Kawasaki Ninja Service Manual: Steering Play Adjustment

Kawasaki Ninja Service Manual / Periodic Maintenance / Periodic Maintenance Procedures / Steering / 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 Washer

Steering Play Adjustment

Adjust the steering using the steering stem nut wrench [A].

Special Tool - Steering Stem Nut Wrench: 57001-1100

If the steering is too tight, loosen the steering stem nut [B] a fraction of a turn.

If the steering is too loose, tighten the steering stem nut a fraction of a turn.

Steering Play Adjustment

NOTE

Turn the steering stem nut 1/8 turn at time maximum.

Install the claw washer [A] so that its bent side [B] faces upward, and engage the bent claws with the grooves of steering stem locknut [C].
Hand tighten the steering stem locknut until it touches the claw washer.
Hand tighten the steering stem locknut clockwise until the claws are aligned with the grooves (ranging from 2nd to 4th) of steering stem nut [D], and bend the 2 claws downward [E].

Steering Play Adjustment

Install the steering stem head.
Install the washer, and temporary tighten the steering stem head nut.

NOTE

Tighten the stem head nut first, then the upper front fork clamp bolts.

Torque - Steering Stem Head Nut: 78 N·m (8.0 kgf·m, 58 ft·lb) Front Fork Clamp Bolts (Upper): 20 N·m (2.0 kgf·m, 15 ft·lb)

WARNING

If the handlebar does not turn to the steering stop it may cause an accident resulting in injury or death.

Be sure the cables, harnesses and hoses are routed properly and do not interfere with handlebar movement (see Cable, Wire, and Hose Routing section in the Appendix chapter).

Check the steering again.

If the steering is still too tight or too loose, repeat the adjustment.

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 ...

Steering Stem Bearing Lubrication

Remove the steering stem (see Stem, Stem Bearing Removal in the Steering chapter). Using a high flash-point solvent, wash the upper and lower ball bearings [A] in the cages. Wipe the upper ...

Other materials:

Throttle Body Assy Disassembly
1. Throttle Body Assy 2. Subthrottle Valve Actuator 3. Idle Speed Control Valve Actuator 4. Main Throttle Sensor 5. Subthrottle Sensor 6. Primary Fuel Injectors 7. Delivery Pipe Assy NOTICE Do not remove, disassemble or adjust the main throttle sensor, subthrottle sensor, subthrottle v ...

Bolts, Nuts and Fasteners Tightness Inspection
Check the tightness of the bolts and nuts listed here. Also, check to see that each cotter pin is in place and in good condition. NOTE For the engine fasteners, check the tightness of them when the engine is cold (at room temperature). If there are loose fasteners, retighten them to ...

Starter Motor Disassembly
Remove the starter motor (see Starter Motor Removal). Take off the starter motor through bolts [A] and remove the both end covers [B]. Pull out the armature [A] out of the yoke [B]. NOTE Do not remove the circlip [C] from the shaft. Remove the starter motor terminal lock ...