2008 YAMAHA WR 250R Owners Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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EAU22760
Drive chain slack
The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU22773
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on the side-
stand.
NOTE:

When checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, there should be no weight
on the motorcycle.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Move the rear wheel by pushing
the motorcycle to locate the tight-
est portion of the drive chain, and
then measure the drive chain slack
as shown.4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU22942
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 thatboth chain pullers are in the same posi-
tion for proper wheel alignment.
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 the
specified limits.
3. Tighten the locknuts, and then
tighten the axle nut to the specified
torque.
Drive chain slack:
38.0–48.0 mm (1.50–1.89 in)
1. Drive chain slack
1

1. Axle nut
2. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
3. Locknut
1
23
(b)
(a)

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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EAU23022
Cleaning and 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:

ECA10581
The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle and
riding 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 or
inappropriate solvents.
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive
chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant.
CAUTION:

ECA11110
Do not use engine oil or any other lu-
bricants for the drive chain, as they
may contain substances that could
damage the O-rings.
Tightening torque:
Axle nut:
125 Nm (12.5 m·kgf, 90.4 ft·lbf)

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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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 unsafe
conditions.
EAU23111
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 at
the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance chart.
EAU44271
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.
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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EAU23142
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
Recommended lubricants:
Brake lever:
Silicone grease
Clutch lever:
Lithium-soap-based grease

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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EAU23201
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 Yamaha
dealer check or repair it.
EAU23250
Lubricating the rear
suspension
The pivoting points of the rear suspen-
sion must be lubricated at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
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 that
there 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.

Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease

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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 that
there 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.

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EAU23290
Checking the wheel bearings
The front and rear wheel bearings must
be checked at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. If there is play in the wheel
hub or if the wheel does not turn
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check
the wheel bearings.
EAU23390
Battery
The battery is located behind panel D.
(See page 6-6.)
This model is equipped with a
sealed-type (MF) battery, which does
not require any maintenance. There is
no need to check the electrolyte or to
add distilled water.
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 quicklyif the vehicle is equipped with optional
electrical accessories.
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-
1. Negative battery terminal
2. Positive battery terminal
3. Battery
3
2
1

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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9IES OUT OF THE REACH OF

CHILDREN.
To store the battery
1. If the model 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 dealer
charge your battery.
EAU23541
Replacing the fuses
The main fuse is located behind panel
D. (See page 6-6.)
The fuse box, which contains the fuses
for the individual circuits, is located be-
hind panel C. (See page 6-6.)
1. Main fuse
2. Spare main fuse
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