2008 YAMAHA YFZ450 brake light

EBU17420
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY INFORMATION .............................. 1-1
LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND
SPECIFICATION LABELS ............................ 2-1
DESCRIPTION .............................................. 3-1
Left view ..................................................... 3-1
Right view................................................... 3-1
Controls and instruments ........................... 3-2
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS .................................................. 4-1
Main switch ............................................... 4-1
Indicator light and warning light ................. 4-1
Handlebar switches ................................... 4-2
Throttle lever ............................................. 4-3
Speed limiter ............................................. 4-4
Clutch lever ............................................... 4-5
Brake lever ................................................ 4-5
Brake pedal ............................................... 4-5
Parking brake lever ................................... 4-6
Shift pedal ................................................. 4-7
Fuel tank cap ............................................. 4-7
Fuel ........................................................... 4-8
Fuel cock ................................................... 4-9Starter (choke) “ ” .................................. 4-10
Seat ......................................................... 4-11
Adjusting the front shock absorber
assemblies ............................................. 4-12
Adjusting the rear shock absorber
assembly ................................................ 4-17
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ..........................5-1
Pre-operation check list ............................. 5-1
Fuel ............................................................ 5-4
Engine oil ................................................... 5-4
Coolant ...................................................... 5-4
Front and rear brakes ................................ 5-4
Throttle lever .............................................. 5-5
Drive chain ................................................. 5-5
Tires ........................................................... 5-5
Measuring the tire pressure ....................... 5-6
Tire wear limit ............................................ 5-7
Chassis fasteners ...................................... 5-8
Instruments, lights and switches ................ 5-8
OPERATION...................................................6-1
Starting a cold engine ................................ 6-1
Starting a warm engine .............................. 6-3
Shifting ....................................................... 6-3
Engine break-in .......................................... 6-5

Parking ...................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope .................................... 6-6
Accessories and loading ........................... 6-6
RIDING YOUR ATV ...................................... 7-1
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV.............. 7-2
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD
JUDGEMENT ........................................... 7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............ 7-8
TURNING YOUR ATV ............................. 7-12
CLIMBING UPHILL .................................. 7-14
RIDING DOWNHILL................................. 7-16
CROSSING A SLOPE.............................. 7-17
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER .................................................. 7-18
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN .......... 7-20
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ........................ 7-20
WHAT TO DO IF... ................................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO... ....................................... 7-21
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR
REPAIR .......................................................... 8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit ...................... 8-1
Periodic maintenance chart for the
emission control system .......................... 8-3
General maintenance and lubrication
chart ........................................................ 8-5
Removing and installing the panel ............ 8-9
Checking the spark plug .......................... 8-10Engine oil and oil filter element ................ 8-14
Coolant .................................................... 8-20
Cleaning the air filter element .................. 8-24
Cleaning the spark arrester ..................... 8-28
Adjusting the carburetor ........................... 8-29
Checking the engine idling speed ............ 8-30
Adjusting the throttle cable free play ........ 8-30
Valve clearance ....................................... 8-31
Checking the front and rear brake pads .. 8-31
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-32
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-35
Checking the front brake lever free
play ........................................................ 8-36
Checking the brake pedal position ........... 8-36
Adjusting the parking brake free play ...... 8-37
Brake light switches ................................. 8-39
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .......... 8-39
Lubricating the drive chain ....................... 8-41
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-41
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ........................................... 8-42
Checking and lubricating the brake and
shift pedals............................................. 8-43
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-43
Lubricating the swingarm pivots .............. 8-43
Lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots ..................................................... 8-44
Battery ..................................................... 8-45
Replacing the fuse ................................... 8-46

Replacing a headlight bulb ...................... 8-47
Adjusting a headlight beam ..................... 8-49
Replacing the tail/brake light bulb ........... 8-50
Removing a wheel ................................... 8-50
Installing a wheel ..................................... 8-50
Troubleshooting ...................................... 8-51
Troubleshooting charts ............................ 8-52
CLEANING AND STORAGE .......................... 9-1
Cleaning .................................................... 9-1
Storage ...................................................... 9-2
SPECIFICATIONS ...................................... 10-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION ...................... 11-1
Identification numbers ............................. 11-1

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ing, use the proper gear and maintain a steady
speed when climbing a hill. If you stall or roll
backwards, follow the special procedure for
braking described in this manual. Dismount on
the uphill side or to a side if pointed straight up-
hill. Turn the ATV around and remount, following
the procedure described in this manual.

Always check for obstacles before operating in a
new area.

Never attempt to operate over large obstacles,
such as large rocks or fallen trees. Always follow
proper procedures when operating over obsta-
cles as described in this manual.

Always be careful when skidding or sliding.
Learn to safely control skidding or sliding by
practicing at low speeds and on level, smooth
terrain. On extremely slippery surfaces, such as
ice, go slowly and be very cautious in order to re-
duce the chance of skidding or sliding out of con-
trol.

Never operate an ATV in fast flowing water or in
water deeper than that recommended in this
manual. Remember that wet brakes may have
reduced stopping ability. Test your brakes after
leaving water. If necessary, apply them several
times to let friction dry out the linings.

Always use the size and type of tires specified in
this manual.

Always maintain proper tire pressure as de-
scribed in this manual.

Never modify an ATV through improper installa-
tion or use of accessories.

Never exceed the stated load capacity for an
ATV. Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached. Reduce speed and follow in-
structions in this manual for carrying cargo or
pulling a trailer. Allow greater distance for brak-
ing.
WARNING

EWB00061

Always turn off the engine when refueling.

Do not refuel right after the engine has been
running and is still very hot.

Do not spill gasoline on the engine or ex-
haust pipe/muffler when refueling. Never re-
fuel while smoking, or in the vicinity of
sparks, open flames, or other sources of ig-
nition such as the pilot lights of water heat-
ers and clothes dryers. Gasoline can catch
fire and you could be burned.

When transporting the ATV in another vehi-
cle, be sure it is kept upright and that the fuel

3-1
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EBU17680
DESCRIPTION
EBU17690
Left view
EBU17700
Right view
1. Headlights
2. Fuel cock
3. Starter (choke)
4. Throttle stop screw
5. Fuse
6. Tail/brake light
7. Coolant reservoir
8. Shift pedal
9. Engine oil tank
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23456
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8
9

1. Spark arrester
2. Seat
3. Fuel tank cap
4. Radiator cap
5. Oil filter element
6. Brake pedal1
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3
4
5 6

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EBU17712
Controls and instruments
NOTE:

The ATV you have purchased may differ slightly
from the figures shown in this manual.
1. Clutch lever
2. Handlebar switches
3. Parking brake
4. Main switch
5. Throttle lever
6. Brake lever
2
123456

5-2
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Rear brake

Check operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed
hydraulic system.

Check brake pads for wear, and replace if necessary.

Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add recommended brake
fluid to specified level if necessary.

Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-4, 8-31, 8-32, 8-36
Clutch

Check operation, and correct if necessary.

Lubricate cable if necessary.

Check lever free play, and adjust if necessary.8-39
Throttle lever

Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate cable and lever hous-
ing if necessary.

Check cable free play, and adjust if necessary.5-5, 8-30
Control cables

Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate if necessary. 8-41
Drive chain

Check chain slack, and adjust if necessary.

Check chain condition. Lubricate if necessary.5-5, , 8-41
Wheels and tires

Check wheel condition, and replace if damaged.

Check tire condition and tread depth. Replace if necessary.

Check air pressure. Correct if necessary.5-5, 5-6, 5-7
Brake and shift pedals

Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate pedal pivoting points
if necessary.8-43
Brake and clutch levers

Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate lever pivoting points
if necessary.8-42
Chassis fasteners

Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened. 5-8
Instruments, lights and
switches

Check operation, and correct if necessary. 5-8
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE

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EBU19880
OPERATION
EBU19900
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV.
WARNING

EWB00630
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to become
familiar with all controls in order to help pre-
vent any loss of control, which could cause an
accident or injury. If there is a control or func-
tion you do not understand, ask your Yamaha
dealer.
EBU20101
Starting a cold engine
WARNING

EWB00640
Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or do
not work smoothly, you could be unable to
control the ATV, which could lead to an acci-
dent or collision.
CAUTION:

ECB00150
See the “Engine break-in” section on page 6-5
prior to operating the engine for the first time.
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.
3. Turn the main switch to “ON” and the engine
stop switch to “RUN”.
4. Shift the transmission into neutral. The neutral
indicator light should come on. If the indicator
light does not come on, have a Yamaha deal-
er check the electrical circuit.
NOTE:

This model is equipped with an ignition circuit cut-
off system. The engine can be started under the
following conditions.

The transmission is in neutral.

The clutch is disengaged with the transmission
in gear. However, it is recommended to shift into
neutral before starting the engine.
5. Use the starter (choke) in reference to the fig-
ure: