C14 Front Gear Case Cover Corrosion Problem?

[CobraJock477]

My C14 has recently developed blistering on the topside of the front gear case cover.  I’ve compared it to two other C14 and one of those exhibited similar issues but at a much more advance stages.  Obviously Kawasaki has a deficiency or failure somewhere in their manufacturing process.  Anyone have any information regarding these symptoms and possible courses of action?     

[CobraJock477]

Almost forgot pics...

[gPink]

Looks like damage caused by clutch/brake fluid.

[jimmymac]

Looks like it was used too much when it was new.

[VirginiaJim]

I'm not sure it's brake or clutch fluid, it looks like corrosion under the paint to me...   Geez, now I have to check my bike.  It's the first time here we've been made aware of this issue.

What's above that area in the photo?  I don't have my bike with me at the moment so I can't look, but that bolt above the area looks as though it's doing the same thing.  Is that casing magnetic or is aluminum?

[Conrad]

After seeing those pics I had to go out to the garage and check my bike. Mine's still perfect.   

[gPink]

After seeing those pics I had to go out to the garage and check my bike. Mine's still perfect.   

Is the clutch slave cylinder above or below that location?

[Conrad]

Is the clutch slave cylinder above or below that location?

I'm not going out to the garage again, it's your turn.

[gPink]

...sigh...I'm at work, bikes not. I'll report back in a few hours. 

[VirginiaJim]

I'm not going out to the garage again, it's your turn.

Your garage must be some distance from your home, eh?

[Conrad]

Work?   

You must be hard at it eh?   

I went back out to the garage and took a looksee. Yep, the clutch slave cylinder is right there but it's ahead and below of it. No way it could have dripped fluid onto that case.

[Conrad]

Your garage must be some distance from your home, eh?

It seems that way at times...

I was still enjoying my first cup-o-coffee and couldn't be bothered. I had to get up for my second cup anyways so I took the long hike out the back door to the garage.

[gPink]

Work?   

You must be hard at it eh?   

I went back out to the garage and took a looksee. Yep, the clutch slave cylinder is right there but it's ahead and below of it. No way it could have dripped fluid onto that case.

Yeah, the joys of being selfemployed.

[VirginiaJim]

It seems that way at times...

I was still enjoying my first cup-o-coffee and couldn't be bothered. I had to get up for my second cup anyways so I took the long hike out the back door to the garage.

Thanks for the effort.  I was up at 530 this morning and am on a job at the moment...   Hope to be on the road by mid-day or so.

[CobraJock477]

Never thought of clutch fluid causing the blistering.  Although, there's never been any leaking etc so I think not.  I believe its poor adhesion of the top coating similar to what you would see in a bad paint job if the base material isn't clean enough.  I could see it being a one-off except for the other bike I checked had it worse than mine.   

I need to schedule a service so I thought I'd point it out to Kawasaki to see what they have to say.   

[texrider]

And what model year/year of purchase might yours be?

[CobraJock477]

2011

[Conrad]

Look closely at the pics in post #1 (click 'em twice to zoom). The bolt above the area of corrosion is also a bit corroded and has some green stuff on it, unless that's a artifact from the camera?

[gPink]

Pics are two different bikes?

[jirod]

Can't say for sure, but the battery is right above that location. When on the sidestand, any leakage from the battery will flow down to the left side and might drip onto that cover. I don't see any corrosion on my bike but there is some green stuff on the heads of the bolts Battery is coming out today!