2004 YAMAHA XVS250 warning

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-15
6
WARNING
EWA10570


Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besides
being illegal, operating the
motorcycle with excessively
worn tires decreases riding sta-
bility and can lead to loss of
control.


The replacement of all wheel-
and brake-related parts, includ-
ing the tires, should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
edge and experience.


It is not recommended to patch
a punctured tube. If unavoid-
able, however, patch the tube
very carefully and replace it as
soon as possible with a high-quality product.
EAU21940
Spoke wheels To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your motor-
cycle, note the following points
regarding the specified wheels.

The wheel rims should be checked
for cracks, bends or warpage, and
the spokes for looseness or dam-
age before each ride. If any dam-
age is found, have a Yamaha
dealer replace 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.
EAU22040
Adjusting the clutch lever free
play The clutch lever free play should mea-
sure 5.0–10.0 mm (0.20–0.39 in) as
shown. Periodically check the clutch le-
ver free play and, if necessary, adjust it
as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the clutch le-
ver.
2. To increase the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in di-
rection (a). To decrease the clutch
lever free play, turn the adjusting
bolt in direction (b).1. Locknut
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
3. Clutch lever free play
5KRE2.book Page 15 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-17
6
WARNING
EWA10630


After adjusting the brake lever
free play, check the free play
and make sure that the brake is
working properly.


A soft or spongy feeling in the
brake lever can indicate the
presence of air in the hydraulic
system. If there is air in the hy-
draulic system, have a Yamaha
dealer bleed the system before
operating the motorcycle. Air in
the hydraulic system will dimin-
ish the braking performance,
which may result in loss of con-trol and an accident.
EAU22201
Adjusting the brake pedal
position and free play
WARNING
EWA10670
It is advisable to have a Yamahadealer make these adjustments.
Brake pedal position
The top of the brake pedal should be
positioned approximately 76.6 mm
(3.02 in) above the top of the footrest as
shown. Periodically check the brake
pedal position and, if necessary, adjust
it as follows.1. Loosen the locknut at the brake
pedal.
2. To raise the brake pedal, turn the
adjusting bolt in direction (a). To
lower the brake pedal, turn the ad-
justing bolt in direction (b).
3. Tighten the locknut.
WARNING
EWA11230
After adjusting the brake pedal posi-
tion, the brake pedal free play mustbe adjusted.
1. Footrest
2. Distance between brake pedal and footrest
3. Brake pedal free play
1. Brake pedal position adjusting bolt
2. Locknut
5KRE2.book Page 17 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-18
6 Brake pedal free play
The brake pedal free play should mea-
sure 20.0–30.0 mm (0.79–1.18 in) at
the brake pedal end. Periodically check
the brake pedal free play and, if neces-
sary, adjust it as follows.
To increase the brake pedal free play,
turn the adjusting nut at the brake rod in
direction (a). To decrease the brake
pedal free play, turn the adjusting nut in
direction (b).
WARNING
EWA10680


After adjusting the drive chain
slack or removing and installing
the rear wheel, always check the
brake pedal free play.


If proper adjustment cannot be
obtained as described, have a
Yamaha dealer make this ad-
justment.


After adjusting the brake pedal
free play, check the operation ofthe brake light.
EAU22270
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch 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.
Turn the adjusting nut while holding 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).
1. Brake pedal free play adjusting nut
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
5KRE2.book Page 18 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-22
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 both locknuts and the axle
nut to the specified torques.4. Adjust the brake pedal free play.
(See page 6-17.)
WARNING
EWA10660
After adjusting the brake pedal free
play, check the operation of thebrake light.
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. Alignment marks
2. Drive chain slack adjusting nut
3. Locknut
Tightening torques:
Locknut:
16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
Axle nut:
104 Nm (10.4 m·kgf, 75 ft·lbf)
5KRE2.book Page 22 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-23
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
5KRE2.book Page 23 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-24
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 The operation of the brake and clutch
levers should be checked before each
ride, and the lever pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
EAU23200
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.
WARNING
EWA10730
If the sidestand does not move up
and down smoothly, have a Yamahadealer check or repair it.
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease (all-pur-
pose grease)
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease (all-pur-
pose grease)
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease (all-pur-
pose grease)
5KRE2.book Page 24 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-25
6
EAU23271
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
WARNING
EWA10750
Securely support the vehicle so thatthere 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 vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.
2. While applying the front brake,
push down hard on the handlebars
several times to check if the front
fork compresses and rebounds
smoothly.
CAUTION:
ECA10590
If any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-pair it.
EAU23280
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.
WARNING
EWA10750
Securely support the vehicle so thatthere is no danger of it falling over.
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 steering.
5KRE2.book Page 25 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-27
6
WARNING
EWA10760


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 OFCHILDREN.
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 vehicle is equipped with optional
electrical accessories.
To store the battery
1. If the vehicle 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.
CAUTION:
ECA10630


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


To charge a sealed-type (MF)
battery, a special (constant-volt-
age) battery charger is required.
Using a conventional battery
charger will damage the battery.
If you do not have access to a
sealed-type (MF) battery charg-
er, have a Yamaha dealercharge your battery.
5KRE2.book Page 27 Monday, June 23, 2003 3:32 PM