| One of the most important things that you can do to | | | | bleeding the brakes, and Kawasaki owners are |
| keep you Kawasakimotorcycle running at optimum | | | | noexception. There are dozens of ways to bleed |
| performance is to perform regularmaintenance. There | | | | brakes, but only one thatthe Kawasaki manufacturer |
| are a number of ways to do this. Some owners | | | | recommends. |
| taketheir bikes into a repair shop every six months | | | | Start by filling a pump oil can with new brake fluid, |
| or so for a check-up. | | | | and attaching ittothe brake bleeder valve via a hose. |
| Others save money by doing the work at home | | | | Pump the oil can slowly, to get thefluid moving |
| themselves. Doing ityourself can help keep the | | | | through the bike. It will slowly push out the old |
| maintenance costs of your Kawasakimotorcycle | | | | fluid,and let the new fluid flow through your |
| down. Here are five steps you can do right now to | | | | motorcycle. Be careful not toget any fluid on the |
| insurethat your Kawasaki Motorcycle runs as well as | | | | exterior of the bike, as it can strip the paint. |
| the first day you got it. | | | | Then slowly pump the brakes until you get the air |
| Lets start with the brakes. Step number 1 is to | | | | out. It may take afew minutes of pumping the |
| replace the brake pads. | | | | brakes for the air to squeeze out, so bepatient. |
| It might sound like a hard place to start, but it only | | | | Step number 4 is to check the oil filter. The oil filter is |
| takes 45 minutesand tools that you already own. If | | | | used tocatch any dirt or debris from entering into the |
| your brakes feel a little soft, orare making a squealing | | | | engine. Many riders,and even some shops stop short |
| noise, replacing the brake pads might fix theproblem. | | | | of checking the filter, whichisn't necessarily a good |
| Kawasaki motorcycles use EBC/HH brake pads, and | | | | thing. Certain items can poke holesin the filter, |
| any reputabledealer can find the correct model | | | | allowing larger items to slip inside. Clean out thedebris, |
| numbers for your bike. A betterchoice when replacing | | | | and if there's any damage, replace the |
| the brake pads is to go with Kawasaki'sown brand, | | | | filterimmediately. A Filter can befound at any store |
| the OEM pads. Kawasaki's website has a listing | | | | specializing in aftermarketkawasaki motorcycle parts. |
| ofbrake pads for each model of motorcycle. | | | | Step number 5 is to check the U-joint. You might |
| Step number 2, check the levels of brake fluid on | | | | notice a vibration inyour Kawasaki motorcycle, that |
| your Kawasakimotorcycle. Kawasaki includes a level | | | | starts out light but gets progressivelyworse. This can |
| window with a marker near themaster cylinder. There | | | | be the result of damage to the U-joint, or a lack |
| should be a maximum, and minimum level noted | | | | oflubrication. Try using a small amount of lubrication |
| onthe window, to show you when the fluids are high | | | | on the joint, andtaking the bike out for a small drive. |
| and low. If the levelsare too low, you will need to | | | | If the problem persists, itstime for a new U-joint. |
| add more fluid. You may discover that thebrake fluids | | | | Kawasaki dealers carry the part in stock, orcan order |
| are too high, in which case you'll need tosiphon out | | | | it for your bike for around $60-70. |
| some of the fluid. Too much fluid can overflow from | | | | If you are looking at keeping your Kawasaki |
| thetanks, even when sitting in place. | | | | motorcycle costs down,start with these five easy |
| Since you're already working on the brakes, you can | | | | steps you can do right now. Most take only asmall |
| work onstep number 3, which is to bleed the brakes. | | | | amount of money now, but can save you expensive |
| Most motorcycle ownershave their own way of | | | | repairs in thefuture. |