2008 YAMAHA YZ250F length

3-17
CHASSIS
CHECKING THE DRIVE CHAIN
1. Measure:• Drive chain length (15 links) "a"Out of specification
→Replace.
• While measuring the drive chain
length, push down on the drive
chain to increase its tension.
• Measure the length between drive
chain roller "1" and "16" as shown.
• Perform this measurement at two or three different places.
2. Remove:
• Master link clip
•Joint "1"
• Drive chain "2"
3. Clean: • Drive chain
Place it in kerosene, and brush off
as much dirt as possible. Then re-
move the drive chain from the ker-
osene and dry the drive chain.
4. Check: • Drive chain stiffness "a"
Clean and oil the drive chain and hold as illustrated.
Stiff
→Replace the drive chain.
5. Install: • Drive chain "1"
• Joint "2"
• Master link clip "3"
Be sure to install the master link
clip to the direction as shown.
a. Turning direction
6. Lubricate: • Drive chain
ADJUSTING THE DRIVE CHAIN
SLACK
1. Elevate the rear wheel by placing the suitable stand under the en-
gine.
2. Check:
• Drive chain slack "a"Above the seal guard installation
bolt.
Out of specification
→Adjust.
Before checking and/or adjusting, ro-
tate the rear wheel through several
revolutions and check the slack sev-
eral times to find the tightest point.
Check and/or adjust the drive chain
slack with the rear wheel in this "tight chain" position.
3. Adjust:
• Drive chain slack
Drive chain slack adjustment
steps:
a. Loosen the axle nut "1" and lock- nuts "2".
b. Adjust the drive chain slack by
turning the adjusters "3".
c. Turn each adjuster exactly the same amount to maintain correct
axle alignment. (There are marks
"a" on each side of the drive chain
puller alignment.)
Turn the adjuster so that the drive
chain is in line with the sprocket, as
viewed from the rear.
Too small drive chain slack will
overload the engine and other vital
parts; keep the slack within the
specified limits.
d. Tighten the axle nut while pushing down the drive chain.
e. Tighten the locknuts.
Drive chain length (15
links): : 242.9 mm
(9.563 in)
Drive chain lubricant:SAE 10W-30 motor oil
or suitable chain lubri-
cants
Drive chain slack: 48–58 mm (1.9–2.3 in)
To tighten→Turn the adjuster "3"
counterclockwise.
To loosen
→Turn the adjuster "3"
clockwise and push wheel for-
ward.
Axle nut:125 Nm (12.5 m•kg, 90
ft•lb)
Locknut: 19 Nm (1.9 m•kg, 13
ft•lb)

3-19
CHASSIS
ADJUSTING THE REAR SHOCK
ABSORBER SPRING PRELOAD
1. Elevate the rear wheel by placing the suitable stand under the en-
gine.
2. Remove: • Rear frame
3. Loosen: • Locknut "1"
4. Adjust:
• Spring preloadBy turning the adjuster "2".
•Be sure to remove all dirt and mud
from around the locknut and adjust-
er before adjustment.
• The length of the spring (installed) changes 1.5 mm (0.06 in) per turn of the adjuster.
• The I.D. mark "b" is marked at the end of the spring.
• The standard length and extent of
adjustment vary according to the
quantity of I.D. marks.
Never attempt to turn the adjuster
beyond the maximum or minimum
setting.
5. Tighten:• Locknut
6. Install: • Rear frame (upper)
• Rear frame (lower)
ADJUSTING THE REAR SHOCK
ABSORBER REBOUND DAMPING
FORCE
1. Adjust: • Rebound damping forceBy turning the adjuster "1". • STANDARD POSITION:
This is the position which is back
by the specific number of clicks
from the fully turned-in position.
(Which align the punch mark "a"
on the adjuster with the punch
mark "b" on the bracket.)
Do not force the adjuster past the
minimum or maximum extent of
adjustment. The adjuster may be
damaged.
ADJUSTING THE REAR SHOCK
ABSORBER LOW COMPRESSION
DAMPING FORCE
1. Adjust:• Low compression damping forceBy turning the adjuster "1".
Stiffer
→Increase the spring pre-
load. (Turn the adjuster "2" in.)
Softer
→Decrease the spring pre-
load. (Turn the adjuster "2"
out.)
Spring length (installed)
"a":
Standard length Extent of ad-
justment
One I.D. mark 268 mm
(10.55 in)
*262 mm
(10.31 in)
Two I.D. marks 274 mm
(10.79 in)
*268 mm
(10.55 in)
Three I.D.
marks 265.5 mm
(10.45 in)
*259.5 mm
(10.22 in) 255.5–273.5
mm (10.06–
10.77 in)
261.5–279.5
mm (10.30–
11.00 in)
253.0–271.0
mm (9.96–10.67
in)
* For EUROPE
Rear frame (upper): 38 Nm (3.8 m•kg, 27
ft•lb)
Rear frame (lower): 32 Nm (3.2 m•kg, 23
ft•lb)
Stiffer "a"
→Increase the re-
bound damping force. (Turn
the adjuster "1" in.)
Softer "b"
→Decrease the re-
bound damping force. (Turn
the adjuster "1" out.)
Extent of adjustment:
Maximum Minimum
Fully turned in
position 20 clicks out
(from maximum
position)
Standard position: About 8 clicks out
Stiffer "a"
→Increase the low
compression damping force.
(Turn the adjuster "1" in.)
Softer "b"
→Decrease the low
compression damping force.
(Turn the adjuster "1" out.)
Extent of adjustment:
Maximum Minimum
Fully turned in
position 20 clicks out
(from maximum
position)

4-16
CAMSHAFTS
REMOVING THE CAMSHAFT
1. Remove:• Timing mark accessing screw "1"
• Crankshaft end accessing screw "2"
2. Align: • T.D.C. mark
With align mark.
Checking steps:
a. Turn the crankshaft counterclock- wise with a wrench.
b. Align the T.D.C. mark "a" on the rotor with the align mark "b" on the
crankcase cover when piston is at
T.D.C. on compression stroke.
In order to be sure that the piston is at
Top Dead Center, the punch mark "c"
on the exhaust camshaft and the
punch mark "d" on the intake cam-
shaft must align with the cylinder
head surface, as shown in the illustra-
tion.
3. Remove:• Timing chain tensioner cap bolt
"1"
• Timing chain tensioner "2"
•Gasket 4. Remove:
• Bolt (camshaft cap) "1"
• Camshaft cap "2"
•Clip
Remove the bolts (camshaft cap) in a
crisscross pattern, working from the
outside in.
The bolts (camshaft cap) must be
removed evenly to prevent dam-
age to the cylinder head, cam-
shafts or camshaft caps.
5. Remove:• Exhaust camshaft "1"
• Intake camshaft "2"
Attach a wire "3" to the timing chain to
prevent it from falling into the crank-
case.
CHECKING THE CAMSHAFT
1. Inspect:• Cam lobe
Pitting/scratches/blue discolora-
tion
→Replace.
2. Measure:
• Cam lobe length "a" and "b" Out of specification
→Replace.
3. Measure: • Runout (camshaft)Out of specification
→Replace.
Cam lobes length: Intake "a":30.246–30.346 mm
(1.1908–1.1947 in)
: 30.146 mm (1.1869 in)
Intake "b":
22.45–22.55 mm
(0.8839–0.8878 in)
:
22.35 mm (0.8799 in)
Exhaust "a": 30.399–30.499 mm
(1.1968–1.2007 in)
: 30.299 mm (1.1929 in)
Exhaust "b": 22.45–22.55 mm
(0.8839–0.8878 in)
: 22.35 mm (0.8799 in)
Runout (camshaft): Less than 0.03 mm
(0.0012 in)

4-23
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
4. Measure:• Margin thickness "a"Out of specification
→Replace.
5. Measure: • Runout (valve stem)Out of specification
→Replace.
• When installing a new valve always
replace the guide.
• If the valve is removed or replaced
always replace the oil seal.
6. Eliminate:• Carbon deposits(from the valve face and valve
seat)
7. Inspect: •Valve seat
Pitting/wear
→Reface the valve
seat.
8. Measure:
• Valve seat width "a"Out of specification
→Reface the
valve seat.
Measurement steps:
a. Apply Mechanic's blueing dye
(Dykem) "b" to the valve face.
b. Install the valve into the cylinder head.
c. Press the valve through the valve guide and onto the valve seat to
make a clear pattern.
d. Measure the valve seat width. Where the valve seat and valve
face made contact, blueing will
have been removed.
e. If the valve seat is too wide, too
narrow, or the seat is not cen-
tered, the valve seat must be re-
faced.
9. Lap:• Valve face
• Valve seat
After refacing the valve seat or re-
placing the valve and valve guide, the
valve seat and valve face should be
lapped.
Lapping steps:
a. Apply a coarse lapping compound to the valve face.
Do not let the compound enter the
gap between the valve stem and
the guide.
b. Apply molybdenum disulfide oil to the valve stem. c. Install the valve into the cylinder
head.
d. Turn the valve until the valve face and valve seat are evenly pol-
ished, then clean off all of the
compound.
For best lapping results, lightly tap
the valve seat while rotating the valve
back and forth between your hands.
e. Apply a fine lapping compound to the valve face and repeat the
above steps.
After every lapping operation be sure
to clean off all of the compound from
the valve face and valve seat.
f. Apply Mechanic's blueing dye
(Dykem) to the valve face.
g. Install the valve into the cylinder head.
h. Press the valve through the valve guide and onto the valve seat to
make a clear pattern.
i. Measure the valve seat width again. If the valve seat width is out
of specification, reface and relap
the valve seat.
CHECKING THE VALVE SPRINGS
1. Measure:• Valve spring free length "a"Out of specification
→Replace.
Margin thickness:
Intake:
0.8 mm (0.0315 in)
Exhaust: 0.7 mm (0.0276 in)
Runout limit: 0.01 mm (0.0004 in)
Valve seat width: Intake:0.9–1.1 mm (0.0354–
0.0433 in)
:1.6 mm
(0.0630 in)
Exhaust:
0.9–1.1 mm (0.0354–
0.0433 in)
:1.6 mm
(0.0630 in)
Free length (valve
spring): Intake:37.81 mm (1.49 in)
: 36.81 mm
(1.45 in)
Exhaust:
37.54 mm (1.48 in)
: 36.54 mm
(1.44 in)

4-24
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
2. Measure:• Compressed spring force "a"Out of specification
→Replace.
b. Installed length
3. Measure:
• Spring tilt "a"Out of specification
→Replace.
CHECKING THE VALVE LIFTERS
1. Inspect: • Valve lifterScratches/damage
→Replace
both lifters and cylinder head. INSTALLING THE VALVES
1. Apply:
• Molybdenum disulfide oilOnto the valve stem and valve
stem seal.
2. Install: •Valve "1"
• Valve spring seat "2"
• Valve stem seal "3"
• Valve spring "4"
• Valve spring retainer "5"
To cylinder head.
• Make sure that each valve is in-stalled in its original place, also re-
ferring to the painted color as
follows.
Intake (middle) "a": Orange
Intake (right/left) "b": Green
Exhaust "c": Purple
• Install the valve springs with the
larger pitch "d" facing upward.
e. Smaller pitch
3. Install:
• Valve cotter
While compressing the valve spring
with a valve spring compressor "1" in-
stall the valve cotters.
4. To secure the valve cotters onto the valve stem, lightly tap the
valve tip with a piece of wood.
Hitting the valve tip with excessive
force could damage the valve.
5. Install:• Adjusting pad "1"
• Valve lifter "2"
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil on the valve stem end.
• Apply the engine oil on the valve lift- ers.
• Valve lifter must turn smoothly when rotated with a finger.
• Be careful to reinstall valve lifters
and pads in their original place.
Compressed spring
force: Intake:99–114 N at 29.13 mm
(9.9–11.4 kg at 29.13
mm, 22.27–25.57 lb at
1.15 in)
Exhaust:
126–144 N at 29.30
mm (12.6–14.4 kg at
29.30 mm, 28.44–
32.41 lb at 1.15 in)
Spring tilt limit: Intake:
2.5°/1.7 mm (0.067 in)
Exhaust: 2.5°/1.6 mm (0.063 in)
Valve spring compres-
sor:
YM-4019/90890-04019

4-31
CLUTCH
REMOVING THE CLUTCH BOSS
1. Remove:•Nut "1"
• Lock washer "2"
• Clutch boss "3"
Straighten the lock washer tab and
use the clutch holding tool "4" to hold
the clutch boss.
A. For USA and CDN
B. Except for USA and CDN
CHECKING THE CLUTCH
HOUSING AND BOSS
1. Inspect: • Clutch housing "1"Cracks/wear/damage
→Replace.
• Clutch boss "2"
Scoring/wear/damage
→Re-
place.
CHECKING THE PRIMARY DRIVEN
GEAR
1. Check: • Circumferential playFree play exists
→Replace.
• Gear teeth "a"
Wear/damage
→Replace. CHECKING THE CLUTCH
SPRINGS
1. Measure:
• Clutch spring free length "a"
Out of specification
→Replace
springs as a set.
CHECKING THE FRICTION
PLATES
1. Measure: • Friction plate thicknessOut of specification
→Replace
friction plate as a set.
Measure at all four points.
CHECKING THE CLUTCH PLATES
1. Measure: • Clutch plate warpageOut of specification
→Replace
clutch plate as a set.
Use a surface plate "1" and thick-
ness gauge "2". CHECKING THE PUSH LEVER
SHAFT
1. Inspect:
• Push lever shaft "1"
Wear/damage
→Replace.
CHECKING THE PUSH ROD
1. Inspect: • Push rod 1 "1"
• Bearing "2"
• Washer "3"
• Push rod 2 "4"
• Ball "5"Wear/damage/bend
→Replace.
INSTALLING THE PUSH LEVER
SHAFT
1. Install: • Push lever shaft "1"
• Bolt (push lever shaft) "2"
• Apply the lithium soap base grease on the oil seal lip.
• Apply the engine oil on the push le-
ver shaft.
• Fit the seat plate "3" in the groove "a" of the push lever shaft and tight-
en the bolt (seat plate).
Clutch holding tool:
YM-91042/90890-04086
Clutch spring free
length:35.7 mm (1.41 in)
: 34.7 mm (1.37
in)
Friction plate thickness: 2.9–3.1 mm (0.114–
0.122 in)
: 2.8 mm (0.110
in)
Warp limit: 0.1 mm (0.004 in)
Bolt (push lever shaft):10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)

5-19
FRONT FORK
CHECKING THE BASE VALVE
1. Inspect:• Base valve "1"Wear/damage
→Replace.
Contamination
→Clean.
• O-ring "2" Wear/damage
→Replace.
• Piston metal "3" Wear/damage
→Replace.
• Spring "4"
Damage/fatigue
→Replace base
valve.
• Air bleed screw "5"
Wear/damage
→Replace.
CHECKING THE COLLAR
1. Inspect: • Piston metal "1"Wear/damage
→Replace.
CHECKING THE FORK SPRING
1. Measure: • Fork spring free length "a"Out of specification
→Replace.
CHECKING THE INNER TUBE
1. Inspect: • Inner tube surface "a"Score marks
→Repair or replace.
Use #1,000 grit wet sandpaper.
Damaged oil lock piece
→Re-
place.
• Inner tube bends
Out of specification
→Replace. Use the dial gauge "1".
The bending value is shown by one
half of the dial gauge reading.
Do not attempt to straighten a bent
inner tube as this may dangerous-
ly weaken the tube.
CHECKING THE OUTER TUBE
1. Inspect:
• Outer tube "1"
Score marks/wear/damage
→Re-
place.
CHECKING THE ADJUSTER
1. Inspect: • Adjuster "1"
• O-ring "2"Wear/damage
→Replace.
ASSEMBLING THE FRONT FORK
1. Wash the all parts in a clean sol- vent.
2. Stretch the damper assembly ful- ly.
3. Fill: • Front fork oil "1"To damper assembly.
• Be sure to use recommended fork oil. If other oils are used,
they may have an excessively ad-
verse effect on the front fork per-
formance.
• Never allow foreign materials to enter the front fork.
4. After filling, pump the damper as- sembly "1" slowly up and down
(about 200 mm (7.9 in) stroke)
several times to bleed the damper
assembly of air.
Be careful not to excessive full stroke.
A stroke of 200 mm (7.9 in) or more
will cause air to enter. In this case, re-
peat the steps 2 to 4.
5. Measure:
• Oil level (left and right) "a"Out of specification
→ Adjust.
Fork spring free length:
454 mm (17.9 in)
: 449 mm (17.7
in)
Inner tube bending limit:0.2 mm (0.008 in)
Recommended oil: Suspension oil "S1"
Oil capacity: 199 cm
3 (7.00 Imp oz,
6.73 US oz)
Standard oil level: 145-148 mm (5.71-5.83
in)
From top of fully
stretched damper as-
sembly.

5-40
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER
3. Install:• Lower bearing "1"
Install the bearing by pressing it on
the side having the manufacture's
marks or numbers.
INSTALLING THE SPRING (REAR
SHOCK ABSORBER)
1. Install:• Spring "1"
• Upper spring guide "2"
• Lower spring guide "3"
2. Install: • Spring seat "1"
Install the spring seat with the projec-
tion "a" brought into contact with the
spring end, as shown.
3. Tighten:•Adjuster "1" 4. Adjust:
• Spring length (installed)Refer to "ADJUSTING THE
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER
SPRING PRELOAD" section in
the CHAPTER 3.
5. Tighten:
• Locknut "1"
INSTALLING THE REAR SHOCK
ABSORBER
1. Install: • Dust seal "1"
• O-ring "2"
•Collar "3"
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide grease on the dust seal lips and col-
lars.
• Apply the lithium soap base grease on the O-rings.
2. Install:• Bushing "1"
•Collar "2"
• Dust seal "3"
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide grease on the bearing and dust seal
lips.
• Install the dust seals with their lips
facing outward.
3. Install:• Rear shock absorber
4. Install: • Bolt (rear shock absorber-frame)
"1"
• Washer "2"
• Nut (rear shock absorber-frame) "3"
Apply the molybdenum disulfide
grease on the bolt.
5. Install:• Bolt (rear shock absorber-relay arm) "1"
• Nut (rear shock absorber-relay
arm) "2"
Apply the molybdenum disulfide
grease on the bolt.
6. Install:• Rear frame "1"
• Bolt [rear frame (upper)] "2"
Installed depth of the
bearing "a":
4 mm (0.16 in)
Nut (rear shock absorb-
er-frame):56 Nm (5.6 m•kg, 40
ft•lb)
Nut (rear shock absorb-
er-relay arm): 53 Nm (5.3 m•kg, 38
ft•lb)
Bolt [rear frame (upper)]: 38 Nm (3.8 m•kg, 27
ft•lb)