenpowercycles]

Maintenance is absolutely key in keeping these machines running properly! Couldn't agree more 💪

[@Onlineghost2ohm]

That OEM colour only came in’08; a great year with Atomic Silver and rare Limited Edition flat black and burgundy frame wheels and 🔥 😂

[@paulboyce8537]

The throttle bodies absolute waste of money with negative gain. Don't bother unless you build full a race bike for the 1/4 mile. That's all they are good for. Pretty sure there would have been fair bit left on the table because of it. Secondary I believe you gain a better result when you just flash to get them open fully and sooner.

[@provenpowercycles]

We noticed tb assembly wasn't a huge gain at all. Thought theoretically they would be better but that's why we do these tests! 🙌

[@joehiatt1992]

Have a 2013 with a yosh pipe & a mail order flash ,this bike runs hot compared to my 2k busa which never goes past mid way on the hottest day,tried water wetter & all that stuff but runs hot,dont know if the flash made it worst running lean

[@provenpowercycles]

You don't really know all in all until you get data on it. That's why I love the dyno so much. It shows us a lot of information

[@colinnewton2908]

168,000 miles on my zzr 14

[@blancosal]

Just seen your series on ZX14s and I have to say I fell in love with your working approach... You seem really sincere, no rehearsal and overall a cool, integral dude that happens to live from his passion... Had I the money, I'd trust you my Kawi blindfolded without a second thought. Greetings from Colombia!

[@provenpowercycles]

@@blancosal thank you for the good words 🙏 we try to be as real as we can be with everyone! Thanks for the feedback and support 🙌

[@habitandoproperty2166]

My 2006 ZZR 1400 has got 19 k miles . That's it. Fantastic bike

[@provenpowercycles]

As long as you take care of it, it will last forever! 💪

[@iantomlinson2422]

my 2010 has 31k on it :D

[@Konchs1]

What would it approximately make with gen 2 cams?

[@Onlineghost2ohm]

10-15 whp probably, a 5mm stroker crankshaft with these cams is a lil better than Gen 2 at 210whp…120tq

[@Onlineghost2ohm]

The valve cover gasket is a common problem (Kawasaki fixed it with a better designed part number too)…

[@nbowling10trio]

I want one too😂

[@chaz951]

Good video 👍👍👍

[@moisteeorteez]

great video! just bought an 08 zx14 with 15k miles. Didn't know they can run with 48k plus miles, I'm excited. where are you guys located?

[@jdoubleu4613]

I have 120k + on 2008 same bike. PC5 full brocks exhaust since 3k mi. Many 1/8 runs with extended swing arm. 183@ RW. When first tuned. Last valve adjustment was at 60k.

[@Okj17]

Got 45k on my 2012 and running strong these are freakin beasts

[@touristguy87]

What's that shiny can thing near the rear wheel looks like a stock exhaust. Is that true?

[@groundhoggbullieskennels4605]

Base Number (179/181) Tuned (181/187)

[@blink1397]

What did the work cost the owner? Just curious?

[@foothillfoo5761]

My 2008 zx10r has 96000 miles her and stock!!!

[@provenpowercycles]

Badass! 🤙 it's definitely possible with the right maintenance!

[@tank7358]

Great content! Keep up the good work. I’m ver close to buying a Zx-14R, 2014 w/ 8k miles.

[@provenpowercycles]

Nice congrats!

[@darwinesternon6624]

Yup,,,,,it's all,,,,,,blah,,blah,,blah...

[@leonrossouw4891]

You never even mentioned it ?

[@hyperbiker613]

Baseline with new mods : 175? New mods and tune : 192? Wild Guess lol

[@provenpowercycles]

Great guesses all in all!

[@cagonelcopon1]

I have a tuned zzr1400 ‘08, I don’t know who and what has been done but trothle response, massive power from 3k, I had a crack scratched beacause oil pump failure. Replaced crankshaft from ebay, oil pump and mod cover, now is consuming 1liter of oil every 2000km. Anything to check before compression?

[@provenpowercycles]

@cagonelcopon1 once a motor has been cracked open it could be anything. Common things are piston (oil) rings could be bad, valve stem seals, could be that the cylinder walls weren't honed out, etc.

[@cagonelcopon1]

Thanks, so I’ll make a conpression test to start. Thabk you so much

[@Mario98c]

A set of gen 2 cams will get you a little more power!

[@jorgevarona1416]

Did you do the same mod?

[@Mario98c]

@@jorgevarona1416 Yes. You need gen 2 cams and install them with the gen 1 cam sprockets.

[@provenpowercycles]

We actually have a set in stock that we are going to pitch to him. He wants a little more kick from it 🤙

[@iantomlinson2422]

what timing do you set on these, ive seen this mentioned before. is it std?

[@Mario98c]

@@iantomlinson2422 stock timing marks using the gen 1 cam sprockets.

[@aikidragonpiper71]

I thought the ZX14 Ninja was already 197HP stock ?

[@provenpowercycles]

Usually when you see online posts bragging about ho numbers they are being measured to the crank and not to the wheel. 👍👍 Also keep in mind, every dyno reads a little differently too. It's always best to compare baseline numbers to final numbers! You want to look at the difference to see your gains.

[@aikidragonpiper71]

@provenpowercycles Maybe it was from the crank. It was a Kawasaki add when they first created the ZX14. Claiming 190hp to beat the then 170hp Suzuki Hayabusa.

[@dc_hoonigan7230]

My guess 180 b4 after 197..?

[@provenpowercycles]

Those are Gen 2 numbers! But still good guesses! 🤙

[@Channel-jy1ui]

I would never dyno a bike with old tires. KZbin can show you why that’s a bad idea

[@provenpowercycles]

We understand. Eric has been around dynamometers for about 15 years now. There is always a risk regardless of it all. We usually go through an extensive process before we even run a bike on the dyno. 👍

[@leadsled8961]

Do you only adjust fuel ? If your valves need to be shimmed you have a problem or to many miles to be on a dyno.

[@provenpowercycles]

No, we adjust more than just fuel mapping. We adjust any and everything we can in order to smooth the power band out. Shimmimg, your valve lash is periodic maintenance, so I'm not sure why you suggest there is a problem. If you beat on the bike in the street then being on dyno is no different. In fact, I would argue argue it's easier on the bike to be on the dyno vs street since the load bearing is less on dyno vs street.

[@QuicKurtZX14R]

171/183

[@K-carbon]

Out of curiosity with vavle clearance does regular oil changes help reduce wear and tear on vavle clearance lovely bike lovely colour

[@Channel-jy1ui]

Valve clearance is directly affected by spring pressure. Valve springs compress with every revolution of the engine so if you ride at 8000rpm, the spring is compressed the same amount of times. Ride for an hour and you just compressed your valves about a half a million times in one hour. And that’s just 8000 rpm. Ima give higher rpm’s. So over the course of a few years, depending on your riding, you can be really beating down your springs. But regularly changing your oil will help lube and cool all engine parts giving them the longest chance of surviving

[@peterfallon173]

Not at all. On an overhead cam setup like the one used on the ZX14, the valves clearances generally get tighter as the valves repeatedly work against the valve seats on the cylinder head. Oil shouldn’t reach the valve and seat if everything is healthy. Not uncommon for quite a few valves to be out of spec the first scheduled check, but settle a bit after. Considering the state of the water pump, valve cover gasket and clutch fluid, I’m thinking this bike was a bit neglected and possibly never had the valves checked.

[@provenpowercycles]

Valve clearance isn't really effected by oil. It's mainly how you ride (what gear, speed, rpms you typically ride around, how hard you are on throttle, how long of a ride you typically go on, etc). Race bikes need valve adjustments much more frequently than what is stated in service manual since they spend a lot of time at high rpm for extended amounts of time. So the valve train sees a lot of heat and gets the shit kicked out of it. Lower reving bikes that also don't see a lot of higher rpms typically can go longer between adjustments as well. Again, just varies per bike and how it's ridden 👍👍

[@scotshanley]

These bikes were good back in there day but newer liter bikes just destroy these bikes. My 2022 S1000RR was putting down 196bhp the last time I had it dynoed and it's easily 100-150 pounds lighter with a much shorter wheel base. These bikes are still fast but by today's modern standards they have gotten rather long in the tooth. Great job on injecting mote life into this beast and thanks for sharing the content. 👍😉😎👍

[@crash5811]

M1000RR did quite well keeping up down low w my 2012 ZX14R but wasnt fast enough on the top end

[@scotshanley]

@crash5811 I find it VERY hard to believe that an M1000RR (2020 first production year 212hp and 423 pounds stock) could not only keep up with a 2012 zx14(207.9hp and 584 pounds stock) but smoke it down low and up top all day long unless the rider on the M1000RR just didn't have the balls to twist the throttle. The M1000RR has more horsepower out of the gate and weighs 161 pounds less so either there was something SERIOUSLY wrong with the M1000RR or the rider was rather light in the balls section or the third and in my opinion the third and most likely scenario is the distinct smell of 🐂💩 Even IF your zx14 was making more horsepower then the M1000RR (and its not) its not making enough horsepower to overcome a weight difference of 161 pounds. That's the equivalent of drag racing with your fat girlfriend sitting on the back of your bike and I'm sorry but no motorcycle is ever going to be faster then a motorcycle that has more horsepower then it does while also carrying the equivalent of a second passenger in weight 🤣 Take that 🐂💩 on down the street because we ain't buying here. ROFLMFBO🤣😂🤣😂 P.S. My 2022 S1000RR is putting down 196bhp and 215hp at the crank and I've had it to 190mph and backed out of it because of traffic but she still had more so if you really want to get spanked mines not an M1000RR but it's close enough and it will still happily eat your zx14's lunch and I've got no problem twisting my throttle so you let me know if your ever running through Phoenix and we'll see what your 2012 zx14 will (and more importantly will not) do. ✌️😉😎

[@crash5811]

@@scotshanley 60 roll. Zx14 was flashed. Hes a fairly competent rider too. 1 of the very few (here) w the cajones to keep up when im dragging pegs thru the corners. Ive got built suspension too, high freq gold valves

[@scotshanley]

@crash5811 🤣 OK 👍 👌 🤦🏻‍♂️ give me a break with this stupid shit I'll bet your cbr 600 does 180 too 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@crash5811]

@@scotshanley only 600 ive seen go that fast was pushing 7psi. And i dont work on hondas willingly.

[@yourmom922]

Awesome video!! Gen 1 with a good full exhaust and tune would typically make 175ish whp on a dyno like yours. Seems like the throttle bodies/stacks maybeeeee were good for 5ish hp at the cost of significant low end. Interesting!

[@provenpowercycles]

We think all in all it was a positive impact but he does want some low end back. High comp pistons will bring that all back and pull some up top as well 💪