Kawasaki Ninja Service Manual: Tire Tread Wear Inspection

Kawasaki Ninja Service Manual / Periodic Maintenance / Periodic Maintenance Procedures / Wheels/Tires / Tire Tread Wear Inspection

As the tire tread wears down, the tire becomes more susceptible to puncture and failure. An accepted estimate is that 90% of all tire failures occur during the last 10% of tread life (90% worn). So it is false economy and unsafe to use the tires until they are bald.

Measure the tread depth at the center of the tread with a depth gauge [A]. Since the tire may wear unevenly, take measurement at several places.

If any measurement is less than the service limit, replace the tire (see Tire Removal/Installation in the Wheels/Tires chapter).

Tire Tread Wear Inspection

Tread Depth Standard:

Front 3.6 mm (0.14 in.)

Rear 5.3 mm (0.21 in.)

Service Limit:

Front 1 mm (0.04 in.) (AT, CH, DE) 1.6 mm (0.06 in.)

Rear 2 mm (0.08 in.) (Up to 130 km/h (80 mph)) 3 mm (0.12 in.) (Over 130 km/h (80 mph))

WARNING

Some replacement tires may adversely affect handling and cause an accident resulting in serious injury or death. To ensure proper handling and stability, use only the recommended standard tires for replacement, inflated to the standard pressure.

NOTE

Most countries may have their own regulations a minimum tire tread depth: be sure to follow them.
Check and balance the wheel when a tire is replaced with a new one.

Wheel/Tire Damage Inspection

Remove any imbedded stones [A] or other foreign particles [B] from tread. Visually inspect the tire for cracks and cuts, and replace the tire if necessary. Swelling or high spots indicate int ...

Wheel Bearing Damage Inspection

Raise the front wheel off the ground with the jack (see Front Wheel Removal in the Wheels/Tires chapter). Special Tools - Jack: 57001-1238 Jack Attachment: 57001-1608 Turn the handlebar a ...

Other materials:

Operating Procedures
Clean the seat area carefully. Coat the seat with machinist’s dye. Fit a 45° cutter into the holder and slide it into the valve guide. Press down lightly on the handle and turn it right or left. Grind the seating surface only until it is smooth. NOTICE Do not grind the seat too ...

Starter Motor Installation
NOTICE Do not tap the starter motor shaft or body. Tapping the shaft or body could damage the motor. Clean the starter motor legs [A] and crankcase where the starter motor is ground. Replace the O-ring [A] with a new one. Apply grease to the new O-ring. Tighten: Torque - Starter ...

Check 3-7 Stop Watch Inspection
Connect the leads in the same circuit as Check 3-2. By pushing the upper button each time to set the stop watch mode. Connect the insulated auxiliary lead processed insulation to the terminal [13] as shown in the figure, then stop watch start to count. While count the stop watch, conn ...