
7-2
8 8
Improper cleaning can damage
windshields, cowlings, panels
and other plastic parts. Use
only a soft, clean cloth or
sponge with mild detergent
and water to clean plastic.
8 8
Do not use any harsh chemical
products on plastic parts. Be
sure to avoid using cloths or
sponges which have been in
contact with strong or abra-
sive cleaning products, sol-
vent or thinner, fuel (gasoline),
rust removers or inhibitors,
brake fluid, antifreeze or elec-
trolyte.8 8
Do not use high-pressure
washers or steam-jet cleaners
since they cause water seep-
age and deterioration in the
following areas: seals (of
wheel bearings, swingarm
bearings, forks and brakes),
electric components (cou-
plers, connectors, instru-
ments, switches and lights),
breather hoses and vents.
8 8
For motorcycles equipped
with a windshield: Do not use
strong cleaners or hard
sponges as they will cause
dulling or scratching. Some
cleaning compounds for plas-
tic may leave scratches on the
windshield. Test the product
on a small hidden part of the
windshield to make sure they
do not leave any marks. If the
windshield is scratched, use a
quality plastic polishing com-
pound after washing.
After riding in the rain, near the seaor on salt-sprayed roads.Since sea salt or salt sprayed on the
roads in the winter are extremely cor-
rosive in combination with water,
carry out the following steps after
each ride in the rain, near the sea or
on salt-sprayed roads. (Salt sprayed
in the winter may remain on the roads
well into spring.)
1.Clean your motorcycle with cold
water and soap after the engine
has cooled down.
ECA00012
cCDo not use warm water since it
increases 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.
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
1
2
3
4
5
67
8
9
4PT-9-E6 (ENG) 7~9 12/27/00 1:30 PM Page 3

7-4
a.Remove the spark plug cap and
spark plug.
b.Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil
into the spark plug bore.
c.Install the spark plug cap onto
the spark plug and place the
spark plug on the cylinder head
so that the electrodes are
grounded. (This will limit spark-
ing during the next step.)
d.Turn the engine over several
times with the starter. (This will
coat the cylinder wall with oil.)
e.Remove the spark plug cap from
the spark plug, install the spark
plug and then the spark plug
cap.
EWA00003
wWhen turning the engine over, be
sure to ground the spark plug elec-
trodes to prevent damage or injury
from sparking.
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
1
2
3
4
5
67
8
9
StorageShort-term
Always store your motorcycle in a
cool, dry place and, if necessary, pro-
tect it against dust with a porous
cover.
ECA00014
cC8
8
Storing the motorcycle in a
poorly ventilated room or cov-
ering it with a tarp while it is
still wet will allow water and
humidity to seep in and cause
rust.
8 8
To prevent corrosion, avoid
damp cellars, stables (because
of the presence of ammonia)
and areas where strong chemi-
cals are stored.
Long-termBefore storing your motorcycle for
several months:
1.Follow all the instructions in the
ÒCareÓ section of this chapter.
2.Drain the carburetor float cham-
ber by loosening the drain bolt;
this will prevent fuel deposits
from building up. Pour the
drained fuel into the fuel tank.
3.Only for motorcycles equipped
with a fuel cock which has an
ÒOFFÓ position: Turn the fuel
cock to
ÒOFFÓ.
4.Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.
5.Perform the following steps to
protect the cylinder, piston rings,
etc. from corrosion.
4PT-9-E6 (ENG) 7~9 12/27/00 1:30 PM Page 5

SPECIFICATIONS
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
Specifications
ModelXT500E/XT600E
Dimensions
Overall length2,220 mm
2.295 mm (N, S, CH only)
Overall width865 mm
825 mm (CH only)
Overall height1,205 mm
Seat height855 mm
Wheel base1,440 mm
Minimum ground clearance230 mm
Minimum turning radius2,300 mm
Basic weight (with oil and full
fuel tank)176 kg
172 kg (CH only)
Engine
Engine typeAir-cooled 4-stroke, SOHC,
gasoline
Cylinder arrangementForward inclined single
cylinder
Displacement499 cm
3
595 cm
3
Bore
´Stroke87.0 ´84.0 mm (XT500E)
95.0 ´84.0 mm (XT600E)
Compression ratio8.5:1
Starting systemElectric starter
Lubrication systemDry sumpEngine oil
Type
Recommended engine oil
classificationAPI Service SE, SF, SG type
or higher
cCBe sure to use motor oils that do not contain anti-friction
modifiers. Passenger car motor oils (often labeled
ÒEnergy ConservingÓ) contain anti-friction additives which
will cause clutch and/or starter clutch slippage, resulting in
reduced component life and poor engine performance.
Capacity
Periodic oil change2.7 L
With oil filter replacement2.8 L
Total amount3.3 L
EAU01038
SPECIFICATIONS
8-1
–10° 0° 10° 20° 30°
40°
SAE 10W/30
SAE 10W/40
SAE 20W/40
SAE 20W/50
–20°
SAE 15W/40 50°C
4PT-9-E6 (ENG) 7~9 12/27/00 1:30 PM Page 8

SPECIFICATIONS
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
8-2 Air filterDry type element
Fuel
TypeRegular unleaded gasoline
Fuel tank capacity15 L
Reserve amount2 L
Carburetor
Type/quantityY26PV/1
ManufacturerTEIKEI
Spark plug
Type/ManufacturerDPR8EA-9 or DPR9EA-9/NGK
Spark plug gap0.8 ~ 0.9 mm
Clutch typeWet, multiple-disc
Transmission
Primary reduction systemSpur gear
Primary reduction ratio74/31 (2.387) (XT500E)
71/34 (2.088) (XT600E)
Secondary reduction systemChain drive
Secondary reduction ratio38/15 (2.533) (XT500E)
45/15 (3.000) (XT600E)
Transmission typeConstant mesh 5-speed
OperationLeft foot operationGear ratio1st2.583
2nd1.588
3rd1.200
4th0.954 (XT500E)
0.955 (XT600E)
5th0.792
Chassis
Frame typeDiamond
Caster angle27.75¡(XT500E)
27¡45Õ (XT600E)
Trail120 mm
Tire
TypeWith tube
Front
Size90/90-21 54S
Manufacturer/BRIDGESTONE/TW47
modelDUNLOP/TRAIL MAX L
Rear
Size120/90/17 64S
Manufacturer/BRIDGESTONE/TW48
modelDUNLOP/TRAIL MAX
Maximum load*176 kg (XT500E)
180 kg (XT600E)
4PT-9-E6 (ENG) 7~9 12/27/00 1:30 PM Page 9

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

INDEX
Sidestand/clutch switch operation
check..................................................3-12
Spark plug...............................................6-8
Specifications..........................................8-1
Speedometer...........................................3-2
Start switch..............................................3-4
Starter (choke).........................................3-8
Starting a warm engine...........................5-3
Starting the engine..................................5-1
Steering inspection................................6-27
Storage....................................................7-4
Supporting the motorcycle.....................6-32
T
Tachometer.............................................3-3
Taillight bulb replacement.....................6-32
Throttle cable and grip lubrication.........6-24
Throttle cable free play adjustment.......6-14
Tips for reducing fuel consumption.........5-5
Tires......................................................6-15
Tool kit.....................................................6-1
Troubleshooting.....................................6-36
Troubleshooting chart............................6-37
Turn indicator light...................................3-2
Turn signal light bulb replacement........6-31
Turn signal switch....................................3-3
V
Valve clearance adjustment..................6-15
Vehicle identification number..................9-1
W
Wheel bearings.....................................6-27
Wheels..................................................6-17
4PT-9-E6 (ENG) 7~9 12/27/00 1:30 PM Page 17