No photo of this model in the library yet.

Have this bike? Send a photo or the manual's service chart

Kawasaki · Shim-adjusted overhead-cam four-stroke, wet sump, gearbox shares engine oil, chain drive

Ninja 400

Library entry covers 2011-2025

39 factory 29 guideline

Published source

Kawasaki 2018 Ninja 400 EX400H/EX400G Owner's Manual 99987-1994 (US, English), Periodic Maintenance pp.98-102

Factory owner's handbook. Covers EX400H/G (2018 Ninja 400 / Ninja 400 ABS, 399 cc twin); 2018 US owner's manual 99987-1994, English. Chart columns 1/6/12/18/24 x 1 000 km (0.6/3.8/7.6/11.4/15.2 x 1 000 mile) plus 'year' column; *A: service at number of years shown or indicated odometer reading intervals, whichever comes first; *B: for higher odometer readings, repeat at the frequency interval established here; *C: severe conditions; *D: California model only; O = emission related item. Symbols: Inspection, Change or Replace, Lubrication, and grey Dealer versions of each. Catalog row 2011-2025; this manual covers the 2018-on EX400 generation, not earlier 400 cc models. Liquid cooled, fuel injected, chain final drive.

Open the source

68 items for a 2017 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)

Engine cycle: Four-stroke
Engine lubrication: Wet sump (oil in crankcase)
Oil filtration: Replaceable cartridge or spin-on filter
Valve gear: Overhead cam, shim adjusted (incl. desmo)
Ignition: Electronic (CDI / transistor / ECU)
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Fuel injection
Cooling: Liquid cooled
Primary drive: Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil: Shares engine oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Chain
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, single shock / cantilever
Front brake: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Disc, hydraulic
Wheels: Cast / alloy, tubeless
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

2017 Kawasaki Ninja 400

On the road: every 200 mi

1 item

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

On the road: every 300 mi

3 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Lubricate drive chain

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Lube warm, ideally at the end of the riding day so it soaks in overnight. Sooner after rain.

On the road: every 500 mi

1 item

Check coolant level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 600 mi

1 item

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 400 mi

1 item

Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Drive chain lubrication condition. Factory: Symbol: Inspection; printed as text: every 600 km (400 mile); *C: service more frequently when operating in severe conditions: dusty, wet, muddy, high speed, or frequent starting/stopping (p.100)

Every 600 mi

1 item

Drive chain slack

Final drive

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Inspection; printed as text: every 1,000 km (600 mile); *C: service more frequently when operating in severe conditions: dusty, wet, muddy, high speed, or frequent starting/stopping (p.101)

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

4 items

Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)

Final drive

Guideline
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Guideline
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 3,800 mi

3 items

Brake light switch operation

Brakes

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Inspection; marked at 1,000, 6,000, 12,000, 18,000, 24,000 km (600, 3,800, 7,600, 11,400, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 6,000 km (3,800 mile) (p.102)
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake pad wear. Factory: Symbol: Inspection; marked at 6,000, 12,000, 18,000, 24,000 km (3,800, 7,600, 11,400, 15,200 mile); spacing 6,000 km (3,800 mile); *C: service more frequently when operating in severe conditions: dusty, wet, muddy, high speed, or frequent starting/stopping (p.102)
Evaporative emission control system

Controls and cables

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Dealer Inspection; marked at 1,000, 6,000, 12,000, 18,000, 24,000 km (600, 3,800, 7,600, 11,400, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 6,000 km (3,800 mile); *D: California model only; emission related item (p.99)

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Guideline

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

6 items

Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Guideline

Mesh or oiled foam: clean and re-oil. Paper: blow out or replace. Some very early machines have no filter at all.
Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Guideline
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Guideline

A dry speedo cable whips the needle and eventually kills the instrument.

Every 7,600 mi or 12 months

15 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil and oil filter. Factory: Symbol: Change or Replace; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 km (600, 7,600, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km (7,600 mile); *C: service more frequently when operating in severe conditions: dusty, wet, muddy, high speed, or frequent starting/stopping; printed as one row covering engine oil and oil filter (p.100)
Chassis parts

Engine

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Dealer Lubrication; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 12,000, 24,000 km (7,600, 15,200 mile); spacing 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.102)
Electrical system

Engine

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Dealer Inspection; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 12,000, 24,000 km (7,600, 15,200 mile); spacing 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.102)
Inspect coolant hoses and clamps

Engine

Factory

Manual: Cooling system. Factory: Symbol: Dealer Inspection; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 km (600, 7,600, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.99)
Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil and oil filter. Factory: Symbol: Change or Replace; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 km (600, 7,600, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km (7,600 mile); *C: service more frequently when operating in severe conditions: dusty, wet, muddy, high speed, or frequent starting/stopping; printed as one row covering engine oil and oil filter (p.100)
Suspension system

Engine

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Dealer Inspection; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 12,000, 24,000 km (7,600, 15,200 mile); spacing 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.102)
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Throttle control system (play, smooth return, no drag). Factory: Symbol: Inspection; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 km (600, 7,600, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km (7,600 mile); emission related item (p.99)
Fuel system

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Dealer Inspection; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 km (600, 7,600, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.99)
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering play. Factory: Symbol: Dealer Inspection; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 km (600, 7,600, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.102)
Brake fluid level

Brakes

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Inspection; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 km (600, 7,600, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.101)
Brake operation (effectiveness, play, no drag)

Brakes

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Inspection; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 km (600, 7,600, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.101)
Brake system

Brakes

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Dealer Inspection; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 km (600, 7,600, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.101)
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheel bearing damage. Factory: Symbol: Dealer Inspection; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 12,000, 24,000 km (7,600, 15,200 mile); spacing 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.100)
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheel and tire. Factory: Symbol: Inspection; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 12,000, 24,000 km (7,600, 15,200 mile); spacing 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.100)
Tire air pressure

Wheels and tires

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Inspection; year column: 1 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 12,000, 24,000 km (7,600, 15,200 mile); spacing 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.100)

Every 7,600 mi

9 items

Air suction system

Engine

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Dealer Inspection; marked at 12,000, 24,000 km (7,600, 15,200 mile); spacing 12,000 km (7,600 mile); emission related item (p.100)
Condition of bolts, nuts and fasteners

Engine

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Dealer Inspection; marked at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 km (600, 7,600, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.102)
Coolant level

Engine

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Inspection; marked at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 km (600, 7,600, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.99)
Idle speed

Engine

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Inspection; marked at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 km (600, 7,600, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km (7,600 mile); emission related item (p.99)
Replace spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plug. Factory: Symbol: Dealer Change or Replace; marked at 12,000, 24,000 km (7,600, 15,200 mile); spacing 12,000 km (7,600 mile); emission related item (p.102)
Synchronize throttle bodies

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Engine vacuum synchronization. Factory: Symbol: Dealer Inspection; marked at 12,000, 24,000 km (7,600, 15,200 mile); spacing 12,000 km (7,600 mile); emission related item (p.99)
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch operation (play, engagement, disengagement). Factory: Symbol: Inspection; marked at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 km (600, 7,600, 15,200 mile); initial at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.100)
Drive chain guide wear

Final drive

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Dealer Inspection; marked at 12,000, 24,000 km (7,600, 15,200 mile); spacing 12,000 km (7,600 mile) (p.101)
Drive chain wear

Final drive

Factory

Factory: Symbol: Dealer Inspection; marked at 12,000, 24,000 km (7,600, 15,200 mile); spacing 12,000 km (7,600 mile); *C: service more frequently when operating in severe conditions: dusty, wet, muddy, high speed, or frequent starting/stopping (p.101)

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline

Every 11,400 mi

1 item

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air cleaner element. Factory: Symbol: Dealer Change or Replace; marked at 18,000 km (11,400 mile); single mark; *C: service more frequently when operating in severe conditions: dusty, wet, muddy, high speed, or frequent starting/stopping; emission related item (p.99)

Every 12,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi or 3 years

1 item

Change fork oil

Front end

Guideline

Some early telescopic forks are grease filled or use very small oil quantities. Check your manual.

Every 15,000 mi or 4 years

1 item

Check valve clearances (shim adjusted)

Engine

Guideline

Every 15,200 mi or 2 years

2 items

Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering stem bearing. Factory: Symbol: Dealer Lubrication; year column: 2 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 24,000 km (15,200 mile); single mark (p.102)
Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake fluid (front and rear). Factory: Symbol: Dealer Change or Replace; year column: 2 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); marked at 24,000 km (15,200 mile); single mark (p.101)

Every 15,200 mi

3 items

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Valve clearance. Factory: Symbol: Dealer Inspection; marked at 24,000 km (15,200 mile); single mark; emission related item (p.100)
Replace fuel filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel filter. Factory: Symbol: Dealer Change or Replace; marked at 24,000 km (15,200 mile); single mark (p.99)
Clean and grease rear suspension linkage

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Lubrication of rear suspension. Factory: Symbol: Dealer Lubrication; marked at 24,000 km (15,200 mile); single mark (p.102)

Every 18,000 mi

1 item

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline

Every 20,000 mi or 4 years

1 item

Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 22,500 mi or 3 years

1 item

Replace coolant

Engine

Factory

Manual: Coolant, water hose and O-ring. Factory: Symbol: Dealer Change or Replace; year column: 3 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); printed as text: every 36,000 km (22,500 mile) (p.100)

Every 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 30,000 mi or 4 years

1 item

Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Rubber parts of brake master cylinder and caliper. Factory: Symbol: Dealer Change or Replace; year column: 4 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); printed as text: every 48,000 km (30,000 mile) (p.101)

Every 30,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Guideline

Every 6 months

1 item

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 2 years

2 items

Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 4 years

1 item

Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake hose. Factory: Symbol: Dealer Change or Replace; year column: 4 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); no odometer marks (p.101)

Every 5 years

1 item

Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel hose. Factory: Symbol: Dealer Change or Replace; year column: 5 (service at number of years shown or odometer interval, whichever comes first); no odometer marks (p.99)

Every 6 years

1 item

Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.