There is some play in my shift lever, Bike will only shift up if I pull out the shift lever by hand about qtr inch. I can't shift up by foot passed 3rd gear. It will downshift by foot. Help Any ideas?

not sure you should be able to pull it out a quarter inch. Shift shafts sometimes get damaged in a tip over. If you can pull it out, it might have been pushed IN too far at some time. sorry I can't tell you more than that.

http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2014/ZX1400FEFA+Ninja+ZX-14R+ABS/GEAR+CHANGE+MECHANISM/parts.html

Part 480 pops off: poor shifting as the OP stated.

If I replac part 480 will that resolve the issue?

That would definitely do it.You obviously are not moving the bike when you're shifting up 'by hand'...right?I will say...there have been a few instances with my 14 where she wouldn't shift up at a standstill.I mean,all the way up to 6th.Once she was moving,everything shifted fine.Downshift(s)were not affected.Maybe give that a shot AFTER checking for that circlip?I have a small amount of 'play' with mine also.I always thought it was normal?1/4 inch isn't much...but perhaps it is?

A lot of Kawasakis have a mechanism that prevents shifting above 2nd gear if the motor is not running. But it sounds like maybe the circlip that holds the shift shaft in position on your bike had fallen off. The shift shaft should have very little movement in and out. You may have to open the clutch side and remove the basket and verify all the parts at the selector side are ok as well.

Mad

Thanks all the feedback. I appreciate it. will check it out, sounds like it's not anything major happening is putting me at ease

neither the busa or the 14 will shift all the way through the gears with the bike standing still. You need to roll the wheel forward a bit. The 14 still will not shift up past 2 unless the engine is on.

Damn Mr Rook now I have to go out (if it ever warms up) and see if that is true. The most I have ever done is tried to find neutral with the engine off

Just shifted mine between 1 to N but did not seem to be going to 2. I think you have to roll it to get it into 2. IDT it will go higher than 2.

Will it solve the problem at the shifting system behind the clutch? I don't know, can't say for sure; since the others shift and can run back down to N. That is one area to look at I mentioned. The other thing is static shifting won't really help either. Once past 3rd, you can shift up to the other 3 gears. So you figure the engine will have to come out... IF...

... If say you drop the sump pan, you can look to examine what was shaved down to dust and see if anything is laying in the sump pan? This is where I'd start. It's how cheap do you want to be? Try reusing the sump gasket if made of metal. Retry to see if the exhaust gaskets won't leak if this is the first time the pipes were removed.

Then, look up at the forks. There is going to be one fork that will look discolored in blue at the tips and not match the other 2; having more silver looking colored tips. The groove the fork rides in; look for bluing at either side of the gear groove. All silver tips, no burnt oil smell, a clean sump pan, the bike goes back together. Now pull the clutch basket and look for a problem at the shifting parts on that page.

Safety lock (centrifugal) systems:
1. Where one hand spins up the rear wheel in forward motion and the shift is lifted up by the other hand.
2. Where one hand spins the rear wheel in reverse motion and shifts up before wheel looses any momentum.
3. Where one mentions it only works for one bike and gravity is much strong where that other bike sits.
4. Where one needs to do more push ups before attempting a hardy spin (either way) for the attempt.
5. Bet me... (wink-wink)

No shift to 3rd:
a. Where I more sniff the oil cap, if not at the clutch cover hole.
b. Where the oil is no longer that sweet smell, or the blowby mix having more miles on it and that trace in change.
c. Where the forks would burn itself against the gear slot> turning blue from heat; gives off a metallic oil smell.

Signed,
NOLTT

I would listen to Turtle but my chain is all greased up and wrapped in plastic. It's winter, dammit! If i remember correctly, the bike shifted from 1 to N to 2 and back. I don't think it will shift higher than 2 without the engine running and you have to roll the bike a little. like when you come to a stop in some higher gear. You have to roll the bike a bit to get it to shift down through the gears to 1. I don't think it will do that unless the engine is running though. It's not that often that i need to shift with the bike shut off.