2007 YAMAHA YFZ450 brake fluid

Parking ...................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope .................................... 6-6
Accessories and loading ........................... 6-6
RIDING YOUR ATV ...................................... 7-1
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV.............. 7-2
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD
JUDGEMENT ...........................................7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............ 7-8
TURNING YOUR ATV ............................. 7-12
CLIMBING UPHILL .................................. 7-14
RIDING DOWNHILL................................. 7-16
CROSSING A SLOPE.............................. 7-17
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER ..................................................7-18
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN .......... 7-20
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ........................ 7-20
WHAT TO DO IF... ................................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO... ....................................... 7-21
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR
REPAIR .......................................................... 8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit ...................... 8-1
Periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart ........................................................ 8-3
Removing and installing the panel ............ 8-8
Checking the spark plug ............................ 8-9
Engine oil and oil filter element ............... 8-13
Coolant .................................................... 8-19Cleaning the air filter element .................. 8-23
Cleaning the spark arrester ..................... 8-26
Adjusting the carburetor ........................... 8-28
Checking the engine idling speed ............ 8-29
Adjusting the throttle cable free play ........ 8-29
Valve clearance ....................................... 8-30
Checking the front and rear brake pads .. 8-30
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-31
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-34
Checking the front brake lever free play .. 8-34
Checking the brake pedal position ........... 8-35
Adjusting the parking brake free play ...... 8-36
Brake light switches ................................. 8-37
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .......... 8-38
Drive chain slack ...................................... 8-39
Lubricating the drive chain ....................... 8-41
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-42
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ........................................... 8-42
Checking and lubricating the brake and
shift pedals ............................................. 8-43
Checking the wheel bearings ................... 8-43
Lubricating the swingarm pivots .............. 8-44
Lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots ..................................................... 8-44
Battery ..................................................... 8-45
Replacing the fuse ................................... 8-46
Replacing a headlight bulb ...................... 8-47
Adjusting a headlight beam ..................... 8-49

5-4
1
2
3
45
6
7
8
9
10
11

EBU19540
Fuel
Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-8.)
WARNING

EWB00520

Do not overfill the fuel tank. Fuel expands
when it heats up. If the fuel tank is overfilled,
fuel could spill out due to heat from the en-
gine or the sun.

Be careful not to spill fuel, especially on the
engine or exhaust pipe which can cause a
fire and severe injury. Wipe up any spilled
fuel immediately.

Do not refuel right after the engine has been
running and is still very hot.

Be sure the fuel tank cap is closed securely.
EBU19560
Engine oil
Make sure that the engine oil is at the specified lev-
el. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-13.)
EBU19630
Coolant
Make sure that the coolant is at the specified level.
Add coolant as necessary. (See page 8-19.)
NOTE:

The coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture.
WARNING

EWB00510
Wait for the engine and radiator to cool before
removing the radiator cap. You could be
burned by hot fluid and steam blown out under
pressure. Always put a thick rag over the cap
when opening. Allow any remaining pressure
to escape before completely removing the cap.
EBU19690
Front and rear brakes
Brake levers and brake pedal

Check for correct free play in the brake levers
and brake pedal. If the free play is incorrect,
have a Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
(See pages 8-34 and 8-35.)

Check the operation of the brake levers and
brake pedal. They should move smoothly and
there should be a firm feeling when the brakes
are applied. If not, have the ATV checked by a
Yamaha dealer.

5-5
1
2
3
45
6
7
8
9
10
11

Brake fluid level
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See page 8-31.)
Brake fluid leakage
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
pipe joints or master cylinder. Apply the brakes
firmly for one minute. If there is any leaking, have
the ATV checked 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, check
the brake pads for wear. (See page 8-30.)
WARNING

EWB00580
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.
EBU19761
Throttle lever
Check the operation of the throttle lever. It must
open smoothly and spring back to the idle position
when released. Have a Yamaha dealer correct if
necessary.
EBU19770
Drive chain
Check the condition of the drive chain and check
the drive chain slack. Lubricate and adjust the
drive chain as necessary. (See page 8-39.)
EBU19791
Tires
WARNING

EWB00601
Use of improper tires on this ATV, or operation
of this ATV with improper or uneven tire pres-
sure, may cause loss of control, increasing
your risk of accident.
Pay attention to the following.

The tires listed below have been approved
by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. for this model.
Other tire combinations are not recommend-
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4

8-7
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

EBU23070
NOTE:


The air filter needs more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.

Hydraulic brake service

Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.

Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinders and calipers, and
change the brake fluid.

Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.

8-31
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

place the brake pads as a set.
EBU26831
Checking the brake fluid level
Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to enter the
brake system, possibly causing it to become inef-
fective.
Before riding, check that the brake fluid is above
the minimum level mark and replenish if neces-
sary. A low brake fluid level may indicate worn
brake pads and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake fluid level is low, be sure to check the brake
pads for wear and the brake system for leakage.
Front brake
1. Wear indicator groove
1

1. Minimum level mark1

8-32
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11
Rear brakeNOTE:

To check the rear brake fluid level, remove the
seat. (See page 4-11.)
If the rear brake fluid level is low, replenish as fol-
lows.
1. Remove the brake fluid reservoir bracket bolt.2. Pull the brake fluid reservoir out to the side as
shown.
1. Minimum level mark
1

1. Bolt
1

8-33
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11
CAUTION:

ECB00780
Do not tilt the rear brake fluid reservoir exces-
sively when removing or installing the rear
brake fluid reservoir. Also do not twist or pull
the hose of the reservoir.
3. Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap, and
then refill with brake fluid.
4. Install the brake fluid reservoir cap.
5. Insert the projection on the brake fluid reser-
voir bracket into the hole in the frame.6. Install the brake fluid reservoir bracket bolt.
Observe these precautions:

When checking the fluid level, make sure that
the top of the brake fluid reservoir is level.

Use only the recommended quality brake fluid,
otherwise the rubber seals may deteriorate,
causing leakage and poor braking performance.
1. Brake fluid reservoir cap
1

1. Frame
2. Projection
3. Brake fluid reservoir bracket
4. Bolt
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
2
3
1
4

8-34
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11


Refill with the same type of brake fluid. Mixing
fluids may result in a harmful chemical reaction
and lead to poor braking performance.

Be careful that water does not enter the brake
fluid reservoir when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of the fluid and may
result in vapor lock.

Brake fluid may deteriorate painted surfaces or
plastic parts. Always clean up spilled fluid imme-
diately.

As the brake pads wear, it is normal for the brake
fluid level to gradually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause.
EBU24290
Changing the brake fluid
Have a Yamaha dealer change the brake fluid at
the intervals specified in the NOTE after the peri-
odic maintenance and lubrication chart. In addi-
tion, have the oil seals of the master cylinders and
calipers as well as the brake hoses replaced at the
intervals listed below or whenever they are dam-
aged or leaking.

Oil seals: Replace every two years.

Brake hoses: Replace every four years.
EBU24390
Checking the front brake lever free play
The brake lever free play must be checked at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. The brake lever should have a
free play of zero mm (zero in) as shown. If the free
play is incorrect, have a Yamaha dealer check the
brake system.
WARNING

EWB02070
Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause loss of braking ability,
which could lead to an accident.
1. Brake lever free play
1