Kz1000j clutch adjustment?

Bought a 1982 z1000j engine, does the clutch rod on the sprocket case side need a ball bearing? this is the the lever version that has a 3 bearing seperate race.
Evertime I undo the lock nut and screw the threaded bar all the way in anti-clockwise or (clockwise) then back it off, it jumps the bearing and doesn't engage the clutch.
I have put an older ltd sprocket cover on with a fixed clutch linkage and the clutch works fine, so the problem is with the older cover,
any thoughts please
jim

As far as I know, the 1000 / 1100 "J" and GPz engines came with two styles of clutch release mechanisms. The easier one (less force at the lever) is the three ball bearing "ball and ramp" one you first described. It is more prone to jumping off the end of the ramp if it over travels when adjusted incorrectly. It can be a fine line to get it to work as it should. This type came on all my 83 GPz1100's and the 84 LTD1100 bottom end I bought for spare parts once.

The other type is a screw / helix that requires more lever effort, is much more difficult to modulate (I drag race and hate that kind), but adjustment is easy. All the 1000's and non - "bathtub head" (83-84 GPz1100, 84 KZ1100R, 84-85 LTD1100) I've seen came with this type originally.

Either type can be installed / used in any "J" sprocket cover - the choice is yours. See the link I've attached for the 82 LTD....it shows both types:

www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor...ltd-kz1000-k2/clutch