
7-3
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7After cleaning
1. Dry the motorcycle with a
chamois or an absorbing cloth.
2. Immediately dry the drive chain
and lubricate it to prevent it from
rusting.
3. Use a chrome polish to shine
chrome, aluminum and stainless-
steel parts, including the exhaust
system. (Even the thermally
induced discoloring of stainless-
steel exhaust systems can be
removed through polishing.)
4. To prevent corrosion, it is recom-
mended to apply a corrosion pro-
tection spray on all metal, includ-
ing chrome- and nickel-plated,
surfaces.
5. Use spray oil as a universal
cleaner to remove any remaining
dirt.
6. Touch up minor paint damage
caused by stones, etc.
7. Wax all painted surfaces.8. Let the motorcycle dry complete-
ly before storing or covering it.
EWA00001
w8Make sure that there is no oil
or wax on the brakes or tires.
If necessary, clean the brake
discs and brake linings with a
regular brake disc cleaner or
acetone, and wash the tires
with warm water and a mild
detergent.
8Before operating the motorcy-
cle test its braking perfor-
mance and cornering behav-
ior.
ECA00013
cC8Apply spray oil and wax spar-
ingly and make sure to wipe
off any excess.
8Never apply oil or wax to any
rubber and plastic parts, but
treat them with a suitable care
product.
8Avoid using abrasive polish-
ing compounds as they will
wear away the paint.NOTE:
Consult a Yamaha dealer for advice
on what products to use.
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7-4
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7
StorageStorageShort-term
Always store your motorcycle in a
cool, dry place and, if necessary, pro-
tect it against dust with a porous
cover.
ECA00014
cC8Storing the motorcycle in a
poorly ventilated room or cov-
ering it with a tarp, while it is
still wet, will allow water and
humidity to seep in and cause
rust.
8To prevent corrosion, avoid
damp cellars, stables (because
of the presence of ammonia)
and areas where strong chemi-
cals are stored.
Long-term
Before storing your motorcycle for
several months:
1. Follow all the instructions in the
“Care” section of this chapter.
2. For motorcycles equipped with a
fuel cock that has an “OFF” posi-
tion: Turn the fuel cock lever to
“OFF”.
3. Drain the carburetor float cham-
ber by loosening the drain bolt;
this will prevent fuel deposits
from building up. Pour the
drained fuel into the fuel tank.
4. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.
5. Perform the following steps to
protect the cylinder, piston rings,
etc. from corrosion.
a. Remove the spark plug cap
and spark plug.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine
oil into the spark plug bore.c. Install the spark plug cap onto
the spark plug, and then place
the spark plug on the cylinder
head so that the electrodes
are grounded. (This will limit
sparking during the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several
times with the starter. (This
will coat the cylinder wall with
oil.)
e. Remove the spark plug cap
from the spark plug, and then
install the spark plug and the
spark plug cap.
EWA00003
wTo prevent damage or injury from
sparking, make sure to ground the
spark plug electrodes while turn-
ing the engine over.
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8-1
EAU01038
SPECIFICATIONS
8
SpecificationsSpecifications
Model XT500E/XT600E
Dimensions
Overall length 2,220 mm
2.295 mm (N, S, CH only)
Overall width 865 mm
825 mm (CH only)
Overall height 1,205 mm
Seat height 855 mm
Wheel base 1,440 mm
Ground clearance 230 mm
Minimum turning radius 2,300 mm
Basic weight (with oil and full
fuel tank)176 kg
172 kg (CH only)
Engine
Engine type Air-cooled 4-stroke, SOHC,
gasoline
Cylinder arrangement Forward inclined single
cylinder
Displacement 499 cm
3
595 cm
3
Bore ×Stroke 87.0 ×84.0 mm (XT500E)
95.0 ×84.0 mm (XT600E)
Compression ratio 8.5:1
Starting system Electric starter
Lubrication system Dry sump
Engine oil
Type
Recommended engine oil
classification API Service SE, SF, SG type
or highercCBe sure to use motor oils that do not contain anti-friction
modifiers. Passenger car motor oils (often labeled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II”) contain anti-friction additives
which will cause clutch and/or starter clutch slippage, result-
ing in reduced component life and poor engine performance.
Capacity
Without oil filter element
replacement 2.7 L
With oil filter element
replaced 2.8 L
Total amount (dry engine) 3.3 L
–10° 0° 10° 20° 30°
40°
SAE 10W/30
SAE 10W/40
SAE 20W/40
SAE 20W/50
–20°
SAE 15W/40 50°C
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8-3
SPECIFICATIONS
8
Air pressure (cold tire)
up to 90 kg load*
Front 150 kPa (1.50 kgf/cm
2, 1.50 bar)
Rear 150 kPa (1.50 kgf/cm2, 1.50 bar)
90 kg load–Maximum
load*
Front 150 kPa (1.50 kgf/cm2, 1.50 bar)
Rear 225 kPa (2.25 kgf/cm2, 2.25 bar)
Off-road riding
Front 125 kPa (1.25 kgf/cm2, 1.25 bar)
Rear 125 kPa (1.25 kgf/cm2, 1.25 bar)
High speed riding
Front 150 kPa (1.50 kgf/cm2, 1.50 bar)
Rear 225 kPa (2.25 kgf/cm2, 2.25 bar)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, cargo and accessories
Wheels
Front
Type Spoke wheel
Size 21 ×1.85
Rear
Type Spoke wheel
Size 17 ×MT2.50 or
17 M/C ×MT2.50Brakes
Front
Type Single disc brake
Operation Right hand
Fluid DOT 4
Rear
Type Single disc brake
Operation Right foot
Fluid DOT 4
Suspension
Front
Type Telescopic fork
Rear
Type Swingarm (new monocross)
Shock absorber
Front Coil spring/oil damper
Rear Coil spring/gas-oil damper
Wheel travel
Front 225 mm
Rear 200 mm
4PT-E7 (English) 6/29/01 9:13 AM Page 90

INDEX
E
Engine break-in ..................................... 5-4
Engine idling speed ............................. 6-15
Engine oil and oil filter element ........... 6-10
Engine, starting a warm ......................... 5-2
F
Front and rear brake pads, checking ... 6-22
Front fork, checking ............................. 6-29
Front wheel........................................... 6-37
Installing ............................................ 6-37
Removing .......................................... 6-37
Fuel ....................................................... 3-6
Fuel cock ............................................... 3-8
Fuel consumption, tips for reducing ...... 5-4
Fuel tank cap ......................................... 3-6
Fuse, replacing .................................... 6-32
H
Handlebar switches ............................... 3-3
Light switch ......................................... 3-3
Pass switch ......................................... 3-3
Dimmer switch .................................... 3-3
Turn signal switch ............................... 3-3
Horn switch ......................................... 3-3
Engine stop switch .............................. 3-4
Start switch ......................................... 3-4
Headlight bulb, replacing ..................... 6-33
Helmet holder ...................................... 3-10
I
Identification numbers ........................... 9-1
Ignition circuit cut-off system ............... 3-12
Indicator lights ....................................... 3-2
High beam indicator light .................... 3-2
Neutral indicator light .......................... 3-2
Turn signal indicator light .................... 3-2
K
Key identification number ...................... 9-1
M
Main switch/steering lock ...................... 3-1
Model label ............................................ 9-2
P
Parking .................................................. 5-5
Part locations ......................................... 2-1
Periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart .................................................... 6-3
Pre-operation check list ......................... 4-1
R
Rear brake light switch, adjusting ........ 6-22
Rear suspension, lubricating ............... 6-29
Rear wheel ........................................... 6-39
Removing .......................................... 6-39
Install ................................................ 6-40
S
Seat ....................................................... 3-9
Shift pedal ............................................. 3-5
Shift points (for Switzerland only) .......... 5-3
Shifting .................................................. 5-3
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting ... 3-10
Sidestand ............................................ 3-11
A
Air filter element, cleaning ................... 6-13
B
Battery ................................................. 6-31
Brake and clutch levers, checking and
lubricating ......................................... 6-28
Brake and shift pedals, checking and
lubricating ......................................... 6-28
Brake fluid level, checking ................... 6-23
Brake fluid, changing ........................... 6-24
Brake lever ............................................ 3-5
Brake lever free play, adjusting ........... 6-21
Brake pedal ........................................... 3-5
Brake pedal position, adjusting ........... 6-21
C
Cables, checking and lubricating ......... 6-27
Carburetor, adjusting ........................... 6-14
Care ....................................................... 7-1
Clutch lever ........................................... 3-4
Clutch lever free play, adjusting .......... 6-20
Conversion table ................................... 8-5
Cowling and panels, removing and
installing .............................................. 6-6
D
Drive chain slack ................................. 6-25
Checking ........................................... 6-25
Adjusting ........................................... 6-25
Drive chain, lubricating ........................ 6-26
4PT-E7 (English) 6/29/01 9:13 AM Page 96