2001 YAMAHA VMAX fuel

PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-2
4
NOTE:@ Pre-operation checks should be made each time the motorcycle is used. Such an inspection can be accomplished in a very
short time; and the added safety it assures is more than worth the time involved. @
EWA00033
WARNING
@ If any item in the Pre-operation check list is not working properly, have it inspected and repaired before operating
the motorcycle. @ Chassis fasteners• Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.
• Tighten if necessary.—
Fuel• Check fuel level.
• Add fuel if necessary.3-8
Lights, signals and
switches• Check operation. —
Battery• Check fluid level.
• Add distilled water if necessary.6-33–6-36 ITEM CHECKS PAGE
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
Starting a cold engine ....................................................................... 5-1
Starting a warm engine ..................................................................... 5-3
Shifting .............................................................................................. 5-3
Recommended shift points (for Switzerland only) ............................. 5-4
Tips for reducing fuel consumption ................................................... 5-4
Engine break-in ................................................................................. 5-4
Parking .............................................................................................. 5-5
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5-1
5
EAU00372
5-OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
EAU00373
WARNING
@ l
Become thoroughly familiar
with all operating controls and
their functions before riding.
Consult a Yamaha dealer re-
garding any control or function
that you do not thoroughly un-
derstand.
l
Never start the engine or oper-
ate it in a closed area for any
length of time. Exhaust fumes
are poisonous, and inhaling
them can cause loss of con-
sciousness and death within a
short time. Always make sure
that there is adequate ventila-
tion.
l
Before starting out, make sure
that the sidestand is up. If the
sidestand is not raised com-
pletely, it could contact the
ground and distract the opera-
tor, resulting in a possible loss
of control.
@
EAU01627
Starting a cold engine In order for the ignition circuit cut-off
system to enable starting, one of the
following conditions must be met:l
The transmission is in the neutral
position.
l
The transmission is in gear with
the clutch lever pulled and the
sidestand up.
EW000054
WARNING
@ l
Before starting the engine,
check the function of the igni-
tion circuit cut-off system ac-
cording to the procedure
described on page 3-16.
l
Never ride with the sidestand
down.
@1. Turn the key to “ON” and make
sure that the engine stop switch is
set to “ ”.
EC000035
CAUTION:@ If the fuel level warning light comes
on, check the fuel level, and, if nec-
essary, refuel as soon as possible. @2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.NOTE:@ When the transmission is in the neutral
position, the neutral indicator light
should be on, otherwise have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-
cuit. @3. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle. (See
page 3-8 for starter (choke) opera-
tion.)
4. Start the engine by pushing the
start switch.
E_3lr.book Page 1 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5
NOTE:@ If the engine fails to start, release the
start switch, wait a few seconds, and
then try again. Each starting attempt
should be as short as possible to pre-
serve the battery. Do not crank the en-
gine more than 10 seconds on any one
attempt. @
EC000038
CAUTION:@ l
The oil level warning light and
fuel level warning light should
come on when the start switch
is pushed, and they should go
off when the start switch is re-
leased.
l
If the oil level warning light flick-
ers or remains on after starting,
immediately stop the engine,
and then check the engine oil
level and the vehicle for oil leak-
age. If necessary, add engine
oil, and then check the warning
light again. If the warning light
does not come on when push-
ing the start switch, or if it doesnot go off after starting with suf-
ficient engine oil, have a
Yamaha dealer check the elec-
trical circuit.
l
If the fuel level warning light re-
mains on after starting, stop the
engine, and then check the fuel
level. If necessary, refuel as
soon as possible, and then
check the warning light again. If
the warning light does not come
on when pushing the start
switch, or if it does not go off af-
ter starting with sufficient fuel,
have a Yamaha dealer check the
electrical circuit.
@5. After starting the engine, move the
starter (choke) lever back halfway.
ECA00045
CAUTION:@ For maximum engine life, never ac-
celerate hard when the engine is
cold! @
6. When the engine is warm, turn the
starter (choke) off.NOTE:@ The engine is warm when it responds
normally to the throttle with the starter
(choke) turned off. @
E_3lr.book Page 2 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
EAU02941
Recommended shift points
(for Switzerland only) The recommended shift points during
acceleration are shown in the table be-
low.CF-01ENOTE:@ When shifting down two gears at a
time, reduce the speed accordingly
(e.g., down to 35 km/h when shifting
from 4th to 2nd gear). @
EAU00424
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:l
Thoroughly warm up the engine.
l
Turn the starter (choke) off as
soon as possible.
l
Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.
l
Do not rev the engine while shift-
ing down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the engine.
l
Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length
of time (e.g., in traffic jams, at traf-
fic lights or at railroad crossings).
EAU00436
Engine break-in There is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between 0 and 1,000 km. For this rea-
son, you should read the following ma-
terial carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not
put an excessive load on it for the first
1,000 km. The various parts in the en-
gine wear and polish themselves to the
correct operating clearances. During
this period, prolonged full-throttle oper-
ation or any condition that might result
in engine overheating must be avoided.
Shift point
(km/h)
1st®2nd
2nd®3rd
3rd®4th
4th®5th23
36
50
60
E_3lr.book Page 4 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-3
6
EAU03540
Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart
NOTE:_ l
The annual checks must be performed every year, except if a kilometer-based maintenance is performed instead.
l
From 50,000 km, repeat the maintenance intervals starting from 10,000 km.
l
Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by a Yamaha dealer as they require special tools, data and techni-
cal skills.
_CP-01ENO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING (´1,000 km)
ANNUAL
CHECK
1 10203040
1
*Fuel line• Check fuel hoses for cracks or damage.ÖÖÖÖ Ö
2*Fuel filter• Check condition.ÖÖ
3 Spark plugs• Check condition.
• Clean and regap.ÖÖ
•Replace.ÖÖ
4*Valves• Check valve clearance.
• Adjust.ÖÖ
5 Air filter element• Clean.ÖÖ
•Replace.ÖÖ
6*Battery• Check electrolyte level and specific gravity.
• Make sure that the breather hose is properly routed.ÖÖÖÖ Ö
7*Clutch• Check operation, fluid level and vehicle for fluid leakage.
(See NOTE on page 6-5.)ÖÖÖÖÖ
8*Front brake• Check operation, fluid level and vehicle for fluid leakage.
(See NOTE on page 6-5.)ÖÖÖÖÖ Ö
• Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
9*Rear brake• Check operation, fluid level and vehicle for fluid leakage.
(See NOTE on page 6-5.)ÖÖÖÖÖ Ö
• Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
E_3lr.book Page 3 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
6-44
6
EAU03087
Troubleshooting Although Yamaha motorcycles receive
a thorough inspection before shipment
from the factory, trouble may occur dur-
ing operation. Any problem in the fuel,
compression, or ignition systems, for
example, can cause poor starting and
loss of power.
The following troubleshooting charts
represent quick and easy procedures
for checking these vital systems your-
self. However, should your motorcycle
require any repair, take it to a Yamaha
dealer, whose skilled technicians have
the necessary tools, experience, and
know-how to service the motorcycle
properly.
Use only genuine Yamaha replace-
ment parts. Imitation parts may look
like Yamaha parts, but they are often
inferior, have a shorter service life and
can lead to expensive repair bills.
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