Kawasaki Ninja Service Manual: Spring Plate Free Play Measurement

Kawasaki Ninja Service Manual / Clutch / Clutch / Spring Plate Free Play Measurement

Insufficient clutch free play will cause the engine braking effect to be more sudden, resulting in rear wheel hop. On the other hand, if the free play is excessive, the clutch lever may feel “spongy” or pulsate when pulled.

Hold an extra drive shaft in a vise and install the following clutch parts on the shaft (see Clutch Installation).

Collar [A] Needle Bearing [B] Sleeve [C] Clutch Housing [D] Spacer [E] Clutch Hub [F] Sub Clutch Hub [G] Friction Plates (48 Lining Blocks) [H] (#1, #10) Steel Plates (T = 2.9) [I] (#1
#7) Spring Seat [J] Spring [K] Friction Plates (36 Lining Blocks) [L] (#2 #9)
Steel Plates (T = 2.6) [M] (#8, #9) Clutch Spring Plate [N]

Spring Plate Free Play Measurement

Engage the clutch hub with the sub clutch hub.
To measure the free play, set a dial gauge [A] against the raised center [B] of the clutch spring plate.
Move the clutch housing gear back and forth [C]. The difference between the highest and lowest gauge readings is the amount of free play.

Drive Shaft [D]
Measure the spring plate free play.

Spring Plate Free Play Usable Range: 0.05 0.70 mm (0.002
0.028 in.)

Spring Plate Free Play Measurement

If the free play is not within the usable range, change all of the friction plate and measure the free play again.

If the free play is not within the usable range, adjust the free play (see Spring Plate Free Play Adjustment).

Clutch Installation

Apply engine oil to the needle bearing [A] and the sleeve [B]. Install: Needle Bearing Sleeve Install the clutch housing [A]. Fit the holes [B] and projections [C]. Engage the ...

Spring Plate Free Play Adjustment

NOTE The free play adjustment is performed by replacing the steel plate(s). Measure the clutch spring plate free play (see Clutch Spring Plate Free Play Measurement), and then replace the st ...

Other materials:

Clutch Plate, Wear, Damage Inspection
Visually inspect the friction and steel plates for signs of seizure, overheating (discoloration), or uneven wear. Measure the thickness of each friction plate [A] at several points. If any plates show signs of damage, or if they have worn past the service limit, replace them with new on ...

Exploded View
EO: Apply engine oil. G: Apply grease. L: Apply a non-permanent locking agent. M: Apply molybdenum disulfide grease. MO: Apply molybdenum disulfide oil solution. (mixture of the engine oil and molybdenum disulfide grease in a weight ratio 10:1) R: Replacement Parts S: Follow the s ...

Coolant Level Inspection
NOTE Check the level when the engine is cold (room or ambient temperature). Check the coolant level in the reserve tank [A] with the motorcycle held perpendicular (Do not use the sidestand). If the coolant level is lower than the “L” level line [B], remove the upper fairing assembly (s ...