2002 YAMAHA YZ250F engine

3 - 33
INSP
ADJ
DRIVE CHAIN SLACK ADJUSTMENT
5. Install:
Drive chain 1
Joint 2
Master link clip 3
CAUTION:
Be sure to install the master link clip to the
direction as shown.
aTurning direction
6. Lubricate:
Drive chain
Drive chain lubricant:
SAE 10W-30 motor oil or suit-
able chain lubricants
EC36A060
DRIVE CHAIN SLACK ADJUSTMENT
1. Elevate the rear wheel by placing the
suitable stand under the engine.
2. Check:
Drive chain slack a
Above the seal guard installation bolt.
Out of specification → Adjust.
NOTE:
Before checking and/or adjusting, rotate the
rear wheel through several revolutions and
check the slack several times to find the tight-
est point. Check and/or adjust the drive chain
slack with the rear wheel in this “tight chain”
position.
Drive chain slack:
40 ~ 50 mm (1.6 ~ 2.0 in)

3 - 34
INSP
ADJ
FRONT FORK INSPECTION
3. Adjust:
Drive chain slack
Drive chain slack adjustment steps:
Loosen the axle nut 1 and locknuts 2.
Adjust the drive chain slack by turning the
adjusters 3.
To tighten → Turn the adjuster 3 coun-
terclockwise.
To loosen → Turn the adjuster 3 clock-
wise and push wheel forward.
Turn each adjuster exactly the same
amount to maintain correct axle alignment.
(There are marks a on each side of the
drive chain puller alignment.)
NOTE:
Turn the adjuster so that the drive chain is in
line with the sprocket, as viewed from the
rear.
CAUTION:
Too small drive chain slack will overload
the engine and other vital parts; keep the
slack within the specified limits.
Tighten the axle nut while pushing down
the drive chain.
T R..
Axle nut:
125 Nm (12.5 m • kg, 90 ft • lb)
Tighten the locknuts.
EC36C000
FRONT FORK INSPECTION
1. Inspect:
Front fork smooth action
Operate the front brake and stroke the
front fork.
Unsmooth action/oil leakage → Repair
or replace.

3 - 35
INSP
ADJFRONT FORK OIL SEAL AND DUST SEAL CLEANING/
FRONT FORK INTERNAL PRESSURE RELIEVING/
FRONT FORK REBOUND DAMPING FORCE ADJUSTMENT
EC36D001
FRONT FORK OIL SEAL AND DUST SEAL
CLEANING
1. Remove:
Protector
Dust seal 1
NOTE:
Use a thin screw driver, and be careful not to
damage the inner fork tube and dust seal.
2. Clean:
Dust seal a
Oil seal b
NOTE:
Clean the dust seal and oil seal after every
run.
Apply the lithium soap base grease on the
inner tube.
FRONT FORK INTERNAL PRESSURE
RELIEVING
NOTE:
If the front fork initial movement feels stiff dur-
ing a run, relieve the front fork internal pres-
sure.
1. Elevate the front wheel by placing a suit-
able stand under the engine.
2. Remove the air bleed screw 1 and
release the internal pressure from the
front fork.
3. Install:
Air bleed screw
EC36H002
FRONT FORK REBOUND DAMPING FORCE
ADJUSTMENT
1. Adjust:
Rebound damping force
By turning the adjuster 1.
Stiffer a → Increase the rebound damp-
ing force. (Turn the adjuster 1 in.)
Softer b → Decrease the rebound damp-
ing force. (Turn the adjuster 1 out.)
T R..1 Nm (0.1 m · kg, 0.7 ft · lb)

3 - 38
INSP
ADJREAR SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING PRELOAD
ADJUSTMENT
EC36M013
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING
PRELOAD ADJUSTMENT
1. Elevate the rear wheel by placing the
suitable stand under the engine.
2. Remove:
Rear frame
3. Loosen:
Locknut 1
4. Adjust:
Spring preload
By turning the adjuster 2.
* For EUROPE
NOTE:
Be sure to remove all dirt and mud from
around the locknut and adjuster before
adjustment.
The length of the spring (installed) changes
1.5 mm (0.06 in) per turn of the adjuster.
CAUTION:
Never attempt to turn the adjuster beyond
the maximum or minimum setting.
5. Tighten:
Locknut
6. Install:
Rear frame Stiffer →Increase the spring preload.
(Turn the adjuster 2 in.)
Softer →Decrease the spring preload.
(Turn the adjuster 2 out.)
Spring length (installed) a:
Standard length Extent of adjustment
246.5 mm (9.70 in)
*262 mm (10.31 in)240.5 ~ 258.5 mm
(9.47 ~ 10.18 in)
*255.5 ~ 273.5 mm
(10.06 ~ 10.77 in)
T R..29 Nm (2.9 m · kg, 21 ft · lb)

3 - 43
INSP
ADJ
STEERING HEAD INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT
2. Inspect:
Bearing free play
Exist play → Replace.
EC36U013
STEERING HEAD INSPECTION AND
ADJUSTMENT
1. Elevate the front wheel by placing a suit-
able stand under the engine.
2. Check:
Steering stem
Grasp the bottom of the forks and gen-
tly rock the fork assembly back and
forth.
Free play → Adjust steering head.
3. Check:
Steering smooth action
Turn the handlebar lock to lock.
Unsmooth action → Adjust steering ring
nut.
4. Adjust:
Steering ring nut
Steering ring nut adjustment steps:
Remove the number plate.
Remove the handlebar and handlebar
upper bracket.
Loosen the steering ring nut 1 using the
steering nut wrench 2.
Steering nut wrench:
YU-33975/90890-01403

3 - 46
INSP
ADJ
ELECTRICAL/SPARK PLUG INSPECTION
EC370000
ELECTRICAL
EC371001
SPARK PLUG INSPECTION
1. Remove:
Spark plug
2. Inspect:
Electrode 1
Wear/damage → Replace.
Insulator color 2
Normal condition is a medium to light
tan color.
Distinctly different color → Check the
engine condition.
NOTE:
When the engine runs for many hours at low
speeds, the spark plug insulator will become
sooty, even if the engine and carburetor are in
good operating condition.
3. Measure:
Plug gap a
Use a wire gauge or thickness gauge.
Out of specification → Regap.
4. Clean the plug with a spark plug cleaner
if necessary.
Spark plug gap:
0.7 ~ 0.8 mm (0.028 ~ 0.031 in)
5. Tighten:
Spark plug
NOTE:
Before installing a spark plug, clean the gas-
ket surface and plug surface.
Finger-tighten a the spark plug before
torquing to specification b.
T R..13 Nm (1.3 m · kg, 9.4 ft · lb)

3 - 47
INSP
ADJ
IGNITION TIMING CHECK
IGNITION TIMING CHECK
1. Remove:
Timing mark accessing screw 1
2. Attach:
Timing light
Inductive tachometer
To the spark plug lead.
3. Check:
Ignition timing
Timing light:
YM-33277-A/90890-03141
Inductive tachometer:
YU-8036-B
Engine tachometer:
90890-03113
Checking steps:
Start the engine and let it warm up. Let the
engine run at the specified speed.
Engine speed:
1,900 ~ 2,100 r/min
Visually check the stationary pointer a is
within the firing range b on the rotor.
Incorrect firing range → Check rotor and
pickup assembly.
4. Install:
Timing mark accessing screw

4 - 1
ENG

EC400000
ENGINE
SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE COVERS
Extent of removal:
1
Seat removal
2
Fuel tank removal
3
Side covers removal
4
Number plate removal
Extent of removal Order Part name Q’ty Remarks
Preparation for removal
SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE
COVERS REMOVAL
Turn the fuel cock to “OFF”.
Disconnect the fuel hose.
1 Seat 1
2 Air scoop (left and right) 2
3 Fitting band 1 Remove on fuel tank side.
4 Bolt (fuel tank) 2
5 Fuel tank 1
6 Left side cover 1
7 Right side cover 1
8 Number plate 1
13
4
2
3

SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE COVERS
4