2003 YAMAHA YZ450F engine

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 during
a run, relieve the front fork internal pressure.
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.
T R..1 Nm (0.1 m · kg, 0.7 ft · lb)
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.)

3 - 37
INSP
ADJREAR SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING PRELOAD
ADJUSTMENT
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 (upper)
Rear frame (lower) 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
249 mm (9.80 in)
*264 mm (10.39 in)240.5 ~ 258.5 mm
(9.47 ~ 10.18 in)
*255.5 ~ 273.5 mm
(10.06 ~ 10.77 in)
T R..32 Nm (3.2 m · kg, 23 ft · lb)
T R..29 Nm (2.9 m · kg, 21 ft · lb)

3 - 42
INSP
ADJ
STEERING HEAD INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT
2. Inspect:
Bearing free play
Exist play → Replace.
STEERING HEAD INSPECTION AND
ADJUSTMENT
1. Elevate the front wheel by placing a suit-
able stand under the engine.
2. Check:
Steering shaft
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 handle crown.
Loosen the ring nut 1 using the ring nut
wrench 2.
Ring nut wrench:
YU-33975/90890-01403

3 - 45
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.
Spark plug gap:
0.7 ~ 0.8 mm (0.028 ~ 0.031 in)
4. Clean the plug with a spark plug cleaner
if necessary.
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 - 46
INSP
ADJ
IGNITION TIMING CHECK
IGNITION TIMING CHECK
1. Remove:
Timing plug 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 plug

4 - 1
ENG

EC400000
ENGINE
EC4R0000
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 Side cover (left) 1
Refer to “REMOVAL POINTS”.
7 Side cover (right) 1
8 Number plate 1
13
4
2
3

SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE COVERS

4 - 5
ENG

RADIATOR
EC450001
RADIATOR
Extent of removal:
1
Radiator removal
Extent of removal Order Part name Q’ty Remarks
RADIATOR REMOVAL
Preparation for removal Drain the coolant. Refer to “COOLANT REPLACEMENT”
section in the CHAPTER 3.
Seat and fuel tank Refer to “SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE
COVERS” section.
Exhaust pipe Refer to “EXHAUST PIPE AND
SILENCER” section.
1 Engine guard 1
2 Panel 2
3 Clamp 8
4 Radiator (right) 1
5 Hose 2 1
6 Hose 3 1
7 Hose 4 1
8 Pipe 2/O-ring 1/1
9 Radiator breather hose 1
10 Radiator (left) 1
11 Hose 1 1
12 Pipe 1/O-ring 1/1
1

4 - 6
ENG

RADIATOR
EC456000
HANDLING NOTE
WARNING

Do not remove the radiator cap when the
engine and radiator are hot. Scalding hot
fluid and steam may be blown out under
pressure, which could cause serious
injury.
When the engine has cooled, open the radi-
ator cap by the following procedure:
Place a thick rag, like a towel, over the radi-
ator cap, slowly rotate the cap counter-
clockwise to the detent. This procedure
allows any residual pressure to escape.
When the hissing sound has stopped,
press down on the cap while turning coun-
terclockwise and remove it.
EC454000
INSPECTION
EC444100
Radiator
1. Inspect:

Radiator core
1
Obstruction → Blow out with com-
pressed air through rear of the radiator.
Bent fin → Repair/replace.
EC455000
ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION
Radiator
1. Install:
Pipe 1 1
Hose 1 2
Pipe 2 3
Hose 3 4
Hose 4 5
2. Install:
Hose 2 1
Radiator (left) 2
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)
T R..2 Nm (0.2 m · kg, 1.4 ft · lb)
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)
T R..2 Nm (0.2 m · kg, 1.4 ft · lb)
T R..2 Nm (0.2 m · kg, 1.4 ft · lb)
T R..2 Nm (0.2 m · kg, 1.4 ft · lb)
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)