Sun melting C-14 plastic dash ????

[Eugenio_SS]

similar thing happened to the Honda VFRs, if well placed with the sun position.

[CRWDDYZ]

Well well well...looks what Cee Baileys makes for the Honda ST1300 windshield....read the description....seems to be a common problem

http://www.ceebaileys.com/moto_access/stcover.html

[touchwoodsden]

Originally Posted by CRWDDYZ

Well well well...looks what Cee Baileys makes for the Honda ST1300 windshield....read the description....seems to be a common problem

http://www.ceebaileys.com/moto_access/stcover.html

A cheap terry towel , just draped over, does the same job! In view of the sun issue, I suggest white, not black!!!
TwD

[Wormgear]

I've heard of this happening while riding the bike that was not parked in the sun. They are now scuffing the edge of the w/s so they must at least think that's where it's coming from.

[tconroy]

The suzuki's have also experienced melting issue's after putting on aftermarket Givi shields.I have an 08 v strom which has a melted dash due to the Givi shields.If you park with the sun facing the back of the bike it will melt the dash but if you park with the sun facing the bike it will be ok.this problem seems to be turning up on all sites!!! I caught it early and was parked parallel to the sun for 1 hour and now have an indention and 2 spots that are smooth in the dash.The only way to correct it is to park facing the sun or put something over the shield or park in the shade!!! What a hassle! I ( or anybody else) should not have to worry about where or which way they park their bike.The old vetter fairings were big and had a rim protector trim around the edge.Maybe Craig Vetter new about this way back then!! You could also limo tint the shield or possibly go to the auto parts store and get the edging that goes around the windshield.It actually is made to protect the car door from hitting another car and chipping the paint.I have since put my stock sheild back on but will put my gloves on the dash because Im still paranoid about this happening!I hope the kaw guy's can figure this out also! Im not sure if the stock suzuki screens do this but I have not hear of any yet.good luck to all bikers out there on this problem.

[BlueBomber14]

My sportech windscren has a perforated black liner on the inside of the screen that solves the whole problem you could easily apply a similar sheet of stick on black perforated plastic cut to fit that would keep the reflected parabolic sun from the inside and the magnifying effect thru the screen both from happening.

[CRWDDYZ]

Went on a 300 mile ride with the local BMW shop (friends) yesterday to Yosemite National Park. Those Beemer guys are really interested in our bikes...especially at about $ 9,000 less than a 1200GT

Well, I parked my bike for three hours, in the shade (screen full up) but was in the sun when I returned. No dash melting occured...guess I was lucky.

I am going to sew up a windscreen cover soon.

[choicecycling]

I have experienced the same situation with the melting on the instrument panel on my Connie 14. Based on the pictures that I have seen posted, the area that shows heat issues is identical. The melting marks are exactly in the same spot and same shape.

The marks appeared during the cold weather in Denver. Due to the similiarity to other pictures, I believe that it's a design issue. It's interesting that the damage didn't get worse with time.

I have contacted the dealer, and will get a "warranty evaluation" done. Will keep you posted.

[BFDeihl]

The "sun branding" issue is one I was aware of early on-- due to various internet posts. I have ALWAYS made it a policy to cover the dash (and the bike itself) when PARKED...

But I'll be damned if the speedo needle hub didn't melt a bit while I RODE a 300 mile trip to Eastern Washington.

"Don't PARK in direct sun"-- I can begrudgingly accept.

"Don't RIDE during the DAY" is ridiculous, and I WILL be pursuing a warranty claim. I sincerely hope this problem is taken seriously by Kawasaki...

[sykotek-c14]

Do any of the ZX-14's have this issue? I know our windscreens are different but I think the gauge cluster is identical.

[chi-gpz1100]

There's 2 issues at hand here. 1st is the burn marks on the black panels, other is the actual melting of the tach/speedo units. The latter is caused by some heat behind the dash (don't remember the exact details). The first I think is caused by the edge of the stock shield acting as a prism.

I had my black panels replaced due to burn marks. The panels were replaced back in january I believe. Before putting the stock shield on, I took fine grit sand paper and roughed up the entire perimeter of the shield. Since then (~10K miles ago), no burn marks.