Kawasaki zx12r front air vent removal?

[Shimmydude]

Hi, a quick question to you all. Does anyone have any idea on how easy it is to remove the front air vent of a Kawasaki zx12r. As you all probably know it is one of the worst looking things in the world. It looks like the Kawasaki designers had finished the design then thought:

Jim: ‘oh no! What shall we do about an air duct?’
Bob: ‘oh well just slap this on it!’
Jim: ‘But what is it?’
Bob: ‘Who knows I found it in this box marked “spares”’ ‘
Jim: ‘Hmm, I’m not to sure about this?’
Bob: ‘Do you want to go to lunch?’
Jim: ‘Oh, yes, lets use that then, brilliant idea bob!’

Erik later enters his workshop to find someone has stolen his replacement hoover nozzle attachment from his box of parts.!


Anyway, I know that it can be removed without causing any trouble to the air intake of the bike as the intake is only for use of speeds upward of 160. So I was just wondering does anyone know how it can be removed, if it can, have they done it?
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[Shimmydude]

Oh, yea just thought I should note, I love the Kawasaki zx12r! Everything else about the bike is a real nice shape, aerodynamic, sleek and smooth. But, it's just that air vent.

One has to ask the question why did they make is a) that shape and b) stick out so much like it does.

I have been told that it is to 'force' the air down into the engine 'like all air ducts really' but I am sure the designers could have done it in a more stylish way than that?
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[Sparks!]

Didn't know you even had a ZX12R

But, yeah I've seen modded bikes about with a smaller duct kit that chops it back level with the fairing I think. It was on ebay USA or something, try searching around google etc.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Shimmydude]

I don’t have one, it’s my uncle's and he's getting me to do it up for him. Everyone who has came round to my house and seen the bike hasn't liked it (neither does my uncle) that’s why I asked him if it could be removed did he want me to do so.

Thought I should ask you guys about it first. Personally I prefer the Yamaha R1, All-round nicer looking bike, but that’s me!

Thanks Yams, ill check ebay & google, maybe some pictures of it done to provide an idea of what could be done with it!
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[Mr C]

for fuck's sake morons

it's like that for a reason, now sit down and listen


it sits in clean air geddit, undisurbed by the "bow wave" of the bike pushing air in front of it, same as the intake on the Eurofighter and F-16 which are not "connected" to the fuselage to avoid the dirty boubdary layer from the nose

the zx12r has one of the most effective ram air systems ever developed on a production roadbike

it is so effective it needs upwards of 5% additional fuel at high speed, to make the most of the air that it is getting

look at the busa, ugly as fuck, look at the 12, marginally better looking (imho) but aerodynamically less efficient - these bikes look the way they do for one reason only - going as fast as possible

if you don't wanna go as fast as possible, why buy one and cut up the things that make that possible, buy a bloody R1 in the first place - anyway, the B models have done away with the weird "insect mouth duct" and blended it - maybe a compromise on looks but maybe less efficient - time will tell, we think the B models are faster but lots of other stuff has been changed as well

I'll let you know just how effective after Elvington on Sunday
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187.3bhp = 201mph

[MarJay]

Mr C,
No disrespect to you and that, but I think most people on here aren't too worried about the ram air effect on their engine at speeds of over 150mph!

I wouldn't buy a 'busa or a 12R personally anyway, but I do know that some people like to tart up their bikes!
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[G]

[Mr C]

[broomy12]

I agree with Mr c. Bikes are meant to be the same. Course the colour can be change. Well and a few upgade's. I.e exhaust but the shape should still stay the shape.

BUT... Then again i think its a personal opinion.