2003 YAMAHA YFM350R brakes

EBU00015
1-CONTENTS
LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND
SPECIFICATION LABELS ....................... 1-1
SAFETY INFORMATION ......................... 2-1
DESCRIPTION AND MACHINE
IDENTIFICATION .................................... 3-1
Identification number records ............... 3-3
Key identification number ..................... 3-5
Vehicle identification number ............... 3-5
Model label ........................................... 3-7
CONTROL FUNCTIONS ......................... 4-1
Main switch........................................... 4-1
Indicator lights ...................................... 4-3
Handlebar switches .............................. 4-5
Throttle lever ........................................ 4-9
Speed limiter ...................................... 4-11
Clutch lever ........................................ 4-13
Brake lever ......................................... 4-13
Brake pedal ........................................ 4-15
Parking brake ..................................... 4-17
Shift pedal .......................................... 4-21
Drive select lever ................................ 4-21
1234
Fuel tank cap ..................................... 4-23
Fuel cock............................................ 4-23
Starter (choke) ................................... 4-25
Seat.................................................... 4-27
Front shock absorber adjustment ...... 4-29
Rear shock absorber adjustment ....... 4-31
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ................... 5-1
Front and rear brakes .......................... 5-5
Fuel ...................................................... 5-9
Engine oil ........................................... 5-13
Chain.................................................. 5-15
Throttle lever ...................................... 5-17
Fittings and fasteners......................... 5-17
Lights ................................................. 5-17
Switches............................................. 5-17
Battery................................................ 5-19
Tires ................................................... 5-19
How to measure tire pressure ............ 5-23
Tire wear limit..................................... 5-25
5
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2-13

Always be careful when skidding or sliding.
Learn to safely control skidding or sliding by
practicing at low speeds and on level, smooth
terrain. On extremely slippery surfaces, such
as ice, go slowly and be very cautious in order
to reduce the chance of skidding or sliding out
of control.


Never operate an ATV in fast flowing water or
in water deeper than that recommended in this
manual. Remember that wet brakes may have
reduced stopping ability. Test your brakes after
leaving water. If necessary, apply them several
times to let friction dry out the linings.


Always be sure there are no obstacles or peo-
ple behind you when you operate in reverse.
When it is safe to proceed in reverse, go slowly.


Always use the size and type tires specified in
this manual.


Always maintain proper tire pressure as de-
scribed in this manual.
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4-19
WARNING


Always set the parking brake before start-
ing the engine. The ATV could start mov-
ing unexpectedly if the parking brake is
not applied. This could cause loss of con-
trol or a collision.


Always be sure you have released the
parking brake before you begin to ride.
The brake could overheat if you ride the
ATV without releasing the parking brake.
You could lose braking performance
which could cause an accident. You could
also wear out the brakes prematurely.
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5-1
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PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
Before using this machine, check the following points:
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
BrakesCheck operation, fluid level and fluid leakage.
Fill with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary.5-5–5-7,
8-41–8-51
ClutchCheck operation, condition and lever free play. 8-59
Parking brakeCheck operation, condition and cable length. 8-53–8-55
FuelCheck fuel level.
Fill with fuel if necessary.5-9–5-11
Engine oilCheck oil level.
Fill with oil if necessary.5-13–5-15,
8-15–8-23
Drive chainCheck chain slack and condition.
Adjust if necessary.5-15, 8-61–8-65
ThrottleCheck for proper throttle cable operation and free play. 5-17, 8-39
Wheels and tiresCheck tire pressure, wear and damage.5-19–5-25,
8-73–8-75
Fittings and fastenersCheck all fittings and fasteners. 5-17
Lights and switchesCheck for proper operation. 5-17, 8-57, 8-87–8-97
BatteryCheck fluid level.
Fill with distilled water if necessary.5-19, 8-77–8-83
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5-5
EBU01167
Front and rear brakes
Brake lever and brake pedal

Check that there is no free play in the brake le-
ver. If there is free play, have a Yamaha dealer
inspect the brake system.


Check for correct brake pedal height. (See
page 8-51.) If the pedal height is incorrect,
have a Yamaha dealer adjust it.


Check the operation of the brake lever and
brake pedal. They should move smoothly and
there should be a firm feeling when the brakes
are applied. If not, have a Yamaha dealer in-
spect the brake system.
Brake fluid level
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See pages 8-43–8-47.)
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
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5-7
Brake fluid leakage
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
pipe joints or brake fluid reservoirs. Apply the
brakes firmly for one minute. If there is any leak-
age, have a Yamaha dealer inspect the brake sys-
tem.
Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out to
make sure they are working properly. If the brakes
do not provide proper braking performance, in-
spect the brake pads for wear. (See page 8-41.)
WARNING
_ Always check the brakes at the start of every
ride. Do not ride the ATV if you find any prob-
lem with the brakes or you could lose braking
ability, which could lead to an accident. If a
problem cannot be corrected by the adjust-
ment procedures provided in this manual,
have a Yamaha dealer check for the cause. _
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6-21
EBU00208
To decelerate:
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. As
you slow down, shift to a lower gear. Be sure that
the engine has sufficiently slowed before engaging
a lower gear. Improper use of the brakes or shift-
ing can cause the tires to lose traction, reducing
control and increasing the possibility of an acci-
dent.
WARNING
Make sure the engine has sufficiently slowed
before shifting to a lower gear. Engaging a low-
er gear when the engine speed is too high
could make the wheels stop rotating. This
could cause loss of control, an accident and
injury. It could also cause engine or drive train
damage.
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6-29
EBU01175
Parking on a slope
WARNING
_ Avoid parking on hills or other inclines. Park-
ing on a hill or other incline could cause the
ATV to roll out of control, increasing the
chance of an accident. If you must park on an
incline, put the machine in low gear, apply the
parking brake, and block the front and rear
wheels with rocks or other objects.
Do not park the ATV at all on hills that are so
steep you could not walk up them easily. _1. Bring the machine to a stop by applying the
brakes in low gear.
2. Stop the engine and release the clutch lever.
3. With the rear brake applied, apply the parking
brake and slowly release the brake pedal.
U5NF62.book Page 29 Wednesday, May 8, 2002 1:40 PM