Complete maintenance and repair guidance for the Kawasaki Concours 1400 Gen1 and Gen2 more details...
This video series covers a wide range of maintenance, repair, and service procedures for the Kawasaki Concours 1400, including both the 2008–2009 Gen1 and 2010+ Gen2 models. The series includes routine maintenance such as oil, coolant, brake and clutch fluid, air filters, tires, batteries, and lubrication, along with more involved work including valve adjustments, fork service, steering bearings, throttle-body synchronization, brake service, wheel removal, fairing disassembly, and drivetrain maintenance. I also cover model-year changes, heat-management improvements, accessories, tools, and practical tips I’ve learned from working on the bike.
34 videos in total with a runtime of 19 hours and 8 minutes.
Here are the videos included in the set, grouped by category.
I introduce my Concours 1400 maintenance video series and explain the approach I take to working on my own motorcycle. I discuss using the Kawasaki service manual as the primary reference, the fact that I sometimes use my own methods and homemade tools, and what viewers should expect from the garage-based maintenance demonstrations that follow.
I give a tour of the accessories and modifications I have added to my Concours 1400. I cover luggage, lighting, seat beads, a tank bag, GPS and weather display, radiator and fender protection, Power Commander equipment, audio and communications gear, cruise control, accessory power wiring, heated grips, heated-gear connections, and an aftermarket windshield. I also point out several sources I used for Concours-specific parts and accessories.
I lubricate several common pivot points on the Concours 1400 as part of routine maintenance. I cover removing, greasing, and reinstalling the clutch and front-brake lever pivots, lubricating the shift-lever pivot, checking the shift-linkage adjustment, and working grease into the side-stand pivot. I include practical tips for correctly aligning the master-cylinder and clutch pushrods during reassembly.
I address rider heat coming through the side panels of the Concours 1400 Gen-1 by identifying gaps in the factory air-management foam. I show where hot radiator air can bypass the intended ducting and how I add foam to block those paths and direct more heat out through the fairing vents. I also share practical tips for locating the openings and fitting the added material around the engine and fairing structure.
I walk through the major changes Kawasaki made to the 2010 Concours 1400 compared with the 2008–2009 models. I cover the revised fairing and heat management, heated grips, locking glove box, traction control and K-ACT braking controls, updated switches and display functions, windshield behavior, raised mirrors, dash and vent changes, exhaust details, and the relocated oil drain plug.
I go through the tools I use for routine maintenance and repair work on the Concours 1400. I cover torque wrenches, metric Allen sockets, Kawasaki-specific tools, common hand tools, electrical and tire-repair items, and some homemade or modified tools that make particular jobs easier. I also show the compact tool kit I carry on the motorcycle when traveling.
I perform an engine-oil and rear-drive fluid change on the Concours 1400. I cover draining the engine oil, replacing the oil filter, inspecting the drain-plug crush washer, refilling and checking the engine oil, then draining and refilling the rear final drive with the specified hypoid gear oil. I also point out the relevant fasteners, fluid levels, and torque information.
I remove and replace the Concours 1400 air filter, starting with access under the glove box and left fairing. I cover removing the filter cover, moving the relay and foam brackets for clearance, extracting and orienting the replacement filter, and reinstalling the brackets and cover. I also share practical tips for loosening rather than fully removing a difficult forward bracket bolt.
I drain, flush, and refill the Concours 1400 cooling system. I cover the radiator drain bolt and recovery tank, coolant selection and mixing, the drain-bolt crush washer, refilling the radiator and reservoir, and purging trapped air from the system. I also show my coolant-flush approach and a practical method for purging air from the line between the recovery tank and radiator.
I change and flush the brake and clutch fluid on the Concours 1400 using fresh DOT 4 fluid. I cover the front and rear brake reservoirs, caliper bleeders, clutch reservoir and slave-cylinder bleeder, and demonstrate both a hand vacuum pump and a one-way bleeder valve. I also share practical tips for keeping the reservoirs full, watching fluid condition, setting final levels, and avoiding air in the hydraulic systems.
I change the fork oil in the Concours 1400 inverted cartridge forks. I cover the special tools needed, fork removal, spring and cartridge disassembly, draining and refilling the fork, setting the oil level, and reassembling and reinstalling the forks. I also share practical tips for handling the spring compressor, keeping parts organized, and getting the fork components back together correctly.
I lubricate the Concours 1400 rear-drive splines with the rear wheel already removed. I cover loosening and removing the rear-drive unit, cleaning around the seal, applying moly paste to the rear and front drive splines, reinstalling the unit, and tightening the mounting hardware. I also point out the spacer and torque values that need attention during reassembly.
I remove and reinstall the rear wheel on the Concours 1400 as part of a tire change. I cover removing the rear brake caliper and ABS-related hardware, freeing the axle and wheel from the final drive, handling the spacers and drive splines, and reinstalling and torquing the wheel, brake, and related fasteners. I also share practical tips for supporting components and checking the finished installation.
I remove and reinstall the front wheel on the Concours 1400. I cover supporting and lifting the front of the motorcycle, removing the brake calipers and related hardware, loosening the axle and pinch bolts, handling the spacers and ABS components, and reinstalling and torquing the wheel assembly. I also share practical tips for supporting the calipers and getting the front end aligned during reassembly.
I change and balance the rear tire for the Concours 1400 using a tire stand, tire-removal bar, irons, rim protectors, and a static balancer. I cover breaking the bead, removing the old tire, preparing and installing the new tire, seating the beads, checking tire direction, and balancing the finished wheel. I include practical tips for protecting the rim and securing balance weights.
I remove and install a front tire on the Concours 1400 wheel using my tire-changing and balancing tools. I cover removing a brake rotor for protection, breaking the bead, removing the old tire, installing the replacement tire, seating the beads, checking rotation and alignment, and statically balancing the completed wheel. I include practical tips for protecting the wheel and rotor while working the tire on and off.
I change and flush the brake and clutch fluid on the Concours 1400 using fresh DOT 4 fluid. I cover the front and rear brake reservoirs, caliper bleeders, clutch reservoir and slave-cylinder bleeder, and demonstrate both a hand vacuum pump and a one-way bleeder valve. I also share practical tips for keeping the reservoirs full, watching fluid condition, setting final levels, and avoiding air in the hydraulic systems.
I replace and service the front and rear brake pads on the Concours 1400. I cover caliper removal, pad pins and anti-rattle springs, pad wear indicators, cleaning the caliper pistons before retracting them, pad orientation, reassembly, and torque values. I also demonstrate the quicker pad-only removal method and explain how to verify the pads are captured correctly before pumping the brakes back into position.
I check and adjust the Concours 1400 steering-stem bearing preload. I cover gaining access through the glove-box area, removing the steering hardware, using the steering-bearing adjustment tool, setting the bearing tightness, and reassembling the upper steering components. I also show how I evaluate the finished adjustment by checking for play and feeling the steering move smoothly from lock to lock.
I change the fork oil in the Concours 1400 inverted cartridge forks. I cover the special tools needed, fork removal, spring and cartridge disassembly, draining and refilling the fork, setting the oil level, and reassembling and reinstalling the forks. I also share practical tips for handling the spring compressor, keeping parts organized, and getting the fork components back together correctly.
I synchronize the Concours 1400 throttle bodies and show the access required to reach the adjustment points. I cover removing the side fairing and glove-box components, connecting the synchronization equipment, comparing intake vacuum, making the balance adjustments, and reinstalling the bodywork. I also share practical tips for working around the tight access and avoiding problems with the fairing fasteners.
I remove and reinstall the fuel tank on the Concours 1400 to gain access to components underneath it. I cover removing the glove box and surrounding hardware, freeing the front tank support, disconnecting the fuel and electrical connections, lifting the tank clear, and putting everything back together. I also share practical tips for handling the connections and positioning the tank during removal and installation.
I begin the Concours 1400 valve-clearance service by preparing the cold engine and creating access to the cylinder head. I work through the surrounding fairing-area hardware, braces, wiring, hoses, brackets, and other components that have to be moved or removed before the valve cover can come off. I also share practical tips for organizing the disassembly and making enough room to work around the top of the engine.
I continue the Concours 1400 valve adjustment by clearing the remaining hoses, wiring, rubber shields, and components from around the cylinder head and then removing the valve cover. I cover cleaning the work area, managing the tight clearance around the cover, and carefully extracting it without damaging the gasket or surrounding parts. This section ends with the valve train exposed for measurement.
I measure the Concours 1400 valve clearances and determine which shims will be needed for adjustment. I cover removing the crankshaft-position-sensor cover, rotating the engine into the correct positions, checking clearances with feeler gauges, recording the measurements, and mapping the installed shim sizes. I also explain how keeping a shim map makes future valve services easier.
I make the required valve-clearance corrections on the Concours 1400 after the measurements are complete. I cover camshaft and shim work, selecting and installing the needed shims, restoring the cam timing and related hardware, and rechecking the adjusted clearances before closing the engine. I also use the open access to check the exhaust-header nuts and include practical tips for verifying the finished measurements.
I reinstall the Concours 1400 valve cover and restore the engine components needed before the final bodywork goes back on. I cover inspecting and positioning the valve-cover and spark-plug-well gaskets, sealing the required areas, reinstalling the cover and related components, and checking the engine for oil leaks after startup. I include practical tips for keeping the gaskets seated during the tight installation.
I finish the Concours 1400 valve-adjustment job by reinstalling the braces, brackets, wiring, hoses, and fairing supports removed for access. I cover the order that makes the crowded left- and right-side reassembly easier, reconnecting and securing the associated components, and checking that the fairing stays and hardware are solid before the plastic panels go back on. I include practical tips based on the reassembly sequence that worked best for me.
I lubricate several common pivot points on the Concours 1400 as part of routine maintenance. I cover removing, greasing, and reinstalling the clutch and front-brake lever pivots, lubricating the shift-lever pivot, checking the shift-linkage adjustment, and working grease into the side-stand pivot. I include practical tips for correctly aligning the master-cylinder and clutch pushrods during reassembly.
I replace a headlight bulb on the Concours 1400 without removing the fairing. I cover reaching the bulb from behind the headlight, disconnecting the electrical plug, removing the rubber boot, releasing the retaining clip, installing the replacement bulb, and reassembling the connector and weather seal. I also point out the bulb orientation and practical details that make the tight access easier to manage.
I remove and reinstall the Concours 1400 battery from its location inside the frame. I cover the outer and structural frame covers, battery hold-down bracket, negative connection, battery orientation, terminal inspection, accessory wiring, and reassembly. I also include practical tips for routing accessory leads, checking connections, and correctly reinstalling the structural cover.
I remove and reinstall the Concours 1400 fairing and body panels needed for deeper maintenance access. I cover the instrument trim, upper and mid fairing pieces, lower panels, glove-box area, plastic rivets, hidden fasteners, tabs, grommets, and panel alignment. I also share practical tips for releasing and refitting the plastic without breaking tabs or misaligning the interlocking pieces.
I begin removing the revised upper and side fairing panels on the 2010 Concours 1400 and explain how the bodywork differs from the 2008–2009 bikes. I cover the glove-box cover, instrument trim, windshield-area rivet, battery cover, side-panel fasteners, hidden lower rivets, and the interlocking tabs that make the newer panels tighter to remove. I also point out the revised foam and rubber air dams used for heat management.
I remove the right front mid-fairing panel on the 2010 Concours 1400. I cover the visible and hidden fasteners, plastic rivets, turn-signal connector, and the tabs that must be released carefully before the panel can come free. I also show how the revised inner shroud, radiator-cap clearance, and air-duct pieces fit together so the panel can be reinstalled correctly.
I remove the left-side fairing panels on the 2010 Concours 1400 and point out what changed from the earlier models. I cover the electrically locked glove box, heated-grip and lock connectors, panel tabs and hidden fasteners, accessory power leads, harness chafing, and the revised air dams and heat-control panels. I also share practical tips for releasing the tighter 2010 bodywork without damaging its tabs.
I reinstall the 2010 Concours 1400 mid and lower side panels after service work. I cover reconnecting the turn signal, fitting the air duct and panel tabs, aligning the fairing stays, reinstalling rivets and bolts, and correctly seating the rubber air seals that keep engine heat away from the rider. I include practical tips for getting the interlocking panels aligned without forcing them.
I reinstall the 2010 Concours 1400 glove box and the center panel over the front of the fuel tank. I cover the electrical connectors for the heated grips and glove-box lock, the centering pin and panel tabs, plastic rivet alignment, fairing fasteners, and a few practical tips for getting older rivets and panels lined up correctly.