2001 YAMAHA VMAX warning

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

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-25
6
EAU00696
Adjusting the brake lever free
play The brake lever free play should mea-
sure 2–5 mm as shown. Periodically
check the brake lever free play and, if
necessary, adjust it as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the brake le-
ver.
2. To increase the brake lever free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in di-
rection
a. To decrease the brake
lever free play, turn the adjusting
bolt in direction
b.
3. Tighten the locknut.
EW000099
WARNING
@ l
After adjusting the brake lever
free play, check the free play
and make sure that the brake is
working properly.
l
A soft or spongy feeling in the
brake lever can indicate the
presence of air in the hydraulic
system. If there is air in the hy-
draulic system, have a Yamaha
dealer bleed the system before
operating the motorcycle. Air in
the hydraulic system will dimin-
ish the braking performance,
which may result in loss of con-
trol and an accident.
@
EAU00712
Adjusting the brake pedal
position The top of the brake pedal should be
positioned approximately 20 mm below
the top of the footrest as shown. Peri-
odically check the brake pedal position
and, if necessary, have a Yamaha
dealer adjust it.
1. Locknut
2. Adjusting bolt
c. Brake lever free play
a. Distance between brake pedal and footrest
E_3lr.book Page 25 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-26
6
EW000109
WARNING
@ A soft or spongy feeling in the brake
pedal can indicate the presence of
air in the hydraulic system. If there
is air in the hydraulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer bleed the system be-
fore operating the motorcycle. Air in
the hydraulic system will diminish
the braking performance, which
may result in loss of control and an
accident. @
EAU00713
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch The rear brake light switch, which is ac-
tivated by the brake pedal, is properly
adjusted when the brake light comes
on just before braking takes effect. If
necessary, adjust the brake light switch
as follows.
Turn the adjusting nut while holding the
rear brake light switch in place. To
make the brake light come on earlier,
turn the adjusting nut in direction
a. To
make the brake light come on later,
turn the adjusting nut in direction
b.
EAU00715
Checking the front and rear
brake pads The front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. Each brake pad is
provided with a wear indicator, which
allows you to check the brake pad wear
without having to disassemble the
brake. To check the brake pad wear,
check the position of the wear indicator
while applying the brake. If a brake pad
has worn to the point that the wear indi-
cator almost touches the brake disc,
have a Yamaha dealer replace the
brake pads as a set.
1. Brake light switch
2. Adjusting nut
1. Wear indicator (´ 2)
E_3lr.book Page 26 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-28
6
l
Brake fluid may deteriorate paint-
ed surfaces or plastic parts. Al-
ways clean up spilled fluid
immediately.
l
As the brake pads wear, it is nor-
mal for the brake fluid level to
gradually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause.
EAU03238
Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, have the oil seals
of the brake master cylinder and caliper
as well as the brake hose replaced at
the intervals listed below or whenever
they are damaged or leaking.l
Oil seals: Replace every two
years.
l
Brake hose: Replace every four
years.
EAU02962
Checking and lubricating the
cables The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubricat-
ed if necessary. If a cable is damaged
or does not move smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer check or replace it.
EW000112
WARNING
@ Damage to the outer sheath may in-
terfere with proper cable operation
and will cause the inner cable to
rust. Replace a damaged cable as
soon as possible to prevent unsafe
conditions. @Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil
E_3lr.book Page 28 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-30
6
EAU03164
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers The operation of the brake and clutch
levers should be checked before each
ride, and the lever pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
EAU03252
Checking and lubricating the
centerstand and sidestand The operation of the centerstand and
sidestand should be checked before
each ride, and the pivots and metal-to-
metal contact surfaces should be lubri-
cated if necessary.
EW000114
WARNING
@ If the centerstand or sidestand does
not move up and down smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it. @
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
E_3lr.book Page 30 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

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-32
6
EAU00794
Checking the steering Worn or loose steering bearings may
cause danger. Therefore, the operation
of the steering must be checked as fol-
lows at the intervals specified in the pe-
riodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
1. Place a stand under the engine to
raise the front wheel off the
ground.
EW000115
WARNING
@ Securely support the motorcycle so
that there is no danger of it falling
over. @
2. Hold the lower ends of the front
fork legs and try to move them for-
ward and backward. If any free
play can be felt, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair the steer-
ing.
E_3lr.book Page 32 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-35
6
EW000116
WARNING
@ l
Electrolyte is poisonous and
dangerous since it contains sul-
furic acid, which causes severe
burns. Avoid any contact with
skin, eyes or clothing and al-
ways shield your eyes when
working near batteries. In case
of contact, administer the fol-
lowing FIRST AID.
• EXTERNAL: Flush with plenty
of water.
• INTERNAL: Drink large quan-
tities of water or milk and im-
mediately call a physician.
• EYES: Flush with water for
15 minutes and seek prompt
medical attention.
l
Batteries produce explosive hy-
drogen gas. Therefore, keep
sparks, flames, cigarettes, etc.,
away from the battery and pro-
vide sufficient ventilation when
charging it in an enclosed
space.
l
KEEP THIS AND ALL BATTER-
IES OUT OF THE REACH OF
CHILDREN.
@
EC000100
CAUTION:@ Use only distilled water, as tap water
contains minerals that are harmful
to the battery. @
9. Check and, if necessary, correct
the breather hose routing.
10. Install the ignition coil assemblies
by installing the bolts.1. Battery
2. Battery breather hose
3. Pass through the cable guide.
E_3lr.book Page 35 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM