Page 27 of 104
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-12
3
EAU04038
Starter (choke) knob “” Starting a cold engine requires a richer
air-fuel mixture, which is supplied by
the starter (choke).
Move the knob in direction
a to turn on
the starter (choke).
Move the knob in direction
b to turn off
the starter (choke).
EAU03372
Locking the steering with a
padlock In addition to the main switch/steering
lock, there are brackets on the right
side of the steering head pipe for lock-
ing the steering with a padlock. To do
so, turn the handlebar until the holes in
the two brackets are aligned, and then
lock the steering with a suitable
padlock.
EAU03785*
Rider seat To remove the rider seat
1. Insert the key into the main switch,
and then turn it counterclockwise
to “OPEN”.NOTE:_ Do not push inward when turning the
key. _2. Pull the rider seat off.
E_5JA.book Page 12 Saturday, August 18, 2001 3:52 PM
Page 28 of 104

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-13
3
To install the rider seat
1. Insert the projection on the rear of
the rider seat into the seat holder
as shown, and then push the front
of the seat down to lock it in place.
2. Remove the key from the main
switch if the motorcycle will be left
unattended.
NOTE:_ Make sure that the rider seat is proper-
ly secured before riding. _
EAU00264
Helmet holder The helmet holder is located under the
rider seat.
To secure a helmet to the helmet
holder
1. Remove the rider seat. (See
page 3-12 for rider seat removal
and installation procedures.)
2. Attach the helmet to the helmet
holder, and then securely install
the seat.
EW000030
WARNING
_ Never ride with a helmet attached to
the helmet holder, since the helmet
may hit objects, causing loss of
control and possibly an accident. _To release the helmet from the hel-
met holder
Remove the rider seat, remove the hel-
met from the helmet holder, and then
install the seat.
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
1. Helmet holder
E_5JA.book Page 13 Saturday, August 18, 2001 3:52 PM
Page 29 of 104
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-14
3
EAU03591*
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly This shock absorber assembly is
equipped with a spring preload adjust-
ing nut.
EC000015
CAUTION:_ Never attempt to turn an adjusting
mechanism beyond the maximum
or minimum settings. _Adjust the spring preload as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut.2. To increase the spring preload
and thereby harden the suspen-
sion, turn the adjusting nut in di-
rection
a. To decrease the spring
preload and thereby soften the
suspension, turn the adjusting nut
in direction
b.
NOTE:_ The spring preload setting is deter-
mined by measuring distance A, shown
in the illustration. The shorter distance
A is, the lower the spring preload; the
longer distance A is, the higher the
spring preload. _
1. Locknut
2. Spring preload adjusting nut
1. Special wrench
A. Distance A
E_5JA.book Page 14 Saturday, August 18, 2001 3:52 PM
Page 30 of 104

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-15
33. Tighten the locknut to the speci-
fied torque.
EC000018
CAUTION:_ Always tighten the locknut against
the adjusting nut, and then tighten
the locknut to the specified torque. _
EAU00315
WARNING
@ This shock absorber contains high-
ly pressurized nitrogen gas. For
proper handling, read and under-
stand the following information be-
fore handling the shock absorber.
The manufacturer cannot be held re-
sponsible for property damage or
personal injury that may result from
improper handling.
Do not tamper with or attempt to
open the gas cylinder.
Do not subject the shock ab-
sorber to an open flame or other
high heat sources, otherwise it
may explode due to excessive
gas pressure.
Do not deform or damage the
gas cylinder in any way, as this
will result in poor damping per-
formance.
Always have a Yamaha dealer
service the shock absorber.
@
EAU00330
Sidestand The sidestand is located on the left side
of the frame. Raise the sidestand or
lower it with your foot while holding the
motorcycle upright.NOTE:@ The built-in sidestand switch is part of
the ignition circuit cut-off system, which
cuts the ignition in certain situations.
(See further down for an explanation of
the ignition circuit cut-off system.) @
Spring preload:
Minimum (soft)/standard:
Distance A = 42.5 mm
Maximum (hard):
Distance A = 51.5 mm
Tightening torque:
Locknut:
35 Nm (3.5 m·kgf)
E_5JA.book Page 15 Saturday, August 18, 2001 3:52 PM
Page 66 of 104

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-21
6
EAU00694
Adjusting the clutch lever free
play The clutch lever free play should mea-
sure 10–15 mm as shown. Periodically
check the clutch lever free play and, if
necessary, adjust it as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the clutch le-
ver.
2. To increase the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in di-
rection
a. To decrease the clutch
lever free play, turn the adjusting
bolt in direction
b.3. If the specified clutch lever free
play could be obtained as de-
scribed above, tighten the locknut
and skip the rest of the procedure,
otherwise proceed as follows.
4. Fully turn the adjusting bolt at the
clutch lever in direction
a to loos-
en the clutch cable.
5. Loosen the locknut at the crank-
case.
6. To increase the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting nut in di-
rection
a. To decrease the clutch
lever free play, turn the adjusting
nut in direction
b.7. Tighten the locknut at the clutch
lever and the crankcase.1. Locknut
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
c. Clutch lever free play
1. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut
2. Locknut
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Page 67 of 104

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-22
6
EAU00696
Adjusting the brake lever free
play The brake lever free play should mea-
sure 2–5 mm as shown. Periodically
check the brake lever free play and, if
necessary, adjust it as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the brake le-
ver.
2. To increase the brake lever free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in di-
rection
a. To decrease the brake
lever free play, turn the adjusting
bolt in direction
b.
3. Tighten the locknut.
EW000099
WARNING
@
After adjusting the brake lever
free play, check the free play
and make sure that the brake is
working properly.
A soft or spongy feeling in the
brake lever can indicate the
presence of air in the hydraulic
system. If there is air in the hy-
draulic system, have a Yamaha
dealer bleed the system before
operating the motorcycle. Air in
the hydraulic system will dimin-
ish the braking performance,
which may result in loss of con-
trol and an accident.
@
EAU01746
Adjusting the brake pedal
position The top of the brake pedal should be
positioned approximately 100 mm
above the top of the footrest as shown.
Periodically check the brake pedal po-
sition and, if necessary, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust it.
1. Locknut
2. Brake lever free play adjusting bolt
c. Brake lever free play
a. Distance between brake pedal and footrest
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Page 70 of 104

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-25
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_5JA.book Page 25 Saturday, August 18, 2001 3:52 PM
Page 72 of 104
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-27
65. If the drive belt slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU01748
To adjust the drive belt slack
1. Loosen the rear wheel axle nut
and the brake caliper bracket bolt.2. Loosen the drive belt puller lock-
nut on each side of the swingarm. Drive belt slack:
7.5–13 mm1. Wheel axle nut
1. Brake caliper bracket bolt
E_5JA.book Page 27 Saturday, August 18, 2001 3:52 PM