Page 62 of 96

6-22
8Refill with the same type of brake
fluid. Mixing fluids may result in a
harmful chemical reaction and
lead to poor brake performance.
8Be careful that water does not
enter the master cylinder when
refilling. Water will significantly
lower the boiling point of the fluid
and may result in vapor lock.
8Brake fluid may deteriorate paint-
ed surfaces or plastic parts.
Always clean up spilled fluid
immediately.
8Have a Yamaha dealer check
the cause if the brake fluid level
goes down.
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
EAU00742
Brake fluid replacementThe brake fluid should be replaced
only by trained Yamaha service per-
sonnel. Have the Yamaha dealer
replace the following components
during periodic maintenance or when
they are damaged or leaking:
8oil seals (every two years)
8brake hoses (every four years)
EAU00744
Drive chain slack checkNOTE:
Spin the wheel several times and find
the tightest position of the chain.
Check and/or adjust the chain slack
while itÕs in this tightest position.To check the chain slack the motor-
cycle must be held straight up with
both wheels on the ground and with-
out rider. Check the slack at the posi-
tion shown in the illustration. Normal
slack is approximately 30 ~ 40 mm. If
the slack exceeds 40 mm, adjust.
a
a.Chain slack
4PT-9-E6 (ENG) 6 12/27/00 1:29 PM Page 23
Page 70 of 96
6-30
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
2
1
3.Remove the connectors and the
bulb holder cover.1.Connector (´3)
2.Bulb holder cover
5.Put a new bulb into position and
secure it in place with the bulb
holder.
EC000105
cCAvoid touching the glass part of a
bulb. Keep it free from oil; other-
wise, the transparency of the
glass, life of the bulb, and lumi-
nous flux will be adversely affect-
ed. If oil gets on a bulb, thoroughly
clean it with a cloth moistened
with alcohol or lacquer thinner.
4.Turn the bulb holder counter-
clockwise to remove it and
remove the defective bulb.
EW000119
wKeep flammable products and your
hands away from a bulb while it is
on, as it is hot. Do not touch a bulb
until it cools down.
1
1.Bulb holder
1
1.DonÕt touch
4PT-9-E6 (ENG) 6 12/27/00 1:29 PM Page 31
Page 71 of 96
6-31
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
EAU01095
Turn signal light bulb
replacement1.Remove the screw and the lens.2.Remove the defective bulb by
pushing it inward and turning it
counterclockwise.
3.Install a new bulb by pushing it
inward and turning it clockwise.
4.Install the lens and tighten the
screw.
1
2
1.Screw
2.Lens
1
1.Bulb
6.Install the bulb holder cover, con-
nectors and headlight unit.
7.Install the cowling.
8.If the headlight beam adjustment
is necessary, ask a Yamaha
dealer to make that adjustment.
4PT-9-E6 (ENG) 6 12/27/00 1:29 PM Page 32
Page 72 of 96

6-32
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
EAU01579
Supporting the motorcycleSince the Yamaha XT500E/XT600E
has no centerstand, follow these pre-
cautions when removing the front and
rear wheel or performing other main-
tenance requiring the motorcycle to
stand upright. Check that the motor-
cycle is in a stable and level position
before starting any maintenance. A
strong wooden box can be placed
under the engine for added stability.
Front wheel service
To stabilize the rear of the motorcy-
cle, either use a motorcycle stand or
place a motorcycle jack under the
frame in front of the rear wheel to
prevent it from moving from side to
side. Then use a motorcycle stand to
elevate the front wheel off of the
ground.
EAU01623
Taillight bulb replacement1.Remove the screws and the
lens.
21
1.Screw (´2)
2.Lens
2.Remove the defective bulb by
pushing it inward and turning it
counterclockwise.
3.Install a new bulb by pushing it
inward and turning it clockwise.
4.Install the lens and tighten the
screws.
EC000108
cCDo not over-tighten the screws as
the lens may break.
1
1.Bulb
4PT-9-E6 (ENG) 6 12/27/00 1:29 PM Page 33
Page 93 of 96

INDEX
Front brake lever free play
adjustment..........................................6-18
Front fork inspection..............................6-26
Front wheel installation..........................6-34
Front wheel removal..............................6-33
Fuel.........................................................3-6
Fuel cock.................................................3-7
Fuel tank cap...........................................3-6
Fuse replacement..................................6-29
H
Handlebar switches.................................3-3
Dimmer switch......................................3-3
Engine stop switch................................3-4
Horn switch...........................................3-3
Lights switch.........................................3-3
Pass switch...........................................3-3
Start switch...........................................3-4
Turn signal switch.................................3-3
Headlight bulb replacement...................6-29
Helmet holder..........................................3-9
High beam indicator light.........................3-2
Horn switch..............................................3-3
How to use the conversion table.............9-3
I
Identification number records..................9-1
Idle speed adjustment...........................6-14
Indicator lights.........................................3-2
High beam indicator light......................3-2
Neutral indicator light............................3-2
Turn indicator light................................3-2
Inspecting the brake fluid level..............6-21
K
Key identification number........................9-1
L
Lights switch............................................3-3
M
Main switch/Steering lock........................3-1
Model label..............................................9-2
N
Neutral indicator light...............................3-2
P
Panel A, B...............................................6-7
Parking....................................................5-6
Pass switch.............................................3-3
Periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart....................................6-3
Pre-operation check list...........................4-1
R
Rear brake pedal.....................................3-5
Rear brake pedal height adjustment.....6-19
Rear shock absorber adjustment..........3-10
Rear suspension lubrication..................6-26
Rear wheel installation..........................6-36
Rear wheel removal..............................6-35
Recommended shift point
(for Switzerland only)............................5-4
S
Seat.........................................................3-9
Shift pedal ..............................................3-5
Shifting....................................................5-4
Sidestand..............................................3-11
Sidestand lubrication.............................6-25
A
Air filter..................................................6-12
B
Battery...................................................6-28
Brake and clutch lever lubrication.........6-25
Brake and shift pedal lubrication...........6-25
Brake fluid replacement.........................6-22
Brake light switch adjustment................6-20
C
Cable inspection and lubrication...........6-24
Carburetor adjustment...........................6-13
Care.........................................................7-1
Carrier (optional)...................................3-11
Checking the front and rear brake
pads....................................................6-20
Clutch lever.............................................3-4
Clutch lever free play adjustment..........6-18
Cowling A................................................6-7
Cowling and panel removal and
installation.............................................6-6
D
Description..............................................2-1
Dimmer switch.........................................3-3
Drive chain lubrication...........................6-23
Drive chain slack adjustment.................6-23
Drive chain slack check.........................6-22
E
Engine break-in.......................................5-5
Engine oil...............................................6-10
Engine stop switch..................................3-4
F
Front brake lever.....................................3-5
4PT-9-E6 (ENG) 7~9 12/27/00 1:30 PM Page 16