2003 YAMAHA YZF-R1 Owners Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-28
6 Observe these precautions:


When checking the fluid level,
make sure that the top of the brake
fluid reservoir is level.


Use only the recommended quali-
ty brake fluid, otherwise the rubber
seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage and poor braking perfor-
mance.


Refill with the same type of brake
fluid. Mixing fluids may result in a
harmful chemical reaction and
lead to poor braking performance.


Be careful that water does not en-
ter the brake fluid reservoir when
refilling. Water will significantly
lower the boiling point of the fluid
and may result in vapor lock.


Brake fluid may deteriorate paint-
ed surfaces or plastic parts. Al-
ways clean up spilled fluid
immediately.


As the brake pads wear, it is nor-
mal for the brake fluid level to
gradually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause.
EAU03976
Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the NOTE after the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
have the oil seals of the master cylin-
ders and calipers as well as the brake
hoses replaced at the intervals listed
below or whenever they are damaged
or leaking.

Oil seals: Replace every two
years.


Brake hoses: Replace every four
years.
1. Minimum level mark
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4RearRear
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-29
6
EAU00744
Drive chain slack The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and hold it in an upright
position.NOTE:_ When checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, the motorcycle should be
positioned straight up and there should
be no weight on it. _
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Move the rear wheel by pushing
the motorcycle to locate the tight-
est portion of the drive chain, and
then measure the drive chain
slack as shown.
4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU03608
To adjust the drive chain slack
1. Loosen the axle nut and the lock-
nut on each side of the swingarm.
2. To tighten the drive chain, turn the
adjusting bolt on each side of the
swingarm in direction
a. To loos-
en the drive chain, turn the adjust-
ing bolt on each side of the
swingarm in direction
b, and then
push the rear wheel forward.
a. Drive chain slack
Drive chain slack:
40–50 mm
1. Axle nut
2. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
3. Locknut
4. Alignment marks
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-30
6
NOTE:_ Using the alignment marks on each
side of the swingarm, make sure that
both chain pullers are in the same posi-
tion for proper wheel alignment. _
EC000096
CAUTION:_ Improper drive chain slack will over-
load the engine as well as other vital
parts of the motorcycle and can lead
to chain slippage or breakage. To
prevent this from occurring, keep
the drive chain slack within the
specified limits. _3. Tighten the locknuts, and then
tighten the axle nut to the specified
torque.
EAU03006
Lubricating the drive chain The drive chain must be cleaned and
lubricated at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or
wet areas. Service the drive chain as
follows.
EC000097
CAUTION:_ The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle or
riding in the rain. _1. Clean the drive chain with kero-
sene and a small soft brush.
ECA00053
CAUTION:_ To prevent damaging the O-rings,
do not clean the drive chain with
steam cleaners, high-pressure
washers or inappropriate solvents. _
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive
chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant.
ECA00052
CAUTION:_ Do not use engine oil or any other
lubricants for the drive chain, as
they may contain substances that
could damage the O-rings. _
Tightening torque:
Axle nut:
150 Nm (15.0 m·kgf)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-31
6
EAU02962
Checking and lubricating the
cables The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubricat-
ed if necessary. If a cable is damaged
or does not move smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer check or replace it.
EW000112
WARNING
_ Damage to the outer sheath may in-
terfere with proper cable operation
and will cause the inner cable to
rust. Replace a damaged cable as
soon as possible to prevent unsafe
conditions. _
EAU04034
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable The operation of the throttle grip should
be checked before each ride. In addi-
tion, the cable should be lubricated or
replaced at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance chart.
EAU03164
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers The operation of the brake and clutch
levers should be checked before each
ride, and the lever pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary. Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-32
6
EAU03163
Lubricating the brake pedal The operation of the brake pedal
should be checked before each ride,
and the pedal pivot should be lubricat-
ed if necessary.
EAU03165
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand The operation of the sidestand should
be checked before each ride, and the
sidestand pivot and metal-to-metal
contact surfaces should be lubricated if
necessary.
EW000113
WARNING
_ If the sidestand does not move up
and down smoothly, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair it. _
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-33
6
EAU02939
Checking the front fork The condition and operation of the front
fork must be checked as follows at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
To check the condition
EW000115
WARNING
_ Securely support the motorcycle so
that there is no danger of it falling
over. _Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.To check the operation
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and hold it in an upright
position.
2. While applying the front brake,
push down hard on the handle-
bars several times to check if the
front fork compresses and re-
bounds smoothly.
EC000098
CAUTION:_ If any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it. _
EAU00794
Checking the steering Worn or loose steering bearings may
cause danger. Therefore, the operation
of the steering must be checked as fol-
lows at the intervals specified in the pe-
riodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
1. Place a stand under the engine to
raise the front wheel off the
ground.
EW000115
WARNING
_ Securely support the motorcycle so
that there is no danger of it falling
over. _
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-34
6 2. Hold the lower ends of the front
fork legs and try to move them for-
ward and backward. If any free
play can be felt, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair the steer-
ing.
EAU01144
Checking the wheel bearings The front and rear wheel bearings must
be checked at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. If there is play in the wheel
hub or if the wheel does not turn
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the wheel bearings.
EAU01291
Battery This motorcycle is equipped with a
sealed-type (MF) battery, which does
not require any maintenance. There is
no need to check the electrolyte or to
add distilled water.
To charge the battery
Have a Yamaha dealer charge the bat-
tery as soon as possible if it seems to
have discharged. Keep in mind that the
battery tends to discharge more quickly
if the motorcycle is equipped with op-
tional electrical accessories.1. Battery
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-35
6
EW000116
WARNING
_

Electrolyte is poisonous and
dangerous since it contains sul-
furic acid, which causes severe
burns. Avoid any contact with
skin, eyes or clothing and al-
ways shield your eyes when
working near batteries. In case
of contact, administer the fol-
lowing FIRST AID.
EXTERNAL: Flush with plenty
of water.
INTERNAL: Drink large quan-
tities of water or milk and im-
mediately call a physician.
EYES: Flush with water for
15 minutes and seek prompt
medical attention.


Batteries produce explosive hy-
drogen gas. Therefore, keep
sparks, flames, cigarettes, etc.,
away from the battery and pro-
vide sufficient ventilation when
charging it in an enclosed
space.


KEEP THIS AND ALL BATTER-
IES OUT OF THE REACH OF
CHILDREN.
_To store the battery
1. If the motorcycle will not be used
for more than one month, remove
the battery, fully charge it, and
then place it in a cool, dry place.
2. If the battery will be stored for
more than two months, check it at
least once a month and fully
charge it if necessary.
3. Fully charge the battery before in-
stallation.
4. After installation, make sure that
the battery leads are properly con-
nected to the battery terminals.
EC000102
CAUTION:_

Always keep the battery
charged. Storing a discharged
battery can cause permanent
battery damage.


To charge a sealed-type (MF)
battery, a special (constant-
voltage) battery charger is re-
quired. Using a conventional
battery charger will damage the
battery. If you do not have ac-
cess to a sealed-type (MF) bat-
tery charger, have a Yamaha
dealer charge your battery.
_
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