Angry bird with crooked beak

[onpman4402]

So, I performed a partial drop against the wall this week that earned me a controversial CDA. In the process I managed to escape with no plastic damage (miracle) but bent the fairing. Upon further inspection the fairing supports do not look to be bent. The mirror crossbar does appear to be tweaked. I have removed the screws to the headstock so i can replace it but it looks like there are two press in plastic inserts holding it. Anyone know how to remove these? Also does it look like the cross bar is bent or the support piece underneath? I may be able to remove the bar and bend the support piece back. I don't want to snap that piece!

 

[Egodriver71]

Double check the mirror bracket for cracks/breakage
My bike had a vending machine fall on one of the mirrors during transit/delivery to me and I had to replace the entire bracket because it had broken all the way through. And if I recall it is a cast aluminum piece

 

[fartymarty]

Gen II manual doesn't mention any plastic inserts, perhaps they are locator pins that got tweaked?......anyway most stories I hear are that the aluminum mirror bracket bar just snaps or cracks not bends so I'm guessing that its the underlying upper fairing bracket that got bent or cracked or?????
Thanks for sharing with us and keep us posted, as you'll be helping others down the road with similar...unfortunate tweaks.

 

[onpman4402]

Thanks for the manual photos! If you look at the first photo, equal distance from either side of mounting bolts, (c in the diagram) there are two black round mounting points. They go through the bracket and exit the other side. (Last photo on my original post). It looks like a plastic push pin. I am reluctant to pry it, my lack of patience has bit me in the past!

 

[Fred H.]

I can't really see what that plastic insert is from your photo, but it may simply be a plastic wire harness cable holder. If so, you should be able to simply squeeze the tabs together to release it.

It may also simply be the end of the push pin you're looking at. I'd try to look in from the other side and see what it is.

 

[ZXtasy]

I have reshaped cast aluminum in the past, with VERY careful application of heat from a rosebud. Sadly, the phase change temp gap of cast Al from malleable solid to dripping liquid is about 1 degree F. If you totally disassemble and place on a flat surface, you should be able to gauge the deformation. You certainly have earned this CCDA. (Controversial Connie Droppers Award)

 

[onpman4402]

Zxtasy, that's my plan. If i can remove it without breaking something I was going to lay it flat and see where the deformation is.....just concerned about the circled part. If i break it don't know if i can get s replacement as it is not showing up on the parts manual.

 

[Fred H.]

The ones that come to mind are the two small push pins on the small black bottom plastic panel just above the fender. These can be seen by looking UP under the front fender area.

There are also some plastic clamps for the electrical wire harness that I believe clip into holes on this bracket. These are located in front of the left side glove box on the left, and in a similar location on the right side.

It would help if your photo was zoomed out more so I could see the location of the area on the bike where it's located. It would also be helpful to know the year model of your bike

 

[Fred H.]

 

[onpman4402]

Thanks Fred. It's an 08. I'll try and get a better picture this evening. It's not the harness clips. I could get better picture if i removed the entire nose but don't really want to if i don't have to.

 

[Fred H.]

Ok, I think I see it better now. It looks like simple plastic stud that is pressed through a round black grommet, probably for the meter panel. You simply pull back on the meter panel and it releases from the grommet. If you replace the bracket, you'll have to transfer the grommets over to the new bracket. If you heat the bracket in that area, be sure to remove the grommets so they don't melt.

 

[onpman4402]

Sure looks like the mirror bracket is tweaked to me

 

[onpman4402]

Finally found the issue. It's the actual head stock piece that attaches the mirror cross bar. Once I removed the crossbar pretty easy to tell. Anyone got a part number for this piece or actual name?

 

[Fred H.]

I believe that is this bracket.

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motorcycle/2008/concours-14-abs-zg1400a8f/cowling-upper

 

[Konehead34]

If u.need to replace it, u might wanna check the thread about the 2010 parting out

 

[onpman4402]

Thanks for the heads up! Found one on fleabay today for 08-09.

 

[onpman4402]

The new front fairing piece came in today and I was able to get most of it put back together. Cosmetic nose job looks MUCH better. Still have a few things to button up but almost there.

 

[2andblue]

The new front fairing piece came in today and I was able to get most of it put back together. Cosmetic nose job looks MUCH better. Still have a few things to button up but almost there.

Great job diagnosing, sourcing and now getting the machine back together.

Wayne, Carol & Blue

 

[onpman4402]

Thanks to everyone here to help identify what the actual piece i needed was called!