Kawasaki Ninja Owners Manual: Shifting Gears

The transmission is equipped with a positive neutral finder. When the motorcycle is standing still, the transmission cannot be shifted past neutral from 1st gear. To use the positive neutral finder, shift down to 1st gear, then lift up on the shift pedal while standing still. The transmission will shift only into neutral.

Moving Off

Check that the side stand is up. Pull in the clutch lever. Shift into 1st gear. Open the throttle a little, and start to let out the clutch lever very slowly. As the clutch starts to enga ...

Braking

Close the throttle completely, leaving the clutch engaged (except when shifting gears) so that the engine will help slow down the motorcycle. Shift down one gear at a time so that you are ...

Other materials:

Rocker Arm/Tie-Rod Bearing, Sleeve Inspection
NOTICE Do not remove the bearings for inspection. Removal may damage them. Visually inspect the rocker arm, or tie-rod sleeves [A] and needle bearings [B]. The rollers in a needle bearing normally wear very little, and wear is difficult to measure. Instead of measuring, inspect the ...

Connecting Rod Installation
NOTICE To minimize vibration, the connecting rods should have the same weight mark. Big End Cap [A] Connecting Rod [B] Weight Mark, Alphabet [C] Diameter Mark [D] (“” or No Mark) NOTICE If the connecting rods, big end bearing inserts, or crankshaft are replaced with new ones, select ...

Drive Chain Wear Inspection
Remove the chain cover (see Drive Chain Removal/Installation in the Final Drive chapter). Rotate the rear wheel to inspect the drive chain for damaged rollers, and loose pins and links If there is any irregularity, replace the drive chain. Lubricate the drive chain if it appears dry. ...