2008 YAMAHA YZ450F torque

2-15
TIGHTENING TORQUES
GENERAL TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS
This chart specifies torque for stan-
dard fasteners with standard I.S.O.
pitch threads. Torque specifications
for special components or assem-
blies are included in the applicable
sections of this book. To avoid
warpage, tighten multi-fastener as-
semblies in a crisscross fashion, in
progressive stages, until full torque is
reached. Unless otherwise specified,
torque specifications call for clean,
dry threads. Components should be
at room temperature.A. Distance between flats
B. Outside thread diameter
DEFINITION OF UNITS
A
(Nut)B
(Bolt
)TORQUE SPECIFI-
CATION
Nm m•kg ft•lb
10
mm6 mm 6 0.6 4.3
12
mm8 mm 15 1.5 11
14
mm10
mm30 3.0 22
17
mm12
mm55 5.5 40
19
mm14
mm85 8.5 61
22
mm16
mm130 13 94
Unit Read Definition Measure
mm
millimeter 10-3 meter Length
cmcentimeter 10-2 meter Length
kgkilogram 103 gram Weight
NNewton 1 kg × m/sec2Force
NmNewton meter N × m Torque
m•kgMeter kilogram m × kg Torque
PaPascal N/m2Pressure
N/mmNewton per millimeter N/mm Spring rate
LLiter — Volume or capacity
cm3Cubic centimeter — Volume or capacity
r/minRevolution per minute — Engine speed

3-20
CHASSIS
3. Check:
• Steering smooth action
Turn the handlebar lock to lock.
Unsmooth action
→Adjust steer-
ing ring nut.
4. Adjust:
• Steering ring nut
Steering ring nut adjustment
steps:
a. Remove the number plate.
b. Remove the handlebar and upper
bracket.
c. Loosen the steering ring nut "1"
using the steering nut wrench "2".
d. Tighten the steering ring nut "3"
using steering nut wrench "4".
• Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the thread of the steering stem.
• Set the torque wrench to the steer-
ing nut wrench so that they form a
right angle.
e. Loosen the steering ring nut one
turn.
f. Retighten the steering ring nut us-
ing the steering nut wrench.
Avoid over-tightening.
g. Check the steering stem by turn-
ing it lock to lock. If there is any
binding, remove the steering stem
assembly and inspect the steer-
ing bearings.
h. Install the washer "5", upper
bracket "6", washer "7", steering
stem nut "8", handlebar "9", han-
dlebar upper holder "10" and
number plate "11".
• The handlebar upper holder should
be installed with the punched mark
"a" forward.
• Install the handlebar so that the
marks "b" are in place on both
sides.
• Install the handlebar so that the pro-
jection "c" of the handlebar upper
holder is positioned at the mark on
the handlebar as shown.
• Insert the end of the fuel breather
hose "12" into the hole in the steer-
ing stem.
First tighten the bolts on the front
side of the handlebar upper holder,
and then tighten the bolts on the
rear side.
Steering nut wrench:
YU-33975/90890-01403
Steering nut wrench:
YU-33975/90890-01403
Steering ring nut (initial
tightening):
38 Nm (3.8 m•kg, 27
ft•lb)
Steering ring nut (final
tightening):
7 Nm (0.7 m•kg, 5.1
ft•lb)
Steering stem nut:
145 Nm (14.5 m•kg, 105
ft•lb)
Handlebar upper holder:
28 Nm (2.8 m•kg, 20
ft•lb)
Pinch bolt (upper brack-
et):
21 Nm (2.1 m•kg, 15
ft•lb)
Number plate:
7 Nm (0.7 m•kg, 5.1
ft•lb)

4-18
CAMSHAFTS
Do not turn the crankshaft during
the camshaft installation. Damage
or improper valve timing will re-
sult.
d. Install the clips, camshaft caps "4"
and bolts (camshaft cap) "5".
• Before removing the clips, cover the
cylinder head with a clean rag to
prevent the clips from into the cylin-
der head cavity.
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil
on the thread of the bolts (camshaft
cap).
• Tighten the bolts to the specified
torque in two or three steps in the
proper tightening sequence as
shown.
The bolts (camshaft cap) must be
tightened evenly, or damage to the
cylinder head, camshaft caps, and
camshaft will result.
2. Install:
• Timing chain tensioner
Installation steps:
a. While pressing the tensioner rod
lightly with fingers, use a thin
screwdriver and wind the tension-
er rod up fully clockwise.b. With the rod fully wound and the
chain tensioner UP mark "a" fac-
ing upward, install the gasket "1",
the timing chain tensioner "2", and
the gasket "3", and tighten the bolt
"4" to the specified torque.
c. Release the screwdriver, check
the tensioner rod to come out and
tighten the gasket "5" and the cap
bolt "6" to the specified torque.
3. Turn:
• Crankshaft
Counterclockwise several turns.
4. Check:
• Rotor T.D.C. mark
Align with the crankcase align
mark.
• Camshaft match marks
Align with the cylinder head sur-
face.
Out of alignment
→Adjust. Bolt (camshaft cap):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (timing chain ten-
sioner):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Tensioner cap bolt:
7 Nm (0.7 m•kg, 5.1
ft•lb)

4-20
CYLINDER HEAD
CHECKING THE CYLINDER HEAD
1. Eliminate:
• Carbon deposits (from the com-
bustion chambers)
Use a rounded scraper.
Do not use a sharp instrument to
avoid damaging or scratching:
• Spark plug threads
• Valve seats
2. Inspect:
• Cylinder head
Scratches/damage
→Replace.
3. Measure:
• Cylinder head warpage
Out of specification
→Resurface.
Warpage measurement and resur-
facing steps:
a. Place a straightedge and a feeler
gauge across the cylinder head.
b. Use a feeler gauge to measure
the warpage.
c. If the warpage is out of specifica-
tion, resurface the cylinder head.
d. Place a 400–600 grit wet sandpa-
per on the surface plate, and re-
surface the head using a figure-
eight sanding pattern.
To ensure an even surface rotate the
cylinder head several times.
INSTALLING THE CYLINDER
HEAD
1. Install:
• Timing chain guide (exhaust side)
"1"
• Dowel pin "2"• Cylinder head gasket "3"
• Cylinder head "4"
While pulling up the timing chain, in-
stall the timing chain guide (exhaust
side) and cylinder head.
2. Install:
• Washer "1"
• Bolts "2"
Installation steps:
Tighten the cylinder head using
the rotation angle procedure to ob-
tain uniform tightening torque.
a. Wash the threads and contact
surfaces of the bolts, the contact
surfaces of the plain washers, the
contact surface of the cylinder
head, and the threads of the
crankcase.
b. Apply the molybdenum disulfide
grease on the threads and con-
tact surfaces of the bolts and on
both contact surfaces of the plain
washers.
c. Install the plain washers and
bolts.
d. Tighten the bolts to the specified
torque in two or three steps in the
proper tightening sequence as
shown.e. Remove the bolts.
f. Again apply the molybdenum dis-
ulfide grease on the threads and
contact surfaces of the bolts and
on both contact surfaces of the
plain washers.
g. Retighten the bolts.
Tighten the bolts to the specified
torque in two or three steps in the
proper tightening sequence as
shown.
h. Put a mark on the corner "1" of the
bolt (cylinder head) and the cylin-
der head "2" as shown.
Tighten the bolts 90° in each of the
two steps to reach the specified angle
of 180° in the proper tightening se-
quence as shown.
3. Install:
• Bolt (cylinder head) "1" Cylinder head warpage:
Less than 0.05 mm
(0.002 in)
Bolts (cylinder head):
1st:
30 Nm (3.0 m•kg, 22
ft•lb)
Bolts (cylinder head):
2nd:
20 Nm (2.0 m•kg, 14
ft•lb)
Bolts (cylinder head):
Final:
Specified angle 180°
Bolt (cylinder head):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)

5-20
FRONT FORK
7. Loosen:
• Compression damping adjuster
"1"
• Loosen the compression damping
adjuster finger tight.
• Record the set position of the ad-
juster (the amount of turning out the
fully turned in position).
8. Install:
• Base valve "1"
To damper assembly "2".
First bring the damper rod pressure to
a maximum. Then install the base
valve while releasing the damper rod
pressure.
9. Check:
• Damper assembly
Not fully stretched
→ Repeat the
steps 2 to 8.
10. Tighten:
• Base valve "1"
Hold the damper assembly with the
cap bolt ring wrench "2" and use the
cap bolt wrench "3" to tighten the
base valve with specified torque.
11. After filling, pump the damper as-
sembly "1" slowly up and down
more than 10 times to distribute
the fork oil.
12. While protecting the damper as-
sembly "1" with a rag and com-
pressing fully, allow excessive oil
to overflow on the base valve
side.
Take care not to damage the damp-
er assembly.
13. Allow the overflowing oil to es-
cape at the hole "a" in the damper
assembly.
14. Check:
• Damper assembly smooth move-
ment
Tightness/binding/rough spots

→
Repeat the steps 2 to 13.15. Install:
• Dust seal "1"
• Stopper ring "2"
• Oil seal "3"
• Oil seal washer "4"
• Slide metal "5"
To inner tube "6".
• Apply the fork oil on the inner tube.
• When installing the oil seal, use vi-
nyl seat "a" with fork oil applied to
protect the oil seal lip.
• Install the oil seal with its manufac-
ture's marks or number facing the
axle holder side.
16. Install:
• Piston metal "1"
Install the piston metal onto the slot
on inner tube.
17. Install:
• Outer tube "1"
To inner tube "2".
18. Install:
• Slide metal "1"
• Oil seal washer "2"
To outer tube slot.
Press the slide metal into the outer Base valve:
29 Nm (2.9 m•kg, 21 ft•
lb)
Cap bolt wrench:
YM-01500/90890-01500
Cap bolt ring wrench:
YM-01501/90890-01501

5-22
FRONT FORK
If the adjuster is installed out of spec-
ification, proper damping force can-
not be obtained.
29. Tighten:
• Adjuster (locknut) "1"
Hold the locknut "2" and tighten the
adjuster with specified torque.
30. Install:
• Adjuster "1"
To inner tube.
31. Fill:
• Front fork oil "1"
From outer tube top.
Never fail to make the oil amount
adjustment between the maximum
and minimum amount and always adjust each front fork to the same
setting. Uneven adjustment can
cause poor handling and loss of
stability.
• 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.
32. Install:
• Damper assembly "1"
To outer tube.
Temporarily tighten the damper as-
sembly.
33. Install:
• Protector guide "1"
INSTALLING THE FRONT FORK
1. Install:
• Front fork "1"
• Temporarily tighten the pinch bolts
(lower bracket).
• Do not tighten the pinch bolts (up-
per bracket) yet.
2. Tighten:
• Damper assembly "1"
Use the cap bolt ring wrench "2" to
tighten the damper assembly with
specified torque.
3. Adjust:
• Front fork top end "a"
4. Tighten:
• Pinch bolt (upper bracket) "1"
• Pinch bolt (lower bracket) "2"
Tighten the lower bracket to speci-
fied torque. If torqued too much, it
may cause the front fork to mal-
function.
Adjuster (locknut):
29 Nm (2.9 m•kg, 21
ft•lb)
Adjuster:
55 Nm (5.5 m•kg, 40
ft•lb)
Recommended oil:
Suspension oil "S1"
Standard oil amount:
350 cm
3 (12.3 Imp oz,
11.8 US oz)
Extent of adjustment:
300–375 cm
3
(10.6–13.2 Imp oz,10.1–
12.7 US oz)
Damper assembly:
30 Nm (3.0 m•kg, 22
ft•lb)
Cap bolt ring wrench:
YM-01501/90890-01501
Front fork top end (stan-
dard) "a":
5 mm (0.20 in)
Pinch bolt (upper brack-
et):
21 Nm (2.1 m•kg, 15
ft•lb)
Pinch bolt (lower brack-
et):
21 Nm (2.1 m•kg, 15
ft•lb)

5-31
STEERING
6. Install:
• Washer "1"
7. Install:
• Front fork "1"
• Upper bracket "2"
• Temporarily tighten the pinch bolts
(lower bracket).
• Do not tighten the pinch bolts (up-
per bracket) yet.
8. Install:
• Washer "1"
• Steering stem nut "2"
9. After tightening the nut, check the
steering for smooth movement. If
not, adjust the steering by loosen-
ing the steering ring nut little by lit-
tle.
10. Adjust:
• Front fork top end "a"11. Tighten:
• Pinch bolt (upper bracket) "1"
• Pinch bolt (lower bracket) "2"
Tighten the lower bracket to speci-
fied torque. If torqued too much, it
may cause the front fork to mal-
function.
Steering stem nut:
145 Nm (14.5 m•kg, 105
ft•lb)
Front fork top end (stan-
dard) "a":
5 mm (0.20 in)
Pinch bolt (upper brack-
et):
21 Nm (2.1 m•kg, 15
ft•lb)
Pinch bolt (lower brack-
et):
21 Nm (2.1 m•kg, 15
ft•lb)

7-9
CHASSIS
SUSPENSION SETTING (FRONT FORK)
• If any of the following symptoms is experienced with the standard position as the base, make resetting by reference to
the adjustment procedure given in the same chart.
• Before any change, set the rear shock absorber sunken length to the standard figure 90–100 mm (3.5–3.9 in).
SymptomSection
Check Adjust
JumpLarge
gapMedi-
um
gapSmall
gap
Stiff over entire
range
○○○
Compression damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Oil amount Decrease oil amount by about 5–10 cm
3 (0.2–0.4
Imp oz, 0.2–0.3 US oz).
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Unsmooth move-
ment over entire
range
○○○○
Outer tube Check for any bends, dents, and other noticeable
scars, etc. If any, replace affected parts.
Inner tube
Slide metal Replace with a new one for extended use.
Piston metal Replace with a new one for extended use.
Under bracket tighten-
ing torqueRetighten to specified torque.
Poor initial move-
ment
○
Rebound damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Oil seal Apply grease in oil seal wall.
Soft over entire
range, bottoming
out
○○
Compression damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
Oil amount Increase oil amount by about 5–10 cm
3 (0.2–0.4
Imp oz, 0.2–0.3 US oz).
Spring Replace with stiff spring.
Stiff toward stroke
end
○Oil amountDecrease oil amount by about 5 cm3 (0.2 Imp
oz,0.2 US oz).
Soft toward stroke
end, bottoming out
○Oil amountIncrease oil amount by about 5 cm3 (0.2 Imp
oz,0.2 US oz).
Stiff initial move-
ment
○○○○Compression dampingTurn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Low front, tending to
lower front posture
○○
Compression damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
Rebound damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Balance with rear end Set sunken length for 95–100 mm (3.7–3.9 in)
when one passenger is astride seat (lower rear
posture).
Oil amount Increase oil amount by about 5 cm
3 (0.2 Imp oz,
0.2 US oz).
"Obtrusive" front,
tending to upper
front posture
○○
Compression damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to
decrease damping.
Balance with rear end Set sunken length for 90–95 mm (3.5–3.7 in)
when one passenger is astride seat (upper rear
posture).
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Oil amount Decrease oil amount by about 5–10 cm
3 (0.2–0.4
Imp oz, 0.2–0.3 US oz).