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:

Engine Stop Switch
A. Engine Stop Switch B. START/STOP Switch (for Stop Watch) C. Starter Button In addition to the ignition switch, the engine stop switch must be in the position for the motorcycle to operate. The engine stop switch is for emergency use. If required, move the switch to the positio ...

Starter Clutch Installation
Replace the O-ring [A] with a new one and apply grease. Apply molybdenum disulfide grease to the starter clutch shaft [B]. Install: Starter Clutch [C] Spacer (Small Diameter) [D] Spacer (Large Diameter) [E] Starter Clutch Shaft Starter Clutch Shaft Holder [F] Turn the O-ring si ...

Radiator Cap Inspection
Remove: Radiator Cap (see Coolant Change in the Periodic Maintenance chapter) Check the condition of the bottom [A] and top [B] valve seals and valve spring [C]. If any one of them shows visible damage, replace the cap with a new one. Install the cap [A] on a cooling system pr ...