
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
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:@
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.
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_4km.book Page 3 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 AM

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
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). @
EAU00424
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:
Thoroughly warm up the engine.
Turn the starter (choke) off as
soon as possible.
Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.
Do not rev the engine while shift-
ing down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the engine.
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).
EAU01128
Engine break-in There is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between 0 and 1,600 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
1,600 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_4km.book Page 4 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 AM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-5
5
EAU04032*
0–1,000 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
5,000 r/min.
1,000–1,600 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
6,000 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. _1,600 km and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated nor-
mally.
EC000053
CAUTION:_
Keep the engine speed out of
the tachometer red zone.
If any engine trouble should oc-
cur during the engine break-in
period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehi-
cle.
_
EAU00460
Parking When parking, stop the engine, and
then remove the key from the main
switch.
EW000058
WARNING
@
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.
Do not park on a slope or on
soft ground, otherwise the
motorcycle may overturn.
@
E_4km.book Page 5 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 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 ............................ 6-16
Tires ................................................................... 6-17
Cast wheels ....................................................... 6-20
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .................... 6-20
Adjusting the brake pedal position ..................... 6-21
Adjusting the rear brake light switch .................. 6-21
Checking the front and rear brake pads ............. 6-22
Checking the brake fluid level ............................ 6-23
Changing the brake fluid .................................... 6-24
Checking and lubricating the cables .................. 6-24Checking 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 centerstand and
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 .......................................... 6-30
Replacing the headlight bulb ............................. 6-31
Replacing the tail/brake light bulb ..................... 6-32
Replacing a turn signal light bulb ...................... 6-32
Front wheel ....................................................... 6-33
Rear wheel ........................................................ 6-35
Troubleshooting ................................................. 6-37
Troubleshooting chart ........................................ 6-38
E_4km.book Page 1 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-3
6
10
*WheelsCheck runout and for damage.√√√√
11*TiresCheck tread depth and for damage.
Replace if necessary.
Check air pressure.
Correct if necessary.√√√√ √
12*Wheel bearingsCheck bearing for looseness or damage.√√√√
13*SwingarmCheck operation and for excessive play.√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. Every 50,000 km
14*Steering bearingsCheck bearing play and steering for roughness.√√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. Every 20,000 km
15*Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.√√√√ √
16 Sidestand, centerstandCheck operation.
Lubricate.√√√√ √
17*Sidestand switchCheck operation.√√√√√ √
18*Front forkCheck operation and for oil leakage.√√√√
19*Shock absorber
assemblyCheck operation and shock absorber for oil leakage.√√√√
20*Rear suspension relay
arm and connecting arm
pivoting pointsCheck operation.√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.√√
21*CarburetorsCheck starter (choke) operation.
Adjust engine idling speed and synchronization.√√√√√ √
22 Engine oilChange.
Check oil level and vehicle for oil leakage.√√√√√ √
23 Engine oil filter cartridgeReplace.√√√
24 Final gear oilCheck oil level and vehicle for oil leakage.√√ √
Change.√√√ NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING (×1,000 km)
ANNUAL
CHECK
1 10203040
E_4km.book Page 3 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 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·kgf)
E_4km.book Page 7 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 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. @
EAU04261
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 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-9
6To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment)
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.3. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and drain bolt to drain the oil from
the crankcase.
NOTE:_ Skip steps 4–6 if the oil filter cartridge is
not being replaced. _
4. Remove the oil filter cartridge with
an oil filter wrench.NOTE:_ An oil filter wrench is available at a
Yamaha dealer. _
1. Engine oil filler cap
1. Engine oil drain bolt
1. Oil filter cartridge
2. Oil filter wrench
E_4km.book Page 9 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 AM