2008 YAMAHA YZ450F maintenance

FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of
a Yamaha YZ series. This model is
the culmination of Yamaha's vast ex-
perience in the production of paceset-
ting racing machines. It represents
the highest grade of craftsmanship
and reliability that have made
Yamaha a leader.
This manual explains operation, in-
spection, basic maintenance and tun-
ing of your machine. If you have any
questions about this manual or your
machine, please contact your
Yamaha dealer.
Yamaha continually seeks advance-
ments in product design and quality.
Therefore, while this manual contains
the most current product information
available at the time of printing, there
may be minor discrepancies between
your machine and this manual. If you
have any questions concerning this
manual, please consult your Yamaha
dealer.
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL
CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY
BEFORE OPERATING THIS MA-
CHINE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OP-
ERATE THIS MACHINE UNTIL YOU
HAVE ATTAINED A SATISFACTO-
RY KNOWLEDGE OF ITS CON-
TROLS AND OPERATING
FEATURES AND UNTIL YOU HAVE
BEEN TRAINED IN SAFE AND
PROPER RIDING TECHNIQUES.
REGULAR INSPECTIONS AND
CAREFUL MAINTENANCE,
ALONG WITH GOOD RIDING
SKILLS, WILL ENSURE THAT YOU
SAFETY ENJOY THE CAPABILI-
TIES AND THE RELIABILITY OF
THIS MACHINE.
PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
The Safety Alert Symbol means AT-
TENTION! BECOME ALERT! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED!
Failure to follow WARNING instruc-
tions could result in severe injury or
death to the machine operator, a by-
stander, or a person inspecting or re-
pairing the machine.A CAUTION indicates special pre-
cautions that must be taken to avoid
damage to the machine.
A NOTE provides key information to
make procedures easier or clearer.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
THIS MACHINE IS DESIGNED
STRICTLY FOR COMPETITION
USE, ONLY ON A CLOSED
COURSE. It is illegal for this machine
to be operated on any public street,
road, or highway. Off-road use on
public lands may be illegal. Please
check local regulations before riding.
1. THIS MACHINE IS TO BE OP-
ERATED BY AN EXPERI-
ENCED RIDER ONLY.
Do not attempt to operate this
machine at maximum power
until you are totally familiar
with its characteristics.
2. THIS MACHINE IS DESIGNED
TO BE RIDDEN BY THE OP-
ERATOR ONLY.
Do not carry passengers on
this machine.
3. ALWAYS WEAR PROTEC-
TIVE APPAREL.
When operating this ma-
chine, always wear an ap-
proved helmet with goggles
or a face shield. Also wear
heavy boots, gloves, and pro-
tective clothing. Always wear
proper fitting clothing that
will not be caught in any of
the moving parts or controls
of the machine.
4. ALWAYS MAINTAIN YOUR
MACHINE IN PROPER
WORKING ORDER.
For safety and reliability, the
machine must be properly
maintained. Always perform
the pre-operation checks in-
dicated in this manual. Cor-
recting a mechanical problem
before you ride may prevent
an accident.
5. GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAM-
MABLE.
Always turn off the engine
while refueling. Take care to
not spill any gasoline on the
engine or exhaust system.
Never refuel in the vicinity of
an open flame, or while
smoking.
6. GASOLINE CAN CAUSE IN-
JURY.
If you should swallow some
gasoline, inhale excess gaso-
line vapors, or allow any gas-
oline to get into your eyes,
contact a doctor immediately.
If any gasoline spills onto
your skin or clothing, imme-
diately wash skin areas with
soap and water, and change
your clothes.
7. ONLY OPERATE THE MA-
CHINE IN AN AREA WITH AD-
EQUATE VENTILATION.
Never start the engine or let it
run for any length of time in
an enclosed area. Exhaust
fumes are poisonous. These
fumes contain carbon mon-
oxide, which by itself is odor-
less and colorless. Carbon
monoxide is a dangerous gas
which can cause uncon-
sciousness or can be lethal.
8. PARK THE MACHINE CARE-
FULLY; TURN OFF THE EN-
GINE.
Always turn off the engine if
you are going to leave the
machine. Do not park the ma-
chine on a slope or soft
ground as it may fall over.
9. THE ENGINE, EXHAUST
PIPE, MUFFLER, AND OIL
TANK WILL BE VERY HOT
AFTER THE ENGINE HAS
BEEN RUN.
Be careful not to touch them
or to allow any clothing item
to contact them during in-
spection or repair.

TO THE NEW OWNER
This manual will provide you with a
good basic understanding of fea-
tures, operation, and basic mainte-
nance and inspection items of this
machine. Please read this manual
carefully and completely before oper-
ating your new machine. If you have
any questions regarding the opera-
tion or maintenance of your machine,
please consult your Yamaha dealer.
This manual should be considered a
permanent part of this machine and
should remain with it even if the ma-
chine is subsequently sold.
NOTICE
Some data in this manual may be-
come outdated due to improve-
ments made to this model in the
future. If there is any question you
have regarding this manual or your
machine, please consult your
Yamaha dealer.
F.I.M. MACHINE WEIGHTS
Weights of machines without fuel
The minimum weights for motocross
machines are:
for the class 125 cc:
minimum 88 kg (194 lb)
for the class 250 cc:
minimum 98 kg (216 lb)
for the class 500 cc:
minimum 102 kg (225 lb)
In modifying your machine (e.g., for
weight reduction), take note of the
above limits of weight.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
FINDING THE REQUIRED PAGE
1. This manual consists of seven
chapters; "General Information",
"Specifications", "Regular inspec-
tion and adjustments", "Engine",
"Chassis", "Electrical" and "Tun-
ing"
2. The table of contents is at the be-
ginning of the manual. Look over
the general layout of the book be-fore finding then required chapter
and item.
Bend the book at its edge, as
shown, to find the required fore
edge symbol mark and go to a
page for required item and de-
scription.
MANUAL FORMAT
All of the procedures in this manual
are organized in a sequential, step-
by-step format. The information has
been complied to provide the me-
chanic with an easy to read, handy
reference that contains comprehen-
sive explanations of all disassembly,
repair, assembly, and inspection op-
erations.
In this revised format, the condition of
a faulty component will precede an
arrow symbol and the course of ac-
tion required will follow the symbol,
e.g.,
•Bearings
Pitting/damage
→Replace. 10. PROPERLY SECURE THE
MACHINE BEFORE TRANS-
PORTING IT.
When transporting the ma-
chine in another vehicle, al-
ways be sure it is properly
secured and in an upright po-
sition and that the fuel cock is
in the "OFF" position. Other-
wise, fuel may leak out of the
carburetor or fuel tank.

CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL INFOR-
MATION
DESCRIPTION ................. 1-1
MACHINE
IDENTIFICATION ............ 1-2
INCLUDED PARTS .......... 1-2
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION................. 1-2
CHECKING OF CONNEC-
TION ................................. 1-3
SPECIAL TOOLS ............. 1-4
CONTROL FUNCTIONS .. 1-8
STARTING AND
BREAK-IN ........................ 1-8
TORQUE-CHECK
POINTS........................... 1-11
CLEANING AND
STORAGE ...................... 1-12
CHAPTER 2
SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL SPECIFICA-
TIONS ............................... 2-1
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICA-
TIONS ............................... 2-3
TIGHTENING
TORQUES ...................... 2-10
LUBRICATION
DIAGRAMS .................... 2-16
CABLE ROUTING
DIAGRAM ....................... 2-18
CHAPTER 3
REGULAR INSPEC-
TION AND AD-
JUSTMENTS
MAINTENANCE
INTERVALS...................... 3-1PRE-OPERATION
INSPECTION AND MAINTE-
NANCE ............................. 3-4
ENGINE ............................ 3-5
CHASSIS ........................ 3-13
ELECTRICAL ................. 3-22
CHAPTER 4
ENGINE
SEAT, FUEL TANK AND
SIDE COVERS.................. 4-1
EXHAUST PIPE AND
SILENCER ........................ 4-3
RADIATOR ....................... 4-5
CARBURETOR................. 4-7
CAMSHAFTS.................. 4-14
CYLINDER HEAD........... 4-19
VALVES AND VALVE
SPRINGS ........................ 4-22
CYLINDER AND
PISTON ........................... 4-26
CLUTCH ......................... 4-29
OIL FILTER ELEMENT
AND WATER PUMP ....... 4-33
BALANCER .................... 4-37
OIL PUMP ....................... 4-39
KICK SHAFT AND SHIFT
SHAFT ............................ 4-42
CDI MAGNETO............... 4-47
ENGINE REMOVAL ....... 4-49
CRANKCASE AND CRANK-
SHAFT ............................ 4-53
TRANSMISSION, SHIFT
CAM AND SHIFT FORK. 4-59
CHAPTER 5
CHASSIS
FRONT WHEEL AND REAR
WHEEL ............................. 5-1
FRONT BRAKE AND REAR
BRAKE ............................. 5-6
FRONT FORK................. 5-16
HANDLEBAR ................. 5-24STEERING ......................5-28
SWINGARM ....................5-32
REAR SHOCK
ABSORBER ....................5-37
CHAPTER 6
ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL COMPO-
NENTS AND WIRING DIA-
GRAM ...............................6-1
IGNITION SYSTEM...........6-2
THROTTLE POSITION SEN-
SOR SYSTEM ...................6-5
CHAPTER 7
TUNING
ENGINE.............................7-1
CHASSIS ..........................7-6

2-3
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINEWheel travel:
Front wheel travel 300 mm (11.8 in)
Rear wheel travel 313 mm (12.3 in)
Electrical:
Ignition system CDI magneto
Item Standard Limit
Cylinder head:
Warp limit ---- 0.05 mm (0.002
in)
Cylinder:
Bore size 95.00–95.01 mm (3.7402–3.7406 in) ----
Out of round limit ---- 0.05 mm (0.002
in)
Camshaft:
Drive method Chain drive (Left) ----
Camshaft cap inside diameter 22.000–22.021 mm (0.8661–0.8670 in) ----
Camshaft outside diameter 21.959–21.972 mm (0.8645–0.8650 in) ----
Shaft-to-cap clearance 0.028–0.062 mm (0.0011–0.0024 in) 0.08 mm (0.003
in)
Cam dimensions
Intake "A" 31.200–31.300 mm (1.2283–1.2323 in) 31.100 mm
(1.2244 in)
Intake "B" 22.550–22.650 mm (0.8878–0.8917 in) 22.450 mm
(0.8839 in)
Exhaust "A" 30.900–31.000 mm (1.2165–1.2205 in) 30.800 mm
(1.2126 in)
Exhaust "B" 22.468–22.568 mm (0.8846–0.8885 in) 22.368 mm
(0.8806 in)
Camshaft runout limit ---- 0.03 mm
(0.0012 in)

2-4
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Timing chain:
Timing chain type/No. of links 98XRH2010-118M/118 ----
Timing chain adjustment method Automatic ----
Valve, valve seat, valve guide:
Valve clearance (cold)
IN 0.10–0.15 mm (0.0039–0.0059 in) ----
EX 0.20–0.25 mm (0.0079–0.0098 in) ----
Valve dimensions:
"A" head diameter (IN) 26.9–27.1 mm (1.0591–1.0669 in) ----
"A" head diameter (EX) 27.9–28.1 mm (1.0984–1.1063 in) ----
"B" face width (IN) 2.26 mm (0.089 in) ----
"B" face width (EX) 2.26 mm (0.089 in) ----
"C" seat width (IN) 0.9–1.1 mm (0.0354–0.0433 in) 1.6 mm (0.0630
in)
"C" seat width (EX) 0.9–1.1 mm (0.0354–0.0433 in) 1.6 mm (0.0630
in)
"D" margin thickness (IN) 1 mm (0.0394 in) 0.85 mm (0.033
in)
"D" margin thickness (EX) 1 mm (0.0394 in) 0.85 mm (0.033
in)
Stem outside diameter (IN) 4.475–4.490 mm (0.1762–0.1768 in) 4.445 mm
(0.1750 in)
Stem outside diameter (EX) 4.965–4.980 mm (0.1955–0.1961 in) 4.935 mm
(0.1943 in)
Guide inside diameter (IN) 4.500–4.512 mm (0.1772–0.1776 in) 4.550 mm
(0.1791 in)
Guide inside diameter (EX) 5.000–5.012 mm (0.1969–0.1973 in) 5.050 mm
(0.1988 in) Item Standard Limit

2-5
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Stem-to-guide clearance (IN) 0.010–0.037 mm (0.0004–0.0015 in) 0.08 mm (0.003
in)
Stem-to-guide clearance (EX) 0.020–0.047 mm (0.0008–0.0019 in) 0.10 mm (0.004
in)
Stem runout limit ---- 0.01 mm
(0.0004 in)
Valve seat width (IN) 0.9–1.1 mm (0.0354–0.0433 in) 1.6 mm (0.0630
in)
Valve seat width (EX) 0.9–1.1 mm (0.0354–0.0433 in) 1.6 mm (0.0630
in)
Valve spring:
Free length (IN) 37.03 mm (1.46 in) 36.03 mm (1.42
in)
Free length (EX) 37.68 mm (1.48 in) 36.68 mm (1.44
in)
Set length (valve closed) (IN) 27.87 mm (1.10 in) ----
Set length (valve closed) (EX) 27.38 mm (1.08 in) ----
Compressed force (installed) (IN) 111.3–127.9 N at 27.87 mm (11.3–13.0 kg
at 27.87 mm, 24.91–28.66 lb at 1.10 in)----
Compressed force (installed) (EX) 127.4–146.4 N at 27.38 mm (13.0–14.9 kg
at 27.38 mm, 28.66–32.85 lb at 1.08 in)----
Tilt limit* (IN) ---- 2.5°/1.61 mm
(2.5°/0.063 in)
Tilt limit* (EX) ---- 2.5°/1.65 mm
(2.5°/0.065 in)
Direction of winding (top view) (IN) Clockwise ----
Direction of winding (top view) (EX) Clockwise ----
Piston:
Piston to cylinder clearance 0.020–0.045 mm (0.0008–0.0018 in) 0.1 mm (0.004
in)
Piston size "D" 94.965–94.980 mm (3.7388–3.7394 in) ----
Measuring point "H" 8 mm (0.315 in) ---- Item Standard Limit

2-6
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Piston off-set 1 mm (0.0394 in) ----
Piston pin bore inside diameter 18.004–18.015 mm (0.7088–0.7093 in) 18.045 mm
(0.7104 in)
Piston pin outside diameter 17.991–18.000 mm (0.7083–0.7087 in) 17.971 mm
(0.7075 in)
Piston rings:
Top ring:
Type Barrel ----
Dimensions (B × T) 1.2 × 3.5 mm (0.05 × 0.14 in) ----
End gap (installed) 0.20–0.30 mm (0.008–0.012 in) 0.55 mm (0.022
in)
Side clearance (installed) 0.030–0.065 mm (0.0012–0.0026 in) 0.12 mm (0.005
in)
2nd ring:
Type Taper ----
Dimensions (B × T) 1.00 × 3.35 mm (0.04 × 0.13 in) ----
End gap (installed) 0.35–0.50 mm (0.014–0.020 in) 0.85 mm (0.033
in)
Side clearance 0.020–0.055 mm (0.0008–0.0022 in) 0.12 mm (0.005
in)
Oil ring:
Dimensions (B × T) 2.0 × 2.9 mm (0.08 × 0.11 in) ----
End gap (installed) 0.2–0.5 mm (0.01–0.02 in) ----
Crankshaft:
Crank width "A" 61.95–62.00 mm (2.439–2.441 in) ----
Runout limit "C" 0.03 mm (0.0012 in) 0.05 mm (0.002
in)
Big end side clearance "D" 0.15–0.45 mm (0.0059–0.0177 in) 0.50 mm (0.02
in)
Small end free play "F" 0.4–1.0 mm (0.02–0.04 in) 2.0 mm (0.08
in)
Balancer:
Balancer drive method Gear ----Item Standard Limit

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