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:

Lower Fairing Removal
Remove the quick rivets [A]. Remove: Quick Rivets [A] Bolts [B] Pull up the core by the flat-head screwdriver (–), and then remove the quick rivet. Clear the hook portions on the upper edges [C] from the slots, and remove the left lower fairing [D]. While pulling down ...

Air Suction Valve Installation
Install the air suction valve so that opening [A] of the reed faces downward. Apply a non-permanent locking agent to the threads of the air suction valve cover bolts [A], and tighten them. Torque - Air Suction Valve Cover Bolts: 9.8 N·m (1.0 kgf·m, 87 in·lb) ...

Regulator/Rectifier Inspection
Remove: Upper Fairing Assembly (see Upper Fairing Assembly Removal in the Frame chapter) Right Inner Fairing (see Inner Fairing Removal in the Frame chapter) Bolts [A] Regulator/Rectifier [B] Set the hand tester to the × 1 kΩ range and make the measurements show ...