
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 un-
derstand.
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 ventila-
tion.
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.
@
EAU02997*
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 3-11.
l
Never ride with the sidestand
down.
@
1. Turn the key to “ON” and make
sure that the engine stop switch is
set to “ ”.
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 3-6 for starter (choke) opera-
tion.)
4. 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. @
E_3bt.book Page 1 Thursday, September 7, 2000 10:01 AM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
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
illustration.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.
@
EAU02941
Recommended shift points
(for Switzerland only)The recommended shift points during
acceleration are shown in the table
below.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). @
1. Shift pedal
N. Neutral position
Shift point
(km/h)
1st®2nd
2nd®3rd
3rd®4th
4th®5th23
36
50
60
E_3bt.book Page 3 Thursday, September 7, 2000 10:01 AM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
EAU00424
Tips for reducing fuel
consumptionFuel 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.
EAU00444*
0–150 kml
Avoid prolonged operation above
1/3 throttle.
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
1/2 throttle.
l
Rev the engine freely through the
gears, but do not use full throttle at
any time.
500–1,000 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
3/4 throttle.
EC000056*
CAUTION:@ After 1,000 km of operation, the en-
gine oil and final gear oil must be
changed, and the oil filter element
replaced. @
E_3bt.book Page 4 Thursday, September 7, 2000 10:01 AM

6
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
Owner’s tool kit .................................................... 6-1
Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart ......... 6-2
Checking the spark plugs .................................... 6-5
Engine oil and oil filter element ............................ 6-7
Final gear oil ........................................................ 6-9
Cleaning the air filter element ............................ 6-11
Adjusting the carburetors .................................... 6-13
Adjusting the engine idling speed ....................... 6-13
Adjusting the throttle cable free play ................... 6-14
Adjusting the valve clearance ............................. 6-14
Tires ................................................................... 6-15
Spoke wheels ..................................................... 6-17
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .................... 6-18
Adjusting the brake lever free play ...................... 6-19
Adjusting the brake pedal position and
free play ........................................................... 6-19
Adjusting the rear brake light switch ................... 6-21
Checking the front brake pads and rear
brake shoes ..................................................... 6-21
Checking the brake fluid level ............................ 6-22
Changing the brake fluid ..................................... 6-23Checking and lubricating the cables .................. 6-23
Checking and lubricating the throttle
grip and cable .................................................. 6-24
Checking and lubricating the brake and
shift pedals ...................................................... 6-25
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ..................................................... 6-25
Checking and lubricating the sidestand ............. 6-25
Lubricating the rear suspension ........................ 6-26
Checking the front fork ....................................... 6-27
Checking the steering ........................................ 6-27
Checking the wheel bearings ............................. 6-28
Battery ............................................................... 6-29
Replacing the fuses .......................................... 6-31
Replacing the headlight bulb .............................. 6-31
Replacing a turn signal light bulb or the
tail/brake light bulb ........................................... 6-33
Supporting the motorcycle ................................ 6-33
Front wheel ....................................................... 6-34
Rear wheel ........................................................ 6-35
Troubleshooting .................................................. 6-37
Troubleshooting chart ........................................ 6-38
E_3bt.book Page 1 Thursday, September 7, 2000 10:01 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-4
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.
@24 Final gear oil• Check oil level and vehicle for oil leakage.ÖÖ Ö
• Change.ÖÖÖ
25
*Front and rear brake
switches• Check operation.ÖÖÖÖÖ Ö
26 Moving parts and cables• Lubricate.ÖÖÖÖ Ö
27*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_3bt.book Page 4 Thursday, September 7, 2000 10:01 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-5
6
EAU01486
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which are easy to check.
Since heat and deposits will cause any
spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plugs 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.
To remove a spark plug
1. Remove the appropriate spark
plug cover (rear right or front left)
by removing the screws.
2. Remove the spark plug cap.3. Remove the spark plug as shown,
with the spark plug wrench includ-
ed in the owner’s tool kit.To check the spark plugs
1. Check that the porcelain insulator
around the center electrode on
each spark plug is a medium-to-
light tan (the ideal color when the
motorcycle is ridden normally).
2. Check that all spark plugs installed
in the engine have the same color.
NOTE:@ 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. @3. Check each spark plug for elec-
trode erosion and excessive car-
bon or other deposits, and replace
it if necessary.
1. Spark plug cover
2. Screw (´ 2)
1. Spark plug wrench
Specified spark plug:
BPR6ES (NGK) or
W20EPR-U (DENSO)
E_3bt.book Page 5 Thursday, September 7, 2000 10:01 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-7
6
EAU02942
Engine oil and oil filter
element The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter ele-
ment replaced at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubri-
cation 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. 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-left side of the crank-
case.
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.To change the engine oil
(with or without oil filter element
replacement)
1. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
2. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.1. Engine oil level check window
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1. Engine oil filler cap
E_3bt.book Page 7 Thursday, September 7, 2000 10:01 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-9
6
NOTE:@ Make sure that the O-ring is properly
seated. @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.
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. @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.
10. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
EAU03714
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 level must be
checked and the oil changed as follows
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
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.
_
Tightening torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
43 Nm (4.3 m·kg)
Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter element
replacement:
2.6 L
With oil filter element
replacement:
2.8 L
Total amount (dry engine):
3.2 L
E_3bt.book Page 9 Thursday, September 7, 2000 10:01 AM