2001 YAMAHA VMAX warning

6-1
6
EAU00462
6-PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
EAU00464
Safety is an obligation of the owner.
Periodic inspection, adjustment and lu-
brication will keep your vehicle in the
safest and most efficient condition pos-
sible. The most important points of in-
spection, adjustment, and lubrication
are explained on the following pages.
The intervals given in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart
should be simply considered as a gen-
eral guide under normal riding condi-
tions. However, DEPENDING ON THE
WEATHER, TERRAIN, GEOGRAPHI-
CAL LOCATION, AND INDIVIDUAL
USE, THE MAINTENANCE INTER-
VALS MAY NEED TO BE SHORT-
ENED.
EW000060
WARNING
@ If you are not familiar with motor-
cycle maintenance work, have a
Yamaha dealer do it for you. @
EAU01659
Owner’s tool kit The tool kit is located inside the storage
compartment behind the rider seat
backrest. (See page 3-9 for an expla-
nation on moving the rider seat back-
rest forward and back.)The service information included in this
manual and the tools provided in the
owner’s tool kit are intended to assist
you in the performance of preventive
maintenance and minor repairs. How-
ever, additional tools such as a torque
wrench may be necessary to perform
certain maintenance work correctly.
NOTE:@ If you do not have the tools or experi-
ence required for a particular job, have
a Yamaha dealer perform it for you. @
1. Owner’s tool kit
2. Rider seat backrest
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-2
6
EW000063
WARNING
@ Modifications not approved by
Yamaha may cause loss of perfor-
mance and render the vehicle un-
safe for use. Consult a Yamaha
dealer before attempting any
changes. @
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-12
6
EC000072
CAUTION:@ l
In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the engine oil also
lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives with
the oil or use oils of a higher
grade than “CD”. In addition, do
not use oils labeled “ENERGY
CONSERVING II” or higher.
l
Make sure that no foreign mate-
rial enters the crankcase.
@9. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking,
immediately turn the engine off
and check for the cause.NOTE:@ After the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if the
oil level is sufficient. @
EC000067
CAUTION:@ If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on, immediately turn the
engine off and have a Yamaha deal-
er check the vehicle. @10. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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6
EAU02975
Final gear oil The final gear case must be checked
for oil leakage before each ride. If any
leakage is found, have a Yamaha deal-
er check and repair the motorcycle. In
addition, the final gear oil must be
changed as follows at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
1. Place the motorcycle on the cen-
terstand.
2. Place an oil pan under the final
gear case to collect the used oil.3. Remove the oil filler bolt and drain
bolt to drain the oil from the final
gear case.
4. Install the final gear oil drain bolt,
and then tighten it to the specified
torque.
5. Add the specified amount of the
recommended final gear oil, and
then install and tighten the oil filler
bolt.
NOTE:@ GL4 is a quality rating. Hypoid gear oils
rated GL5 or GL6 may also be used. @
EW000066
WARNING
@ l
Make sure that no foreign mate-
rial enters the final gear case.
l
Make sure that no oil gets on
the tire or wheel.
@6. Check the final gear case for oil
leakage. If oil is leaking, check for
the cause.
1. Final gear oil filler bolt
2. Correct oil level
3. Final gear oil drain bolt
Tightening torque:
Final gear oil drain bolt:
23 Nm (2.3 m·kg)
Recommended final gear oil:
Hypoid gear oil SAE 80 (API GL4)
or multigrade hypoid gear oil
SAE 80W-90
Oil quantity:
0.2 L
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-15
6
EC000080
CAUTION:@ l
If coolant is not available, use
distilled water or soft tap water
instead. Do not use hard water
or salt water since it is harmful
to the engine.
l
If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possible, other-
wise the engine may not be
sufficiently cooled and the cool-
ing system will not be protected
against frost and corrosion.
l
If water has been added to the
coolant, have a Yamaha dealer
check the antifreeze content of
the coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the effectiveness of
the coolant will be reduced.
@
EW000067
WARNING
@ Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap when the engine is hot. @
NOTE:@ The radiator fan is automatically
switched on or off according to the
coolant temperature in the radiator. If
the engine overheats, see page 6-46
for further instructions. @
EAU03417
To change the coolant
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and let the engine cool if
necessary.
2. Remove cowling A and panel A.
(See pages 6-6 and 6-7 for cowl-
ing and panel removal and instal-
lation procedures.)
3. Place a container under the en-
gine to collect the used coolant.
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-16
6 4. Remove the radiator cap.
EW000067
WARNING
@ Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap when the engine is hot. @
5. Turn the coolant drain cock to
“ON”.6. Remove the water pump drain bolt
to drain the water pump housing.
1. Radiator cap
1. Coolant drain cock
2. Position indicator
1. Water pump drain bolt
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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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
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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