Kawasaki Ninja Service Manual: Steering Play Inspection

Remove the lower fairings (see Lower Fairing Removal in the Frame chapter).

Raise the front wheel off the ground with the jack.

Special Tools - Jack: 57001-1238 Jack Attachment: 57001-1608

With the front wheel pointing straight ahead, alternately tap each end of the handlebar. The front wheel should swing fully left and right from the force of gravity until the fork hits the stop.

If the wheel binds or catches before the stop, the steering is too tight.

Feel for steering looseness by pushing and pulling [A] the forks.

If you feel looseness, the steering is too loose.

NOTE

The cables and wiring will have some effect on the motion of the fork which must be taken into account.

Be sure the leads and cables are properly routed.

The bearings must be in good condition and properly lubricated in order for any test to be valid.

Steering Play Adjustment

Remove: Steering Stem Head with Handlebars (see Handlebar Removal in the Steering chapter). Bend the claws [A] of the claw washer [B] straighten. Remove: Steering Stem Locknut [C] Claw ...

Other materials:

Front Wheel Removal
Remove: Front Caliper Mounting Bolts [A] (Both Sides) Front Caliper [B] (Both Sides) Loosen: Front Axle Clamp Bolts [A] (Right Side) Front Axle [B] Remove the lower fairings (see Lower Fairing Removal in the Frame chapter). Raise the front wheel off the ground. ...

Intake Air Temperature Meter
Intake air temperature meter indicates temperature of the air in the air cleaner case. The “Intake Air” is displayed if the intake air temperature meter is selected. A. Intake Air Temperature Meter B. “Intake Air” NOTE The intake air temperature meter shift to the coolant temp ...

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 ...