
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
understand.
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
ventilation.
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 3-17.
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
circuit. @3. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle. (See
page 3-10 for starter (choke) oper-
ation.)
4. Start the engine by pushing the
start switch.
E_4km.book Page 1 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:32 AM

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:@ l
The engine is warm when it re-
sponds normally to the throttle
with the starter (choke) turned off.
l
When the engine is idling with the
starter (choke) on, the radiator fan
will automatically be switched on
and off regardless of the radiator
coolant temperature, and the en-
gine idling speed will vary at times,
but this is not a malfunction.
@
E_4km.book Page 2 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:32 AM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-5
5
EAU00448*
0–500 kml
Avoid prolonged operation above
5,000 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.
500–1,000 km
l
Avoid prolonged operation above
6,000 r/min.
l
Rev the engine freely through the
gears, but do not use full throttle at
any time.
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 oc-
cur 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_4km.book Page 5 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:32 AM

6
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
Owner’s tool kit .................................................... 6-1
Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart ......... 6-2
Removing and installing cowlings ........................ 6-5
Checking the spark plugs .................................... 6-7
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge .......................... 6-8
Final gear oil ...................................................... 6-11
Cleaning the air filter element ............................ 6-13
Adjusting the carburetors ................................... 6-15
Adjusting the engine idling speed ...................... 6-15
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .................. 6-16
Adjusting the valve clearance ............................ 6-17
Tires ................................................................... 6-17
Wheels ............................................................... 6-20
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .................... 6-20
Adjusting the rear brake light switch .................. 6-21
Checking the front and rear brake pads ............. 6-21
Checking the brake fluid level ............................ 6-22
Changing the brake fluid .................................... 6-23
Checking and lubricating the cables .................. 6-23Checking and lubricating the throttle grip and
cable ............................................................... 6-23
Checking and lubricating the brake and
shift pedals ...................................................... 6-24
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers .................................................... 6-24
Checking and lubricating the centerstand and
sidestand ......................................................... 6-25
Checking the front fork ...................................... 6-25
Checking the steering ....................................... 6-26
Checking the wheel bearings ............................ 6-27
Battery ............................................................... 6-27
Replacing the fuses .......................................... 6-29
Replacing a headlight bulb ................................ 6-30
Front wheel ....................................................... 6-31
Rear wheel ........................................................ 6-33
Troubleshooting ................................................. 6-35
Troubleshooting chart ........................................ 6-36
E_4km.book Page 1 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:32 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-3
6
10
*Wheels• Check runout and for damage.ÖÖÖÖ
11*Tires• Check tread depth and for damage.
• Replace if necessary.
• Check air pressure.
• Correct if necessary.ÖÖÖÖ
12*Wheel bearings• Check bearing for looseness or damage.ÖÖÖÖ
13*Swingarm• Check operation and for excessive play.ÖÖÖÖ
• Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. Every 50,000 km
14*Steering bearings• Check bearing play and steering for roughness.ÖÖÖÖÖ
• Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. Every 20,000 km
15*Chassis fasteners• Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.ÖÖÖÖ Ö
16 Sidestand/centerstand• Check operation.
• Lubricate.ÖÖÖÖ Ö
17*Sidestand switch• Check operation.ÖÖÖÖÖ Ö
18*Front fork• Check operation and for oil leakage.ÖÖÖÖ
19*Rear shock absorber
assembly• Check operation and shock absorber for oil leakage.ÖÖÖÖ
20*Rear suspension relay
arm and connecting arm
pivoting points• Check operation.ÖÖÖÖ
• Lubricate with molybdenum disulfide grease.ÖÖ
21*Carburetors• Check starter (choke) operation.
• Adjust engine idling speed and synchronization.ÖÖÖÖÖ Ö
22 Engine oil• Change.ÖÖÖÖÖ Ö
23 Engine oil filter cartridge•Replace.ÖÖÖ
24 Final gear oil• Check oil level and vehicle for oil leakage.ÖÖ Ö
• Change.ÖÖÖ NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING (´1,000 km)
ANNUAL
CHECK
1 10203040
E_4km.book Page 3 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:32 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-7
6
EAU01880
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which should be checked
periodically, preferably by a Yamaha
dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode,
they 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.
The porcelain insulator around the cen-
ter electrode of each spark plug should
be a medium-to-light tan (the ideal col-
or when the motorcycle is ridden nor-
mally), and all spark plugs installed in
the engine should have the same color.
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.If a spark plug shows signs of electrode
erosion and excessive carbon or other
deposits, it should be replaced.
Before installing a spark plug, the spark
plug gap should be measured with a
wire thickness gauge and, if necessary,
adjusted to specification.
Clean the surface of the spark plug
gasket and its mating surface, and then
wipe off any grime from the spark plug
threads. Specified spark plug:
DPR8EA-9 (NGK) or
X24EPR-U9 (DENSO)
a. Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:
0.8–0.9 mm
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
17.5 Nm (1.75 m·kg)
E_4km.book Page 7 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:32 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-8
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. @
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.1. Engine oil level check window
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
E_4km.book Page 8 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:32 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-10
6 5. Apply a thin coat of engine oil to
the O-ring of the new oil filter
cartridge.
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.
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. @
1. O-ring
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):
4.4 L
E_4km.book Page 10 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:32 AM