2005 YAMAHA YZ450F length

7 - 17
TUN
EC72C001
Choosing set length
1. Place a stand or block under the engine to
put the rear wheel above the floor, and
measure the length a between the rear
wheel axle center and the rear fender hold-
ing bolt.
2. Remove the stand or block from the engine
and with a rider astride the seat, measure
the sunken length b between the rear
wheel axle center and the rear fender hold-
ing bolt.
3. Loosen the locknut 1 and make adjust-
ment by turning the spring adjuster 2 to
achieve the standard figure from the sub-
traction of the length b from the length a.
NOTE:
If the machine is new and after it is broken in,
the same set length of the spring may
change because of the initial fatigue, etc. of
the spring. Therefore, be sure to make re-
evaluation.
If the standard figure cannot be achieved by
adjusting the spring adjuster and changing
the spring set length, replace the spring with
an optional one and make re-adjustment.
Standard figure:
90 ~ 100 mm (3.5 ~ 3.9 in)
SETTING

7 - 18
TUNSETTING
EC72G001
Setting of spring after replacement
After replacement, be sure to adjust the spring
to the set length [sunken length 90 ~ 100 mm
(3.5 ~ 3.9 in)] and set it.
1. Use of soft spring
Set the soft spring for less rebound
damping to compensate for its less spring
load. Run with the rebound damping
adjuster one or two clicks on the softer
side and readjust it to suit your prefer-
ence.
2. Use of stiff spring
Set the soft spring for more rebound
damping to compensate for its greater
spring load. Run with the rebound damp-
ing adjuster one or two clicks on the
stiffer side and readjust it to suit your
preference.
*Adjusting the rebound damping will be fol-
lowed more or less by a change in the com-
pression damping. For correction, turn the
low compression damping adjuster on the
softer side.
CAUTION:
When using a rear cushion other than cur-
rently installed, use the one whose overall
length
a does not exceed the standard as
it may result in faulty performance. Never
use one whose overall length is greater
than standard.
ÈCoverage of spring by weight
ÉRider weight
1Soft
2Standard
3Stiff
Length
a of standard shock:
490.5 mm (19.31 in)

7 - 19
TUNSETTING
EC72Q000
Rear shock absorber setting parts
Rear shock spring 1
[Equal pitch spring]
*For EUROPE
[Unequal pitch spring]
NOTE:
The unequal pitch spring is softer in initial
characteristic than the equal pitch spring and
is difficult to bottom out under full compres-
sion.
The I.D. color a is marked at the end of the
spring.
TYPESPRING
RATESPRING
PART NUMBERI.D.
COLOR/
POINTSPRING
FREE
LENGTH
SOFT4.3
4.5
4.7
4.95UN-22212-00
5UN-22212-10
5UN-22212-20
5UN-22212-30Brown/1
Green/1
Red/1
Black/1260
260
260
260
*STD 5.1 5UN-22212-40 Blue/1 260
STD 5.3 5UN-22212-50 Yellow/1 260
STIFF5.5
5.75UN-22212-60
5UN-22212-70Pink/1
White/1260
260
TYPESPRING
RATE
(approx.)SPRING
PART NUMBERI.D.
COLOR/
POINTSPRING
FREE
LENGTH
SOFT
STIFF4.5
4.7
4.9
5.1
5.3
5.5
5.75UN-22212-A0
5UN-22212-B0
5UN-22212-C0
5UN-22212-D0
5UN-22212-E0
5UN-22212-F0
5UN-22212-G0Green/2
Red/2
Black/2
Blue/2
Yellow/2
Pink/2
White/2275
275
275
275
275
275
275
Extent of adjustment (spring length)
SPRING FREE
LENGTHEXTENT OF
ADJUSTMENT
b
260 mm (10.24 in)240.5 ~ 258.5 mm
(9.47 ~ 10.18 in)
275 mm (10.83 in)255.5 ~ 273.5 mm
(10.06 ~ 10.77 in)

7 - 20
TUNSETTING
EC72H002
Suspension setting
Front fork
NOTE:
If any of the following symptoms is experienced with the standard position as the base, make
resetting by reference to the adjustment procedure given in the same chart.
Before any change, set the rear shock absorber sunken length to the standard figure 90 ~ 100 mm
(3.5 ~ 3.9 in).
SymptomSection
Check Adjust
JumpLarge
gapMedium
gapSmall
gap
Stiff over entire rangeCompression damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Oil amount Decrease oil amount by about 5 ~ 10 cm
3 (0.2 ~
0.4 Imp oz, 0.2 ~ 0.3 US oz).
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Unsmooth movement
over entire rangeOuter tube Check for any bends, dents, and other noticeable
scars, etc. If any, replace affected parts.
Inner tube
Slide metal Replace with a new one for extended use.
Piston metal Replace with a new one for extended use.
Under bracket tightening
torqueRetighten to specified torque.
Poor initial
movementRebound damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Oil seal Apply grease in oil seal wall.
Soft over entire
range, bottoming outCompression damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to increase
damping.
Oil amount Increase oil amount by about 5 ~ 10 cm
3 (0.2 ~
0.4 Imp oz, 0.2 ~ 0.3 US oz).
Spring Replace with stiff spring.
Stiff toward stroke
endOil amountDecrease oil amount by about 5 cm
3 (0.2 Imp oz,
0.2 US oz).
Soft toward stroke
end, bottoming outOil amountIncrease oil amount by about 5 cm
3 (0.2 Imp oz,
0.2 US oz).
Stiff initial movement Compression dampingTurn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Low front, tending to
lower front postureCompression damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to increase
damping.
Rebound damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Balance with rear end Set sunken length for 95 ~ 100 mm (3.7 ~ 3.9 in) when
one passenger is astride seat (lower rear posture).
Oil amount Increase oil amount by about 5 cm
3 (0.2 Imp oz,
0.2 US oz).
“Obtrusive” front,
tending to upper front
postureCompression damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Balance with rear end Set sunken length for 90 ~ 95 mm (3.5 ~ 3.7 in)
when one passenger is astride seat (upper rear pos-
ture).
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Oil amount Decrease oil amount by about 5 ~ 10 cm
3 (0.2 ~
0.4 Imp oz, 0.2 ~ 0.3 US oz).

7 - 21
TUNSETTING
Rear shock absorber
NOTE:
If any of the following symptoms is experienced with the standard position as the base, make
resetting by reference to the adjustment procedure given in the same chart.
Adjust the rebound damping in 2-click increments or decrements.
Adjust the low compression damping in 1-click increments or decrements.
Adjust the high compression damping in 1/6 turn increments or decrements.
SymptomSection
Check Adjust
JumpLarge
gapMedium
gapSmall
gap
Stiff, tending to sinkRebound damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Spring set length Set sunken length for 90 ~ 100 mm (3.5 ~ 3.9 in)
when one passenger is astride seat.
Spongy and unstableRebound damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to increase
damping.
Low compression damp-
ingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1 click) to increase
damping.
Spring Replace with stiff spring.
Heavy and draggingRebound damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Poor road grippingRebound damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Low compression damp-
ingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1 clicks) to increase
damping.
High compression damp-
ingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1/6 clicks) to
increase damping.
Spring set length Set sunken length for 90 ~ 100 mm (3.5 ~ 3.9 in)
when one passenger is astride seat.
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Bottoming outHigh compression damp-
ingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1/6 turn) to increase
damping.
Spring set length Set sunken length for 90 ~ 100 mm (3.5 ~ 3.9 in)
when one passenger in astride seat.
Spring Replace with stiff spring.
BouncingRebound damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to increase
damping.
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Stiff travelHigh compression damp-
ingTurn adjuster counterclockwise (about 1/6 turn) to
decrease damping.
Spring set length Set sunken length for 95 ~ 100 mm (3.7 ~ 3.9 in)
when one passenger is astride seat.
Spring Replace with soft spring.