2001 YAMAHA VMAX suspension

3
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
Main switch .......................................................... 3-1
Indicator and warning lights ................................ 3-1
Speedometer unit ................................................ 3-2
Tachometer .......................................................... 3-3
Anti-theft alarm (optional) .................................... 3-3
Coolant temperature gauge ................................. 3-3
Handlebar switches ............................................. 3-4
Clutch lever .......................................................... 3-5
Shift pedal ............................................................ 3-6
Brake lever ........................................................... 3-6
Brake pedal .......................................................... 3-6
Fuel tank cap ....................................................... 3-7Fuel ..................................................................... 3-8
Starter (choke) lever ............................................ 3-8
Steering lock ....................................................... 3-9
Rider seat ............................................................ 3-9
Helmet holder .................................................... 3-10
Adjusting the front fork ...................................... 3-11
Adjusting the shock absorber assemblies ......... 3-12
Matching the front and rear suspension
settings ............................................................ 3-15
Sidestand .......................................................... 3-16
Ignition circuit cut-off system ............................. 3-16
E_3lr.book Page 1 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-11
3
EAU03414
Adjusting the front fork This front fork is equipped with air
valves for adjusting the spring rate.
EW000035
WARNING
@ Always adjust both fork legs equal-
ly, otherwise poor handling and loss
of stability may result. @
Adjust the spring rate as follows.
1. Elevate the front wheel by placing
the motorcycle on the centerstand.NOTE:@ When checking and adjusting the air
pressure, there should be no weight on
the front end of the motorcycle. @2. Remove the air valve cap from
each fork leg.3. Check the air pressure in each
fork leg with an air pressure
gauge.
NOTE:@ An optional air pressure gauge is avail-
able at a Yamaha dealer. @4. To increase the spring rate and
thereby harden the suspension,
increase the air pressure with an
air pump or compressed air. To
decrease the spring rate and
thereby soften the suspension, de-
crease the air pressure by pushing
each valve stem down.
1. Air valve cap
2. Air valve
1. Air pressure gauge
E_3lr.book Page 11 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-13
3
Spring preload
To increase the spring preload and
thereby harden the suspension, turn
the adjusting ring on each shock ab-
sorber assembly in direction
a. To de-
crease the spring preload and thereby
soften the suspension, turn the adjust-
ing ring on each shock absorber as-
sembly in direction
b.
NOTE:@ l
Align the bottom edge of the ad-
justing ring with the appropriate
setting on the shock absorber.
l
Use the special wrench included in
the owner’s tool kit to make this
adjustment.
@
Damping force
To increase the damping force and
thereby harden the damping, turn the
adjusting knob on each shock absorber
assembly in direction
a. To decrease
the damping force and thereby soften
the damping, turn the adjusting knob
on each shock absorber assembly in
direction
b.NOTE:@ Align the appropriate setting on the ad-
justing knob with the position indicator
on the shock absorber. @
Spring preload:
Minimum (soft): 1
Standard: 1
Maximum (hard): 5
1. Damping force adjusting knob
2. Position indicator
E_3lr.book Page 13 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-15
3
EAU01658
Matching the front and rear suspension settings Use this table as a guide to match the suspension and damping adjustments of the front fork and shock absorber assembly
according to various load conditions.CI-06E
EC000015CAUTION:@ Never attempt to turn an adjusting mechanism beyond the maximum or minimum settings. @
Load condition Front fork adjustment Shock absorber assembly adjustment
Spring preload (air pressure) Spring preload Damping force
Rider only40–60 kPa
0.4–0.6 kg/cm
2
0.4–0.6 bar1–2 1–2
With passenger or with
accessories and equipment40–100 kPa
0.4–1.0 kg/cm
2
0.4–1.0 bar3–5 2–4
With passenger,
accessories and equipment40–100 kPa
0.4–1.0 kg/cm
2
0.4–1.0 bar54
E_3lr.book Page 15 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

6
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
Owner’s tool kit .................................................... 6-1
Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart ......... 6-3
Removing and installing cowlings and panels ..... 6-6
Checking the spark plugs .................................... 6-7
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge .......................... 6-9
Final gear oil ...................................................... 6-13
Coolant .............................................................. 6-14
Cleaning the air filter element ............................ 6-19
Adjusting the carburetors ................................... 6-20
Adjusting the engine idling speed ...................... 6-20
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .................. 6-21
Adjusting the valve clearance ............................ 6-21
Tires ................................................................... 6-21
Cast wheels ....................................................... 6-24
Clutch lever free play ......................................... 6-24
Adjusting the brake lever free play ..................... 6-25
Adjusting the brake pedal position ..................... 6-25
Adjusting the rear brake light switch .................. 6-26
Checking the front and rear brake pads ............. 6-26
Checking the brake fluid level ............................ 6-27
Changing the brake fluid .................................... 6-28
Checking and lubricating the cables .................. 6-28Checking and lubricating the throttle
grip and cable ................................................. 6-29
Checking and lubricating the brake and
shift pedals ...................................................... 6-29
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers .................................................... 6-30
Checking and lubricating the centerstand and
sidestand......................................................... 6-30
Lubricating the rear suspension ........................ 6-31
Checking the front fork ...................................... 6-31
Checking the steering ....................................... 6-32
Checking the wheel bearings ............................ 6-33
Battery ............................................................... 6-33
Replacing the fuses .......................................... 6-37
Replacing the headlight bulb ............................. 6-38
Replacing a turn signal light bulb or the tail/
brake light bulb ................................................ 6-39
Front wheel ....................................................... 6-40
Rear wheel ........................................................ 6-41
Troubleshooting ................................................. 6-44
Troubleshooting charts ...................................... 6-45
E_3lr.book Page 1 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-22
6
CE-01E
CE-07EEWA00012
WARNING
@ Because loading has an enormous
impact on the handling, braking, per-
formance and safety characteristics
of your motorcycle, you should keep
the following precautions in mind. l
NEVER OVERLOAD THE
MOTORCYCLE! Operation of an
overloaded motorcycle may re-
sult in tire damage, loss of con-
trol, or severe injury. Make sure
that the total weight of rider, pas-
senger, cargo, and accessories
does not exceed the specified
maximum load for the vehicle.
l
Do not carry along loosely
packed items, which can shift
during a ride.
l
Securely pack the heaviest
items close to the center of the
motorcycle and distribute the
weight evenly on both sides.
l
Adjust the suspension and tire
air pressure with regard to the
load.
l
Check the tire condition and air
pressure before each ride.
@
Tire inspection
The tires must be checked before each
ride. If the center tread depth reaches
the specified limit, if the tire has a nail
or glass fragments in it, or if the side-
wall is cracked, have a Yamaha dealer
replace the tire immediately.CE-08ENOTE:@ The tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always comply
with the local regulations. @
Tire air pressure
(measured on cold tires)
Load* Front Rear
Up to 90 kg225 kPa
2.25 kg/cm
2
2.25 bar225 kPa
2.25 kg/cm
2
2.25 bar
90 kg–
maximum225 kPa
2.25 kg/cm
2
2.25 bar250 kPa
2.50 kg/cm
2
2.50 bar
High-speed riding225 kPa
2.25 kg/cm
2
2.25 bar250 kPa
2.50 kg/cm
2
2.50 bar
Maximum load* 209 kg
* Total weight of rider, passenger, cargo and
accessories
1. Sidewall
a. Tire tread depthMinimum tire tread depth
(front and rear)1.6 mm
E_3lr.book Page 22 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-31
6
EAU03166
Lubricating the rear
suspension The pivoting points of the rear suspen-
sion must be lubricated at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU02939
Checking the front fork The condition and operation of the front
fork must be checked as follows at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
To check the condition
EW000115
WARNING
@ Securely support the motorcycle so
that there is no danger of it falling
over. @Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.To check the operation
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and hold it in an upright
position.
2. While applying the front brake,
push down hard on the handle-
bars several times to check if the
front fork compresses and re-
bounds smoothly.
EC000098
CAUTION:@ If any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it. @
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
E_3lr.book Page 31 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

SPECIFICATIONS
8-3
8
Maximum load* 209 kg
Tire air pressure (measured
on cold tires)
Up to 90 kg*
Front 225 kPa (2.25 kg/cm
2, 2.25 bar)
Rear 225 kPa (2.25 kg/cm2, 2.25 bar)
90 kg–maximum*
Front 225 kPa (2.25 kg/cm2, 2.25 bar)
Rear 250 kPa (2.50 kg/cm2, 2.50 bar)
High-speed riding
Front 225 kPa (2.25 kg/cm2, 2.25 bar)
Rear 250 kPa (2.50 kg/cm2, 2.50 bar)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, cargo and accessories
Wheels
Front
Type Cast wheel
Size 18 ´ MT 2.15
Rear
Type Cast wheel
Size 15M/C ´ MT 3.50
Brakes
Front
Type Dual disc brake
Operation Right hand
Fluid DOT 4Rear
Type Single disc brake
Operation Right foot
Fluid DOT 4
Suspension
Front Telescopic fork
Rear Swingarm
Spring/shock absorber
Front Coil-air spring / oil damper
Rear Coil spring / oil damper
Wheel travel
Front 140 mm
Rear 100 mm
Electrical system
Ignition system T.C.I. (digital)
Charging system
Type A.C. magneto
Standard output 14 V, 22.5 A @ 5,000 r/min
Battery
Model YB16AL-A2
Voltage, capacity 12 V, 16 Ah
Headlight typeQuartz bulb (halogen)
E_3lr.book Page 3 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM