Kawasaki Ninja Service Manual: Connecting Rod Bend Inspection

Kawasaki Ninja Service Manual / Crankshaft/Transmission / Crankshaft and Connecting Rods / Connecting Rod Bend Inspection

Remove the connecting rod big end bearing inserts, and reinstall the connecting rod big end cap.
Select an arbor [A] of the same diameter as the connecting rod big end, and insert the arbor through the connecting rod big end.
Select an arbor of the same diameter as the piston pin and at least 100 mm (3.94 in.) long, and insert the arbor [B] through the connecting rod small end.
On a surface plate, set the big-end arbor on V block [C].
With the connecting rod held vertically, use a height gauge to measure the difference in the height of the arbor above the surface plate over a 100 mm (3.94 in.) length to determine the amount of connecting rod bend.

If the connecting rod bend exceeds the service limit, the connecting rod must be replaced.

Connecting Rod Bend Service Limit: TIR 0.2/100 mm (0.008/3.94 in.)

Connecting Rod Bend Inspection

Crankshaft/Connecting Rod Cleaning

After removing the connecting rods from the crankshaft, clean them with a high flash-point solvent. Blow the crankshaft oil passages with compressed air to remove any foreign particles or res ...

Connecting Rod Twist Inspection

With the big-end arbor [A] still on V block [C], hold the connecting rod horizontally and measure the amount that the arbor [B] varies from being paralleled with the surface plate over a 100 ...

Other materials:

Steering Stem Warp Inspection
Whenever the steering stem is removed, or if the steering can not be adjusted for smooth action, check the steering stem for straightness. If the steering stem [A] is bent, replace the steering stem. Stem Cap Deterioration, Damage Inspection Replace the stem cap if its oil seal [A] s ...

Sprocket Wear Inspection
Visually inspect the engine and rear sprocket teeth for wear and damage. If the teeth are worn as illustrated, replace the sprocket, and inspect the drive chain wear (see Drive Chain Wear Inspection in the Periodic Maintenance chapter). Worn Tooth (Engine Sprocket) [A] Worn Tooth (Rear ...

Fuel Type
Use clean, fresh unleaded gasoline with a minimum Antiknock Index of 90. The Antiknock Index is posted on service station pumps. The octane rating of a gasoline is a measure of its resistance to detonation or “knocking.” The Antiknock Index is an average of the Research Octane Number (R ...