This was sent to me via JP, he cannot post right now from the road:

Here is the info:
My brother got the call so the info is second hand as I am in N. California.
THere is a recall because of an electrical + oil leak causing fires.(sounds like old oilleak post minus fires part)
I do not know if it is a 03 specific thing and Kawasaki will not answer until monday my message. I was wondering if anyone else got the call and what the specifics of the recall is?

Just wanted to keep you '03 boys apprised of the situation.

JP, please update this when you get back/logged in.

Thanks, Blitz.

My guess is that its the stator wire/oil in the connector thing. I cleaned mine out today and then dried out the connector real well. After I put it all back together, I reconnected the crankcase mod I had disconnected a few months back. I'll bet the crankcase mod vacuum will be enough to prevent the oil going up the wires again. Its worth a try anyway.

I was notified Friday( by my local Kawi dealer) that my bike ('01 ZX-12R) is effected by this recall.

I checked on Buykawasaki.com for recalls and my 2000 ZX12R has an open recall which reads:

Outstanding Recall Repair:OIL SEEPAGE FROM ALTERNATOR LEAD CONNECTOR

Checked and saw the same for my VIN number... The 03 is for sure my buddy works at the local shop and told me about it last night at the club....

Checked my vin as well...I have the recall posted as well........Not only has Kawasaki done the job in the past ..with their so called "new and improved" harness ..and I have the leak occuring again......But those bastards Never Updated My extended warrantee info which I have paid for..........WAY TO GO TEAM GREEN!!!....Wanna take bets this turns into an ordeal?....Brian

Mine is an 02 model and it is on there also.
Kawasaki aint so bad after all.


Warranty Status
Vin: JKAZX9B1X2A000***
Your warranty expires on 02/25/2003.
Your Good Times Protection Plan expires on 02/25/2006.
Outstanding Recall Repair:OIL SEEPAGE FROM ALTERNATOR LEAD CONNECTOR

Guess what I see on my BUYKAWASAKI.COM..."Outstanding Recall Repair:OIL SEEPAGE FROM ALTERNATOR LEAD CONNECTOR"

my 02 is there also

but Kawasaki never wrote me why?

is this a major job to fix?

will they just give me the parts and let me put them in?

sorry I don't trust bike shops too well



Ed,

http://www.zx-12r.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8684

Well, was our voices finally heard? Maybe we played a part in this.
I filed several complaints with Kawasaki, I know now that this website
was heard. Nothing was done for 2 years until we brought attention to this problem. Sorry for all the guys who paid out of pocket for this. Kawasaki finally ackowledges this is a serious problem.

Good Job ZX-12R.org

Dudes,

What's this about an oil leak, I have seen you guys talking about it a bit. I can't seem to go onto that link Mark it keeps crashing my browser!! :shock:

So is this recall for all models, what the problem as well. I wasn't aware of any leaks on my bitch but I would like to know what it is so I can either get it sorted or watch out for it. :D

Cheers dudes!!

hmm, the link works fine for me....

but go here....


Click on the Sticky topic: "New Members...Please Check Here For Hot Topics"

the oil leak thread is in there.

and yes...it is for all model years from what I understand

Just talk to my local shop and they said my 2000 was recall... Gonna order the shit and call me... What I was told....

What does the recall actually do.? How long does it take? What work do they do on the bike? Have not noticed any oil leaking yet, though I haven't looked for it. Have over 4000 miles on it. My 2002 red one aslo has the recall notice on the Kawa website when I put in my VIN #. Never got a mailing. Thanks all for posting this.

We were at the stealer Saturday and my friend was back talking to the idiots, oops I mean service people and they said that was now a recall item. We have recieved nothing in the form of notification about this either. Now they just need to do a recall on the clutches for the 2000 models. :?

Soungs like its all of 'em, mine got tagged too.

Warranty Status
Vin: JKAZX9A15YA0*****
Your warranty expired on 06/28/2002.
Outstanding Recall Repair:TIRE VALVE LOCK NUT CRACKING
Outstanding Recall Repair:OIL SEEPAGE FROM ALTERNATOR LEAD CONNECTOR

If anybody finds out what they do, please post it, because I avoid taking my bike to the shop at ALL costs.... :x

Got a notice in the mail today for a recall on alternator lead connector. Said it will consist of sealing the lead wires and will take 1 1/2 hours. No charge.

I had already had my bike in and had this fixed under warranty...
I have not received anything in the mail...

Here's what the Kawasaki website says on mine....


Warranty Status
Vin: JKAZX9B1**********
Your warranty expires on 04/19/2003.
For additional years of worry free riding, you can purchase our Good Times Protection Plan. If purchased today, this extended coverage would cost $484.00 for 24 months, $594.00 for 36 months, $704.00 for 48 months.
Information about our Good Times Protection Plan
Outstanding Recall Repair:OIL SEEPAGE FROM ALTERNATOR LEAD CONNECTOR

I spoke with the mechanic at the kawasaki shop. It is not an official recall on my bike yet. He was saying that they need to have an MC number. I showed him on buykawasaki.com the recall and he still said it was not official for my bike yet. Guess I will have to wait for the mailer to get to me. I had just bought my bike when I found this web site and the posting of the oil in the line was on. I wasn't sure if I had bought hte right bike. Then I rode it and everything is going to have a little glitch.

gotta call from the dealer today on my 2000

got the letter from kawi today in the mail about the recall, and it said the 2000-2003 models are effected..

Dudes,

I checked my bitch today, both of the connectors are dry as a nun's chuff!! hehehe thankgod!! :D

I wonder if this is a recall for the UK as well???? I dont know any one in the UK that has had that problem yet. Maybe we have slightly different wiring??? cos I can't see how oil would be able to get into those plugs!!???

I will keep my eyes open for future leaks & catch up with Ted Edwards see of he has had the problem on his. :wink:

Can someone scan this recall and send it to me so I can post it?

Thanks,

easyrider@zx-12r.org

Got my recall notice today. I sent Easy a pic of it. They say the dealer can fix it in a half hour. :roll:

This is my post/story from the eletrical failur thread.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elboman wrote:
I have an 02 model and it has 6,000 miles on it. I am running Mobil 1 and I use the 12 to get me to and from work mostly. Only a couple of first gear power weelies and no high speed runs and I too have the small electrical connector addressed here leaking oil. I didn't have to pull it apart to notice it, as it has a motor oil pond on top of the connector. How often does Kawasaki recommend changing the oil in this connector? I have not changed the oil in this connector since the bike was new? This better not void my warranty as my manual has nothing about changing the oil in the connector. LOL!

I am calling my dealer tomorrow.

Thanks a bunch guys/gals.

Elbo


</p>


I now have 11,000 miles on said bike. I took the connector apart and only a small trace of oil was noticabel inside the conector. Not even enough to poor out, unlike before. I believe it was a small enough amount to have been left over in the wiring harnes from before fix was preformed at 6,000 miles. So now I am a happy camper.
The reciept says that the parts used was a "generator cover gasket" and labor was "remove alternator and reseal"
Looks like it worked.

Hey Nedragr, can you talk to your buddy at the dealer and see if you could get a copy of the TSB for this?

I would much prefer to do the job myself, rather than leave the bike at the dealer. :shock: :shock:

I also got my letter in the mail today. Both my 12's are covered. I saw that Kawasaki is only allowing for 1/2 hour for the repair..hmmm...
Called my dealer again and found out what the fix is and what the "parts kit" contains....Ready?...GLUE...Supposibly the fix is filling the harness with some type of glue. I think he said its a 2 part kit and that the dealers are getting sent enough to handle the amount of 12's that they sold. In my dealers case that is about 20. Talk about a bandaid.....

Took my notice into my dealer today. They said it is for certain 12s. They showed me the sheet that they got from Kawi. It said certain vin numbers for each year. It had a starting vin to ending vin on each year. Why would it be certain ones??

Just got my recall today as well,,,,,,dont really like the way they are gonna fix it though, but rather that than nothing. Better than burning the bitch down..!!!!

Just got my recall in today from Kawasaki Canada.

I have been checking and with 6000 km on it, there are no signs of any seepage.

I got my recall letter in the mail today but it's funny Kawasaki doesn't mention anything in there about potential fires. I thought I read where a couple of 12's got toasted because the leaking oil caused an electrical fire. Now if Kawi could get even a larger set of balls and recall all factory clutches!!!

Got my letter today too, I am not going to take my '02 in for it since I have just checked the connector and dry as a bone. I don't want to take the risk of our dumba$$ local dealer's mechanics damaging anything. I will just keep an eye on it and if I have any trouble will just seal the harness myself since that looks like what they are doing. If it was something major I might take it in for the recal but it isn't worth the risk over something I can do myself.

If I was to take my bike in I think I would remove ALL the plastic on the bike, take all the bolts out of the stator cover and duct tape it on. That way the dealer cannot damage any of my plastic or strip out the screws on the cover. That is how bad Struthers Brothers service dept. is. I witnessed a guy picking up his sportbike and the plastic had gotten broken from someone tipping it over at the dealer (they push all the bikes that are done outside every day). They did not deny it happened there, they just said if you look on the service ticket it says they are not responsible for damage while it is in their hands. What a crock!!! I will take the risk of fire over that!!!!

Hey guys, and gals,

I just got a letter from father Kawasaki regarding a factory recall for leaking oil. I read some earlier comments in the forum about oil leaking from around the alternator wire harness. Evidently the leak can cause oil to drip onto the rear tire and cause the loss of traction. Kawasaki will do the modification free of charge and is suppose to take only fifteen minutes. If you haven't received a letter, you might want to call your dealer to see if your model number is included in the recall. I have a 2002, so I am sure all of the 2002, 2003 models are included.
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saltire
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Joined: 19 Feb 2002
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Posted: 27 Dec 2002 05:17 Post subject: recall

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seems loads of others are getting recall notices in regarding this problem.I have just sent an e-mail to kawa uk to see if they intend to do the same but knowing them they most likley wont bother .

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ynot
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Posted: 27 Dec 2002 05:20 Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Got one for my 01....
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OutsiderZX12R
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Joined: 02 Dec 2001
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Posted: 27 Dec 2002 10:28 Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've read that there fix is to put some silicon or other kind of sealant around the wires. I am very curious to see if this actually fixes it...
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Posted: 24 Dec 2002 17:38 Post subject: recall

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

got my recall letter for the stator connector today. it says a 1/2 hour fix to use sealant on the alternator lead wire`s. i bet it won`t work. ...killer

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bl12r
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Joined: 04 Nov 2002
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Posted: 24 Dec 2002 23:28 Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

went to mail box today i also got the same recall and i call the dealer and he told me to bring it in and they would fix it in 1/2 hour
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SleepyKat
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Joined: 23 Jul 2002
Posts: 32
Location: South Florida, USA
Posted: 25 Dec 2002 10:22 Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Got my letter too. It says "the parts to complete this repair will be available to dealers the fourth week of December". What parts are they talking about? "The correction will consist of sealing the alternator lead wires". Are they going to put some silicone on the thing? I haven't had any problems with mine so far. Should I take the bike to the dealer? What do you guys think?
Thanks,

Fausto

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zx12richard
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Posted: 25 Dec 2002 10:24 Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May as well don't cost you nothing..... And may prevent it in the future...
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SleepyKat
On the right path


Joined: 23 Jul 2002
Posts: 32
Location: South Florida, USA
Posted: 25 Dec 2002 10:29 Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You are right on that Richard. Letter says "your Kawasaki dealer will correct this problem for you at no charge". The only thing is, if they are going to apply some silicone on the connectors, I rather wait until I have the problem. If they are going to replace the connectors for a better ones, then I'll take it.
Thanks.

Fausto

The parts they require are the stator or alternator cover gasket. They take the cover off and are nice enough to replace tha gasket with a new one.
A lot better than using that tube of silicone they already have out and handy to seal the cover with the old gasket.
I have seen that before.
Wait a minute, I think I even tried that before.
I know I had a good reason for doing it that way though. Funny how it slips my mind for now though.

I think I will take my stator and cover off of the bike, take it to the stealer, have them fix it, and then put it back on myself.

recieved my recall in the mail for my 03 which i havent even ridden yet! its at the dealers shop right now and its getting all the mods done to it for the last 8 weeks and since my bikes there they will fix the connectors why they do everything else. glad that worked out ok! lata zx12r fans!

I also got my letter, 2 of them!!!...Neither of my 12s are leaking, so I will not take it to the dealer to fix what isnt broke!!!...Never brought my 2000 to fix the tank and still no problem!!!

Dont fix what aint broke!!!


CrotchRocket

Guys I have done this recall on customer bikes, the new 2003 model on our showroom, & my own ZX-12. It is bulletin #MC 02-11 dated Dec. 13, 2002. It is a cheap repair that I don't think is going to hold up if it works at all. It involves putting adhesive on the ends of the wires & "ensure the adhesive runs down into the wire cores." I won't run thru the whole thing as I have a crappy ISP & keep getting disconnected. But it involves cleaning the wires & connectors three times with contact cleaner adhesive etc. Go to a dealer & ask to read the bulletin for yourself. I think Kawasaki ought to be paying to pull stator covers to fix this prolem there instead of at the top of the wiring harness at the altinator connector. This is a very cheesy fix. :oops: My question to Kawasaki is: How do we ensure the adhesive runs into the wire cores when the wires are crimped to the terminals already???????

just got mine for my 2003, they fixed it already in a half hour or so. later

I finally got the Recall notice and some other related threads up in the ZX-12R Recall section.
Just go to the above menu under Kawasaki Sportbikes >> ZX-12R Section >> Maintenance and you will find it on the top right side of the page under RECALLS

There are some great pics from Ted of the connector and the Stator and the original Notice from Kawasaki

Easy,

http://www.zx-12r.org/Motorcycle_inf...%20Oil!!!!.htm

The pics in here are from my bike. I saw a couple red x's in there because I moved some pics around. I still have them here. If you need some more pics of the connector I could e-mail them to you, just let me know.

Posted: 01 Jan 2003 17:35 Post subject: Recall Notice

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Any of you guys get one of these?



Bert
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Fastkiwi
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Joined: 16 Sep 2002
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Posted: 01 Jan 2003 17:39 Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.zx-12r.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11610
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Bobster33
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Joined: 07 Oct 2002
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Posted: 01 Jan 2003 18:06 Post subject:

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I guess that means "yes".......I've been out of the country(mainland), and haven't had time to research old topics.

Bert
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Fastkiwi
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Joined: 16 Sep 2002
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Posted: 01 Jan 2003 19:06 Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reading the thread I see it is only US and Canadian models being recalled.

So does this mean that these are the only models with a problem ( i doubt it )..... or is it because you guys made enough noise so Kawasaki are being seen as addressing the problem?
Hmmm... this is interesting.

Is there anyboby here not in the US or Canada who has had this problem?
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rokitt1200
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Joined: 11 Aug 2002
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Location: Atlanta
Posted: 02 Jan 2003 08:06 Post subject:

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I got the letter,also my dealer called me to ask me to come in. I made an appointment for saturday morning,he said it will take about an hour. Im dangerous in a motorcycle dealership for an hour !!!
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NameChanger
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Posted: 02 Jan 2003 08:40 Post subject:

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I'm going to my dealership and 'talk' to them for awhile before I let'em start wrenchin' on my bike. If they say too much 'dumb' stuff... I'll just sneak away.
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Slide'r
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Joined: 19 Oct 2002
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Location: Southern Alberta
Posted: 02 Jan 2003 10:21 Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They told me that they wouldn't have the kit to fix the problem until mid January. That was in the Kawasaki Canada letter and not from the dealership. Since we have about a foot of snow on the ground I don't think it is a problem right now...Brrr....

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ddub
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Posted: 02 Jan 2003 16:33 Post subject:

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The fix that Kaw. talks of is nothing more than 3bond glue on the wires at the connector, it stops the oil from comming out at the plug, the oil that has traveled up the wires will stay. I don't know if thats bad or good, its cheaper than replacing a stator.... from the eyes of Kaw.

I also have some fair quality pictures of the old stator and the new one , and my silicone job , I just need someone to post them :) . I have not had the bike running yet to see if the silicone did the trick, I feel that it should work... but you know how that goes, I might also do the glue thing for the hell of it .... couldn't hurt! :wink:

Here is a pic of my old stator, to the right of the twist tie is where the oil is entering the wires. The wires are connected to the stator about where the twist tie is, the black part is wide open at the end, which allows the oil to travel up the wires.

This is the new stator that I got, as you can see there is NO change from the old one, also look at the middle wire you can see where the oil is going to enter and travel. I thought I had a pic of my silicone job, I just can't find it. What I did with the silicone was pack it into the open wires and all around for what I hope is a oil tight seal. Hope this helps !

MINE IS IN THE SHOP NOW....I READ THE SERVICE BULLETIN.....FAST DRY ADHESIVE....SUPER GLUE....I HAVE 4700 MILES ON MINE WITH NO TRACE OF OIL IN THE CONNECTOR. ITS IN THE SHOP FOR A REAR WHEEL BEARING ISSUE THAT WAS SUPPORED TO BE FIXED, IN FACT KAWASAKI WARRANTY'D A NEW REAR WHEEL,AXLE.WHEEL SPACERS,AND ALL 3 BEARINGS...THIS WAS DONE 3 WEEKS AGO AND WHILE I WAS GIVING HER A BATH I NOTICED THE SPACE BETWEEN THE HUB AND THE CUSH DRIVE .....I GRABBED IT AND WIGGLED IT AND IT WAS AS LOOSE ANNA NICOLE'S ASS.....THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT SOMETIMES THE NEW BEARINGS THEY GET ARE DEFECTIVE....BULLSHIT! THEY DIDNT PUT IT TOGETHER RIGHT.......THE PARTS ARE ON ORDER AND WILL BE NO CHARGE AGAIN. CHRIS

Chris here...

Kawasaki Canada mailed me a recall notice....'bout time.

Later...

C

I got mine too from Kwak Canada

P.O.S. Dealer

I showed him were it says a half hour that I knew others had had it done in a half hour. He says yep but we need it for two days to due the job.

I think I will just do something myself. Or check if I can get the goodies and go to my local kawi dealer and have them do it.

It's happening in Australia tooooooooo!!!!!!

Speading like a bunch of trifids.

Ciao, K one.

No recall on my 03 as of yet.

I haven't received my notice yet.

Got my recall work done yesterday and guess what? The service manager told me mine was only the second one that they had found oil in the connector. Oh well........................

just bought my 2001 last month, then they call me tell me about the recall. shouldn't the dealership check their inventory so the work can be done b4 a customer purchases the bike? then i wouldn't have to take it back in and leave it all day. great site guys!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Racer, seems like they would have done the recall on their stock. When I bought my Buell in 1999, the dealer had already performed the recalls to date.

Mark - do you remember the day we were riding and we noticed that drop of oil on my chainguard????

I got the recall letter at the end of December last year! It details that "...oil leaking from the alternator lead connector can be deposited onto the rear tire creating the potential for a loss of traction and an accident...". It further goes on to say that "...the correction will consist of sealing the alternator lead wires... and will take about a half hour for your dealer to complete." Still haven't had enought warm weather or the inclination to trailer the bike down to my new buddies at Woodbury Powersports here in Jersey.

MarkPMB specified, Yep. I thought you'd wheelied the oil out the wires.

Is this a revive of the topic that was on zx-12.org that talked also about the headlights going out.....which is 2 topics above this one?