2001 YAMAHA XVS250 maintenance

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-23
6
EAU00727
Rear brake shoes
The rear brake is provided with a wear
indicator, which allows you to check the
brake shoe wear without having to dis-
assemble the brake. To check the
brake shoe wear, check the position of
the wear indicator while applying the
brake. If a brake shoe has worn to the
point that the wear indicator reaches
the wear limit line, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the brake shoes as a
set.
EAU03294
Checking the brake fluid level Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to
enter the brake system, possibly caus-
ing it to become ineffective.
Before riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark and
replenish if necessary. A low brake flu-
id level may indicate worn brake pads
and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake level is low, be sure to check the
brake pads for wear and the brake sys-
tem for leakage.Observe these precautions:
l
When checking the fluid level,
make sure that the top of the brake
fluid reservoir is level.
l
Use only the recommended quali-
ty brake fluid, otherwise the rubber
seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage and poor braking
performance.
l
Refill with the same type of brake
fluid. Mixing fluids may result in a
harmful chemical reaction and
lead to poor braking performance.
l
Be careful that water does not en-
ter the brake fluid reservoir when
refilling. Water will significantly
lower the boiling point of the fluid
and may result in vapor lock.
1. Rear brake shoe wear limit
2. Rear brake shoe wear indicatorRear
1. Minimum level mark
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-24
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.
EAU00744
Drive chain slack The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and hold it in an upright
position.NOTE:_ When checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, the motorcycle should be
positioned straight up and there should
be no weight on it. _
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-25
6 2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Move the rear wheel by pushing
the motorcycle to locate the tight-
est portion of the drive chain, and
then measure the drive chain
slack as shown.
4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU03187
To adjust the drive chain slack
1. Loosen the brake pedal free play
adjusting nut, the axle nut, and the
chain puller locknut at each end of
the swingarm.2. To tighten the drive chain, turn the
adjusting nut at each end of the
swingarm in direction
a. To loos-
en the drive chain, turn the adjust-
ing nut at each end of the
swingarm in direction
b, and then
push the rear wheel forward.
NOTE:_ Using the alignment marks on each
side of the swingarm, make sure that
both adjusting nuts are in the same po-
sition for proper wheel alignment. _
a. Drive chain slack
Drive chain slack:
30–40 mm
1. Axle nut
2. Drive chain puller locknut
3. Brake pedal free play adjusting nut
1. Alignment marks
2. Drive chain slack adjusting nut
3. Locknut
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-26
6
EC000096
CAUTION:_ Improper drive chain slack will over-
load the engine as well as other vital
parts of the motorcycle and can lead
to chain slippage or breakage. To
prevent this from occurring, keep
the drive chain slack within the
specified limits. _3. Tighten both locknuts, and then
tighten the axle nut to the specified
torque.
4. Adjust the brake pedal free play.
(See page 6-21 for brake pedal
free play adjustment procedures.)
EW000103
WARNING
_ After adjusting the brake pedal free
play, check the operation of the
brake light. _
EAU03006
Lubricating the drive chain The drive chain must be cleaned and
lubricated at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or
wet areas. Service the drive chain as
follows.
EC000097
CAUTION:_ The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle or
riding in the rain. _1. Clean the drive chain with kero-
sene and a small soft brush.
ECA00053
CAUTION:_ To prevent damaging the O-rings,
do not clean the drive chain with
steam cleaners, high-pressure
washers or inappropriate solvents. _
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive
chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant.
ECA00052
CAUTION:_ Do not use engine oil or any other
lubricants for the drive chain, as
they may contain substances that
could damage the O-rings. _
Tightening torque:
Axle nut:
104 Nm (10.4 m·kg)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-27
6
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. _
EAU03370
Checking and lubricating the
brake and shift pedals The operation of the brake and shift
pedals should be checked before each
ride, and the pedal pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oilRecommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-28
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.
EAU03165
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand The operation of the sidestand should
be checked before each ride, and the
sidestand pivot and metal-to-metal
contact surfaces should be lubricated if
necessary.
EW000113
WARNING
_ If the sidestand does not move up
and down smoothly, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair it. _
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.
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-29
6 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. _
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
steering.
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-30
6
EAU01144
Checking the wheel bearings The front and rear wheel bearings must
be checked at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. If there is play in the wheel
hub or if the wheel does not turn
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the wheel bearings.
EAU01271
Battery This motorcycle is equipped with a
sealed-type (MF) battery, which does
not require any maintenance. There is
no need to check the electrolyte or to
add distilled water.To charge the battery
Have a Yamaha dealer charge the bat-
tery as soon as possible if it seems to
have discharged. Keep in mind that the
battery tends to discharge more quickly
if the motorcycle is equipped with op-
tional electrical accessories.1. Battery
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