Kawasaki Z400 - Service manual > Wheels/Tires

Air Pressure Inspection

• Remove the air valve cap.
• Measure the tire air pressure with an air pressure gauge [A] when the tires are cold (that is, when the motorcycle has not been ridden more than a mile during the past 3 hours)

Adjust the tire air pressure according to the specifications if necessary.

Air Pressure (when Cold)

Front: 200 kPa (2.00 kgf*m/cm², 28 psi)

Rear: 225 kPa (2.25 kgf/cm², 32 psi)

• Install the air valve cap.

Wheels and Tires Inspection

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 internal damage, requiring tire replacement
• Visually inspect the wheel for cracks, cuts and dents damage.

If any damage is found, replace the wheel if necessary.

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 s8ml places.

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

Tread Depth

Standard:

Front 4.0 mm (0.16 In.)

Rear 6.0 mm (0.24 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 fire tread depth: be sure to follow them.
• Check and balance the wheel when a fire is replaced with a new one.

Wheel Bearing Damage Inspection

• Raise the front wheel off the ground with a suitable stand.
• Turn the handlebar all the way to the right or left.
• Inspect the roughness of the front wheel bearing by pushing and pulling [A] the wheel.
• Spin [B] the front wheel lightly, and check for smoothly turn, roughness, binding or noise.

If roughness, binding or noise is found, remove the front wheel and inspect the wheel bearing (see Front Wheel Removal, Hub Bearing Inspection in the Wheels/Tires chapter).

• Raise the rear wheel off the ground with a suitable stand.
• Inspect the roughness of the rear wheel bearing by pushing and pulling [A] the wheel.
• Spin [B] the rear wheel lightly, and check for smoothly turn, roughness, binding or noise

If roughness, binding or noise is found, remove the rear wheel and inspect the wheel bearing (see Rear Wheel Removal, Hub Bearing Inspection in the Wheels/Tires chapter).

See also: