Gasoline frequently contains oxygenates (alcohols and ethers) especially in areas of the U.S. and Canada which are required to sell such reformulated fuels as part of a strategy to reduce exhaust emissions.
The types and volume of fuel oxygenates approved for use in unleaded gasoline by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency include a broad range of alcohols and ethers, but only two components have seen any significant level of commercial use.
Gasoline/Alcohol Blends - Gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol (alcohol produced from agricultural products such as corn), also known as “gasohol” is approved for use.
NOTICE
Avoid using blends of unleaded gasoline and methanol (wood alcohol) whenever possible, and never use “gasohol” containing more than 5% methanol.
Fuel system damage and performance problems may result.
Gasoline/Ether Blends - The most common ether is methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). You may use gasoline containing up to 15% MTBE.
NOTE
Other oxygenates approved for use in unleaded gasoline include TAME (up to 16.7%) and ETBE (up to 17.2%). Fuel containing these oxygenates can also be used in your Kawasaki.
NOTICE
Never use gasoline with an octane rating lower than the minimum specified by Kawasaki.
Never use “gasohol” with more than 10% ethanol, or more than 5% methanol. Gasoline containing methanol must also be blended with cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors.
Certain ingredients of gasoline may cause paint fading or damage.
Be extra careful not to spill gasoline or gasoline oxygenate blends during refueling.
When not operating your Kawasaki for 30 to 60 days, mix a fuel stabilizer (such as STA-BIL) with the gasoline in the fuel tank.
Fuel stabilizer additives inhibit oxidation of the fuel which minimizes gummy deposits.
NOTICE
Never store this product with “gasohol” in the fuel system.
Before storage it is recommended that you drain all fuel from the fuel system. See the Storage section in this manual.
Fuel Type
Side StandIgnition System
WARNINGThe ignition system produces extremely
high voltage.
Do not touch the spark plug, ignition coil or ignition
coil lead while the engine is running, or you
could receive a severe electrical shock.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery cables or any other
electrical ...
Oil Pan Installation
If the oil filter holder bolt [A] was removed, tighten it.
Apply a non-permanent locking agent to the threads of
the oil filter holder bolt.
Torque - Oil Filter Holder Bolt: 35 N·m (3.6 kgf·m, 26 ft·lb)
Replace the O-rings [B] with new ones, and apply grease
to them.
Install the O-ri ...
Swingarm Bearing, Sleeve Inspection
NOTICE
Do not remove the bearings for inspection. Removal
may damage them.
Inspect the needle bearings [A] and ball bearing installed
in the swingarm.
The rollers and ball in a bearing normally wear very little,
and wear is difficult to measure. Instead of measuring,
visually inspec ...