2008 YAMAHA YZ450F ABS

5-35
SWINGARM
INSTALLING THE SWINGARM
1. Install:
• Bushing "1"
• Thrust bearing "2"
• Oil seal "3"
•Collar "4"
To swingarm "5".
Apply the molybdenum disulfide
grease on the bushings, thrust bear-
ings, oil seal lips and contact surfaces
of the collar and thrust bearing.
2. Install:
•Collar "1"
• Washer "2"
To relay arm "3".
Apply the molybdenum disulfide
grease on the collars and oil seal lips.
3. Install:
•Collar "1"
To connecting rod "2".
Apply the molybdenum disulfide
grease on the collar and oil seal lips.
4. Install:
• Connecting rod "1"
• Bolt (connecting rod) "2"• Washer "3"
• Nut (connecting rod) "4"
To relay arm "5".
Apply the molybdenum disulfide
grease on the bolt.
5. Install:
• Relay arm "1"
• Bolt (relay arm) "2"
• Washer "3"
• Nut (relay arm) "4"
To swingarm.
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide
grease on the bolt circumference
and threaded portion.
• Do not tighten the nut yet.
6. Install:
• Swingarm "1"
• Pivot shaft "2"
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide
grease on the pivot shaft.
• Insert the pivot shaft from right side.
7. Check:
• Swingarm side play "a"
Free play exists
→Replace thrust
bearing.• Swingarm up and down move-
ment "b"
Unsmooth movement/binding/
rough spots
→Grease or replace
bearings, bushings and collars.
8. Install:
• Bolt (connecting rod) "1"
• Washer "2"
• Nut (connecting rod) "3"
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide
grease on the bolt.
• Do not tighten the nut yet.
9. Install:
• Bolt (rear shock absorber-relay
arm) "1"
• Nut (rear shock absorber-relay
arm) "2"
Apply the molybdenum disulfide
grease on the bolt.
10. Tighten:
• Nut (connecting rod) "1"
Nut (connecting rod):
80 Nm (8.0 m•kg, 58
ft•lb)
Pivot shaft:
85 Nm (8.5 m•kg, 61
ft•lb)
Nut (rear shock absorb-
er-relay arm):
53 Nm (5.3 m•kg, 38
ft•lb)
Nut (connecting rod):
80 Nm (8.0 m•kg, 58
ft•lb)

5-37
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER
REMOVING THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
Hold the machine by placing the suitable stand
under the engine.Refer to "HANDLING NOTE".
Seat Refer to "SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE
COVERS" section in the CHAPTER 4.
Silencer Refer to "EXHAUST PIPE AND SILENCER"
section in the CHAPTER 4.
1 Clamp (air filter joint) 1 Only loosening.
2Rear frame 1
3 Bolt (rear shock absorber-relay arm) 1 Hold the swingarm.
4 Bolt (rear shock absorber-frame) 1
5 Rear shock absorber 1
6 Locknut 1 Only loosening.
7 Adjuster 1 Only loosening.
8 Spring seat 2
9 Lower spring guide 1
10 Upper spring guide 1
11 Spring (rear shock absorber) 1

5-38
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER
12 Bearing 2 Refer to removal section. Order Part name Q'ty Remarks

5-39
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER
HANDLING NOTE
• Support the machine securely so
there is no danger of it falling
over.
• This rear shock absorber is pro-
vided with a separate type tank
filled with high-pressure nitro-
gen gas. To prevent the danger
of explosion, read and under-
stand the following information
before handling the shock ab-
sorber. The manufacturer can
not be held responsible for prop-
erty damage or personal injury
that may result from improper
handling.
• Never tamper or attempt to dis-
assemble the cylinder or the
tank.
• Never throw the rear shock ab-
sorber into an open flame or
other high heat. The rear shock
absorber may explode as a re-
sult of nitrogen gas expansion
and/ or damage to the hose.
• Be careful not to damage any
part of the gas tank. A damaged
gas tank will impair the damp-
ing performance or cause a
malfunction.
• Take care not to scratch the
contact surface of the piston
rod with the cylinder; or oil
could leak out.
• Never attempt to remove the
plug at the bottom of the nitro-
gen gas tank. It is very danger-
ous to remove the plug.
• When scrapping the rear shock
absorber, follow the instruc-
tions on disposal.
NOTES ON DISPOSAL (YAMAHA
DEALERS ONLY)
Before disposing the rear shock ab-
sorber, be sure to extract the nitrogen
gas from valve "1". Wear eye protec-
tion to prevent eye damage from es-
caping gas and/or metal chips.
To dispose of a damaged or worn-
out rear shock absorber, take the
unit to your Yamaha dealer for this
disposal procedure.
REMOVING THE BEARING
1. Remove:
• Stopper ring (upper bearing) "1"
Press in the bearing while pressing its
outer race and remove the stopper
ring.
2. Remove:
• Upper bearing "1"
Remove the bearing by pressing its
outer race.
3. Remove:
• Lower bearing "1"
Remove the bearing by pressing its
outer race.
CHECKING THE REAR SHOCK
ABSORBER
1. Inspect:
• Damper rod "1"
Bends/damage
→Replace rear
shock absorber assembly.
• Shock absorber "2"
Oil leaks
→Replace rear shock
absorber assembly.
Gas leaks
→Replace rear shock
absorber assembly.• Spring "3"
Damage
→Replace spring.
Fatigue
→Replace spring.
Move spring up and down.
• Spring guide "4"
Wear/damage
→Replace spring
guide.
• Spring seat "5"
Cracks/damage
→Replace.
• Bearing "6"
Free play exists/unsmooth revolu-
tion/rust
→Replace.
INSTALLING THE BEARING
1. Install:
• Upper bearing "1"
Install the bearing parallel until the
stopper ring groove appears by
pressing its outer race.
Do not apply the grease on the
bearing outer race because it will
wear the rear shock absorber sur-
face on which the bearing is press
fitted.
2. Install:
• Stopper ring (upper bearing) "1"
After installing the stopper ring, push
back the bearing until it contacts the
stopper ring.

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)

5-41
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER
• Bolt [rear frame (lower)] "3"
7. Tighten:
• Bolt (air filter joint) "1"Bolt [rear frame (lower)]:
32 Nm (3.2 m•kg, 23
ft•lb)
Bolt (air filter joint):
3 Nm (0.3 m•kg, 2.2
ft•lb)

7-7
CHASSIS
C. Stroke
1. Max. oil amount
2. Standard oil amount
3. Min. oil amount
SETTING OF SPRING AFTER
REPLACEMENT
As the front fork setting can be easily
affected by rear suspension, take
care so that the machine front and
rear are balanced (in position, etc.)
when setting the front fork.
1. Use of soft spring
• Change the rebound damping.
Turn out one or two clicks.
• Change the compression damp-
ing.
Turn in one or two clicks.
Generally a soft spring gives a soft
riding feeling. Rebound damping
tends to become stronger and the
front fork may sink deeply over a se-
ries of gaps.
2. Use of stiff spring
• Change the rebound damping.
Turn in one or two clicks.
• Change the compression damp-
ing.
Turn out one or two clicks.
Generally a stiff spring gives a stiff
riding feeling. Rebound damping
tends to become weaker, resulting in
lack of a sense of contact with the
road surface or in a vibrating handle-
bar.
FRONT FORK SETTING PARTS
• Front fork spring "1"
The I.D. mark (slits) "a" is proved on the end of the spring.
REAR SUSPENSION SETTING
The rear suspension setting should
be made depending on the rider's
feeling of an actual run and the circuit
conditions.
The rear suspension setting includes
the following two factors:
1. Setting of spring preload
• Change the set length of the
spring.
• Change the spring.
2. Setting of damping force
• Change the rebound damping.
• Change the compression damp-
ing.
CHOOSING SET LENGTH
1. Place a stand or block under the
engine to put the rear wheel
above the floor, and measure the
length "a" between the rear wheel
axle center and the rear fender
holding bolt.
2. Remove the stand or block from
the engine and with a rider astride
the seat, measure the sunken
length "b" between the rear wheel
axle center and the rear fender
holding bolt.
3. Loosen the locknut "1" and make adjustment by turning the spring
adjuster "2" to achieve the stan-
dard figure from the subtraction of
the length "b" from the length "a".
• If the machine is new and after it is
broken in, the same set length of
the spring may change because of
the initial fatigue, etc. of the spring.
Therefore, be sure to make reeval-
uation.
• If the standard figure cannot be
achieved by adjusting the spring
adjuster and changing the spring
set length, replace the spring with
an optional one and make readjust-
ment.
SETTING OF SPRING AFTER
REPLACEMENT
After replacement, be sure to adjust
the spring to the set length [sunken
length 90–100 mm (3.5–3.9 in)] and
set it.
1. Use of soft spring
• Set the soft spring for less re-
bound damping to compensate
for its less spring load. Run with
the rebound damping adjuster
one or two clicks on the softer
side and readjust it to suit your
preference.
2. Use of stiff spring
• Set the soft spring for more re-
bound damping to compensate
for its greater spring load. Run
with the rebound damping adjust-
er one or two clicks on the stiffer
side and readjust it to suit your
preference.
Adjusting the rebound damping will
be followed more or less by a change
in the compression damping. For cor-
rection, turn the low compression
damping adjuster on the softer side.
When using a rear shock absorber
other than currently installed, use
the one whose overall length "a" TY
PESPRIN
G
RATESPRING PART
NUMBERI.D.
MA
RK
(slit
s)
SO
FT0.398 1C3-23141-A1 |
0.408 1C3-23141-B1 ||
0.418 1C3-23141-C1 |||
0.428 1C3-23141-D1 ||||
0.438 1C3-23141-E1 |||||
0.449 1C3-23141-F1 |-|
0.459 1C3-23141-G1 |-||
ST
D0.469 2S2-23141-L1 —
STI
FF0.479 1C3-23141-J1 |-||||
Standard figure:
90–100 mm (3.5–3.9 in)

7-8
CHASSIS
does not exceed the standard as it
may result in faulty performance.
Never use one whose overall
length is greater than standard.
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER
SETTING PARTS
• Rear shock spring "1"
[Equal-pitch titanium spring]
[Equal-pitch steel spring][Unequal-pitch steel spring]
Install the spring seat "2" to the ti-
tanium spring.
• The unequal-pitch spring is softer in
initial characteristic than the equal-
pitch spring and is difficult to bottom
out under full compression.
• The I.D. mark "a" is marked at the
end of the spring.
• Spring specification varies accord-
ing to the color and quantity of I.D.
marks.
• Extent of adjustment (spring length)[Titanium spring]
[Steel spring] Length "a" of standard
shock:
490 mm (19.29 in)
T
Y
P
ESPRI
NG
RAT
ESPRING
PART
NUM-
B E R
(-22212-)I.D.
MARKSPR
ING
FRE
E
LEN
GTH
(ap-
prox
.)
S
O
F
T4.5 1C3-00 Green 265
4.7 1C3-10 Red 265
4.9 1C3-20 Black 265
5.1 1C3-30 Blue 265
5.3 1C3-40 Yellow 275
S
T
D5.51C3-50
(1C3-B0)Pink 275
S
TI
F
F
5.71C3-60White275
T
Y
P
ESPRI
NG
RAT
ESPRING
PART
NUM-
BER
(-22212-)I.D.
MARK/
Q'TYSPR
ING
FRE
E
LEN
GTH
4.3 5UN-00 Brown/1 260
T
Y
P
ESPRI
NG
RAT
E
(ap-
prox.
)SPRING
PART
NUM-
B E R
(-22212-)I.D.
MARK/
Q'TYSPR
ING
FRE
E
LEN
GTH
S
O
F
T4.5 5UN-A0 Green/2 275
4.7 5UN-B0 Red/2 275
4.9 5UN-C0 Black/2 275
5.1 5UN-D0 Blue/2 275
5.3 5UN-E0Yellow/
2275
5.5 5UN-F0 Pink/2 275
S
TI
F
F5.7 5UN-G0 White/2 275
SPRING
FREE
LENGTHEXTENT OF AD-
JUSTMENT "b"
Approx.
265 mm
(10.43 in)One I.D. mark
245.5–263.5 mm
(9.67–10.37 in)
Two I.D. marks
251.5–269.5 mm
(9.90–10.61 in)
Three I.D. marks
243.0–261.0 mm
(9.57–10.28 in)
Approx.
275 mm
(10.83 in)One I.D. mark
255.5–273.5 mm
(10.06–10.77 in)
Two I.D. marks
261.5–279.5 mm
(10.30–11.00 in)
Three I.D. marks
253.0–271.0 mm
(9.96–10.67 in)
SPRING
FREE
LENGTHEXTENT OF AD-
JUSTMENT "b"
260 mm
(10.24 in)240.5–258.5 mm
(9.47–10.18 in)
275 mm
(10.83 in)255.5–273.5 mm
(10.06–10.77 in)