2001 YAMAHA VMAX engine

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-5
5
EAU00442
0–150 kml
Avoid prolonged operation above
4,500 r/min.
l
After every hour of operation, stop
the engine, and then let it cool for
five to ten minutes.
l
Vary the engine speed from time
to time. Do not operate the engine
at one set throttle position.
150–500 km
l
Avoid prolonged operation above
5,500 r/min.
l
Rev the engine freely through the
gears, but do not use full throttle at
any time.
500–1,000 km
l
Avoid prolonged full-throttle oper-
ation.
l
Avoid prolonged operation above
6,500 r/min.
EC000056
CAUTION:@ After 1,000 km of operation, the en-
gine oil and final gear oil must be
changed, and the oil filter cartridge
replaced.@1,000 km and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated
normally.
EC000053
CAUTION:@ l
Keep the engine speed out of
the tachometer red zone.
l
If any engine trouble should
occur during the engine break-
in period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the
vehicle.
@
EAU00460
Parking When parking, stop the engine, and
then remove the key from the main
switch.
EW000058
WARNING
@ l
Since the engine and exhaust
system can become very hot,
park in a place where pedestri-
ans or children are not likely to
touch them.
l
Do not park on a slope or on
soft ground, otherwise the
motorcycle may overturn.
@
E_3lr.book Page 5 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
6-7
6
EAU03340
Panel A
To remove the panel1. Remove cowling A. (See page 6-6
for cowling removal and installa-
tion procedures.)
2. Remove the screws, and then take
the panel off.
To install the panel1. Place the panel in the original po-
sition, and then install the screws.
2. Install the cowling.
EAU01315
Panel B
To remove the panelRemove the screws, and then take the
panel off.
To install the panelPlace the panel in the original position,
and then install the screws.
EAU03329
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which are easy to check.
Since heat and deposits will cause any
spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plugs should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plugs can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
To remove a spark plug
1. Remove the spark plug cap.
1. Screw (´ 2)
1. Screw (´ 2)
1. Spark plug cap
E_3lr.book Page 7 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-8
6 2. Remove the spark plug as shown,
with the spark plug wrench includ-
ed in the owner’s tool kit.
To check the spark plugs
1. Check that the porcelain insulator
around the center electrode on
each spark plug is a medium-to-
light tan (the ideal color when the
motorcycle is ridden normally).
2. Check that all spark plugs installed
in the engine have the same color.
NOTE:@ If any spark plug shows a distinctly dif-
ferent color, the engine could be defec-
tive. Do not attempt to diagnose such
problems yourself. Instead, have a
Yamaha dealer check the motorcycle. @3. Check each spark plug for elec-
trode erosion and excessive car-
bon or other deposits, and replace
it if necessary.
To install a spark plug
1. Measure the spark plug gap with a
wire thickness gauge and, if nec-
essary, adjust the gap to specifica-
tion.
2. Clean the surface of the spark
plug gasket and its mating sur-
face, and then wipe off any grime
from the spark plug threads.
3. Install the spark plug with the
spark plug wrench, and then tight-
en it to the specified torque.
1. Spark plug wrench
Specified spark plug:
DPR8EA-9/NGK or
X24EPR-U9/DENSO
a. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap:
0.8–0.9 mm
E_3lr.book Page 8 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-9
6
NOTE:@ If a torque wrench is not available when
installing a spark plug, a good estimate
of the correct torque is 1/4–1/2 turn
past finger tight. However, the spark
plug should be tightened to the speci-
fied torque as soon as possible. @4. Install the spark plug cap.
EAU02938
Engine oil and oil filter
cartridge The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter car-
tridge replaced at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the motorcycle on the cen-
terstand.NOTE:@ Make sure that the motorcycle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking the oil
level. A slight tilt to the side can result in
a false reading. @2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles, and then check the oil level
through the check window located
at the bottom-right side of the
crankcase.
NOTE:@ The engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks. @4. If the engine oil is below the mini-
mum level mark, add sufficient oil
of the recommended type to raise
it to the correct level. Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
18 Nm (1.8 m·kg)1. Engine oil level check window
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
E_3lr.book Page 9 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-10
6 To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment)
1. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
2. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.3. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and drain bolt to drain the oil from
the crankcase.
NOTE:@ Skip steps 4–6 if the oil filter cartridge is
not being replaced. @
4. Remove the oil filter cartridge with
an oil filter wrench.NOTE:@ An oil filter wrench is available at a
Yamaha dealer. @
1. Engine oil filler cap
1. Engine oil drain bolt
1. Oil filter cartridge
2. Oil filter wrench
E_3lr.book Page 10 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-11
65. Apply a thin coat of engine oil to
the O-ring of the new oil filter car-
tridge.
NOTE:@ Make sure that the O-ring is properly
seated. @
6. Install the new oil filter cartridge,
and then tighten it to the specified
torque with a torque wrench.
7. Install the engine oil drain bolt, and
then tighten it to the specified
torque.8. Add the specified amount of the
recommended engine oil, and
then install and tighten the oil filler
cap.
1. O-ring
1. Torque wrench
Tightening torque:
Oil filter cartridge:
17 Nm (1.7 m·kg)
Tightening torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
43 Nm (4.3 m·kg)
Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter cartridge
replacement:
3.2 L
With oil filter cartridge
replacement:
3.4 L
Total amount (dry engine):
4.0 L
E_3lr.book Page 11 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM