Read this Owner's Manual before riding so you will be thoroughly familiar with the proper operation of your motorcycle's controls, its features, capabilities and limitations. This manual offers many safe riding tips, but its purpose is not to provide instruction in all the techniques and skills required to ride a motorcycle safely. Kawasaki strongly recommends that all operators of this vehicle enroll in a motorcycle rider training program to attain awareness of the mental and physical requirements necessary for safe motorcycle operation.
To ensure a long, trouble-free life for your motorcycle, give it the proper care and maintenance described in this manual. For those who would like more detailed information on their Kawasaki Motorcycle, a Service Manual is available for purchase from any Kawasaki Dealer. The Service Manual contains detailed disassembly and maintenance information.
Kawasaki Clean Air System
The Kawasaki Clean Air System (KCA) is a secondary air suction system that helps the exhaust gases to burn more completely. When the spent fuel charge is released into the exhaust system, it is still hot enough to burn. The KCA System allows extra air into the exhaust system so that the spent fuel charge can continue to burn. This continued burning action tends to burn up a great deal of the normally unburned gases, as well as changing a significant portion of the poisonous carbon monoxide into harmless carbon dioxide.
Air Suction Valves:
The air suction valve is essentially a check valve which allows fresh air to flow only from the air cleaner into the exhaust port. Any air that has passed the air suction valve is prevented from returning.
Inspect the air suction valves in accordance with the Periodic Maintenance Chart. Also, inspect the air suction valves whenever stable idling cannot be obtained, engine power is greatly reduced, or there are abnormal engine noises. Air suction valve removal and inspection should be done only by a competent mechanic following the instructions in the Service Manual.
Kawasaki 454 LTD Owner's Manual
The throttle grip controls the throttle valves. If the throttle grip has excessive play due to either cable stretch or maladjustment, it will cause a delay in throttle response, especially at low engine speed. Also, the throttle valves may not open fully at full throttle. On the other hand, if the throttle grip has no play, the throttle will be hard to control, and the idle speed will be erratic. Check the throttle grip play periodically in accordance with the Periodic Maintenance Chart, and adjust the play if necessary.
Kawasaki 454 LTD Service Manual
The carburetor adjustments, idle speed and synchronization, should be performed in accordance with the Periodic Maintenance Chart or whenever the idle speed is disturbed. The following procedure covers the idle speed adjustment. Carburetor synchronization should be done only by a competent mechanic using vacuum gauges, following the instructions in the Service Manual.