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K1400 Owners Group of SA

ZX14 BLOG

Since 2008

Accordion FAQ

Chapter 1: General Information

Before starting any service on the motorcycle, disconnect the battery cables from the battery to prevent the engine from accidentally turning over. Disconnect the ground cable (–) first and then the positive (+). When completed with the service, first connect the positive (+) cable to the positive (+) terminal of the battery then the negative (–) cable to the negative terminal.

Large or heavy parts should be lifted while wearing gloves to prevent injury from possible sharp edges on the parts.

A high flush-point solvent should be used when cleaning parts, following the solvent manufacturer’s directions.

Cleaning the vehicle thoroughly before disassembly is important to prevent dirt or other foreign materials from entering sealed areas during disassembly, which can cause excessive wear and decrease performance.

Disassembled parts should be arranged according to the order in which they were disassembled and cleaned in order prior to assembly.

Reuse of worn or damaged parts may lead to serious accidents. Visually inspect removed parts for corrosion, discoloration, or other damage, and replace parts if any damage is found or if the part is beyond its service limit.

Replacement parts must be genuine KAWASAKI parts or recommended by KAWASAKI. Gaskets, O-rings, oil seals, grease seals, circlips, cotter pins, or self-locking nuts must be replaced with new ones whenever disassembled.

In most cases, the assembly order is the reverse of disassembly. However, if an assembly order is provided in the Service Manual, follow the procedures given.

Following the specified tightening sequence prevents case warpage or deformation, which can lead to malfunction. If the specified tightening sequence is not indicated, tighten the fasteners alternately and diagonally.

Incorrect torque applied to a bolt, nut, or screw may lead to serious damage. Therefore, it is crucial to tighten fasteners to the specified torque using a good quality torque wrench.