2003 YAMAHA YZ250F Fork

3 - 2
INSP
ADJ
MAINTENANCE INTERVALS
SHIFT FORK, SHIFT CAM, GUIDE BAR
Inspect
● Inspect wear
ROTOR NUT
Retighten
● ●
EXHAUST PIPE, SILENCER, PRO-
TECTOR
Inspect and retighten
Clean
Replace
● ●
●
● * Whichever comes first
CRANK
Inspect and clean
● ●
CARBURETOR
Inspect, adjust and clean
● ● When using a high-pres-
sure washer, make sure
that water does not enter
the accelerator pump.
SPARK PLUG
Inspect and clean
Replace
● ●
●
DRIVE CHAIN
Lubricate, slack, alignment
Replace
● ●
● Use chain lube
Chain slack: 40 ~ 50 mm
(1.6 ~ 2.0 in)
COOLING SYSTEM
Check coolant level and leakage
Check radiator cap operation
Replace coolant
Inspect hoses
● ●
●
●
● Every two years
OUTSIDE NUTS AND BOLTS
Retighten
● ● Refer to “STARTING
AND BREAK-IN” section
in the CHAPTER 1.
AIR FILTER
Clean and lubricate
Replace
● ●
● Use foam air-filter oil or
equivalent oil
OIL FILTER
Replace
●●
OIL STRAINER (frame)
Clean
●
FRAME
Clean and inspect
● ●
FUEL TANK, COCK
Clean and inspect
● ●
BRAKES
Adjust lever position and pedal height
Lubricate pivot point
Check brake disc surface
Check fluid level and leakage
Retighten brake disc bolts, caliper
bolts, master cylinder bolts and union
bolts
Replace pads
Replace brake fluid
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
● Every one year ItemAfter
break-inEvery
race
Every
third
(or
500 km)Every
fifth
(or
1,000 km)As re-
quiredRemarks
3

3 - 3
INSP
ADJ
MAINTENANCE INTERVALS
FRONT FORKS
Inspect and adjust
Replace oil
Replace oil seal
●
●
●
●
● Suspension oil “01”
FRONT FORK OIL SEAL AND DUST
SEAL
Clean and lube
● ● Lithium base grease
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER
Inspect and adjust
Lube
Retighten
●
●
●
●
●
(After
rain ride)
●Molybdenum disulfide
grease
DRIVE CHAIN GUIDE AND ROLLERS
Inspect
● ●
SWINGARM
Inspect, lube and retighten
● ● Molybdenum disulfide
grease
RELAY ARM, CONNECTING ROD
Inspect, lube and retighten
● ● Molybdenum disulfide
grease
STEERING HEAD
Inspect free play and retighten
Clean and lube
Replace bearing
● ●
●
● Lithium base grease
TIRE, WHEELS
Inspect air pressure, wheel run-out,
tire wear and spoke looseness
Retighten sprocket bolt
Inspect bearings
Replace bearings
Lubricate
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Lithium base grease
THROTTLE, CONTROL CABLE
Check routing and connection
Lubricate
Inspect and clean (throttle cable)
●
●
● ●

●
● Yamaha cable lube or
SAE 10W-30 motor oil
Inspect dirt and wear on
the throttle cable on the
carburetor side.
HOT STARTER, CLUTCH LEVER
Inspect free play
●
ItemAfter
break-inEvery
race
Every
third
(or
500 km)Every
fifth
(or
1,000 km)As re-
quiredRemarks

3 - 4
INSP
ADJ
PRE-OPERATION INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
EC320000
PRE-OPERATION INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Before riding for break-in operation, practice or a race, make sure the machine is in good operating
condition.
Before using this machine, check the following points.
GENERAL INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Item Routine Page
CoolantCheck that coolant is filled up to the radiator cap.
Check the cooling system for leakage.P.3-5 ~ 9
FuelCheck that a fresh gasoline is filled in the fuel tank. Check the
fuel line for leakage.P.1-13
Engine oilCheck that the oil level is correct. Check the crankcase and
frame oil line for leakage.P.3-13 ~ 16
Gear shifter and clutchCheck that gears can be shifted correctly in order and that the
clutch operates smoothly.P.3-9
Throttle grip/HousingCheck that the throttle grip operation and free play are correctly
adjusted. Lubricate the throttle grip and housing, if necessary.P.3-10
Brakes Check the play of front brake and effect of front and rear brake. P.3-24 ~ 30
Drive chainCheck drive chain slack and alignment. Check that the drive
chain is lubricated properly.P.3-31 ~ 33
WheelsCheck for excessive wear and tire pressure. Check for loose
spokes and have no excessive play.P.3-41 ~ 42
SteeringCheck that the handlebar can be turned smoothly and have no
excessive play.P.3-42 ~ 43
Front forks and rear shock
absorberCheck that they operate smoothly and there is no oil leakage. P.3-33 ~ 40
Cables (wires)Check that the clutch and throttle cables move smoothly. Check
that they are not caught when the handlebars are turned or
when the front forks travel up and down.—
Exhaust pipeCheck that the exhaust pipe is tightly mounted and has no
cracks.P.4-3
Rear wheel sprocket Check that the rear wheel sprocket tightening bolt is not loose. P.3-31
Lubrication Check for smooth operation. Lubricate if necessary. P.3-44
Bolts and nuts Check the chassis and engine for loose bolts and nuts. P.1-18
Lead connectorsCheck that the CDI magneto, CDI unit, and ignition coil are con-
nected tightly.P.1-6
SettingsIs the machine set suitably for the condition of the racing course
and weather or by taking into account the results of test runs
before racing? Are inspection and maintenance completely
done?P.7-1 ~ 22

3 - 27
INSP
ADJ
FRONT BRAKE PAD INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT
Loosen the pad pin 2.
Remove the brake hose holder 3 and
brake caliper 4 from the front fork.
Remove the pad pin and brake pads 5.
Connect the transparent hose 6 to the
bleed screw 7 and place the suitable con-
tainer under its end.
Loosen the bleed screw and push the
brake caliper piston in.
CAUTION:
Do not reuse the drained brake fluid.
Tighten the bleed screw.
T R..
Bleed screw:
6 Nm (0.6 m • kg, 4.3 ft • lb)
Install the brake pads 8 and pad pin.
NOTE:
Install the brake pads with their projec-
tions a into the brake caliper recesses b.
Temporarily tighten the pad pin at this
point.
Install the brake hose holder 9 and brake
caliper 0 and tighten the pad pin A.
NOTE:
Fit the brake hose holder cut c over the
projection d on the front fork and clamp the
brake hose.
T R..
Bolt (brake caliper):
23 Nm (2.3 m • kg, 17 ft • lb)
Pad pin:
18 Nm (1.8 m • kg, 13 ft • lb)

3 - 33
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.
T R..
Locknut:
16 Nm (1.6 m • kg, 11 ft • lb)
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 - 34
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 - 35
INSP
ADJFRONT FORK COMPRESSION DAMPING FORCE
ADJUSTMENT
STANDARD POSITION:
This is the position which is back by the spe-
cific number of clicks from the fully turned-in
position.
CAUTION:
Do not force the adjuster past the minimum
or maximum extent of adjustment. The
adjuster may be damaged.
WARNING
Always adjust each front fork to the same
setting. Uneven adjustment can cause poor
handling and loss of stability.
Extent of adjustment
Maximum Minimum
Fully turned in
position20 clicks out (from
maximum posi-
tion)
Standard position:
13 clicks out
EC36J001
FRONT FORK COMPRESSION DAMPING
FORCE ADJUSTMENT
1. Remove:
Rubber cap
2. Adjust:
Compression damping force
By turning the adjuster 1.
Stiffer a → Increase the compression
damping force. (Turn the adjuster 1
in.)
Softer b → Decrease the compression
damping force. (Turn the adjuster 1
out.)

3 - 36
INSP
ADJ
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION
Extent of adjustment
Maximum Minimum
Fully turned in
position20 clicks out
(from maximum
position)
STANDARD POSITION:
This is the position which is back by the spe-
cific number of clicks from the fully turned-in
position.
* For EUROPE
CAUTION:
Do not force the adjuster past the minimum
or maximum extent of adjustment. The
adjuster may be damaged.
WARNING
Always adjust each front fork to the same
setting. Uneven adjustment can cause poor
handling and loss of stability.
3. Install:
Rubber cap
T R..
Standard position:
12 clicks out
* 10 clicks out
EC36K000
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION
1. Inspect:
Swingarm smooth action
Abnormal noise/unsmooth action →
Grease the pivoting points or repair the
pivoting points.
Damage/oil leakage → Replace.