ZZR1200 cam replacement

Yep both cams on my ZZR12 are stuffed. Kawasaki have agreed to fix it under warranty, but initially they wanted to resurface and regrind the cams in my bike, which supposedly is the best approach. Problem is TWO WEEKS without the bike while the work gets done. After some whinging Kawasaki then agreed to fit NEW cams and rockers (16 of them at $100 a pop!) to fix the bike, but they cannot guarantee that the problem won't resurface.
Which route would you take? I am undecided as to whether I am keeping the bike, but couldn't in all conscience sell it with stuffed cams. Pity Kawasaki want their customers to be guinea pigs for faults such as this that they should have fixed in their R&D dept twenty years ago. Last year BMW had cam problems in their new 1200 sportbike- their response was to recall ALL of the bikes and change the cams. Kawasaki could take a leaf out of their book...
Opinions please!

If it's a warranty problem not only should they fix it so that it won't happen again, they should provide you with transportation for the duration at their cost - accept nothing less.

What is the cause for this, poor metallurgy or lack of oil supply or pressure?

Let them fix it - then fill the sucker up with good quality oil and ride it.

The problem may never come back to you again. If it does, worry about it then.

Hi Bonester - sounds a bit strange all round ? what year is the 12 ? Do you have any service records from previous owner/s ? Or was this a new bike ? I would advise going with new cams, you should have the bike back within a day or two, not 2 weeks, and then stay with a good oil, change filter & oil regularly, and then keep written records of oil/filter changes, for any warranty claims later on. I am still struggling with the concept of stuffed cams in a ZZR motor, I guess there can always be the chance of metal fatigue in any camshaft.....

regards
z9Dave

Thanks for the replies. New cams it is.
My 1200 is a 2003, bought new, and serviced to the letter. I am really fussy about it, and ALWAYS warm it up before riding. Use Shell SX4 semi synthetic in it. Has full service history. Couldn't be more babied.


Have had to deal with Kawasaki warranty department on other issues with this bike, and they have been incredibly unhelpful. Got my way eventually,(after ten emails or so- three pages long at times) but has tarnished my opinion of Kawasaki so as far as I am concerned they can get stuffed. This is my last new one. Will probably buy Hondas from now on. My Spada and CB400 are great.

If you think that Speciak K are a tuff crowd to deal with - don't ever consider a Ford, Holden or Nissan.

fair enough Bonester, if you have copped a raw serve from the local K dealer, then give them a miss next time. I do remember however, some really bad horror stories of VF750 cams ( and saw the evidence myself in a couple of stripped-down motors) brrrrrrr - but that was a long time ago, and the big H have lifted their game since then. Sounds like you did everything right with the ZZR, must have just been a dud set of cams.

Nissan after-sales service ???? huh ? not on this planet especially with new Patrols !!

I can remember a post on the ZRXOA board that mentioned cam lobe wear being accelerated by high valve spring tensions. It was probably more for aftermarket springs..... I guess.

The ZZR cams are a popular mod. for the ZRX (along with an extra point or two of compression) and worth about 10 extra horses.

My 1224 motor will have ZZR cams - but standard ZRX springs.

cam lobe wear will most definitely be accelerated with high-pressure springs ( ie higher than stock). One of the old tricks was supposed to be high-pressure spring tension with lumpier cams. All it does is wear out valve seats and/ or cam lobes in most bikes ( drag racing excepted). Softer springs ( ie most stock springs) are a better bet for most cams.

I would be interested to hear your opinion on the difference once you get your conversion sorted out properly. Take the time to dial in the cams properly, if you can get slotted cam sprockets all the better. Ignition advance will also need to be spot-on.

fair enough Bonester, if you have copped a raw serve from the local K dealer, then give them a miss next time.

Nope no problems with my dealer - they have been exceptional- Kawasaki head office (who approve or more often it seems dis-approve warranty claims) are the problem- total arsehole to deal with who would blame anything for the problems in my bike, rather than 'manufacturing defects' that the warranty covers.....

Bonester - the number of claims that the Corporate HQ must get in a day would probably be a bit surprising.

I guess that sometimes one or two may seem shonky...... the last thing that they (or you) want to do is shell out for someone else's "problem".

On this occasion, they have decided that you are a reasonable person with a reasonable claim.

In any "claim" there is an inevitable bad-guy feeling about the one who says no.... that is just human nature. But on this occasion...
YOU WON - they lost.... whoop it up and try to get the dealer to throw in a service (carb. balance at least) after they put the new cams in. That would just be icing on the cake.

Gosling - I have MUZZY sprockets..... so the cams will be dialled in.

Bones - that is something I will keep in mind, I have been buying Z bits off the local dealer since early '80's, he has always looked after me. Never put in a warranty claim ( new 12, hopefully won't have to), will keep your advice in mind if anything *strange* occurs if/when warranty claim is submitted.
OzNinj - Muzzy sprockets mmmmmm nice one, they will sure do the job.

Re: the valve spring bit, it is only common practice to fit higher tension springs where valve float (or the possibility thereof) is a problem. Fitting them for the sake of it will actually decrease performance as the cam, and therefore the engine, has more work to do to open the valves.

What about nitriding the cams & HPC the Valve springs!