2008 YAMAHA YZ450F kickstarter

1-1
DESCRIPTION
GENERAL INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
• The machine you have purchased may differ slightly from those shown in the following.
• Designs and specifications are subject to change without notice.
1. Clutch lever
2. Hot starter lever
3. Front brake lever
4. Throttle grip
5. Radiator cap
6. Fuel tank cap
7. Engine stop switch
8. Kickstarter crank
9. Fuel tank
10. Radiator11. Coolant drain bolt
12. Rear brake pedal
13. Valve joint
14. Fuel cock
15. Cold starter knob
16. Drive chain
17. Air cleaner
18. Shift pedal
19. Oil dipstick
20. Front fork
1

1-8
CONTROL FUNCTIONS
CONTROL FUNCTIONS
ENGINE STOP SWITCH
The engine stop switch "1" is located
on the left handlebar. Continue push-
ing the engine stop switch till the en-
gine comes to a stop.
CLUTCH LEVER
The clutch lever "1" is located on the
left handlebar; it disengages or en-
gages the clutch. Pull the clutch lever
to the handlebar to disengage the
clutch, and release the lever to en-
gage the clutch. The lever should be
pulled rapidly and released slowly for
smooth starts.
SHIFT PEDAL
The gear ratios of the constant-mesh
5 speed transmission are ideally
spaced. The gears can be shifted by
using the shift pedal "1" on the left
side of the engine.
KICKSTARTER CRANK
Rotate the kickstarter crank "1" away
from the engine. Push the starter
down lightly with your foot until the
gears engage, then kick smoothly
and forcefully to start the engine. This
model has a primary kickstarter crank
so the engine can be started in any
gear if the clutch is disengaged. In
normal practices, however, shift to
neutral before starting.THROTTLE GRIP
The throttle grip "1" is located on the
right handlebar; it accelerates or de-
celerates the engine. For accelera-
tion, turn the grip toward you; for
deceleration, turn it away from you.
FRONT BRAKE LEVER
The front brake lever "1" is located on
the right handlebar. Pull it toward the
handlebar to activate the front brake.
REAR BRAKE PEDAL
The rear brake pedal "1" is located on
the right side of the machine. Press
down on the brake pedal to activate
the rear brake.
FUEL COCK
The fuel cock supplies fuel from the
tank to carburetor and also filters the
fuel. The fuel cock has the two posi-
tions:
OFF:
With the lever in this position, fuel will
not flow. Always return the lever to
this position when the engine is not
running.
ON:
With the lever in this position, fuel
flows to the carburetor. Normal riding
is done with the lever in this position.COLD STARTER KNOB
When cold, the engine requires a
richer air-fuel mixture for starting. A
separate starter circuit, which is con-
trolled by the cold starter knob "1",
supplies this mixture. Pull the cold
starter knob out to open the circuit for
starting. When the engine has
warmed up, push it in to close the cir-
cuit.
HOT STARTER LEVER
The hot starter lever "1" is used when
starting a warm engine. Use the hot
starter lever when starting the engine
again immediately after it was
stopped (the engine is still warm).
Pulling the hot starter lever injects
secondary air to thin the air-fuel mix-
ture temporarily, allowing the engine
to be started more easily.
STARTING AND BREAK-IN
FUEL
Always use the recommended fuel as
stated below. Also, be sure to use
new gasoline the day of a race.
Use only unleaded gasoline. The
use of leaded gasoline will cause
severe damage to the engine inter-
nal parts such as valves, piston
rings, and exhaust system, etc.
Recommended fuel:
Premium unleaded
gasoline only with a re-
search octane number
of 95 or higher.

1-9
STARTING AND BREAK-IN
If knocking or pinging occurs, use a
different brand of gasoline or higher
octane grade.
• For refueling, be sure to stop the
engine and use enough care not
to spill any fuel. Also be sure to
avoid refueling close to a fire.
• Refuel after the engine, exhaust
pipe, etc. have cooled off.
HANDLING NOTE
Never start or run the engine in a
closed area. The exhaust fumes
are poisonous; they can cause
loss of consciousness and death
in a very short time. Always oper-
ate the machine in a well-ventilated
area.
• The carburetor on this machine
has a built-in accelerator pump.
Therefore, when starting the en-
gine, do not operate the throttle
or the spark plug will foul.
• Unlike a two-stroke engine, this
engine cannot be kick started
when the throttle is open be-
cause the kickstarter may kick
back. Also, if the throttle is open
the air/fuel mixture may be too
lean for the engine to start.
• Before starting the machine, per-
form the checks in the pre-opera-
tion check list.
STARTING A COLD ENGINE
1. Inspect the coolant level.
2. Turn the fuel cock to "ON".
3. Shift the transmission into neutral.
4. Fully open the cold starter knob
"1".
5. Kick the kickstarter crank.
Do not open the throttle while kick-
ing the kickstarter crank. Other-
wise, the kickstarter crank may
kick back.
6. Return the cold starter knob to its
original position and run the en-
gine at 3,000–5,000 r/min for 1 or
2 minutes.
Since this model is equipped with an
accelerator pump, if the engine is
raced (the throttle opened and
closed), the air/fuel mixture will be too
rich and the engine may stall. Also
unlike a two-stroke engine, this model
can idle.
Do not warm up the engine for ex-
tended periods of time.
STARTING A WARM ENGINE
Do not operate the cold starter knob
and throttle. Pull the hot starter lever
"1" and start the engine by kicking
the kickstarter crank forcefully with a
firm stroke. As soon as the engine
starts, release the hot starter lever to
close the air passage.
Restarting an engine after a fall
Pull the hot starter lever and start the
engine. As soon as the engine starts,
release the hot starter lever to close
the air passage.The engine fails to start
Pull the hot starter lever all the way
out and while holding the lever, kick
the kickstarter crank 10 to 20 times to
clear the engine. Then, restart the en-
gine. Refer to "Restarting an engine
after a fall".
Observe the following break-in
procedures during initial operation
to ensure optimum performance
and avoid engine damage.
BREAK-IN PROCEDURES
1. Before starting the engine, fill the
fuel tank with the fuel.
2. Perform the pre-operation checks
on the machine.
3. Start and warm up the engine.
Check the idle speed, and check
the operation of the controls and
Thrott
le
grip
oper-
ation*Cold
start-
er
knobHot
start-
er le-
ver
Star
ting
a
cold
en-
gineAir tem-
perature =
less than
5 °C (41
°F)Open
3 or 4
timesON OFF
Air tem-
perature =
more than
5 °C (41
°F)None ON OFF
Air tem-
perature
(normal
tempera-
ture) = be-
tween 5
°C (41 °F)
and 25 °C
(77 °F)NoneON/
OFFOFF
Air tem-
perature =
more than
25 °C (77
°F)None OFF OFF
Starting an en-
gine after a long
period of timeNone ON OFF
Restarting a
warm engineNone OFF ON
Restarting an
engine after a
fallNone OFF ON
* Operate the throttle grip before kick
starting.

2-1
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Model name: YZ450FX (USA, CDN, AUS, NZ)
YZ450F (EUROPE, ZA)
Model code number: 2S2B (USA,CDN)
2S2C (EUROPE)
2S2E (AUS, NZ, ZA)
Dimensions: USA, CDN, AUS, NZ, ZA EUROPE
Overall length 2,194 mm (86.38 in) 2,195 mm (86.42 in)
Overall width 825 mm (32.48 in)
←
Overall height 1,306 mm (51.42 in)←
Seat height 990 mm (38.98 in) 1,001 mm (39.41 in)
Wheelbase 1,495 mm (58.86 in)
←
Minimum ground clearance 374 mm (14.72 in) 375 mm (14.76 in)
Dry weight:
Without oil and fuel 99.5 kg (219 lb)
Engine:
Engine type Liquid cooled 4-stroke, DOHC
Cylinder arrangement Single cylinder, forward inclined
Displacement 449 cm
3 (15.8 Imp oz, 15.2 US oz)
Bore × stroke 95.0 × 63.4 mm (3.74 × 2.50 in)
Compression ratio 12.3 : 1
Starting system Kickstarter
Lubrication system: Dry sump
Oil type or grade:
Engine oil (For USA and CDN)
Yamalube 4, SAE10W30 or SAE20W40
Yamalube 4-R, SAE10W50
API service SG type or higher,
JASO standard MA
(Except for USA and CDN)
SAE10W30, SAE10W40, SAE15W40,
SAE20W40 or SAE20W50
API service SG type or higher,
JASO standard MA
Oil capacity:
Engine oil
Periodic oil change 0.95 L (0.84 Imp qt, 1.00 US qt)
With oil filter replacement 1.0 L (0.88 Imp qt, 1.06 US qt)
Total amount 1.2 L (1.06 Imp qt, 1.27 US qt)
Coolant capacity (including all routes): 0.99 L (0.87 Imp qt, 1.05 US qt)
Air filter: Wet type element
2

2-7
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Air filter oil grade: Foam-air-filter oil or equivalent oil ----
Clutch:
Friction plate thickness 2.92–3.08 mm (0.115–0.121 in) 2.8 mm (0.110
in)
Quantity 8 ----
Clutch plate thickness 1.5–1.7 mm (0.059–0.067 in) ----
Quantity 7 ----
Warp limit ---- 0.1 mm (0.004
in)
Clutch spring free length 50.0 mm (1.97 in) 49.0 mm (1.93
in)
Quantity 6 ----
Clutch housing thrust clearance 0.10–0.35 mm (0.0039–0.0138 in) ----
Clutch housing radial clearance 0.010–0.044 mm (0.0004–0.0017 in) ----
Clutch release method Inner push, cam push ----
Shifter:
Shifter type Cam drum and guide bar ----
Guide bar bending limit ---- 0.05 mm (0.002
in)
Kickstarter:
Type Kick and ratchet type ----
Carburetor:
Type/manufacturer FCR-MX39/KEIHIN ----
I. D. mark 2S2B B0 ----
Main jet (M.J) #160 ----
Main air jet (M.A.J) ø2.0 ----
Jet needle - clip position (J.N) NFLR-3 ----
Cutaway (C.A) 1.5 ----
Pilot jet (P.J) #45 ----
Pilot air jet (P.A.J) #100 ----
Pilot outlet (P.O) ø0.9 ----
Pilot screw (example) (P.S) 1-1/2 ----
Bypass (B.P) ø1.0 ----
Valve seat size (V.S) ø3.8 ----
Starter jet (G.S) #72 ----
Leak jet (Acc.P) #55 ----
Float height (F.H) 8 mm (0.31 in) ----
Engine idle speed 1,900–2,100 r/min ----
Intake vacuum 28.0–33.3 kPa (210–250 mmHg, 8.27–
9.84 inHg)----
Hot starter lever free play 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 in) ----
Lubrication system:
Oil filter type Paper type ----
Oil pump type Trochoid type ----
Tip clearance 0.12 mm or less (0.0047 in or less) 0.20 mm (0.008
in) Item Standard Limit

2-11
TIGHTENING TORQUES
Throttle cable (return) M12 × 1.0 1 11 1.1 8.0
Throttle cable cover M5 × 0.8 2 4 0.4 2.9
Hot starter plunger M12 × 1.0 1 2 0.2 1.4
Hot starter cable adjust bolt and locknut M6 × 0.75 1 4 0.4 2.9
Air filter element M6 × 1.0 1 2 0.2 1.4
Radiator stay M6 × 1.0 6 7 0.7 5.1
Radiator M6 × 1.0 4 10 1.0 7.2
Radiator hose clamp M6 × 1.0 8 2 0.2 1.4
Radiator pipe 1, 2 M6 × 1.0 2 10 1.0 7.2
Impeller M8 × 1.25 1 14 1.4 10
Water pump housing cover M6 × 1.0 3 10 1.0 7.2
Coolant drain bolt M6 × 1.0 1 10 1.0 7.2
Oil pump cover M4 × 0.7 1 2 0.2 1.4
Oil pump M6 × 1.0 2 10 1.0 7.2
Oil pump drive gear shaft M6 × 1.0 1 10 1.0 7.2
Oil filter element drain bolt M6 × 1.0 1 10 1.0 7.2
Oil filter element cover M6 × 1.0 2 10 1.0 7.2
Oil pressure check bolt M6 × 1.0 1 10 1.0 7.2
△Oil hose clamp — 2 2 0.2 1.4
Crankshaft end accessing screw M27 × 1.5 1 10 1.0 7.2
Timing mark accessing screw M14 × 1.5 1 6 0.6 4.3
Clutch cover M6 × 1.0 7 10 1.0 7.2
Right crankcase cover M6 × 1.0 8 10 1.0 7.2
Right crankcase cover M6 × 1.0 2 12 1.2 8.7
Left crankcase cover M6 × 1.0 8 10 1.0 7.2
Crankcase M6 × 1.0 12 12 1.2 8.7
Clutch cable holder M6 × 1.0 2 10 1.0 7.2
Oil drain bolt (right crankcase) M10 × 1.25 1 20 2.0 14
Oil drain bolt (left crankcase) M8 × 1.25 1 20 2.0 14
Oil check bolt (crankcase) M6 × 1.0 1 10 1.0 7.2
Oil strainer M6 × 1.0 1 10 1.0 7.2
Crankcase bearing stopper M6 × 1.0 8 10 1.0 7.2
Crankcase bearing stopper (crankshaft) M6 × 1.0 4 14 1.4 10
Drive axle oil seal stopper M6 × 1.0 2 10 1.0 7.2
Kick shaft ratchet wheel guide M6 × 1.0 2 12 1.2 8.7
Kickstarter crank M8 × 1.25 1 33 3.3 24
Screw (kickstarter crank) M6 × 1.0 1 7 0.7 5.1
Primary drive gear M20 × 1.0 1 110 11.0 80
Clutch boss M20 × 1.0 1 75 7.5 54
Clutch cable adjust bolt and locknut M6 × 0.75 1 4 0.4 2.9
Clutch spring M6 × 1.0 6 10 1.0 7.2
Balancer M10 × 1.0 1 45 4.5 32
Balancer shaft driven gear M14 × 1.0 1 50 5.0 36
Balancer weight M6 × 1.0 3 10 1.0 7.2Part to be tightened Thread size Q'tyTightening torque
Nm m•kg ft•lb

4-33
OIL FILTER ELEMENT AND WATER PUMP
OIL FILTER ELEMENT AND WATER PUMP
REMOVING THE OIL FILTER ELEMENT AND WATER PUMP
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
Right engine guard Refer to "ENGINE REMOVAL" section.
Drain the engine oil. Refer to "CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL"
section in the CHAPTER 3.
Drain the coolant. Refer to "CHANGING THE COOLANT" sec-
tion.
Exhaust pipe Refer to "EXHAUST PIPE AND SILENCER"
section.
Brake pedal Refer to "ENGINE REMOVAL" section.
Clutch cover Refer to "CLUTCH" section.
1 Oil filter element cover 1
2 Oil filter element 1
3 Coolant pipe 2 1
4 Water pump housing 1
5Pin 2
6 Oil tank breather hose 1
7 Kickstarter crank 1
8 Right crankcase cover 1
10 Nm (1.0 m kg, 7.2 ft lb)
10 Nm (1.0 m kg, 7.2 ft lb)
10 Nm (1.0 m kg, 7.2 ft lb)
10 Nm (1.0 m kg, 7.2 ft lb)
10 Nm (1.0 m kg, 7.2 ft lb)
33 Nm (3.3 m kg, 24 ft lb)
14 Nm (1.4 m kg, 10 ft lb)
12 Nm (1.2 m kg, 8.7 ft lb)

4-36
OIL FILTER ELEMENT AND WATER PUMP
2. Install:
• Right crankcase cover "1"
•Bolt "2"
•Bolt
• Apply the engine oil on the impeller
shaft end.
• When installing the crankcase cov-
er onto the crankcase, be sure that
the impeller shaft end "2" aligns
with the balancer end slot "3".
• Tighten the bolts in stage, using a
crisscross pattern.
INSTALLING THE KICKSTARTER
CRANK
1. Install:
• Kickstarter crank "1"
• Washer
• Bolt (kickstarter crank)
Install so that there is a clearance "a"
of 8 mm (0.31 in) or more between
the kickstarter and frame and that the
kickstarter does not contact the
crankcase cover when it is pulled.
2. Install:
• Oil tank breather hose "1"
•Clamp "2"
INSTALLING THE WATER PUMP
HOUSING
1. Install:
• Dowel pin "1"
• O-ring "2"
Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the O-ring.
2. Install:
• Water pump housing "1"
• Bolt (water pump housing) "2"
• Washer "3"
• Coolant drain bolt "4"3. Install:
• O-ring "3"
• Coolant pipe "1"
• Bolt (coolant pipe) "2"
Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the O-ring.
INSTALLING THE OIL FILTER
ELEMENT
1. Install:
• Oil filter element "1"
• O-ring "2"
• Oil filter element cover "3"
• Bolt (oil filter element cover)
Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the O-ring.
Bolt:
12 Nm (1.2 m•kg, 8.7
ft•lb)
Bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (kickstarter crank):
33 Nm (3.3 m•kg, 24
ft•lb)Clamp:
2 Nm (0.2 m•kg, 1.4
ft•lb)
Bolt (water pump hous-
ing):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Coolant drain bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (coolant pipe):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (oil filter element
cover):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)