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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-16
6
EAU21960
Cast wheels To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your vehicle,
note the following points regarding the
specified wheels.
The wheel rims should be checked
for cracks, bends or warpage be-
fore each ride. If any damage is
found, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place the wheel. Do not attempt
even the smallest repair to the
wheel. A deformed or cracked
wheel must be replaced.
The wheel should be balanced
whenever either the tire or wheel
has been changed or replaced. An
unbalanced wheel can result in
poor performance, adverse han-
dling characteristics, and a short-
ened tire life.
Ride at moderate speeds after
changing a tire since the tire sur-
face must first be “broken in” for it
to develop its optimal characteris-
tics.
EAU22071
Clutch lever free play Since this model is equipped with a hy-
draulic clutch, adjusting the clutch lever
free play is not needed. However, it is
necessary to check the clutch fluid level
and check the hydraulic system for
leakage before each ride. If the clutch
lever free play does become excessive,
and shifting becomes rough or clutch
slippage occurs, causing poor acceler-
ation, there may be air in the clutch sys-
tem. If there is air in the hydraulic
system, have a Yamaha dealer bleed
the system before operating the motor-
cycle.
EAU22240
Adjusting the brake pedal
position The top of the brake pedal should be
positioned approximately 40.0 mm
(1.57 in) below the top of the footrest as
shown. Periodically check the brake
pedal position and, if necessary, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust it.
WARNING
EWA10690
A soft or spongy feeling in the brake
pedal can indicate the presence of
air in the hydraulic system. If there is
air in the hydraulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer bleed the system be-
fore operating the motorcycle. Air in
the hydraulic system will diminish1. Distance between brake pedal and footrest
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Page 58 of 90
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-17
6the braking performance, which may
result in loss of control and an acci-
dent.
EAU22290
Rear brake light switch
adjustment The rear brake light switch, which is ac-
tivated by the brake pedal, is properly
adjusted when the brake light comes
on just before braking takes effect. If
necessary, adjust the brake light switch
as follows.
1. Remove panel A. (See page 6-5.)
2. Turn the adjusting nut while hold-
ing the rear brake light switch in
place. To make the brake light
come on earlier, turn the adjusting
nut in direction (a). To make the
brake light come on later, turn the
adjusting nut in direction (b).3. Install the panel.1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-18
6
EAU22321
Checking the front and rear
brake pads Front brake
Rear brakeThe front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. Each brake pad is
provided with a wear indicator groove,
which allows you to check the brake
pad wear without having to disassem-
ble the brake. To check the brake pad
wear, check the wear indicator
grooves. If a brake pad has worn to the
point that the wear indicator groove has
almost disappeared, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the brake pads as a set.
EAU22680
Checking the brake and clutch
fluid levels Front brake
Rear brake
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
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Page 60 of 90

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-19
6Clutch
Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to
enter the brake or clutch systems, pos-
sibly causing them to become ineffec-
tive.
Before riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark and
replenish if necessary. A low brake fluid
level may indicate worn brake pads
and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake level is low, be sure to check the
brake pads for wear and the brake sys-
tem for leakage.
NOTE:The rear brake fluid reservoir is locatedbehind panel A. (See page 6-5.)
Observe these precautions:
When checking the fluid level,
make sure that the top of the brake
or clutch fluid reservoir is level.
Use only the recommended quality
brake fluid, otherwise the rubber
seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage and poor braking or clutch
performance.
Refill with the same type of brake
fluid. Mixing fluids may result in a
harmful chemical reaction and
lead to poor braking or clutch per-
formance.
The brake or clutch fluid reservoir
diaphragm will lose its shape from
the negative pressure if the fluid
level goes down too far. Be sure to
return the diaphragm to its original
shape before installing it into the
brake or clutch fluid reservoir.
Be careful that water does not en-
ter the brake or clutch fluid reser-
voir when refilling. Water willsignificantly 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 grad-
ually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause.
1. Minimum level mark
Recommended brake and clutch flu-
id:
DOT 4 brake fluid
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-20
6
EAU22750
Changing the brake and
clutch fluids Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake and clutch fluids at the intervals
specified in the NOTE after the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart. In
addition, have the oil seals of the brake
and clutch master cylinders and cali-
pers as well as the brake and clutch
hoses replaced at the intervals listed
below or whenever they are damaged
or leaking.
Oil seals: Replace every two
years.
Brake and clutch hoses: Replace
every four years.
EAU22760
Drive chain slack The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU22791
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on the cen-
terstand.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Spin the rear wheel several times
to locate the tightest portion of the
drive chain.
4. Measure the drive chain slack as
shown.5. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU22940
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.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.
1. Drive chain slack
Drive chain slack:
20.0–30.0 mm (0.79–1.18 in)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-21
6
CAUTION:
ECA10570
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 thespecified limits.
3. Tighten the locknuts, and then
tighten the axle nut to the specified
torque.
EAU23020
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.CAUTION:
ECA10580
The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle orriding in the rain.
1. Clean the drive chain with kero-
sene and a small soft brush.CAUTION:
ECA11120
To prevent damaging the O-rings, do
not clean the drive chain with steam
cleaners, high-pressure washers orinappropriate solvents.
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive
chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant.
1. Locknut
2. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
3. Axle nut
4. Alignment marks
Tightening torque:
Axle nut:
150 Nm (15.0 m·kgf, 108 ft·lbf)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-22
6
CAUTION:
ECA11110
Do not use engine oil or any other lu-
bricants for the drive chain, as they
may contain substances that coulddamage the O-rings.
EAU23100
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.
WARNING
EWA10720
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 unsafeconditions.
EAU23110
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.
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil
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Page 64 of 90
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-23
6
EAU23131
Checking and lubricating the
brake and shift pedals The operation of the brake and shift
pedals should be checked before each
ride, and the pedal pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
EAU23140
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers Brake lever
Clutch lever
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:
Lithium-soap-based grease (all-pur-
pose grease)
U5WME1E0.book Page 23 Thursday, September 11, 2003 11:10 AM