2008 YAMAHA YFM250R Owners Manual

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parking brake lever to the right.
2. Fully loosen the locknut and the adjusting bolt
at the rear brake caliper.
3. Loosen the locknut on the brake cable.
4. Turn the adjusting nut on the brake cable in di-
rection (a) to increase the cable length, and in
direction (b) to decrease it.
NOTE:

If the cable length cannot be adjusted to specifica-
tion, consult a Yamaha dealer.
5. Tighten the locknut on the brake cable.
6. Turn in the adjusting bolt at the rear brake cal-iper until it feels tight, then turn it out 1/8 turn
and tighten its locknut to the specified torque.CAUTION:
ECB00520
When tightening the locknut, hold the adjust-
ing bolt with a wrench so that it does not turn
together with the locknut.WARNING
EWB02090
Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause the brakes to malfunc-
tion, resulting in reduced braking
performance. This could increase the chance
of a collision or accident. After adjusting the
parking brake free play, block the rear of the
ATV off the ground and spin the rear wheels.
Check to make sure there is no brake drag. If
brake drag is noticed, perform the adjustment
again.
1. Locknut
2. Adjusting nut
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(a)(b)

Tightening torque:
Locknut (rear brake caliper):
16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 11.6 ft·lbf)

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EBU24740
Brake light switches
The operation of the brake light switches must be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.
The brake light switch for the brake pedal can be
adjusted as follows, but the other brake light
switches should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
NOTE:

The brake light switch is properly adjusted when
the brake light comes on just before braking takes
effect.
Turn the adjusting nut while holding the 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 adjust-
ing nut in direction (b).
EBU24810
Adjusting the clutch lever free play
The clutch lever free play must be checked and, if
necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
The clutch lever free play should measure 5.0–
10.0 mm (0.20–0.39 in) as shown. If the free play
is incorrect, adjust it as follows.
1. Brake light switch
2. Brake light switch adjusting nut
12
(b)
(a)

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1. Loosen the locknut at the clutch lever.
2. To increase the clutch lever free play, turn the
adjusting bolt in direction (a), and to decrease
it, turn the bolt in direction (b).
3. Tighten the locknut.
NOTE:

If the specified free play cannot be obtained as de-
scribed above or if the clutch does not operate cor-
rectly, have a Yamaha dealer check the internal
clutch mechanism.
EBU26861
Drive chain slack
The drive chain slack should be checked before
each ride and adjusted if necessary.
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
NOTE:

When checking and adjusting the drive chain
slack, there should be no weight on the ATV and
all tires must be touching the ground.
2. Move the ATV back and forth to locate the
tightest portion of the drive chain, and then
measure the drive chain slack as shown.
1. Clutch lever free play
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
3. Locknut
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(a)(b) 3

Drive chain slack:
45.0–55.0 mm (1.77–2.17 in)

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3. If the drive chain slack is incorrect, adjust it as
follows.
To adjust the drive chain slack
1. Loosen the rear axle pinch bolts.
2. Insert a rod of a diameter of 8 mm (0.3 in) and
a length of 10 cm (4 in) into one of the holes in
the drive chain tensioner as shown.NOTE:

A rod can be obtained at a Yamaha dealer to make
this adjustment.
3. Shift the transmission into neutral.
4. To tighten the drive chain, push the ATV back-
ward. To loosen the drive chain, push the ATV
forward.
CAUTION:

ECB00541
Improper drive chain slack will overload the en-
1. Drive chain slack
1

1. Rear wheel axle pinch bolt
2. Rod
3. Drive chain tensioner
4. Hole
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gine as well as other vital parts of the ATV and
can lead to drive chain slippage or breakage.
To prevent this from occurring, keep the drive
chain slack within the specified limits.
5. Pull the rod out, and then tighten the rear axle
pinch bolts to the specified torque in the order
shown.
EBU24880
Lubricating the drive chain
The drive chain must be cleaned and lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenanceand lubrication chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or wet areas.
Service the drive chain as follows.CAUTION:

ECB00560
The drive chain must be lubricated after wash-
ing the ATV or riding in the rain.
1. Clean the drive chain with kerosene and a
small soft brush.
CAUTION:

ECB00570
To prevent damaging the O-rings, do not clean
Tightening torque:
Rear axle pinch bolt:
21 Nm (2.1 m·kgf, 15.2 ft·lbf)
12 34
56 78

1. O-rings
1

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the drive chain with steam cleaners, high-pres-
sure washers or inappropriate solvents.
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive chain with a
special O-ring chain lubricant.
CAUTION:

ECB00580
Do not use engine oil or any other lubricants
for the drive chain, as they may contain sub-
stances that could damage the O-rings.
EBU24900
Checking and lubricating the cables
The operation and the condition of all control ca-
bles should be checked before each ride, and the
cables and cable ends should be lubricated if nec-
essary. If a cable is damaged or does not move
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check or replace
it.
WARNING

EWB02130
Inspect cables frequently and replace if dam-aged. Corrosion can result when the cable
sheaths become damaged, and cables can
also become frayed or kinked, which could re-
strict the operation of controls and lead to an
accident or injury.
EBU24921
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers
The operation of the brake and clutch levers
should be checked before each ride, and the lever
pivots should be lubricated if necessary.
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil
Recommended lubricants:
Brake lever:
Silicone grease
Clutch lever:
Lithium-soap-based grease (all-purpose
grease)

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Brake lever
Clutch lever

EBU24931
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 lubricated if necessary.
EBU24962
Checking the wheel hub bearings
The front and rear wheel hub bearings must be
checked at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart. If there is play
in a wheel hub or if a wheel does not turn smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check the wheel hub bear-
ings.
EBU24992
Lubricating the swingarm pivots
The swingarm pivots must be lubricated at the in-
tervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
Recommended lubricants:
Brake pedal:
Silicone grease
Shift pedal:
Lithium-soap-based grease (all-purpose
grease)

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lubrication chart.
EBU25030
Lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots
The upper and lower arm pivots must be lubricated
at the intervals specified in the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart.
Lubricate the pivoting points using a grease gun.
Left side
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
1. Upper grease nipple
2. Lower grease nipple
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