Kawasaki Ninja 400 18-23 Yoyodyne Slipper Clutch Install | Sportbike Track Gear

[@Rexuar]

Mr. Brian Vans, as a ninja 400 owner, i wish you never stop making these videos.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Stay tuned, more to come for sure. - Van

[@IvanGarcia-ug7mf]

@@sportbiketrackgear Woohoo!! 💪

[@Jodyrides]

I just bought a Kawasaki Z 400/2019 with 1500 miles on it from the original beginner owner. He was 6 foot 44 years old and realized after learning how to shift and hold the bike up that it was too small for him I have 700,000+ miles just on the street since 1968. Trials bikes, trail bikes, motocross bikes, road racing eight years, commuting 240,000+ miles, right now I have a GL 1800 Goldwing, and I wanted a little fun bike like my old RZ 350. I am pleasantly surprised at how much power and torque the Z 400 has, it shares the same engine with the ninja 400. It’s fun.. At first, I did notice clutch slippage , It was when I was shifting up through the gears that I noticed the clutch wasn’t biting instantly. I watched some videos, one of them was that the 2020 ninja has updated parts, clutch pressure plate bearing, clutch pull rod, The bearing is 1 mm narrower, and the pull rod is 1 mm shorter. i’ve only been riding the bike for about 300 miles sorting things out adding tank bag , ordering a 15 tooth countershaft sprocket, going over the whole bike tightening screws/bolts, adding wiring for my electric vest, adding a tire repair kit/pump, gutting beneath the passenger seat to make room for cargo net, straps, my electric tire pump. there’s a lot of storage room under that passenger seat once you Remove that useless little tray they have in there. so being made aware of clutch slippage problems, I took my machine out for 140 mile ride, and because I was aware of the clutch issue, I altered my clutch release method, and it did not slip at all that for that entire ride. It’s a matter of knowing. if the clutch goes bad, it will be the first time I ever burned out a clutch on a motorcycle. Even on my RD 250 road race machine that had almost 200 full throttle Merciless,second gear launches, and taller than stock gearing, i never had a clutch issue with that machine. I can understand why they made the clutch pull light, for a beginner. The guy at the beginning of this video hit the nail on the head. Depending on your rideing style, you may never have an issue with the clutch slippage. I have always treated my transmission/shifts as though the transmission was a fragile eggshell. Now I include the clutch in that category, and I’m not gonna worry about it...Although I will baby the clutch on the shifts, I am still going to ring the bikes neck, Which is why I bought it. You can ring its neck without sticking yours out too far.. It’s a fun little bike that you can actually use all of the power. it has been decades since I have had a motorcycle that I can actually use all of the power. That’s fun... it really doesn’t make sense to pay double the price for a motorcycle that has double the horsepower, and never be able to use that power often. Thanks for the great informative video.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

You are welcome and thank you for watching! - Van

[@saltyprocrastinator]

As always, thank you for the detailed overview. Can't wait for Max's impressions and race results as well.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

We are getting ready for Indy right now. Thank you for watching, more to come for sure. - Van

[@MadStylee619]

I just purchased the yoyodyne yesterday, I was tired of purchasing clutch plates. Hopefully it fixes all issues I have.

[@aeror115]

Cool video and a nice bike! We are thinking of buying a ninja 400 too Just for some fun in some 400cc racing cup’s over here. Enjoy the bike life and have a good one

[@sportbiketrackgear]

The 400 is an excellent bike. I have ridden it a bunch myself before putting Max on it and had a ton of fun. - Van

[@CLeeSTeR]

damm i wish i had van near me to be able to order and mount some nice pieces up on my 400! local dealer gots me at 480 to mount the brake line kit alone. Van does nice work.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Man that seems a little high for the brake line install. - Van

[@CLeeSTeR]

@@sportbiketrackgear i would have no problem ordering and having payed you Van the premium to do the mods needed on my list rest assured brilliant workmanship behind each step is takin care of - CLEE

[@MadStylee619]

Start to get comfortable watching KZbin repair videos. You can save a TON of money from people who over charge.

[@loganseyfert6516]

Sweet upgrade max good job as always brian

[@sportbiketrackgear]

We are both looking forward to testing this at Indy. I expect this will be a pretty big improvement to an already great bike. - Van

[@techvigator]

Hi Brian, I'm very glad to join your channel. Very nice videos. Could you kindly tell me which is the brand of the T wrench with the blue handle you usually use in your videos? Many thanks

[@techvigator]

I found it: Motion Pro Spinner II

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Great tool, use it all the time. - Van

[@eric.2r412]

Hey Brian, I’m interested in installing this clutch when I get my ninja 400 but I got some questions. When you said “we do not reuse the the factory nut here” at 14:20. I noticed that you did reuse the factory nut that you took off. Just wondering if the clutch kits comes with a new nut? Also what type of ball bearing will I need to get for the clutch that you mentioned at 17:54. I’ll be purchasing the clutch from your site as I did with the ninja 400 akrapovic full system exhaust recently. Love your videos

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Sorry I misspoke, you will reuse the OEM nut for the install. The OEM washer behind the nut will not be reused, you will install the dome washer supplied with the clutch. Thanks for watching! - Van

[@alainguinot2595]

Very knowledgeable and very well explained

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Thank you for watching! - Van

[@Fee.1]

What effect does the slipper clutch have on making him faster? I don’t entirely understand despite having heard how they work million times.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

It reduces engine braking and allows the rider to enter the corner smoother and faster. - Van

[@SportbikerNZ]

Thanks for the excellent video. You mention you temporarily used EBC 600RR clutch springs for a while. Could you let me know what year 600RR clutch springs fits the Ninja 400? I'm frustrated with the Ninja 400 clutch. At 25,500km's I'm on my second set of frictions and steels. I've been using the updated pull rod and Barnett springs since 1000km. Annoyingly both my old and current clutch packs are well within thickness spec, and steels are perfectly flat. But frustratingly it still slips when hot after 30min of riding. It's fine when it's cold. I'm wondering if it's that pull rod tolerance you mentioned - looser tolerance allows more oiling of the clutch. My pull rod seems to have a snug fit and I've noticed the clutch seems dry every time I remove it. I've found the Barnett clutch springs are a waste of time. Maybe they're worn from the 24,500km of use I've given them, but after testing them with weights, they are looking identical strength to the stock springs. Thanks for your excellent vids.

[@SportbikerNZ]

I've done the research and found 2003 to current (2021) 600RR all use the same clutch springs. So I've ordered the relevant EBC CSK101 springs and will be putting them in my Ninja.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

The Barnett springs should also get the job done. I would also make sure you have the clutch cable adjusted properly so there is a proper amount of slack. This is one adjustment I make damn sure is always correct to avoid damage to the clutch. - Van

[@SportbikerNZ]

@@sportbiketrackgear Yes, I've definitely made sure I've got good slack at the clutch lever since buying the bike. I've put the 600RR clutch springs in and problem solved. I'm more than happy with them. So glad you mentioned it in this video. It was like hitting gold for me. The other thing I've noticed after having my clutch out a bunch, everything always seems rather dry. You mentioned the snugness of the pull rod fit potentially being an issue with clutch oiling. My pull rod seems rather snug. You mention the fix being dremelling a flat along the pull rod shaft. I'm guessing this flat is super small, like 1-2mm width along the rod? or is the clutch not overly sensitive about it?

[@SportbikerNZ]

@@sportbiketrackgear I spoke too soon. 200km after installing the 600rr springs, the clutch is back slipping. Clutch plates extremely dry upon removal. I've posted a video of running the engine with the clutch cover off, too see if the output shaft had oil pressure. It does, but nothing seems to be getting around the pull rod to oil the clutch.

[@SportbikerNZ]

Problem sorted. I wet sanded the clutch steels radially with 400 grit and adjusted the clutch lever slack so there is a good bit of slop. Important - if your clutch springs are fully extending your clutch lever - there's every chance you will experience clutch slip. You need to have enough slop in the lever that it flops around at it's limit. The amount of slop where you find yourself pushing the lever to full extension with the back of your fingers. Yes it's weird, but it caught me out despite me being mindful of this issue. I thought the lever had enough slack, but this Ninja 400 clutch is a funny thing and it's almost like the clutch cable tension changed as the bike heated up. So a good amount of slop is a must. I can't emphasize it enough. If you aren't comfortable with the amount of clutch lever slop, and find yourself compulsively pushing the clutch lever back with the back of your fingers, you can install a clutch cable return spring at the adjustment point on the clutch cover.

[@MadStylee619]

Is it mandatory to change the Nut? Or can I use the OEM?

[@marlonbustamante7249]

Hello. How much stiffer would you say the lever pull is now with the Yoyodyne kit? I only commute with my Ninja 400, but at 15,000 miles, the clutch is slipping on the second set of plates I installed. I used Barnett plates and the heavy duty springs. After 5,000 miles I am back to clutch slippage. I here good things about to Yoyodyne kit so I plan on possibly installing it this summer. Thanks.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

The lever effort is not really much different. This is a great clutch we have been using in our MotoAmerica bikes or two seasons now. - Van

[@DanielBrain]

As far as getting the clutch holder nut on goes, is there any risk of threading the bolt using an impact wrench to put it back on? Anything I'd need to think about doing it? Will be doing a similar mod once I'm due for an oil change and that's the part I'm unsure about. Thanks heaps for the videos. Getting into amateur Ninja 400 racing, and they're all really useful.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Make sure you start the nut by hand and then run it down with the impact if you want to go this route. Thanks for watching and happy to hear the videos have been helpful. - Van

[@heatherward4388]

Pretty blue!

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Thank you! - Van

[@neipas09]

More Ninja 400 videos!!!!

[@sportbiketrackgear]

More to come, stay tuned! - Van

[@linusandersson9208]

Do you know how much torque in NM you should screw the other part of the clutch(the one with the springs, maybe called pressure plate?) original? Whete it’s only 3 bolts. Thanks from sweden for answer and sorry for bad english😂

[@sportbiketrackgear]

I do not use a torque wrench on that so I am not sure. - Van

[@SGK23TV]

Mr. Van I Emailed you about buying a couple of the 2020 ninja Fairings.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

I do not see the email in my box. If you are looking for OEM fairings please email me directly at [e-mail] I have two sets to sell. - Van

[@replica4132]

Hello Brian, do you have the part number for that 2020 actuator rod? I would think others may find that quite useful when ordering that yoyodyne thru you guys :)

[@sportbiketrackgear]

The actuator part number is 46102-0648. It is a little longer than the previous version allowing for the clutch to continue to work properly as it wears more. You will also need the correct bearing which we can get for you when we order the clutch. - Van

[@jackruby4680]

@@sportbiketrackgear hi Van. My 2017 z900 is starting to free rev at heavy throttle from about 5000 rpm, it has the 3 spring slipper clutch and 8100 miles. Can you please offer any advice I am a customer also Thanks

[@y2.1kapocalyptic2]

Is it difficult to replace outermost portion of basket? Mine has noticeable ware from fiber plates. Is outer portion offered by Yoyodyne? Thanks

[@sportbiketrackgear]

This included the inner and outer clutch half so you should be good to go. - Van

[@HighGrade_FireBlade]

How did the bikes rider like the slipper clutch?

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Massive difference, we have been using this in MotoAmerica for a while now. Excellent slipper clutch. - Van

[@jackruby4680]

Can you tell Yoyodyne to make a Z900 kit, They have no Contact on their site.

[@sportbiketrackgear]

They focus on sportbikes (racing) so I would not expect to see one for the Z900. - Van

[@jackruby4680]

@@sportbiketrackgear well it's a common problem on them and believe it or not a lot of people race them on tracks and they actually are considered a sport bike

[@Rrrmitch]

Do you know what order the clutch plates go in?

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Alternating friction and steels with the stack starting and ending with friction plates. - Van

[@Rrrmitch]

@@sportbiketrackgear the order that is the plates go in I know some are bigger than others

[@Rrrmitch]

@@sportbiketrackgear like does the narrow go in first or wide

[@36shadowboy]

@@Rrrmitch for anyone else searching for this, they are all big on the yolodyne

[@MadStylee619]

​@@36shadowboy The Yolo dyne! Haha at this point Ive been stressed out about the OEM that I had to buy the Yoyodyne. Haha yolo

[@zackmorris8996]

Will this fit 2024 ninja 500 SE?

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Yes, this will also fit in the Ninja 500. - Van

[@bojisilverelk2105]

What do you torque the cover bolts to?

[@sportbiketrackgear]

I use a 1/4" drive t-handle when I install the cover bolts. If you are unsure research the OEM torque spec and use a torque wrench. - Van

[@bojisilverelk2105]

@@sportbiketrackgear thank you for all your help and videos!!! Amazing content

[@marknasia5293]

YASSSSS!

[@sportbiketrackgear]

Thank you for watching! - Van