2004 YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 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 ............... 3-7
Model label ........................................... 3-9
CONTROL FUNCTIONS ........................ 4-1
Main switch........................................... 4-1
Indicator and warning lights.................. 4-3
Speedometer unit ................................. 4-9
Fuel gauge ......................................... 4-15
Handlebar switches ............................ 4-17
Throttle lever ...................................... 4-35
Speed limiter ...................................... 4-37
Front brake lever ................................ 4-39
Brake pedal and rear brake lever ....... 4-41
Drive select lever ................................ 4-43
Recoil starter ...................................... 4-43
1234
Fuel tank cap ..................................... 4-45
Fuel cock............................................ 4-47
Starter (choke) ................................... 4-49
Seat.................................................... 4-51
Storage compartment ........................ 4-53
Front carrier ....................................... 4-55
Rear carrier ........................................ 4-55
Front shock absorber adjustment ...... 4-57
Rear shock absorber adjustment ....... 4-61
Auxiliary DC jack ................................ 4-63
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS .................. 5-1
Front and rear brakes .......................... 5-5
Fuel ...................................................... 5-9
Engine oil ........................................... 5-13
Final gear oil ...................................... 5-15
Differential gear oil ............................. 5-17
Coolant............................................... 5-19
Throttle lever ...................................... 5-21
Fittings and fasteners......................... 5-21
Lights ................................................. 5-23
Switches............................................. 5-23
Tires ................................................... 5-25
How to measure tire pressure ............ 5-29
5
U5ND61.book Page 1 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

2-11

Always check for obstacles before operating in
a new area.
Never attempt to operate over large obstacles,
such as large rocks or fallen trees. Always fol-
low proper procedures when operating over
obstacles as described in this manual.


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.
U5ND61.book Page 11 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

5-5
EBU12761
Front and rear brakes
Brake levers and brake pedal

Check that there is no free play in the front
brake lever. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust it.


Check for correct free play in the rear brake le-
ver. If the free play is incorrect, adjust it. (See
pages 8-101–8-103.)


Check for correct brake pedal height. If the
pedal height is incorrect, have a Yamaha deal-
er adjust it.


Check the operation of the brake levers and
pedal. They should move smoothly and there
should be a firm feeling when the brakes are
applied. If not, have a Yamaha dealer inspect
the brake system.
Brake fluid level
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See pages 8-93–8-97.)
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
U5ND61.book Page 5 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

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 the lever moves
slowly inward, there may be a leak in the brake
system. If there is any leakage, the brake system
should be inspected by a Yamaha dealer.
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 pages 8-89–
8-91.)
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. _
U5ND61.book Page 7 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

6-11 1. Drive select lever
a. L (Low)
b. H (High)
c. N (Neutral)
d. R (Reverse)
e. P (Park)
1. Levier de présélection
a. L (Rapport inférieur)
b. H (Rapport supérieur)
c. N (Point mort)
d. R (Marche arrière)
e. P (Stationnement)
1. Palanca de selección de marcha
a. L (Baja)
b. H (Alta)
c. N (Punto muerto)
d. R (Marcha atrás)
e. P (Estacionamiento)
EBU00973
Drive select lever operation and reverse driv-
ingCAUTION:_ Before shifting, you must stop the machine
and return the throttle lever to the closed posi-
tion. Otherwise, the transmission may be dam-
aged. _Shifting: Neutral to High and High to Low
1. Bring the machine to a complete stop and re-
turn the throttle lever to the closed position.
2. Apply the brakes, then shift by moving the
drive select lever along the shift guide.NOTE:_ Make sure that the drive select lever is completely
shifted into position. _3. Open the throttle lever gradually.
U5ND61.book Page 11 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

6-21
EBU06761
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, place the machine transversely across
the incline, 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.
2. Stop the engine.
3. With the brake pedal applied, shift the drive
select lever to the park position “P”.
U5ND61.book Page 21 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

7-35
Select a large, flat area off-road to become familiar
with your ATV. Make sure that this area is free of
obstacles and other riders. You should practice
control of the throttle, brakes, shifting procedures,
and turning techniques in this area before trying
more difficult terrain.
Always avoid riding on paved surfaces: the ATV is
designed for off-road use only, and handling ma-
neuvers are more difficult to perform on pavement.
Shift to the parking position “P” and follow the in-
struction on page 6-3 to start the engine. Once it
has warmed up you are ready to begin riding your
ATV. Remember that the engine and exhaust pipe
will be hot when riding and afterwards; do not al-
low skin or clothing to come in contact with these
components.
U5ND61.book Page 35 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

7-37
With the engine idling, shift the drive select lever to
the low position “L” or the high position “H”. Apply
the throttle slowly and smoothly. The centrifugal
clutch will engage and you will start to accelerate.
If the throttle is applied too abruptly, the front
wheels may lift off the ground resulting in a loss of
directional control. Avoid higher speeds until you
are thoroughly familiar with the operation of your
ATV.
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. Im-
proper use of the brakes can cause the tires to
lose traction, reducing control and increasing the
possibility of an accident.CAUTION:_ Do not shift from drive position low “L” to high
“H” or vice versa without coming to a com-
plete stop. Damage to the engine or drive train
may occur. _
U5ND61.book Page 37 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM