Page 49 of 82

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-17
6
EAUT1221
Checking the front brake lever
free play The brake lever free play should mea-
sure 0.0–7.0 mm (0.00–0.28 in) as
shown. Periodically check the brake le-
ver free play and, if necessary, have a
Yamaha dealer check the brake sys-
tem.
WARNING
EWA10641
An incorrect brake lever free play in-
dicates a hazardous condition in the
brake system. Do not operate the ve-
hicle until the brake system has
been checked or repaired by aYamaha dealer.
EAU39812
Adjusting the brake pedal free
play The brake pedal free play should mea-
sure 20.0–30.0 mm (0.79–1.18 in) at
the brake pedal end as shown. Period-
ically check the brake pedal free play
and, if necessary, adjust it as follows.
To increase the brake pedal free play,
turn the adjusting nut at the brake rod in
direction (a). To decrease the brake
pedal free play, turn the adjusting nut in
direction (b).
WARNING
EWA10680
After adjusting the drive chain
slack or removing and installing
the rear wheel, always check the
brake pedal free play.
If proper adjustment cannot be
obtained as described, have a
Yamaha dealer make this ad-
justment.
After adjusting the brake pedal
free play, check the operation ofthe brake light.
1. Brake lever free play
1. Brake pedal free play
1. Brake pedal free play adjusting nut
1(a)
(b)
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Page 50 of 82
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-18
6
EAU44820
Checking the shift pedal The operation of the shift pedal should
be checked before each ride. If opera-
tion is not smooth, have a Yamaha
dealer check the vehicle.
EAU22291
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.
1. Remove panel B. (See page 6-6.)
2. Turn the adjusting nut while hold-
ing 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).3. Install the panel.1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
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Page 51 of 82

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-19
6
EAU22380
Checking the front brake pads
and rear brake shoes The front brake pads and the rear brake
shoes must be checked for wear at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
EAU22430
Front brake pads
Each front brake pad is provided with
wear indicator grooves, which allow
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator grooves. If a brake
pad has worn to the point that the wearindicator grooves have almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.
EAU43170
Rear brake shoes
The rear brake is provided with a wear
indicator, which allows you to check the
brake shoe wear without having to dis-
assemble the brake. To check the
brake shoe wear, check the position of
the wear indicator while applying the
brake. If a brake shoe has worn to the
point that the wear indicator reaches
the wear limit mark, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the brake shoes as a
set.
EAU37001
Checking the front brake fluid
level Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to
enter the brake system, possibly caus-
ing it to become ineffective.
Before riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark and
replenish if necessary. 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.
Observe these precautions:
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1. Brake shoe wear limit mark
2. Brake shoe wear indicator
1
2
1. Minimum level mark
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Page 52 of 82

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-20
6
When checking the fluid level,
make sure that the top of the mas-
ter cylinder is level by turning the
handlebars.
Use only the recommended quality
brake fluid, otherwise the rubber
seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage and poor braking perfor-
mance.
NOTE:If DOT 4 is not available, DOT 3 can beused.
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 en-
ter the master cylinder when refill-
ing. Water will significantly lower
the boiling point of the fluid and
may result in vapor lock.
Brake fluid may deteriorate paint-
ed surfaces or plastic parts. Al-
ways clean up spilled fluid
immediately.
As the brake pads wear, it is nor-
mal for the brake fluid level to grad-
ually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause.
EAU22720
Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the NOTE after the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
have the oil seals of the brake master
cylinder and caliper as well as the
brake hose replaced at the intervals
listed below or whenever they are dam-
aged or leaking.
Oil seals: Replace every two
years.
Brake hose: Replace every four
years.
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-21
6
EAU22760
Drive chain slack The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU22793
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on the cen-
terstand.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Spin the rear wheel several times
to locate the tightest portion of the
drive chain.
4. Measure the drive chain slack as
shown.5. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU37112
To adjust the drive chain slack
1. Loosen the brake pedal free play
adjusting nut, brake torque rod nut,
and axle nut.
2. Loosen the chain puller locknut at
each end of the swingarm.3. To tighten the drive chain, turn the
adjusting bolt at each end of the
swingarm in direction (a). To loos-
en the drive chain, turn the adjust-
ing bolt at each end 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 that
both chain pullers are in the same posi-tion for proper wheel alignment.
1. Drive chain slack
Drive chain slack:
20.0–30.0 mm (0.79–1.18 in)
1. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
2. Chain puller locknut
3. Axle nut
4. Brake torque rod nut
5. Brake pedal free play adjusting nut
4
5 12
3
1. Alignment marks
2. Chain puller locknut
3. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-22
6
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 thespecified limits.
4. Tighten both locknuts, and then
tighten the axle nut and brake
torque rod nut to their specified
torques.
5. Adjust the brake pedal free play.
(See page 6-17.)
WARNING
EWA10660
After adjusting the brake pedal free
play, check the operation of thebrake light.
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 andriding 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 orinappropriate 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 coulddamage the O-rings.
Tightening torques:
Axle nut:
80 Nm (8.0 m·kgf, 58 ft·lbf)
Brake torque rod nut:
19 Nm (1.9 m·kgf, 13 ft·lbf)
U27SE0E0.book Page 22 Friday, February 22, 2008 8:54 AM
Page 55 of 82

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-23
6
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 unsafeconditions.
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.
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:
Engine oil
U27SE0E0.book Page 23 Friday, February 22, 2008 8:54 AM
Page 56 of 82
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-24
6
EAU23182
Checking and lubricating the
brake pedal The operation of the brake pedal
should be checked before each ride,
and the pedal pivot should be lubricat-
ed if necessary.
EAU23212
Checking and lubricating the
centerstand and sidestand The operation of the centerstand and
sidestand should be checked before
each ride, and the pivots and metal-to-
metal contact surfaces should be lubri-
cated if necessary.
WARNING
EWA10740
If the centerstand or sidestand does
not move up and down smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-pair it.
Recommended lubricants:
Brake lever:
Silicone grease
Clutch lever:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
U27SE0E0.book Page 24 Friday, February 22, 2008 8:54 AM