
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5
EAU00436
Engine break-in
There is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between  0  and  1,000  km.  For  this
reason, you should read the following
material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not
put an excessive load on it for the first
1,000  km.  The  various  parts  in  the
engine wear and polish themselves to
the  correct  operating  clearances.
During  this  period,  prolonged  full-
throttle operation or any condition that
might result in engine overheating must
be avoided.
EAUT0003
0 — 150 km
Avoid operation above 1/3 throttle. Stop
the  engine  and  let  it  cool  for  5  to  10
minutes after every hour of operation.
Vary the speed of the scooter from time
to  time.  Do  not  operate  it  at  one  set
throttle position.150 — 500 km
Avoid  prolonged  operation  above  1/2
throttle.
500 — 1,000 km
Avoid cruising speeds in excess of 3/
4 throttle.
ECAT0001
After 1,000 km of operation, be sure
to replace the final transmission oil.
1,000 km and beyond
Avoid prolonged full throttle operation.
Vary speeds occasionally.
EC000049
If  any  engine  trouble  should  occur
during  the  engine  break-in  period,
immediately  have  a  Yamaha  dealer
check the vehicle.
CAUTION:
CAUTION:
5-4
EAU03093
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.
•Avoid high engine speeds during
acceleration.
•Avoid high engine speeds with no
load on the engine.
•Turn  the  engine  off  instead  of
letting it idle for an extended length
of  time  (e.g.,  in  traffic  jams,  at
traffic  lights  or  at  railroad
crossings). 

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6
1 * Fuel line• Check fuel hoses and vacuum hose for cracks or damage.√√√√ √
2 Spark plug• Replace.√√√√ √
3 Air filter element• Clean.√√• Replace.√√
4 * Battery• Check electrolyte level and specific gravity.
√√√√ √
• Make sure that the breather hose is properly routed.
• Check operation, fluid level and vehicle for fluid leakage.
√√√√√ √
5 * Front brake(See NOTE on page 6-4.)
• Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
• Check operation, fluid level and vehicle for fluid leakage.
√√√√√ √
6 * Rear brake(See NOTE on page 6-4.)
• Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
7 * Brake hoses• Check for cracks or damage.√√√√ √• Replace. (See NOTE on page 6-4.) Every 4 years
8 * Wheels• Check runout and for damage.√√√√
EAU03686
Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart
NOTE :
•The annual checks must be performed every year, except if a kilometer-based maintenance is performed instead.
•From 30,000 km, repeat the maintenance intervals starting from 6,000 km.
•Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by a Yamaha dealer as they require special tools, data and technical skills.
ODOMETER READING (x 1,000 km)
NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOB
1
ANNUAL
CHECK
6121824
6-2 

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6
ZAUM0285ZAUM0286
EAU03218
Replacing a turn signal light
bulb
1. Remove  the  turn  signal  lens  by
removing the screws.
2. Remove  the  defective  bulb  by
pushing  it  in  and  turning  it
counterclockwise.
3. Insert a new bulb into the socket,
push  it  in,  and  then  turn  it
clockwise until it stops.
4. Install  the  lens  by  installing  the
screws.
EC000108
Do  not  overtighten  the  screws,
otherwise the lens may break.
CAUTION:
EAU03087
Troubleshooting
Although  Yamaha  scooters  receive  a
thorough  inspection  before  shipment
from  the  factory,  trouble  may  occur
during  operation.  Any  problem  in  the
fuel, compression, or ignition systems,
for  example,  can  cause  poor  starting
and loss of power.
The  following  troubleshooting  charts
represent  quick  and  easy  procedures
for  checking  these  vital  systems
yourself. However, should your scooter
require any repair, take it to a Yamaha
dealer, whose skilled technicians have
the  necessary  tools,  experience,  and
know-how  to  service  the  scooter
properly.
Use only genuine Yamaha replacement
parts.  Imitation  parts  may  look  like
Yamaha  parts,  but  they  are  often
inferior, have a shorter service life and
can lead to expensive repair bills.
6-22 

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6
EAU03363
Troubleshooting charts
Starting problems or poor engine performance
EW000125
Keep away open flames and do not smoke while checking or working on the fuel system.
WARNING
Check the fuel level in
the fuel tank.
1. FuelThere is enough fuel.
There is no fuel.Check the compression.
Supply fuel.
Operate the electric starter.
2. CompressionThere is compression.
There is no compression.Check the ignition.
Have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
Remove the spark plugs
and check the electrodes.
3. IgnitionWet
DryWipe off with a dry cloth and correct the 
spark plug gaps, or replace the spark plugs.
Have a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.The engine does not start.
Check the battery.Open the throttle halfway and operate
the electric starter.
Operate the electric starter.
4. BatteryThe engine turns over 
quickly.
The engine turns over 
slowly.The battery is good.
Check the electrolyte and battery
lead connections, and charge the
battery if necessary.The engine does not start. 
Have a Yamaha dealer 
check the vehicle.
The engine does not start. 
Check the compressoin.
6-23 

SCOOTER CARE AND STORAGE
7
•Do not use any harsh chemical
products  on  plastic  parts.  Be
sure  to  avoid  using  cloths  or
sponges  which  have  been  in
contact with strong or abrasive
cleaning  products,  solvent  or
thinner,  fuel  (gasoline),  rust
removers  or  inhibitors,  brake
fluid, antifreeze or electrolyte.
•Do  not  use  high-pressure
washers  or  steam-jet  cleaners
since  they  cause  water
seepage  and  deterioration  in
the  following  areas:  seals  (of
wheel and swingarm bearings,
fork  and  brakes),  electric
components  (couplers,
connectors,  instruments,
switches  and  lights),  breather
hoses and vents.
•For  scooters  equipped  with  a
windshield: Do not use strong
cleaners  or  hard  sponges  as
they  will  cause  dulling  or
scratching.  Some  cleaning
compounds  for  plastic  may
leave  scratches  on  the
windshield. Test the product on
a  small  hidden  part  of  the
windshield to make sure that it
does not leave any marks. If the
windshield is scratched, use a
quality  plastic  polishing
compound after washing.
After normal use
Remove  dirt  with  warm  water,  a  mild
detergent,  and  a  soft,  clean  sponge,
and  then  rinse  thoroughly  with  clean
water. Use a toothbrush or bottlebrush
for  hard-to-reach  areas.  Stubborn  dirt
and insects will come off more easily if
the area is covered with a wet cloth for
a few minutes before cleaning.
After riding in the rain, near the sea
or on salt-sprayed roads
Since  sea  salt  or  salt  sprayed  on  the
roads during winter are extremely cor-
rosive in combination with water, carry
out the following steps after each ride
in  the  rain,  near  the  sea  or  on  salt-
sprayed roads.
NOTE :
Salt sprayed on roads in the winter may
remain well into spring.
1. Clean the scooter with cold water
and  a  mild  detergent  after  the
engine has cooled down.
ECA00012
Do  not  use  warm  water  since  it
increases the corrosive action of the
salt.
2. Apply a corrosion protection spray
on  all  metal,  including  chrome-
and  nickel-plated,  surfaces  to
prevent corrosion.
CAUTION:
7-2 

SCOOTER CARE AND STORAGE
7 Long-term
Before storing your scooter for several
months:
1. Follow  all  the  instructions  in  the
"Care" section of this chapter.
2. Drain  the  carburetor  float  chamber
by loosening the drain bolt; this will
prevent  fuel  deposits  from  building
up. Pour the drained fuel into the fuel
tank.
3. Fill  up  the  fuel  tank  and  add  fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent the
fuel  tank  from  rusting  and  the  fuel
from deteriorating.
4. 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
To  prevent  damage  or  injury  from
sparking,  make  sure  to  ground  the
spark plug electrodes while turning
the engine over.
5. Lubricate  all  control  cables  and
the pivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the sidestand/
centerstand.6. Check  and,  if  necessary,  correct
the tire air pressure, and then lift
the  scooter  so  that  both  of  its
wheels  are  off  the  ground.
Alternatively,  turn  the  wheels  a
little  every  month  in  order  to
prevent  the  tires  from  becoming
degraded in one spot.
7. Cover  the  muffler  outlet  with  a
plastic  bag  to  prevent  moisture
from entering it.
8. Remove  the  battery  and  fully
charge  it.  Store  it  in  a  cool,  dry
place and charge it once a month.
Do  not  store  the  battery  in  an
excessively  cold  or  warm  place
(less  than  0 °C  or  more  than  30
°C).  For  more  information  on
storing the battery, see page 6-19.
NOTE :
Make  any  necessary  repairs  before
storing the scooter.
WARNING
7-4 

SPECIFICATIONS
8
Specifications
Model YQ50
Dimensions:
Overall length 1.743 mm
Overall width 690 mm
Overall height 1.170 mm
Seat height 828 mm
Wheelbase 1.256 mm
Minimum ground clearance 185 mm
Minimum turning radius 1.800 mm
Basic weight:97 kg
(with oil and full fuel tank)
Engine:
Engine type Liquid cooled, 2 stroke
Cylinder arrangement Single cylinder, horizontal
Displacement 49.2 cc
Bore x stroke 40.0 x 39.2
Compression ratio 7.44:1
Starting system Electric and kick starter
Lubrication systemSeparate lubrication (Autolube)
Engine oil:
Type Yamalube 2
or 2 stroke engine oil
Recommended engine oil Jaso FC
classification or ISO EG-C, EG-D
Capacity 1.3 LFinal transmission oil:
Type SAE 10W30 type SE
Quantity 0.13L
Cooling system capacity:1.2L
(total amount)
Air filter type:Wet type element
Fuel:
Recommended fuel Regular unleaded gasoline
(RON 91 mini)
Fuel tank capacity 7L
Carburetor:
Manufacturer DELL'ORTO
Model/quantity PHBN 12HS x1
Spark plug:
Manufacturer/Model NGK / BR8HS
Spark plug gap 0.5—0.7 mm
Clutch type:Dry, centrifugal automatic
Transmission:
Primary reduction system Helical gear
Primary reduction ratio 52/13 (4.000)
Secondary reduction system Spur gear
Secondary reduction ratio 43/14 (3.071)
Transmission type V-belt automatic
Operation Centrifugal automatic type
8-1