
L
4-1
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
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Owners are personally responsible for their vehicleÕs condition. Your motorcycleÕs vital functions can start to deteriorate
quickly and unexpectedly, even if it remains unused (for instance, if it is exposed to the elements). Any damage, fluid leak or
loss of tire pressure could have serious consequences. Therefore, it is very important that, in addition to a thorough visual in-
spection, you check the following points before each ride.
EAU00340
PRE-OPERATION CHECK LIST
ITEM CHECKS PAGE
Front brake
¥ Check operation, fluid level and fluid leakage.
¥ Fill with DOT 4 (or DOT 3) brake fluid if necessary.6-18 ~ 6-20
Rear brake6-17 ~ 6-20
Clutch¥ Check operation, condition and free play.
¥ Adjust if necessary.6-15 ~ 6-16
Throttle grip and housing¥ Check for smooth operation.
¥ Lubricate if necessary.6-12, 6-22
Engine oil¥ Check oil level.
¥ Fill with oil if necessary.6-7 ~ 6-9
Drive chain¥ Check chain slack and condition.
¥ Adjust if necessary.6-20 ~ 6-21
Wheels and tires¥ Check tire pressure, wear and damage.6-13 ~ 6-15,
6-31 ~ 6-34
Control and meter cables¥ Check for smooth operation.
¥ Lubricate if necessary.6-22
Brake and shift pedal
shafts¥ Check for smooth operation.
¥ Lubricate if necessary.6-22
Brake and clutch lever
pivots¥ Check for smooth operation.
¥ Lubricate if necessary.6-23
Center and sidestand
pivots¥ Check for smooth operation.
¥ Lubricate if necessary.6-23
EAU01114

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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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Tool kit ................................................................ 6-1
Periodic maintenance and lubrication................. 6-2
Panel removal and installation ........................... 6-5
Panel A ............................................................... 6-5
Spark plug inspection ......................................... 6-6
Engine oil............................................................ 6-7
Air filter ............................................................. 6-10
Carburetor adjustment ...................................... 6-11
Idle speed adjustment ...................................... 6-12
Throttle cable free play inspection .................... 6-12
Valve clearance adjustment ............................. 6-13
Tires ................................................................. 6-13
Wheels ............................................................. 6-15
Clutch lever free play adjustment ..................... 6-15
Rear brake pedal height adjustment ................ 6-17
Brake light switch adjustment ........................... 6-17
Checking the front and rear brake pads ........... 6-18
Inspecting the brake fluid level ......................... 6-19
Brake fluid replacement .................................... 6-20
Drive chain slack check .................................... 6-20
Drive chain slack adjustment ............................ 6-21Drive chain lubrication....................................... 6-21
Cable inspection and lubrication ....................... 6-22
Throttle cable and grip lubrication ..................... 6-22
Brake and shift pedal lubrication ....................... 6-22
Brake and clutch lever lubrication ..................... 6-23
Center and sidestand lubrication ...................... 6-23
Rear suspension lubrication.............................. 6-23
Front fork inspection ......................................... 6-24
Steering inspection ........................................... 6-24
Wheel bearings ................................................. 6-25
Battery............................................................... 6-25
Fuse replacement ............................................. 6-26
Headlight bulb replacement (for XJ600S) ......... 6-27
Headlight bulb replacement (for XJ600N) ......... 6-29
Front wheel removal ......................................... 6-31
Front wheel installation ..................................... 6-31
Rear wheel removal .......................................... 6-33
Rear wheel installation ...................................... 6-34
Troubleshooting ................................................ 6-34
Troubleshooting chart ....................................... 6-35

R
6-2
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
/Net/layout8/layout_G2/work/Imai_work/OM-PS/AA9156_XJ600SN-E6/English/E-6.frame
EAU00473
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION
NO. ITEM CHECKS AND MAINTENANCE JOBSINITIAL
(1,000 km)EVERY
6,000 km
or
6 months
(whichever
comes first)12,000 km
or
12 months
(whichever
comes first)
1
*Fuel line ¥ Check fuel hoses and vacuum hose for cracks or damage.
¥ Replace if necessary.ÖÖ
2
*Fuel filter¥ Check condition.
¥ Replace if necessary.Ö
3 Spark plugs¥ Check condition.
¥ Clean, regap or replace if necessary.ÖÖÖ
4
*Valves¥ Check valve clearance.
¥ Adjust if necessary.Every 24,000 km or 24 months
(whichever comes first)
5 Air filter¥ Clean or replace if necessary.ÖÖ
6Clutch¥ Check operation.
¥ Adjust or replace cable.ÖÖÖ
7
*Front brake¥ Check operation, fluid level and vehicle for fluid leakage. (See NOTE
on page 6-4.)
¥ Correct accordingly.
¥ Replace brake pads if necessary.ÖÖÖ
8
*Rear brake¥ Check operation, fluid level and vehicle for fluid leakage. (See NOTE
on page 6-4.)
¥ Correct accordingly.
¥ Replace brake pads if necessary.ÖÖÖ
9
*Wheels¥ Check balance, runout and for damage.
¥ Rebalance or replace if necessary.ÖÖ
10
*Tires¥ Check tread depth and for damage.
¥ Replace if necessary.
¥ Check air pressure.
¥ Correct if necessary.ÖÖ

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6-13
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
/Net/layout8/layout_G2/work/Imai_work/OM-PS/AA9156_XJ600SN-E6/English/E-6.frame
EAU00637
Valve clearance adjustment
The correct valve clearance changes
with use, resulting in improper fuel/air
supply or engine noise. To prevent this,
the valve clearance must be adjusted
regularly. This adjustment however,
should be left to a professional
Yamaha service technician.
EAU00647
Tires
To ensure maximum performance,
long service, and safe operation, note
the following:
Tire air pressure
Always check and adjust the tire pres-
sure before operating the motorcycle.
EW000082
Tire inflation pressure should be
checked and adjusted when the
temperature of the tire equals the
ambient air temperature. Tire infla-
tion pressure must be adjusted ac-
cording to total weight of cargo,
rider, passenger, and accessories
(fairing, saddlebags, etc. if approved
for this model), and vehicle speed.
Maximum load* XJ600S: 184 kg
XJ600N: 187 kg
Cold tire pressure Front Rear
Up to 90 kg*200 kPa
(2.00 kg/cm
2,
2.00 bar)225 kPa
(2.25 kg/cm2,
2.25 bar)
90 kg load ~
Maximum load*200 kPa
(2.00 kg/cm
2,
2.00 bar)250 kPa
(2.50 kg/cm2,
2.50 bar)
High speed riding200 kPa
(2.00 kg/cm
2,
2.00 bar)250 kPa
(2.50 kg/cm2,
2.50 bar)
* Load is the total weight of cargo, rider, passenger
and accessories.

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6-14
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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EW000083
Proper loading of your motorcycle
is important for several characteris-
tics of your motorcycle, such as
handling, braking, performance and
safety. Do not carry loosely packed
items that can shift. Securely pack
your heaviest items close to the
center of the motorcycle, and dis-
tribute the weight evenly from side
to side. Properly adjust the suspen-
sion for your load, and check the
condition and pressure of your tires.
NEVER OVERLOAD YOUR MOTOR-
CYCLE. Make sure the total weight
of the cargo, rider, passenger, and
accessories (fairing, saddlebags,
etc. if approved for this model) does
not exceed the maximum load of the
motorcycle. Operation of an over-
loaded motorcycle could cause tire
damage, an accident, or even injury.
a. Tread depth
1. Side wall
Tire inspection
Always check the tires before operating
the motorcycle. If center tread depth
reaches the limit as shown, if the tire
has a nail or glass fragments in it, or if
the side wall is cracked, contact a
Yamaha dealer immediately and have
the tire replaced.
NOTE:
These limits may be different by regula-
tion from country to country. If so, con-
form to the limits specified by the
regulations of your own country.
FRONT
Manufacturer Size Type
DUNLOP 110/80-17 57H D103FA
MICHELIN 110/80-17 57H MACADAM 50
REAR
Manufacturer Size Type
DUNLOP 130/70-18 63H D103A
MICHELIN 130/70-18 63H MACADAM 50
Minimum tire tread depth
(front and rear)1.6 mm

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6-15
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
/Net/layout8/layout_G2/work/Imai_work/OM-PS/AA9156_XJ600SN-E6/English/E-6.frame
EAU00683
Operating the motorcycle with ex-
cessively worn tires decrease riding
stability and can lead to loss of con-
trol. Have excessively worn tires re-
placed by a Yamaha dealer
immediately. Brakes, tires, and re-
lated wheel parts replacement
should be left to a Yamaha Service
Technician.
EAU00687
Wheels
To ensure maximum performance,
long service, and safe operation, note
the following:
lAlways inspect the wheels before
a ride. Check for cracks, bends, or
warpage of the wheels. If any ab-
normal condition exists in a wheel,
consult a Yamaha dealer. Do not
attempt even small repairs to the
wheel. If a wheel is deformed or
cracked, it must be replaced.
lTires and wheels should be bal-
anced whenever either one is
changed or replaced. Failure to
have a wheel balanced can result
in poor performance, adverse han-
dling characteristics, and short-
ened tire life.
lRide at moderate speeds after
changing a tire since the tire sur-
face must first be broken in for it to
develop its optimal characteristics.
1. Locknut
2. Adjusting bolt
c. Free play
EAU00694
Clutch lever free play
adjustment
The clutch lever free play should be ad-
justed to 2 ~ 3 mm.
1. Loosen the locknut at the clutch le-
ver.
2. Turn the adjusting bolt at the
clutch lever in direction a
to in-
crease free play or in direction b
to decrease free play.
3. Tighten the locknut at the clutch
lever.

L
7-3
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
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1. Clean your motorcycle with cold
water and soap after the engine
has cooled down.
ECA00012
CAUTION:
Do not use warm water since it in-
creases the corrosive action of the
salt.
2. Be sure to apply a corrosion pro-
tection spray on all (even chrome-
and nickel-plated) metal surfaces
to prevent corrosion.After cleaning
1. Dry the motorcycle with a chamois
or an absorbing cloth.
2. Immediately dry the drive chain
and lubricate it to prevent it from
rusting.
3. Use a chrome polish to shine
chrome, aluminum and stainless-
steel parts, including the exhaust
system. (Even the thermally in-
duced discoloring of stainless-
steel exhaust systems can be re-
moved through polishing.)
4. To prevent corrosion, it is recom-
mended to apply a corrosion pro-
tection spray on all (even chrome-
and nickel-plated) metal surfaces.
5. Use spray oil as a universal clean-
er to remove any remaining dirt.
6. Touch up minor paint damage
caused by stones, etc.
7. Wax all painted surfaces.
8. Let the motorcycle dry completely
before storing it or covering it.
EWA00001
Make sure that there is no oil or wax
on the brakes and tires. If neces-
sary, clean the brake discs and lin-
ings with a regular brake disc
cleaner or acetone, and wash the
tires with warm water and mild soap.
Then, carefully test the motorcycle
for its braking performance and cor-
nering behavior.

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7-5
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
/Net/layout8/layout_G2/work/Imai_work/OM-PS/AA9156_XJ600SN-E6/English/E-7.frame
c. Install the spark plug caps onto the
spark plugs and place the spark
plugs on the cylinder head so that
the electrodes are grounded. (This
will limit sparking during the next
step.)
d. Turn the engine over several times
with the starter. (This will coat the
cylinder walls with oil.)
e. Remove the spark plug caps from
the spark plugs, install the spark
plugs and then the spark plug
caps.
EWA00003
When turning the engine over, be
sure to ground the spark plug elec-
trodes to prevent damage or injury
from sparking.
6. Lubricate all control cables and
the pivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the side-
stand/centerstand.7. Check and, if necessary, correct
the tire air pressure, then raise the
motorcycle so that both of its
wheels are off the ground. Alterna-
tively, turn the wheels a little every
month in order to prevent the tires
from becoming degraded in one
spot.
8. Cover up the muffler outlets with
plastic bags to prevent moisture
from entering.
9. Remove the battery and fully
charge it. Store it in a cool, dry
place and recharge it once a
month. Do not store the battery in
an excessively cold or warm place
(less than 0ûC or more than 30ûC).
For more information, see ÒBattery
storageÓ in the chapter ÒPERIOD-
IC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR
REPAIRSÓ.
NOTE:
Make any necessary repairs before
storing the motorcycle.