
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-2
4
NOTE:@ Pre-operation checks should be made each time the motorcycle is used. Such an inspection can be accomplished in a very
short time; and the added safety it assures is more than worth the time involved. @
EWA00033
WARNING
@ If any item in the Pre-operation check list is not working properly, have it inspected and repaired before operating
the motorcycle. @Control cables• Make sure that operation is smooth.
• Lubricate if necessary.—
Wheels and tires• Check for damage.
• Check tire condition and tread depth.
• Check air pressure.
• Correct if necessary.6-17–6-20, 6-31
Brake and shift pedals• Make sure that operation is smooth.
• Lubricate pedal pivoting points if necessary.6-28–6-29
Brake and clutch levers• Make sure that operation is smooth.
• Lubricate lever pivoting points if necessary.6-29
Sidestand• Make sure that operation is smooth.
• Lubricate pivot if necessary.6-30
Chassis fasteners• Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.
• Tighten if necessary.—
Instruments, lights, signals
and switches• Check operation.
• Correct if necessary.— ITEM CHECKS PAGE
E_5JA.book Page 2 Wednesday, September 13, 2000 6:06 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5 1. Turn the fuel cock lever to “ON”.
2. Turn the key to “ON” and make
sure that the engine stop switch is
set to “ ”.
3. 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. @
4. Turn the starter (choke) on and
completely close the throttle. (See
page 3-12 for starter (choke)
operation.)
5. Start the engine by pushing the
start switch.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. @
6. After starting the engine, move the
starter (choke) knob back halfway.
ECA00055
CAUTION:@ For maximum engine life, always
warm the engine up before starting
off. Never accelerate hard when the
engine is cold! @7. When the engine is warm, turn the
starter (choke) off.NOTE:@ The engine is warm when it responds
normally to the throttle with the starter
(choke) turned off. @
E_5JA.book Page 2 Wednesday, September 13, 2000 6:06 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
EAU01258
Starting a warm engine Follow the same procedure as for start-
ing a cold engine with the exception
that the starter (choke) is not required
when the engine is warm.
EAU00423
Shifting Shifting gears lets you control the
amount of engine power available for
starting off, accelerating, climbing hills,
etc.
The gear positions are shown in the il-
lustration.NOTE:@ To shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position, press the shift pedal down
repeatedly until it reaches the end of its
travel, and then slightly raise it. @
EC000048
CAUTION:@ l
Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, do not
coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not
tow the motorcycle for long dis-
tances. The transmission is
properly lubricated only when
the engine is running. Inade-
quate lubrication may damage
the transmission.
l
Always use the clutch while
changing gears to avoid dam-
aging the engine, transmission,
and drive train, which are not
designed to withstand the
shock of forced shifting.
@
1. Shift pedal
N. Neutral position
E_5JA.book Page 3 Wednesday, September 13, 2000 6:06 PM

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).
Shift point
(km/h)
1st®2nd
2nd®3rd
3rd®4th
4th®5th23
36
50
60
E_5JA.book Page 4 Wednesday, September 13, 2000 6:06 PM

6
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
Owner’s tool kit .................................................... 6-1
Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart ......... 6-3
Removing and installing the panel ....................... 6-6
Checking the spark plugs .................................... 6-7
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge .......................... 6-8
Transfer case oil ................................................. 6-12
Cleaning the air filter element ............................ 6-13
Adjusting the carburetor ..................................... 6-16
Adjusting the engine idling speed ...................... 6-16
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .................. 6-17
Adjusting the valve clearance ............................ 6-17
Tires ................................................................... 6-17
Spoke wheels .................................................... 6-20
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .................... 6-21
Adjusting the brake lever free play ..................... 6-22
Adjusting the brake pedal position ..................... 6-22
Adjusting the rear brake light switch .................. 6-23
Checking the front and rear brake pads ............. 6-23Checking the brake fluid level ............................ 6-25
Changing the brake fluid ................................... 6-26
Drive belt slack .................................................. 6-26
Checking and lubricating the brake and
shift pedals ...................................................... 6-28
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers .................................................... 6-29
Checking and lubricating the sidestand ............ 6-30
Checking the front fork ...................................... 6-30
Checking the steering ....................................... 6-31
Checking the wheel bearings ............................ 6-31
Battery ............................................................... 6-32
Replacing the fuses .......................................... 6-33
Replacing the headlight bulb ............................. 6-35
Replacing a turn signal light bulb or the tail/
brake light bulb ................................................ 6-37
Troubleshooting ................................................. 6-37
Troubleshooting chart ........................................ 6-38
E_5JA.book Page 1 Wednesday, September 13, 2000 6:06 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-5
6
EAU03541
NOTE:@l
The air filter needs more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.
l
Hydraulic brake 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, and change the brake fluid.
• Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.
@23 Engine oil• Change.ÖÖÖÖÖ Ö
24 Engine oil filter cartridge•Replace.ÖÖÖ
25
*Transfer case oil• Check oil level.ÖÖ
• 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_5JA_Periodic.fm Page 5 Monday, December 18, 2000 7:28 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-7
6
EAU01639
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 inthe 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.
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. @
a. Spark plug gap
Specified spark plug:
DPR7EA-9/NGK or
X22EPR-U9/DENSO
Spark plug gap:
0.8–0.9 mm
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
17.5 Nm (1.75 m·kg)
E_5JA.book Page 7 Wednesday, September 13, 2000 6:06 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-8
6
ECA00021
CAUTION:@ Do not use any tools to remove or
install the spark plug cap, otherwise
the ignition coil coupler may get
damaged. The spark plug cap may
be difficult to remove because the
rubber seal on the end of the cap fits
tightly. To remove the spark plug
cap, simply twist it back and forth
while pulling it out; to install it, twist
it back and forth while pushing it in. @
EAU03679
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 a level
surface and hold it in an upright
position.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. Remove the rider seat. (See page
3-12 for rider seat removal and in-
stallation procedures.)3. Start the engine, warm it up until
the engine oil has reached a nor-
mal temperature of 60 °C, let it
continue to idle for ten seconds,
and then turn the engine off.
NOTE:@ To achieve the proper engine oil tem-
perature for an accurate oil level read-
ing, the engine must have first
completely cooled down, and then
warmed up again for several minutes to
normal operating temperature. @4. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles, remove the oil filler cap, wipe
the dipstick clean, insert it back
into the oil filler hole (without
screwing it in), and then remove it
again to check the oil level.NOTE:@ The engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks. @
E_5JA.book Page 8 Wednesday, September 13, 2000 6:06 PM