2008 YAMAHA WR 450F Owners Manual

4-2
ENGINE
ADJUSTING THE PILOT JET
The richness of the air-fuel mixture
with the throttle open 1/4 or less can
be set by adjusting the pilot jet "1".
Effects of adjusting the pilot jet
(reference)
A. Idle
B. Fully open
1. #48
2. #42
3. #45
ADJUSTING THE JET NEEDLE
GROOVE POSITION
Adjusting the jet needle "1" position
affects the acceleration when the
throttle is 1/8 to 3/4 open.
1. Too rich at intermediate speeds
• Rough engine operation is felt
and the engine will not pick up
speed smoothly.
Step up the jet needle clip by one
groove and move down the nee-
dle to lean out the mixture.
2. Too lean at intermediate speeds
• The engine breathes hard and will
not pick up speed quickly.
Step down the jet needle clip by
one groove and move up the nee-
dle to enrich the mixture.Effects of changing the jet needle
groove position (reference)
A. Idle
B. Fully open
1. No.5 groove
2. No.3 groove
3. No.4 groove
ADJUSTING THE JET NEEDLE
The jet needle is adjusted by chang-
ing it.
The jet needle setting parts, having
the same taper angle, are available in
different straight portion diameters.
a. Diameter of the straight por-
tion
Effects of changing the jet needle
(reference)
(Diameter of the straight portion)
Changing the diameter of the straight
portion adjusts the air-fuel mixture
when the throttle is 1/8 to 1/4 open.
A. Idle
B. Fully open
RELATIONSHIP WITH THROTTLE
OPENING
The flow of the fuel through the car-
buretor main system is controlled by
the main jet and then, it is further reg-
ulated by the area between the main
nozzle and the jet needle.
The fuel flow relates to the diameter
of the straight portion of the jet needle
with the throttle 1/8 to 1/4 open and
relates to the clip position with the
throttle 1/8 to 3/4 open.
Therefore, the fuel flow is balanced at
each stage of throttle opening by the
combination of the jet needle straight
portion diameter and clip position.ADJUSTING THE LEAK JET
(ADJUSTING THE ACCELERATOR
PUMP)
The leak jet "1" is a setting part that
adjusts the flow of fuel discharged by
the accelerator pump. Since the ac-
celerator pump operates only when
throttle is open, the leak jet is used to
adjust a fuel mixture ratio for quick
throttle opening and is therefore dif-
ferent from other setting parts that ad-
just a fuel mixture for each throttle
opening (each engine speed).
1. When the engine breathes hard in
quick throttle opening, select a
leak jet having lower calibrating
No. than standard to enrich the
mixture. #60→#55
2. When rough engine operation is
felt in quick throttle opening, se-
lect a leak jet having higher cali-
brating No. than standard to lean
out the mixture. #60
→#65 Standard pilot jet#45
* #48
* For EUROPE
Standard clip posi-
tionNo.4
groove
Supplied jet needleGDDSQ
* GDDUQ
*For EUROPE
Standard leak jet #60
4

4-3
ENGINE
CARBURETOR SETTING PARTS
Main jet SizePart
number
(-14943-)
Rich #185 4MX-44
#182 4MX-94
#180 4MX-43
#178 4MX-93
#175 4MX-42
#172 4MX-92
#170 4MX-41
#168 4MX-91
#165 4MX-40
(STD) #162 4MX-90
*(STD) Lean #160 4MX-39
Pilot jet SizePart
number
(-14948-)
Rich #55 4MX-09
#52 4MX-08
#50 4MX-07
*(STD) #48 4MX-06
(STD) Lean #45 4MX-05
Jet needle SizePart
number
(-14916-)
Rich GDDUM 5TJ-9M
GDDUN 5TJ-9N
GDDUP 5TJ-9P
GDDUQ 5TJ-91
GDDUR 5TJ-9R
GDDUS 5TJ-9S
Lean GDDUT 5TJ-9T
Rich GDDSM 5TJ-AM
GDDSN 5TJ-AN
GDDSP 5TJ-AP
GDDSQ 5TJ-A1
GDDSR 5TJ-AR
GDDSS 5TJ-AS
Lean GDDST 5TJ-AT
Leak jet SizePart
number
(-1494F-)
Rich #35 4JT-01
#40 4JT-03
#45 4JT-05
#50 4JT-07
#55 4JT-09
(STD) #60 4JT-11
Lean #65 4JT-13
* For EUROPE

4-4
ENGINE
EXAMPLES OF CARBURETOR SETTING DEPENDING ON SYMPTOM
* This should be taken simply for an example. It is necessary to set the carburetor while checking the operating conditions
of the engine.
Symptom Setting Checking
At full throttle
Hard breathing
Shearing noise
Whitish spark plug
↓
Lean mixtureIncrease main jet calibration no. (Gradual-
ly)Discoloration of spark plug→If tan color, it
is in good condition.
If cannot be corrected:
Clogged float valve seat
Clogged fuel hose
Clogged fuel cock
Check that the accelerator pump operates
smoothly.
At full throttle
Speed pick-up stops
Slow speed pick-up
Slow response
Sooty spark plug
↓
Rich mixtureDecrease main jet calibration no. (Gradual-
ly)Discoloration of spark plug→If tan color, it
is in good condition.
If cannot be corrected:
Clogged air filter
Fuel overflow from carburetor
Lean mixture Lower jet needle clip position. (1 groove
down)
The clip position is the jet needle groove on
which the clip is installed.
The positions are numbered from the top.
Check that the accelerator pump operates
smoothly. (except for rich mixture symp-
tom). Rich mixture Raise jet needle clip position. (1 groove up)
1/4–3/4 throttle
Hard breathing
Lack of speedLower jet needle clip position. (1 groove
down)
1/4–1/2 throttle
Slow speed pick-up
Poor accelerationRaise jet needle clip position. (1 groove up)
Closed to 1/4 throttle
Hard breathing
Speed downUse jet needle with a smaller diameter. Slow-speed-circuit passage
Clogged→Clean.
Overflow from carburetor
Closed to 1/4 throttle
Poor accelerationUse jet needle with a larger diameter.
Raise jet needle clip position. (1 groove up)
Poor response in the low to in-
termediate speedsRaise jet needle clip position.
If this has no effect, lower the jet needle clip
position.
Poor response when throttle is
opened quicklyCheck overall settings.
Use main jet with a lower calibration no.
Raise jet needle clip position. (1 groove up)
If these have no effect, use a main jet with
a higher calibration no. and lower the jet
needle clip position.Check air filter for fouling.
Check that the accelerator pump operates
smoothly.
Jet needleClip
Groove 7 Groove 6
Groove 5
Groove 4
Groove 3
Groove 2
Groove 1
Leaner
(Standard)
Richer

4-5
CHASSIS
CHASSIS
SELECTION OF THE SECONDARY
REDUCTION RATIO (SPROCKET)
ondary gear reduction ratio>
• It is generally said that the second-
ary gear ratio should be reduced for
a longer straight portion of a speed
course and should be increased for
a course with many corners. Actual-
ly, however, as the speed depends
on the ground condition of the day
of the race, be sure to run through
the circuit to set the machine suit-
able for the entire course.
• In actuality, it is very difficult to
achieve settings suitable for the en-
tire course and some settings may
be sacrificed. Thus, the settings
should be matched to the portion of
the course that has the greatest ef-
fect on the race result. In such a
case, run through the entire course
while making notes of lap times to
find the best balance; then, deter-
mine the secondary reduction ratio.
• If a course has a long straight por-
tion where a machine can run at
maximum speed, the machine is
generally set such that it can devel-
op its maximum revolutions toward
the end of the straight line, with care
taken to avoid the engine over-rev-
ving.
Riding technique varies from rider to
rider and the performance of a ma-
chine also vary from machine to ma-
chine. Therefore, do not imitate other
rider's settings from the beginning but
choose your own setting according to
the level of your riding technique.
DRIVE AND REAR WHEEL
SPROCKETS SETTING PARTS
TIRE PRESSURE
Tire pressure should be adjust to suit
the road surface condition of the cir-
cuit.• Under a rainy, muddy, sandy, or
slippery condition, the tire pressure
should be lower for a larger area of
contact with the road surface.
• Under a stony or hard road condi-
tion, the tire pressure should be
higher to prevent a flat tire.
FRONT FORK SETTING
The front fork setting should be made
depending on the rider's feeling of an
actual run and the circuit conditions.
The front fork setting includes the fol-
lowing three factors:
1. Setting of air spring characteris-
tics
• Change the fork oil level.
2. Setting of spring preload
• Change the spring.
• Install the adjustment washer.
3. Setting of damping force
• Change the compression damp-
ing.
• Change the rebound damping.
The spring acts on the load and
the damping force acts on the
cushion travel speed.
CHANGE IN LEVEL AND
CHARACTERISTICS OF FORK OIL
Damping characteristic near the final
stroke can be changed by changing
the fork oil amount.
Adjust the oil level in 5 mm (0.2 in)
increments or decrements. Too
low oil level causes the front fork
to produce a noise at full rebound
or the rider to feel some pressure
on his hands or body. Alternative-
ly, too high oil level will develop
unexpectedly early oil lock with
the consequent shorter front fork
travel and deteriorated perfor-
mance and characteristics. There-
fore, adjust the front fork within
the specified range.
Secondary reduction ratio =
Number of rear wheel sprocket
teeth/Number of drive sprocket
teeth
Standard secondary
reduction ratio50/13
(3.846)
* 47/14
(3.357)
* For EUROPE
Part
nameSize Part number
Drive
sprocket
"1"
(STD) 13T 9383E-13233
* 14T 9383E-14215
** (STD) ** 14T 5NG-17460-00
* For AUS and NZ
** For EUROPE
Part
nameSize Part number
Rear
wheel
sprocket
"2"
** (STD) ** 47T 1C3-25447-00
48T 5GS-25448-50
* 48T 1C3-25448-00
* 49T 1C3-25449-00
(STD) 50T 5TJ-25450-80
* (STD) * 50T 1C3-25450-00
* 51T 1C3-25451-00
52T 5TJ-25452-80
* 52T 1C3-25452-00
* For AUS and NZ
** For EUROPE
Standard tire pressure:
100 kPa (1.0 kgf/cm
2,
15 psi)
Extent of adjustment:
60–80 kPa (0.6–0.8 kgf/
cm
2, 9.0–12 psi)
Extent of adjustment:
100–120 kPa (1.0–1.2
kgf/cm
2, 15–18 psi)

4-6
CHASSIS
A. Air spring characteristics in
relation to oil level change
B. Load
C. Stroke
1. Max. oil level
2. Standard oil level
3. Min. oil level
ADJUSTING THE SPRING
PRELOAD
The spring preload is adjusted by in-
stalling the adjustment washer "1" be-
tween the fork spring "2" and damper
rod "3".
Do not install three or more adjust-
ment washers for each front fork.
Always adjust each front fork to
the same setting. Uneven adjust-
ment can cause poor handling and
loss of stability.
A. Load
B. Fork stroke
1. Without adjustment washer
(standard)
2. 1 adjustment washer
3. 2 adjustment washers
SETTING OF SPRING AFTER
REPLACEMENT
As the front fork setting can be easily
affected by rear suspension, take
care so that the machine front and
rear are balanced (in position, etc.)
when setting the front fork.
1. Use of soft spring
• Change the rebound damping.
Turn out one or two clicks.
• Change the compression damp-
ing.
Turn in one or two clicks.
Generally a soft spring gives a soft
riding feeling. Rebound damping
tends to become stronger and the
front fork may sink deeply over a se-
ries of gaps.
2. Use of stiff spring
• Change the rebound damping.
Turn in one or two clicks.
• Change the compression damp-
ing.
Turn out one or two clicks.
Generally a stiff spring gives a stiff
riding feeling. Rebound damping
tends to become weaker, resulting in
lack of a sense of contact with the
road surface or in a vibrating handle-
bar.
FRONT FORK SETTING PARTS
• Adjustment washer "1"
• Front fork spring "2"
The I.D. mark (slits) "a" is proved on
the end of the spring.
When using a spring with a spring
rate of 0.469 kg/mm, do not install
two or more adjustment washers
for each front fork.
REAR SUSPENSION SETTING
The rear suspension setting should
be made depending on the rider's
feeling of an actual run and the circuit
conditions.
The rear suspension setting includes
the following two factors:
1. Setting of spring preload
• Change the set length of the
spring.
• Change the spring. Standard oil level:
132 mm (5.20 in)
*125 mm (4.92 in)
Extent of adjustment:
95–150 mm (3.74–5.91
in)
From top of outer tube
with inner tube and
damper rod fully com-
pressed without
spring.
* For AUS, NZ , ZA and EUROPE
Standard washer quanti-
ty:
Zero adjustment wash-
ers
Extent of adjustment:
Zero–2 adjustment
washers
TYPE (thick-
ness)PART NUMBER
T = 2.3 mm (0.09
in)5XE-23364-00
TYPESPRI
NG
RATESPRING
PART
NUMBER
(-23141-)I.D.
MARK
(slits)
SOFT0.408 5TJ-00 |
0.418 5TJ-10 ||
0.428 5TJ-20 |||
0.438 5TJ-30 ||||
0.449 5TJ-40 |||||
STD 0.459 5TJ-L0 —
STIFF 0.469 5TJ-60 |-||

4-7
CHASSIS
2. Setting of damping force
• Change the rebound damping.
• Change the compression damp-
ing.
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
holding 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
holding bolt.
3. Loosen the locknut "1" and make
adjustment by turning the spring
adjuster "2" to achieve the stan-
dard figure from the subtraction of
the length "b" from the length "a".
• 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 reeval-
uation.
• 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-ad-
justment.
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 re-
bound 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
preference.
2. Use of stiff spring
• Set the soft spring for more re-
bound damping to compensate
for its greater spring load. Run
with the rebound damping adjust-
er one or two clicks on the stiffer
side and readjust it to suit your
preference.
Adjusting the rebound damping will
be followed more or less by a change
in the compression damping. For cor-
rection, turn the low compression
damping adjuster on the softer side.
When using a rear shock absorber
other than currently 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.
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER
SETTING PARTS
• Rear shock spring "1"
The I.D. color "a" is marked at the end
of the spring.
• Extent of adjustment (spring length) Standard figure:
90–100 mm (3.5–3.9 in)
Length "a" of standard
shock:
488.5 mm (19.23 in)
TY
PESPR
ING
RAT
ESPRIN
G
PART
NUM-
BER (-
22212-)I.D.
COLOR/
POINTSPRI
NG
FRE
E
LEN
GTH
SO
FT4.3 5UN-00 Brown/1 260
4.5 5UN-10 Green/1 260
4.7 5UN-20 Red/1 260
4.9 5UN-30 Black/1 260
5.1 5UN-40 Blue/1 260
5.3 5UN-50Yellow/
1260
ST
D5.5 5UN-60 Pink/1 260
STI
FF5.7 5UN-70 White/1 260
SPRING FREE
LENGTHEXTENT OF AD-
JUSTMENT "b"
260 mm (10.24
in)238.5–258.5
mm (9.39–10.18
in)

4-8
CHASSIS
SUSPENSION SETTING (FRONT FORK)
• 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
gapMedi-
um
gapSmall
gap
Stiff over entire
range○○○Compression damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Oil level (oil amount) Decrease oil level by about 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in).
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Unsmooth move-
ment over entire
range○○○○Outer tube Check for any bends, dents, and other noticeable
scars, etc. If any, replace affected parts.
Inner tube
Under bracket tighten-
ing torqueRetighten to specified torque.
Poor initial move-
ment○Rebound damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Oil seal Apply grease in oil seal wall.
Soft over entire
range, bottoming
out○○Compression damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
Oil level (oil amount) Increase oil level by about 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in).
Spring Replace with stiff spring.
Stiff toward stroke
end○Oil level (oil amount) Decrease oil level by about 5 mm (0.2 in).
Soft toward stroke
end, bottoming out○Oil level (oil amount) Increase oil level by about 5 mm (0.2 in).
Stiff initial move-
ment○○○○Compression dampingTurn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Low front, tending to
lower front posture○○Compression damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to in-
crease 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 level (oil amount) Increase oil level by about 5 mm (0.2 in).
"Obtrusive" front,
tending to upper
front posture○○Compression 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
posture).
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Oil level (oil amount) Decrease oil level by about 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in).

4-9
CHASSIS
SUSPENSION SETTING (REAR SHOCK ABSORBER)
• 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
gapMedi-
um
gapSmall
gap
Stiff, tending to sink○○Rebound 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 unsta-
ble○○Rebound damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
Low compression
dampingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1 click) to increase
damping.
Spring Replace with stiff spring.
Heavy and dragging○○Rebound damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Poor road gripping○Rebound damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Low compression
dampingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
High compression
dampingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1/6 turn) to in-
crease 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 out○○High compression
dampingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1/6 turn) to in-
crease 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.
Bouncing○○Rebound damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Stiff travel○○High compression
dampingTurn adjuster counterclockwise (about 1/6 turn) to
decrease 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.