2008 YAMAHA XVS1300A light

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5serve the battery. Do not crank the en-
gine more than 10 seconds on any one
attempt.CAUTION:
ECA11130
For maximum engine life, always
warm the engine up before starting
off. Never accelerate hard when theengine is cold!
EAU16671
Shifting Shifting gears lets you control the
amount of engine power available for
starting off, accelerating, climbing hills,
etc.
The gear positions are shown in the il-
lustration.NOTE:To shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position, press the shift pedal down
repeatedly until it reaches the end of itstravel, and then slightly raise it.
CAUTION:
ECA10260


Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, do not
coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not
tow the motorcycle for long dis-
tances. The transmission is
properly lubricated only when
the engine is running. Inade-
quate lubrication may damage
the transmission.


Always use the clutch while
changing gears to avoid damag-
ing the engine, transmission,
and drive train, which are not
designed to withstand theshock of forced shifting.
1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
U11CE1E0.book Page 2 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
EAU16810
Tips for reducing fuel con-
sumption Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:

Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.


Do not rev the engine while shifting
down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the engine.


Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length of
time (e.g., in traffic jams, at traffic
lights or at railroad crossings).
EAU16841
Engine break-in There is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between 0 and 1600 km (1000 mi). For
this reason, you should read the follow-
ing material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not
put an excessive load on it for the first
1600 km (1000 mi). The various parts in
the engine wear and polish themselves
to the correct operating clearances.
During this period, prolonged full-throt-
tle operation or any condition that might
result in engine overheating must be
avoided.
EAU17021
0–1000 km (0–600 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/3
throttle.
1000–1600 km (600–1000 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/2
throttle.
CAUTION:
ECA11281
After 1000 km (600 mi) of operation,
the engine oil must be changed, and
the oil filter cartridge or element re-placed.
1600 km (1000 mi) and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated nor-
mally.CAUTION:
ECA10270
If any engine trouble should occur
during the engine break-in period,
immediately have a Yamaha dealercheck the vehicle.
U11CE1E0.book Page 3 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-5
6
EAU18680
NOTE:

Air filter
This model’s air filter is equipped with a disposable oil-coated paper element, which must not be cleaned with com-
pressed air to avoid damaging it.
The air filter element needs to be replaced more frequently when 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.
30Moving parts and
cablesLubricate.√√√√√
31*Throttle grip hous-
ing and cableCheck operation and free play.
Adjust the throttle cable free play
if necessary.
Lubricate the throttle grip housing
and cable.√√√√√
32*Muffler and exhaust
pipeCheck the screw clamp for loose-
ness.√√√√√
33*Lights, signals and
switchesCheck operation.
Adjust headlight beam.√√√√√√ NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK 1000 km
(600 mi)10000 km
(6000 mi)20000 km
(12000 mi)30000 km
(18000 mi)40000 km
(24000 mi)
U11CE1E0.book Page 5 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-7
6 3. Remove the spark plug as shown,
with the spark plug wrench includ-
ed in the additional tool kit, which
was handed out separately at the
purchase of the vehicle.
To check the spark plugs
1. Check that the porcelain insulator
around the center electrode on
each spark plug is a medium-to-
light tan (the ideal color when the
vehicle is ridden normally).
2. Check that all spark plugs installed
in the engine have the same color.
NOTE:If any spark plug shows a distinctly dif-
ferent color, the engine could be oper-
ating improperly. Do not attempt todiagnose such problems yourself. In-
stead, have a Yamaha dealer check
the vehicle.
3. Check each spark plug for elec-
trode erosion and excessive car-
bon or other deposits, and replace
it if necessary.
To install a spark plug
1. Measure the spark plug gap with a
wire thickness gauge and, if nec-
essary, adjust the gap to specifica-
tion.2. Clean the surface of the spark plug
gasket and its mating surface, and
then wipe off any grime from the
spark plug threads.
3. Install the spark plug with the
spark plug wrench, and then tight-
en it to the specified torque.
NOTE:
If a torque wrench is not available when
installing a spark plug, a good estimate
of the correct torque is 1/4–1/2 turn
past finger tight. However, the spark
plug should be tightened to the speci-fied torque as soon as possible.
4. Install the spark plug cap.
5. Install the spark plug cover by in-
stalling the bolts.
1. Spark plug wrench
Specified spark plug:
NGK/LMAR7A-9
1. Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:
0.8–0.9 mm (0.031–0.035 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
12.5 Nm (1.25 m·kgf, 9.0 ft·lbf)
U11CE1E0.book Page 7 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-8
6
EAU42593
Engine oil and oil filter car-
tridge The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter car-
tridge replaced at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.NOTE:
Make sure that the vehicle is positioned
straight up when checking the oil level.
A slight tilt to the side can result in afalse reading.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles, and then check the oil level
through the check window located
at the bottom-left side of the crank-
case.
NOTE:The engine oil should be between theminimum and maximum level marks.
4. If the engine oil is below the mini-
mum level mark, add sufficient oil
of the recommended type to raise
it to the correct level.
To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment)
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face.2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.
4. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and drain bolt to drain the oil from
the crankcase.
NOTE:Skip steps 5–7 if the oil filter cartridge isnot being replaced.
5. Remove the oil filter cartridge with
an oil filter wrench.
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Engine oil level check window
3. Maximum level mark
4. Minimum level mark
1. Engine oil drain bolt
U11CE1E0.book Page 8 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-10
6
NOTE:Be sure to wipe off spilled oil on any
parts after the engine and exhaust sys-tem have cooled down.CAUTION:
ECA11620


In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the engine oil also
lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do
not use oils with a diesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a high-
er quality than specified. In
addition, do not use oils labeled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
higher.


Make sure that no foreign mate-rial enters the crankcase.10. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking, im-
mediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
NOTE:After the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if theoil level is sufficient.CAUTION:
ECA10400
If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on, immediately turn the
engine off and have a Yamaha dealercheck the vehicle.11. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment:
3.20 L (3.38 US qt) (2.82 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement:
3.40 L (3.59 US qt) (2.99 Imp.qt)
1.“CD” specification
2.“ENERGY CONSERVING II”
1
2
U11CE1E0.book Page 10 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-11
6
EAU20070
Coolant The coolant level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the cool-
ant must be changed at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU42630
To check the coolant level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.NOTE:

The coolant level must be checked
on a cold engine since the level
varies with engine temperature.


Make sure that the vehicle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking
the coolant level. A slight tilt to theside can result in a false reading.
2. Check the coolant level in the cool-
ant reservoir.
NOTE:The coolant should be between theminimum and maximum level marks.3. If the coolant is at or below the
minimum level mark, remove pan-
el A. (See page 6-6.)
4. Remove the reservoir cap, add
coolant to the maximum level
mark, and then install the reservoir
cap.
CAUTION:
ECA10471


If coolant is not available, use
distilled water or soft tap water
instead. Do not use hard water
or salt water since it is harmful
to the engine.


If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possible, other-
wise the cooling system will not
be protected against frost and
corrosion.
1. Coolant reservoir
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1. Coolant reservoir cap
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the
maximum level mark):
0.45 L (0.48 US qt) (0.40 Imp.qt)
U11CE1E0.book Page 11 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-17
6
EAU22092
Adjusting the brake lever free
play The brake lever free play should mea-
sure 2.0–5.0 mm (0.08–0.20 in) as
shown. Periodically check the brake le-
ver free play and, if necessary, adjust it
as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the brake le-
ver.
2. To increase the brake lever free
play, turn the adjusting screw in di-
rection (a). To decrease the brake
lever free play, turn the adjusting
screw in direction (b).
3. Tighten the locknut.
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.
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. Locknut
2. Brake lever free play adjusting screw
3. Brake lever free play
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
U11CE1E0.book Page 17 Friday, August 31, 2007 1:25 PM