4-1
EAU01114
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4The condition of a vehicle is the owner’s responsibility. Vital components can start to deteriorate quickly and unexpect-
edly, even if the vehicle remains unused (for example, as a result of exposure to the elements). Any damage, fluid leak-
age or loss of tire air pressure could have serious consequences. Therefore, it is very important, in addition to a thor-
ough visual inspection, to check the following points before each ride.
EAU03439
Pre-operation check list
Pre-operation check list
ITEM CHECKS PAGE
Fuel•Check fuel level in fuel tank.
•Refuel if necessary.
•Check fuel line for leakage.3-6–3-7
Engine oil•Check oil level in engine.
•If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.
•Check vehicle for oil leakage.6-10–6-13
Front brake•Check operation.
•If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.
•Check lever free play.
•Adjust if necessary.
•Check fluid level in reservoir.
•If necessary, add recommended brake fluid to specified level.
•Check hydraulic system for leakage.3-5, 6-21–6-24
Rear brake•Check operation.
•If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.
•Check fluid level in reservoir.
•If necessary, add recommended brake fluid to specified level.
•Check hydraulic system for leakage.3-5, 6-21–6-24
4PT-E7 (English) 6/29/01 9:13 AM Page 28
6-11
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6
EC000000
cCDo not operate the motorcycle
until you know that the engine oil
level is sufficient.
EW000065
wNever remove the engine oil tank
cap after high-speed operation,
otherwise hot engine oil could
spout out and cause damage or
injury. Always let the engine oil
cool down sufficiently before
removing the oil tank cap.5. If the engine oil is below the min-
imum level mark, add sufficient
oil of the recommended type to
raise it to the correct level.
6. Install the oil filler cap and the oil
filler cap cover.4. Check the washers for damage
and replace them if necessary.
NOTE:
Skip steps 5–8 if the oil filter element
is not being replaced.5. Remove the oil filter element
cover by removing the bolts.NOTE:
The oil filter element cover is secured
by two bolts and a drain bolt. First,
remove the drain bolt to drain the oil
filter element cavity.
1
32
1. Oil filter cover bolt (×2)
2. Oil filter cover
3. Oil filter drain bolt
To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter element 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 oil filler cap cover,
the oil filler cap and the drain
bolts to drain the oil from the
crankcase and oil tank.1. Drain bolt (oil tank)
2. Drain bolt (crankcase)1
2
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6-12
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6 6. Remove and replace the oil filter
element.
7. Check the O-rings for damage
and replace them if necessary.
8. Install the oil filter element cover
by installing the bolts, then tight-
ening them to the specified
torque.
NOTE:
Make sure that the O-ring is properly
seated.9. Install the engine oil drain bolts,
and then tighten them to the
specified torques.
10. Add the specified amount of the
recommended engine oil, install
and tighten the oil filler cap, and
then install the oil filler cap cover.
ECA00105
cC8In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the engine oil also
lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives
with the oil or use oils of grade
“CD” or higher. In addition, do
not use oils labeled “ENERGY
CONSERVING II” or higher.
8Make sure that no foreign
material enters the crankcase.
1
2
1. Oil filter element
2. O-ring (×2)
Tightening torque:
Oil filter element cover bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m0kgf)
Tightening torques:
Engine oil drain bolt
(crankcase):
30 Nm (3.0 m0kgf)
Engine oil drain bolt (oil tank):
18 Nm (1.8 m0kgf)
Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter element
replacement:
2.7 L
With oil filter element
replacement:
2.8 L
Total amount (dry engine):
3.3 L
4PT-E7 (English) 6/29/01 9:13 AM Page 49
6-24
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6 Observe these precautions:
8When checking the fluid level,
make sure that the top of the
brake fluid reservoir is level.
8Use only the recommended qual-
ity brake fluid, otherwise the rub-
ber seals may deteriorate, caus-
ing leakage and poor braking
performance.8Refill with the same type of brake
fluid. Mixing fluids may result in a
harmful chemical reaction and
lead to poor braking perfor-
mance.
8Be careful that water does not
enter the brake fluid reservoir
when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of
the fluid and may result in vapor
lock.
8Brake fluid may deteriorate paint-
ed surfaces or plastic parts.
Always clean up spilled fluid
immediately.
8As 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
suddenly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause.
EAU03976
Changing the brake fluidBrake fluid, changingHave a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the NOTE after the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addi-
tion, have the oil seals of the master
cylinders and calipers as well as the
brake hoses replaced at the intervals
listed below or whenever they are
damaged or leaking.
8Oil seals: Replace every two
years.
8Brake hoses: Replace every four
years.
1
1. Minimum level markREARRecommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
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6-27
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6
EAU02962
Checking and lubricating the
cablesCables, checking and lubricatingThe operation of all control cables
and the condition of the cables
should be checked before each ride,
and the cables and cable ends
should be lubricated if necessary. If a
cable is damaged or does not move
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer
check or replace it.
EAU04034
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cableThrottle grip and cable, checking and lubricatingThe operation of the throttle grip
should be checked before each ride.
In addition, the cable should be lubri-
cated or replaced at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
chart.
EW000112
wDamage to the outer sheath may
interfere with proper cable opera-
tion and will cause the inner cable
to rust. Replace a damaged cable
as soon as possible to prevent
unsafe conditions.
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil
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6-29
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6
EAU00790
Lubricating the rear
suspensionRear suspension, lubricatingThe pivoting points of the rear sus-
pension must be lubricated at the
intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
1
1
1. Grease nipple (×2)
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
rebounds smoothly.
EC000098
cCIf any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or
repair it.
EAU02939
Checking the front forkFront fork, checkingThe condition and operation of the
front fork must be checked as follows
at the intervals specified in the peri-
odic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
To check the condition
EW000115
wSecurely 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:
Molybdenum disulfide grease
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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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