This was pulled from a US zx14/zzr1400 forum via the UK Blackbird website.
Was riding with some of my ZX-14 buds Friday night. One was on his way to meet up with us. As he rounded a curve and straightend up, the rear of the bike dropped a few inches and bottomed out. He thought it was a blowout. Upon pulling to the side of the lane, he found this:
Me and another ZX-14 bud went to meet him and had to help him lift the bike up and carry it onto a nearby walkway, as it was after midnight, and the traffic coming through there was FLYING, and we didn't want to risk him getting hit. the bike has approximately 4500 miles on it, had just had it's 4K service, and the rider maintains his bike immaculately and doesn't do any tricks, stunts, stoppies, wheelies (intentional) or anything else that could have caused this.
From what we could tell, it's where the lower shock mount and dogbone/suspension mounts are located, and it snapped at the weld. Talking to the shop where he shipped the bike for repair, the manager has seen one other 14, an '06 with about 3K on the clock, with the same failure spot.
Be careful, and if you can have this inspected, do so. It might save you some trouble...or save your ass.
Busa all over again? Now don't get me wrong, I've owned one of these and loved it, but it kind of gives you the impression that pound for pound the Blackbird seems to be the best value and safest bike in it's class.
The conclusion was Kawasaki U.S. instructed the supplying dealer(the bike only had a few thousand miles on it and was a light rider..no fast and furious) to fit a new frame.
The dealer refused as he could not guaranty the frame as the fault and why the frame had collapsed had been identified.
The owners solicitor has been intouch with kawasaki u.s. and a complete new bike is now being sought.
Almost like the early busa subframe collapsing.
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