2004 YAMAHA XVS250 maintenance

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-6
6
EAU19161
Panel B
To remove the panel1. Remove the bolt.
2. Pull the rear of the panel out, and
then slide the panel forward to re-
lease it in the front.To install the panel
1. Secure the front of the panel, and
then push the rear of the panel in.
2. Install the bolt.
EAU19543
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which are easy to check.
Since heat and deposits will cause any
spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plugs should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plugs can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
To remove a spark plug
1. Remove the spark plug cap.
2. Remove the spark plug as shown,
with the spark plug wrench includ-
ed in the owner’s tool kit.
1. Bolt
1. Spark plug cap
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-7
6To check the spark plugs
1. Check that the porcelain insulator
around the center electrode on
each spark plug is a medium-to-
light tan (the ideal color when the
vehicle is ridden normally).
2. Check that all spark plugs installed
in the engine have the same color.
NOTE:If any spark plug shows a distinctly dif-
ferent color, the engine could be defec-
tive. Do not attempt to diagnose such
problems yourself. Instead, have aYamaha dealer check the vehicle.3. Check each spark plug for elec-
trode erosion and excessive car-
bon or other deposits, and replace
it if necessary.
To install a spark plug
1. Measure the spark plug gap with a
wire thickness gauge and, if nec-
essary, adjust the gap to specifica-
tion.2. Clean the surface of the spark plug
gasket and its mating surface, and
then wipe off any grime from the
spark plug threads.
3. Install the spark plug with the
spark plug wrench, and then tight-
en it to the specified torque.
NOTE:
If a torque wrench is not available when
installing a spark plug, a good estimate
of the correct torque is 1/4–1/2 turn
past finger tight. However, the spark
plug should be tightened to the speci-fied torque as soon as possible.
4. Install the spark plug cap.
1. Spark plug wrench
Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR6HSA
DENSO/U20FSR-U1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap:
0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
12.5 Nm (1.25 m·kgf, 9.0 ft·lbf)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-8
6
EAU19751
Engine oil and oil filter
element The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter ele-
ment replaced at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubri-
cation chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.NOTE:
Make sure that the vehicle is positioned
straight up when checking the oil level.
A slight tilt to the side can result in afalse reading.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles, and then check the oil level
through the check window located
at the bottom-right side of the
crankcase.
NOTE:The engine oil should be between theminimum and maximum level marks.
4. If the engine oil is below the mini-
mum level mark, add sufficient oil
of the recommended type to raise
it to the correct level.
To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter element replace-
ment)
1. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.2. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.
3. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and drain bolt to drain the oil from
the crankcase.
NOTE:Skip steps 4–6 if the oil filter element isnot being replaced.
4. Remove the oil filter element cover
by removing the bolts.
1. Engine oil level check window
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
4. Engine oil filler cap
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. Oil pan
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-9
65. Remove and replace the oil filter
element and O-ring.
6. Install the oil filter element cover by
installing the bolts, then tightening
them to the specified torque.
NOTE:
Make sure that the O-ring is properlyseated.
7. Install the engine oil drain bolt, and
then tighten it to the specified
torque.
8. Add the specified amount of the
recommended engine oil, and then
install and tighten the oil filler cap.
CAUTION:
ECA11620


In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the engine oil also
lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do
not use oils with a diesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a high-
er quality than specified. In
addition, do not use oils labeled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
higher.


Make sure that no foreign mate-rial enters the crankcase.
9. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking, im-
mediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
10. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
1. Bolt
1. Oil filter element
2. O-ring
Tightening torque:
Oil filter element cover bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
Tightening torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
34 Nm (3.4 m·kgf, 25 ft·lbf)
Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
With oil filter element replacement:
1.60 L (1.69 US qt) (1.41 Imp.qt)
Without oil filter element replace-
ment:
1.40 L (1.48 US qt) (1.23 Imp.qt)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-10
6
EAU20660
Cleaning the air filter element The air filter element should be cleaned
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
Clean the air filter element more fre-
quently if you are riding in unusually
wet or dusty areas.
1. Remove the air filter case by re-
moving the bolts, loosening the
clamp screw, then disconnecting
the hose.
2. Remove the air filter case cover by
removing the screws.3. Remove the air filter element by
removing the screws.
4. Lightly tap the air filter element to
remove most of the dust and dirt,
and then blow the remaining dirtout with compressed air as shown.
If the air filter element is damaged,
replace it.
5. Install the air filter element by in-
serting it into the air filter case,
then installing the screws.
6. Remove the clamp from the air fil-
ter check hose, and then remove
the plug from the check hose to
drain any accumulated water.1. Bolt
2. Clamp screw
3. Hose
1. Air filter case cover
2. Screw
1. Air filter element
2. Screw
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-11
67. Install the plug into the check
hose, and then install the clamp.
CAUTION:
ECA10480


Make sure that the air filter ele-
ment is properly seated in the
air filter case.


The engine should never be op-
erated without the air filter ele-
ment installed, otherwise the
piston(s) and/or cylinder(s) maybecome excessively worn.
8. Install the air filter case cover by in-
stalling the screws.
9. Connect the hose.10. Install the air filter case by inserting
the projection into the grommet, in-
stalling the bolts, then tightening
the clamp screw.
EAU21280
Adjusting the carburetor The carburetor is an important part of
the engine and requires very sophisti-
cated adjustment. Therefore, most car-
buretor adjustments should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the neces-
sary professional knowledge and expe-
rience. The adjustment described in the
following section, however, may be ser-
viced by the owner as part of routine
maintenance.CAUTION:
ECA10550
The carburetor has been set and ex-
tensively tested at the Yamaha fac-
tory. Changing these settings
without sufficient technical knowl-
edge may result in poor perfor-mance of or damage to the engine.
1. Air filter check hose plug
2. Clamp
3. Air filter check hose
1. Projection
2. Grommet
3. Hose
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-12
6
EAU21340
Adjusting the engine idling
speed The engine idling speed must be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted as
follows at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
The engine should be warm before
making this adjustment.NOTE:

The engine is warm when it quickly
responds to the throttle.


A diagnostic tachometer is neededto make this adjustment.
1. Attach the tachometer to the spark
plug lead.
2. Check the engine idling speed
and, if necessary, adjust it to spec-
ification by turning the throttle stop
screw. To increase the engine
idling speed, turn the screw in di-
rection (a). To decrease the en-
gine idling speed, turn the screw in
direction (b).
NOTE:
If the specified idling speed cannot be
obtained as described above, have aYamaha dealer make the adjustment.
EAU21380
Adjusting the throttle cable
free play The throttle cable free play should mea-
sure 3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in) at the
throttle grip. Periodically check the
throttle cable free play and, if neces-
sary, have a Yamaha dealer adjust it.
1. Throttle stop screw
Engine idling speed:
1200–1400 r/min
1. Throttle cable free play
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-13
6
EAU21400
Adjusting the valve clearance The valve clearance changes with use,
resulting in improper air-fuel mixture
and/or engine noise. To prevent this
from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
EAU21540
Tires To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your motor-
cycle, note the following points
regarding the specified tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be checked
and, if necessary, adjusted before each
ride.
WARNING
EWA10500


The tire air pressure must be
checked and adjusted on cold
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the ambient
temperature).


The tire air pressure must be ad-
justed in accordance with the
riding speed and with the total
weight of rider, passenger, car-
go, and accessories approvedfor this model.
WARNING
EWA11020
Because loading has an enormous
impact on the handling, braking,
performance and safety characteris-
tics of your motorcycle, you should
keep the following precautions in
mind.

NEVER OVERLOAD THE
MOTORCYCLE! Operation of an
overloaded motorcycle may re-
sult in tire damage, loss of con-
trol, or severe injury. Make sure
that the total weight of rider,Tire air pressure (measured on cold
tires):
0–90 kg (0–198 lb):
Front:
175 kPa (25 psi) (1.75 kgf/cm²)
Rear:
200 kPa (29 psi) (2.00 kgf/cm²)
90–180 kg (198–397 lb):
Front:
225 kPa (33 psi) (2.25 kgf/cm²)
Rear:
225 kPa (33 psi) (2.25 kgf/cm²)
Maximum load*:
180 kg (397 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car-
go and accessories
5KRE2.book Page 13 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM