2001 YAMAHA VMAX Owners Manual

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

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

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
E_3lr.book Page 1 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

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. @
E_3lr.book Page 2 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
6-4
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
6-5
6
EAU03310*
NOTE:@ l
The air filter needs more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.
l
Hydraulic brake and clutch service
• Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.
• Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinder and caliper as well as clutch master
and release cylinders, and change the brake and clutch fluids.
@25 Final gear oil• Check oil level and vehicle for oil leakage.ÖÖ Ö
• Change.ÖÖÖ
26
*Front and rear brake
switches• Check operation.ÖÖÖÖÖ Ö
27 Moving parts and cables• Lubricate.ÖÖÖÖ Ö
28*Lights, signals and
switches• Check operation.
• Adjust headlight beam.ÖÖÖÖÖ Ö NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING (´1,000 km)
ANNUAL
CHECK
1 10203040
E_3lr.book Page 5 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM