2001 YAMAHA VMAX tires

4-1
4
EAU01114
4-PRE-OPERATION CHECKSThe condition of a vehicle is the owner’s responsibility. Vital components can start to deteriorate quickly and unexpectedly,
even if the vehicle remains unused (for example, as a result of exposure to the elements). Any damage, fluid leakage or loss
of tire air pressure could have serious consequences. Therefore, it is very important, in addition to a thorough visual inspec-
tion, to check the following points before each ride.
EAU03328
Pre-operation check list
ITEM CHECKS PAGE
Front brake
• Check operation, free play, fluid level, and for fluid leakage.
• Fill with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary.6-25–6-28
Rear brake6-25–6-28
Clutch• Check operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage.
• Fill with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary.6-24, 6-27
Throttle grip and housing• Check operation.
• Lubricate if necessary.6-21, 6-29
Engine oil• Check oil level.
• Add oil if necessary.6-9–6-12
Coolant• Check coolant level.
• Add coolant if necessary.6-14–6-18
Final gear oil• Check vehicle for leakage. 6-13
Wheels and tires• Check tire air pressure, for wear and damage. 6-21–6-24
Control cables• Check operation.
• Lubricate if necessary.6-28
Brake and shift pedal
shafts• Check operation.
• Lubricate if necessary.6-29
Brake and clutch lever
pivots• Check operation.
• Lubricate if necessary.6-30
Center and sidestand
pivots• Check operation.
• Lubricate if necessary.6-30
E_3lr.book Page 1 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
6-4
6
10
*Brake hoses• Check for cracks or damage.ÖÖÖÖ Ö
• Replace. Every 4 years
11*Wheels• Check runout and for damage. ÖÖÖÖ
12*Tires• Check tread depth and for damage.
• Replace if necessary.
• Check air pressure.
• Correct if necessary.ÖÖÖÖ
13*Wheel bearings• Check bearings for looseness or damage. ÖÖÖÖ
14*Swingarm• Check swingarm pivoting point for play.ÖÖÖÖ
• Lubricate with molybdenum disulfide grease. Every 50,000 km
15*Steering bearings• Check bearing play and steering for roughness.ÖÖÖÖÖ
• Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. Every 50,000 km
16*Chassis fasteners• Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly
tightened.ÖÖÖÖ Ö
17 Sidestand/centerstand• Check operation.
• Lubricate.ÖÖÖÖ Ö
18*Sidestand switch• Check operation.ÖÖÖÖÖ Ö
19*Front fork• Check operation and for oil leakage.ÖÖÖÖ
20*Rear shock absorber
assemblies• Check operation and shock absorbers for oil leakage.ÖÖÖÖ
21*Carburetors• Check engine idling speed, synchronization and starter
operation.ÖÖÖÖÖ Ö
22 Engine oil• Change.ÖÖÖÖÖ Ö
23 Engine oil filter cartridge• Replace.ÖÖÖ
24*Cooling system• Check coolant level and vehicle for coolant leakage.ÖÖÖÖ Ö
• Change coolant. Every 3 years NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING (´1,000 km)
ANNUAL
CHECK
1 10203040
E_3lr.book Page 4 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-21
6
EAU00635
Adjusting the throttle cable
free play The throttle cable free play should
measure 3–5 mm at the throttle grip.
Periodically check the throttle cable
free play and, if necessary, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust it.
EAU00637
Adjusting the valve clearance The valve clearance changes with use,
resulting in improper air-fuel mixture
and/or engine noise. To prevent this
from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
EAU00647
Tires To ensure maximum performance as
well as the long and safe operation of
your motorcycle, note the following
points regarding the specified tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted
before each ride.
EW000082
WARNING
@ l
The tire air pressure must be
checked and adjusted on cold
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the ambient
temperature).
l
The tire air pressure must be
adjusted in accordance with the
riding speed and with the total
weight of rider, passenger, car-
go, and accessories approved
for this model.
@
a. Throttle cable free playE_3lr.book Page 21 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
6-23
6
EW000079
WARNING
@ l
Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besides
being illegal, operating the
motorcycle with excessively
worn tires decreases riding sta-
bility and can lead to loss of
control.
l
The replacement of all wheel-
and brake-related parts, includ-
ing the tires, should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
edge and experience.
@
Tire information
This motorcycle is equipped with tube
tires.
EW000078
WARNING
@ l
The front and rear tires should
be of the same make and de-
sign, otherwise the handling
characteristics of the motor-
cycle cannot be guaranteed.
l
After extensive tests, only the
tires listed below have been ap-
proved for this model by
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
@CE-10EEAU00684
WARNING
@ This motorcycle is fitted with super-
high-speed tires. Note the following
points in order to make the most ef-
ficient use of these tires.l
Use only the specified replace-
ment tires. Other tires may run
the danger of bursting at super
high speeds.
l
Brand-new tires can have a rela-
tively poor grip on certain road
surfaces until they have been
“broken in”. Therefore, it is ad-
visable before doing any high-
speed riding to ride conserva-
tively for approximately 100 km
after installing a new tire.
l
The tires must be warmed up
before a high-speed run.
l
Always adjust the tire air pres-
sure according to the operating
conditions.
@
FRONT
Manufacturer Size Type
Metzeler 110/90 V18 61V ME33
REAR
Manufacturer Size Type
Metzeler 150/90 B15 M/C 74V ML2
E_3lr.book Page 23 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-3
7After cleaning
1. Dry the motorcycle with a chamois
or an absorbing cloth.
2. 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.)
3. To prevent corrosion, it is recom-
mended to apply a corrosion pro-
tection spray on all metal,
including chrome- and nickel-plat-
ed, surfaces.
4. Use spray oil as a universal clean-
er to remove any remaining dirt.
5. Touch up minor paint damage
caused by stones, etc.
6. Wax all painted surfaces.
7. Let the motorcycle dry completely
before storing or covering it.
EWA00031
WARNING
@ l
Make sure that there is no oil or
wax on the brakes or tires.
l
If necessary, clean the brake
discs and brake linings with a
regular brake disc cleaner or ac-
etone, and wash the tires with
warm water and a mild deter-
gent. Before riding at higher
speeds, test the motorcycle’s
braking performance and cor-
nering behavior.
@
ECA00013
CAUTION:@ l
Apply spray oil and wax spar-
ingly and make sure to wipe off
any excess.
l
Never apply oil or wax to any
rubber and plastic parts, but
treat them with a suitable care
product.
l
Avoid using abrasive polishing
compounds as they will wear
away the paint.
@NOTE:@ Consult a Yamaha dealer for advice on
what products to use. @
E_3lr.book Page 3 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-5
76. Lubricate all control cables and
the pivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the sidestand/
centerstand.
7. Check and, if necessary, correct
the tire air pressure, and then lift
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 the muffler outlets with plas-
tic bags to prevent moisture from
entering them.
9. Remove the battery and fully
charge it. Store it in a cool, dry
place and charge it once a month.
Do not store the battery in an ex-
cessively cold or warm place (less
than 0 °C or more than 30 °C). For
more information on storing the
battery, see page 6-36.
NOTE:@ Make any necessary repairs before
storing the motorcycle. @
E_3lr.book Page 5 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM