Page 44 of 114

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
EAU01258
Starting a warm engine Follow the same procedure as for start-
ing a cold engine with the exception
that the starter (choke) is not required
when the engine is warm.
EAU00423
Shifting Shifting gears lets you control the
amount of engine power available for
starting off, accelerating, climbing hills,
etc.
The gear positions are shown in the il-
lustration.NOTE:_ To shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position, press the shift pedal down
repeatedly until it reaches the end of its
travel, and then slightly raise it. _
EC000048
CAUTION:_
Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, do not
coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not
tow the motorcycle for long dis-
tances. The transmission is
properly lubricated only when
the engine is running. Inade-
quate lubrication may damage
the transmission.
Always use the clutch while
changing gears to avoid dam-
aging the engine, transmission,
and drive train, which are not
designed to withstand the
shock of forced shifting.
_
1. Shift pedal
N. Neutral position
U4TVE6.book Page 3 Saturday, August 4, 2001 12:14 PM
Page 45 of 114

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
EAU02937
Recommended shift points
(for Switzerland only) The recommended shift points during
acceleration are shown in the table be-
low.CF-02ENOTE:_ When shifting down two gears at a
time, reduce the speed accordingly
(e.g., down to 35 km/h when shifting
from 5th to 3rd gear). _
EAU00424
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:
Thoroughly warm up the engine.
Turn the starter (choke) off as
soon as possible.
Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.
Do not rev the engine while shift-
ing down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the engine.
Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length
of time (e.g., in traffic jams, at traf-
fic lights or at railroad crossings).
Shift point
(km/h)
1st→2nd
2nd→3rd
3rd→4th
4th→5th
5th→6th20
30
40
50
60
U4TVE6.book Page 4 Saturday, August 4, 2001 12:14 PM
Page 46 of 114

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-5
5
EAU01128
Engine break-in There is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between 0 and 1,600 km. For this rea-
son, you should read the following ma-
terial carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not
put an excessive load on it for the first
1,600 km. The various parts in the en-
gine wear and polish themselves to the
correct operating clearances. During
this period, prolonged full-throttle oper-
ation or any condition that might result
in engine overheating must be avoided.
EAU03749*
0–1,000 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
6,500 r/min.
1,000–1,600 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
8,000 r/min.
EC000052*
CAUTION:_ After 1,000 km of operation, the en-
gine oil must be changed and the oil
filter cartridge replaced. _1,600 km and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated nor-
mally.
EC000053
CAUTION:_
Keep the engine speed out of
the tachometer red zone.
If any engine trouble should oc-
cur during the engine break-in
period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehi-
cle.
_
U4TVE6.book Page 5 Saturday, August 4, 2001 12:14 PM
Page 47 of 114
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-6
5
EAU00460
Parking When parking, stop the engine, and
then remove the key from the main
switch.
EW000058
WARNING
_
Since the engine and exhaust
system can become very hot,
park in a place where pedestri-
ans or children are not likely to
touch them.
Do not park on a slope or on
soft ground, otherwise the
motorcycle may overturn.
_
U4TVE6.book Page 6 Saturday, August 4, 2001 12:14 PM
Page 49 of 114

6
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
Owner’s tool kit .................................................... 6-1
Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart ......... 6-2
Removing and installing cowlings ........................ 6-5
Checking the spark plugs .................................... 6-8
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ........................ 6-10
Coolant .............................................................. 6-13
Cleaning the air filter element ............................ 6-17
Checking the air vent hose ................................ 6-18
Air intake duct .................................................... 6-19
Adjusting the carburetors ................................... 6-19
Adjusting the engine idling speed ...................... 6-19
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .................. 6-20
Adjusting the valve clearance ............................ 6-20
Tires ................................................................... 6-21
Cast wheels ....................................................... 6-24
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .................... 6-25
Adjusting the brake pedal position ..................... 6-25
Adjusting the rear brake light switch .................. 6-26
Checking the front and rear brake pads ............. 6-27
Checking the brake fluid level ............................ 6-27
Changing the brake fluid .................................... 6-28
Drive chain slack ................................................ 6-29
Lubricating the drive chain ................................. 6-30Checking and lubricating the cables ................. 6-31
Checking and lubricating the throttle grip and
cable ............................................................... 6-31
Checking and lubricating the brake and shift
pedals ............................................................. 6-31
Checking and lubricating the brake and clutch
levers ............................................................... 6-32
Checking and lubricating the sidestand ............ 6-32
Lubricating the rear suspension ........................ 6-32
Checking the front fork ...................................... 6-33
Checking the steering ....................................... 6-33
Checking the wheel bearings ............................ 6-34
Battery ............................................................... 6-35
Replacing the fuses .......................................... 6-36
Replacing the headlight bulb ............................. 6-37
Replacing the tail/brake light bulb ..................... 6-38
Replacing a turn signal light bulb ...................... 6-39
Supporting the motorcycle ................................ 6-39
Front wheel ....................................................... 6-40
Rear wheel ........................................................ 6-41
Troubleshooting ................................................. 6-43
Troubleshooting charts ...................................... 6-44
U4TVE6.book Page 1 Saturday, August 4, 2001 12:14 PM
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-3
6
9
*Brake hosesCheck for cracks or damage.√√√√ √
Replace. (See NOTE on page 6-4.) Every 4 years
10*WheelsCheck runout and for damage.√√√√
11*TiresCheck tread depth and for damage.
Replace if necessary.
Check air pressure.
Correct if necessary.√√√√ √
12*Wheel bearingsCheck bearing for looseness or damage.√√√√
13*SwingarmCheck operation and for excessive play.√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. Every 50,000 km
14 Drive chainCheck chain slack.
Make sure that the rear wheel is properly aligned.
Clean and lubricate.Every 1,000 km and after washing
the motorcycle or riding in the rain
15*Steering bearingsCheck bearing play and steering for roughness.√√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. Every 50,000 km
16*Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened.√√√√ √
17 SidestandCheck operation.
Lubricate.√√√√ √
18*Sidestand switchCheck operation.√√√√√ √
19*Front forkCheck operation and for oil leakage.√√√√
20*Shock absorber
assemblyCheck operation and shock absorber for oil leakage.√√√√
21*Rear suspension relay
arm and connecting arm
pivoting pointsCheck operation.√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.√√
22*CarburetorsCheck starter (choke) operation.
Adjust engine idling speed and synchronization.√√√√√ √ NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING (×1,000 km)
ANNUAL
CHECK
1 10203040
U4TVE6.book Page 3 Saturday, August 4, 2001 12:14 PM
Page 53 of 114
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-4
6
EAU03884
NOTE:_
The air filter needs more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.
Hydraulic brake service
Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.
Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinders and calipers, and change the brake
fluid.
Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.
_23 Engine oilChange.
Check oil level and vehicle for oil leakage.√√√√√ √
24 Engine oil filter cartridgeReplace.√√√
25
*Cooling systemCheck coolant level and vehicle for coolant leakage.√√√√ √
Change. Every 3 years
26*Front and rear brake
switchesCheck operation.√√√√√ √
27 Moving parts and cablesLubricate.√√√√ √
28*Lights, signals and
switchesCheck operation.
Adjust headlight beam.√√√√√ √ NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING (×1,000 km)
ANNUAL
CHECK
1 10203040
U4TVE6.book Page 4 Saturday, August 4, 2001 12:14 PM
Page 57 of 114

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-8
6
EAU03329
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which are easy to check.
Since heat and deposits will cause any
spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plugs should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plugs can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
To remove a spark plug
1. Remove the spark plug cap.2. Remove the spark plug as shown,
with the spark plug wrench includ-
ed in the owner’s tool kit.To check the spark plugs
1. Check that the porcelain insulator
around the center electrode on
each spark plug is a medi-
um-to-light tan (the ideal color
when the motorcycle is ridden nor-
mally).
2. Check that all spark plugs installed
in the engine have the same color.
NOTE:_ If any spark plug shows a distinctly dif-
ferent color, the engine could be defec-
tive. Do not attempt to diagnose such
problems yourself. Instead, have a
Yamaha dealer check the motorcycle. _
1. Spark plug cap (× 2 on each side)
1. Spark plug wrench
U4TVE6.book Page 8 Saturday, August 4, 2001 12:14 PM