Page 65 of 102
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-22
6
EAU01160
Checking the front and rear
brake pads The front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. Each brake pad is
provided with wear indicator grooves,
which allow you to check the brake pad
wear without having to disassemble the
brake. If a brake pad has worn to the
point that the wear indicator grooves
have almost disappeared, have a
Yamaha dealer replace the brake pads
as a set.1. Brake pad wear indicator groove (× 3)Front
1. Brake pad wear indicator grooveRear
E_4km.book Page 22 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 AM
Page 66 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-23
6
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:
When checking the fluid level,
make sure that the top of the brake
fluid reservoir is level.
Use only the recommended quali-
ty brake fluid, otherwise the rubber
seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage and poor braking perfor-
mance.
Refill with the same type of brake
fluid. Mixing fluids may result in a
harmful chemical reaction and
lead to poor braking performance.
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.
Brake fluid may deteriorate paint-
ed surfaces or plastic parts. Al-
ways clean up spilled fluid
immediately.
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.
1. Minimum level markFront
1. Minimum level mark
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4Rear
E_4km.book Page 23 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 AM
Page 67 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-24
6
EAU03976
Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the NOTE after the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
have the oil seals of the master cylin-
ders and calipers as well as the brake
hoses replaced at the intervals listed
below or whenever they are damaged
or leaking.
Oil seals: Replace every two
years.
Brake hoses: Replace every four
years.
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. @
EAU04034
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable The operation of the throttle grip should
be checked before each ride. In addi-
tion, the cable should be lubricated or
replaced at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance chart.
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil
E_4km.book Page 24 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 AM
Page 68 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-25
6
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.
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.
EAU03371
Checking and lubricating the
centerstand and sidestand The operation of the centerstand and
sidestand should be checked before
each ride, and the pivots and metal-to-
metal contact surfaces should be lubri-
cated if necessary.
EW000114
WARNING
@ If the centerstand or sidestand does
not move up and down smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it. @
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
E_4km.book Page 25 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 AM
Page 69 of 102
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-26
6
EAU04282
Lubricating the rear
suspension The pivoting points of the rear suspen-
sion must be lubricated at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
E_4km.book Page 26 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 AM
Page 70 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-27
6
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.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. @
E_4km.book Page 27 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 AM
Page 71 of 102
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-28
6 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.
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.
E_4km.book Page 28 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 AM
Page 72 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-29
6
EAU00800
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.
EC000101
CAUTION:@ Never attempt to remove the battery
cell seals, as this would permanent-
ly damage the battery. @
EW000116
WARNING
@
Electrolyte is poisonous and
dangerous since it contains sul-
furic acid, which causes severe
burns. Avoid any contact with
skin, eyes or clothing and al-
ways shield your eyes when
working near batteries. In case
of contact, administer the fol-
lowing FIRST AID.
EXTERNAL: Flush with plenty
of water.INTERNAL: Drink large quan-
tities of water or milk and im-
mediately call a physician.
EYES: Flush with water for
15 minutes and seek prompt
medical attention.
Batteries produce explosive hy-
drogen gas. Therefore, keep
sparks, flames, cigarettes, etc.,
away from the battery and pro-
vide sufficient ventilation when
charging it in an enclosed
space.
KEEP THIS AND ALL BATTER-
IES OUT OF THE REACH OF
CHILDREN.
@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.To store the battery
1. If the motorcycle will not be used
for more than one month, remove
the battery, fully charge it, and
then place it in a cool, dry place.
2. If the battery will be stored for
more than two months, check it at
least once a month and fully
charge it if necessary.
3. Fully charge the battery before
installation.
4. After installation, make sure that
the battery leads are properly con-
nected to the battery terminals.
E_4km.book Page 29 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 AM