Page 25 of 96

3-11
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
1
23
4
5
6
7
8
9
EAU00315
wThis shock absorber contains
highly pressurized nitrogen gas.
Read and understand the following
information before handling the
shock absorber. The manufacturer
cannot be held responsible for
property damage or personal
injury that may result from improp-
er handling.8 8
Do not tamper with or attempt
to open the cylinder assembly.
8 8
Do not subject the shock
absorber to an open flame or
other high heat source. This
may cause the unit to explode
due to excessive gas pres-
sure.
8 8
Do not deform or damage the
cylinder in any way. Cylinder
damage will result in poor
damping performance.
8 8
Take your shock absorber to a
Yamaha dealer for any service.
EAU00330
SidestandThis model is equipped with an igni-
tion circuit cut-off system. The motor-
cycle must not be ridden when the
sidestand is down. The sidestand is
located on the left side of the frame.
(Refer to page 5-1 for an explanation
of this system.)
EW000044
wThis motorcycle must not be oper-
ated with the sidestand in the
down position. If the stand is not
properly retracted, it could contact
the ground and distract the opera-
tor, resulting in a possible loss of
control. Yamaha has designed into
this motorcycle a lockout system
to assist the operator in fulfilling
the responsibility of retracting the
sidestand. Please check carefully
the operating instructions listed
below and if there is any indication
of a malfunction, return the motor-
cycle to a Yamaha dealer immedi-
ately for repair.
4PT-9-E6 (ENG) 1~5 12/27/00 1:28 PM Page 24
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6-1
EAU00464
Periodic inspection, adjustment and
lubrication will keep your motorcycle
in the safest and most efficient condi-
tion possible. Safety is an obligation
of the motorcycle owner. The mainte-
nance and lubrication schedule chart
should be considered strictly as a
guide to general maintenance and
lubrication intervals.
YOU MUST TAKE INTO CONSIDER-
ATION THAT WEATHER, TERRAIN,
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS, AND
A VARIETY OF INDIVIDUAL USES
ALL TEND TO DEMAND THAT
EACH OWNER ALTER THIS TIME
SCHEDULE TO SHORTER INTER-
VALS TO MATCH THE ENVIRON-
MENT. The most important points of
motorcycle inspection, adjustment,
and lubrication are explained in the
following pages.
EW000060
wIf you are not familiar with motor-
cycle service, this work should be
done by a Yamaha dealer.
EAU00462
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
1
EAU01175
Tool kitThe tool kit is located behind panel A.
(See page 6-7 for panel removal and
installation procedures.) The tools
provided in the owner's tool kit are to
assist you in the performance of peri-
odic maintenance. However, some
other tools such as a torque wrench
are also necessary to perform the
maintenance correctly.
The service information included in
this manual is intended to provide
you, the owner, with the necessary
information for completing some of
your own preventive maintenance
and minor repairs.1.Tool kit
4PT-9-E6 (ENG) 6 12/27/00 1:29 PM Page 2
Page 42 of 96
6-2
NOTE:
If you do not have necessary tools
required during a service operation,
take your motorcycle to a Yamaha
dealer for service.
EW000063
wModifications to this motorcycle
not approved by Yamaha may
cause loss of performance, and
render it unsafe for use. Consult a
Yamaha dealer before attempting
any changes.
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
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Page 45 of 96

6-5
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
EAU03884
NOTE:
8The air filter needs more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.
8Hydraulic brake service
9Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.
9Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinders and calipers, and change the
brake fluid.
9Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.20
*Rear suspension relay
arm and connecting arm
pivoting points¥Check operation.ÖÖÖÖ
¥Lubricate with molybdenum disulfide grease.ÖÖ
21*Carburetor¥Check starter (choke) operation.
¥Adjust engine idling speed.ÖÖÖÖÖÖ
22Engine oil¥Change.ÖÖÖÖÖÖ
23Engine oil filter element¥Replace.ÖÖÖ
24*Front and rear brake
switches¥Check operation.ÖÖÖÖÖÖ
25Moving parts and cables¥Lubricate.ÖÖÖÖÖ
26*Lights, signals and
switches¥Check operation.
¥Adjust headlight beam.ÖÖÖÖÖÖ NO.ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING (´ 1,000 km)
ANNUAL
CHECK
110203040
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Page 53 of 96

EAU00629
Carburetor adjustmentThe carburetor is a vital part of the
engine and requires very sophisticat-
ed adjustment. Most adjustments
should be left to a Yamaha dealer
who has the professional knowledge
and experience to do so. However,
the following may be serviced by the
owner as part of routine mainte-
nance.
EC000094
cCThe carburetor was set at the
Yamaha factory after many tests. If
the settings are changed, poor
engine performance and damage
may result.
6-13
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
5.Install the air filter with the arrow
mark on the top pointing inward.
6.Install the air filter case cover
and the panel.
EC000082
cC8
8
Make sure the air filter is prop-
erly seated in the air filter
case.
8 8
The engine should never be
run without the air filter
installed. Excessive piston
and/or cylinder wear may
result.
1
3.Remove the air filter.
4.Tap the air filter lightly to remove
most of the dust and dirt and
blow out the remaining dirt with
compressed air from the mesh
side of the air filter. If it is dam-
aged, replace it.1.Mesh side
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Page 55 of 96

6-15
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
* Load is the total weight of cargo, rider, passenger
and accessories.Maximum load*176 kg (XT500E)
180 kg (XT600E)
Cold tire pressure:FrontRear
150 kPa150 kPa
Up to 90 kg(1.5 kg/cm
2, (1.5 kg/cm
2,
1.5 bar)1.5 bar)
90 kg load ~150 kPa225 kPa
Maximum load*(1.5 kg/cm
2, (2.25 kg/cm
2,
1.5 bar) 2.25 bar)
125 kPa125 kPa
Off-road riding(1.25 kg/cm
2, (1.25 kg/cm
2,
1.25 bar) 1.25 bar)
150 kPa150 kPa
High speed riding(1.5 kg/cm
2, (1.5 kg/cm
2,
1.5 bar) 1.5 bar)
EAU00652
TiresTo ensure maximum performance,
long service and safe operation, note
the following:
Tire air pressure
Always check and adjust the tire
pressure before operating the motor-
cycle.
EW000082
wTire 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
according to total weight of cargo,
rider, passenger, and accessories
(fairing, saddlebags, etc. if
approved for this model), and vehi-
cle speed.
EAU00637
Valve clearance adjustmentThe 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 profes-
sional Yamaha service technician.
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6-17
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
EAU00685
WheelsTo ensure maximum performance,
long service, and safe operation, note
the following:
8Always inspect the wheels
before a ride. Check for cracks,
bends or warpage of the wheel.
Be sure the spokes are tight and
undamaged. If any abnormal
condition exists in a wheel, con-
sult a Yamaha dealer. Do not
attempt even small repairs to the
wheel. If a wheel is deformed or
cracked, it must be replaced.
8Tires 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 handling characteristics,
and shortened tire life.
8Ride at moderate speeds after
changing a tire since the tire sur-
face must first be broken in for it
to develop its optimal character-
istics.
EAU00681
w8 8
Operating the motorcycle with
excessively worn tires
decrease riding stability and
can lead to loss of control.
Have excessively worn tires
replaced by a Yamaha dealer
immediately. Brakes, tires, and
related wheel parts replace-
ment should be left to a
Yamaha Service Technician.
8 8
Patching a punctured tube is
not recommended. If it is
absolutely necessary to do so,
use great care and replace the
tube as soon as possible with
a good quality replacement.
NOTE:
These limits may be different by regu-
lation from country to country. If so,
conform to the limits specified by the
regulations of your own country.
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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