2008 YAMAHA YZF-R1 maintenance

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-5
6
EAU18680
NOTE:

Air filter
This model’s air filter is equipped with a disposable oil-coated paper element, which must not be cleaned with com-
pressed air to avoid damaging it.
The air filter element needs to be replaced more frequently when riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.


Hydraulic brake service
Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.
Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinders and calipers, and change the brake
fluid.Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.
U4C8E1E0.book Page 5 Wednesday, June 13, 2007 9:24 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-6
6
EAU18712
Removing and installing cowl-
ings and panels The cowlings and panels shown need
to be removed to perform some of the
maintenance jobs described in this
chapter. Refer to this section each time
a cowling or panel needs to be re-
moved and installed.
EAU42970
Cowlings A and B
To remove one of the cowlings1. Remove the quick fastener screws
and the quick fasteners, slide the
cowling backward, and then take it
off.
1. Panel A
2. Panel C
3. Cowling A
4. Cowling C
1. Panel B
2. Panel D
3. Cowling B
1. Quick fastener screw
1. Cowling A
2. Quick fastener
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-7
6 2. Disconnect the turn signal light
lead coupler.
To install the cowling
1. Connect the turn signal light lead
coupler.2. Fit the projections on the cowling
into the slots and slide it forward.
3. Install the quick fasteners and the
quick fastener screws.
EAU42951
Cowling C
To remove the cowling1. Remove cowling A. (See page
6-6.)
2. Remove the bolts and the quick
fastener screws.3. Slide the cowling backward to un-
hook its projections from the slots,
and then pull the cowling off.
1. Cowling B
2. Quick fastener
1. Turn signal light lead coupler
1. Slot
2. Projection
1. Bolt
2. Quick fastener screw
3. Cowling C
1. Cowling C
2. Slot
3. Projection
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-8
6To install the cowling
1. Insert the projections into the slots,
and then slide the cowling forward.
2. Place the cowling in its original po-
sition, and then install the quick
fastener screws and the bolts.
3. Install cowling A.
EAU33990
Panels A and B
To remove one of the panels1. Remove the rider seat. (See page
3-19.)
2. Remove the screw, and then re-
move the panel as shown.To install the panel
1. Place the panel in its original posi-
tion, and then install the screw.
2. Install the rider seat.
EAU36630
Panels C and D
To remove one of the panelsRemove the screw and the quick fas-
tener, and then pull the panel off as
shown.
To install the panelPlace the panel in the original position,
and then install the screw and the quick
fastener.
1. Slot
2. Projection
1. Panel A
2. Screw
1. Screw
2. Panel C
3. Quick fastener
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-9
6
EAU19652
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which should be checked
periodically, preferably by a Yamaha
dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode,
they should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plugs can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the cen-
ter electrode of each spark plug should
be a medium-to-light tan (the ideal color
when the vehicle is ridden normally),
and all spark plugs installed in the en-
gine should have the same color. If any
spark plug shows a distinctly different
color, the engine could be operating im-
properly. Do not attempt to diagnose
such problems yourself. Instead, have
a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
If a spark plug shows signs of electrode
erosion and excessive carbon or other
deposits, it should be replaced.Before installing a spark plug, the spark
plug gap should be measured with a
wire thickness gauge and, if necessary,
adjusted to specification.
Clean the surface of the spark plug
gasket and its mating surface, and then
wipe off any grime from the spark plug
threads.
Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR9EK
1. Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:
0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
12.5 Nm (1.25 m·kgf, 9.0 ft·lbf)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-10
6
NOTE:If a torque wrench is not available when
installing a spark plug, a good estimate
of the correct torque is 1/4–1/2 turn
past finger tight. However, the spark
plug should be tightened to the speci-fied torque as soon as possible.CAUTION:
ECA10840
Do not use any tools to remove or in-
stall the spark plug cap, otherwise
the ignition coil coupler may get
damaged. The spark plug cap may
be difficult to remove because the
rubber seal on the end of the cap fits
tightly. To remove the spark plug
cap, simply twist it back and forth
while pulling it out; to install it, twistit back and forth while pushing it in.
EAU19912
Engine oil and oil filter car-
tridge The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter car-
tridge replaced at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.NOTE:
Make sure that the vehicle is positioned
straight up when checking the oil level.
A slight tilt to the side can result in afalse reading.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles, and then check the oil level
through the check window located
at the bottom-right side of the
crankcase.
NOTE:The engine oil should be between theminimum and maximum level marks.
4. If the engine oil is at or below the
minimum level mark, add sufficient
oil of the recommended type to
raise it to the correct level.
To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment)
1. Remove cowling C. (See page
6-6.)1. Engine oil level check window
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
4. Engine oil filler cap
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-11
6 2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.
4. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and drain bolt to drain the oil from
the crankcase.
NOTE:Skip steps 5–7 if the oil filter cartridge isnot being replaced.
5. Remove the oil filter cartridge with
an oil filter wrench.
NOTE:An oil filter wrench is available at aYamaha dealer.
6. Apply a thin coat of engine oil to
the O-ring of the new oil filter car-
tridge.
NOTE:
Make sure that the O-ring is properlyseated.
7. Install the new oil filter cartridge
with an oil filter wrench, and then
tighten it to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.
1. Engine oil drain bolt
1. Oil filter wrench
2. Engine oil filter cartridge
1. O-ring
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-12
68. Install the engine oil drain bolt, and
then tighten it to the specified
torque.
NOTE:Check the washer for damage and re-place it if necessary.
9. Add the specified amount of the
recommended engine oil, and then
install and tighten the oil filler cap.
NOTE:Be sure to wipe off spilled oil on any
parts after the engine and exhaust sys-tem have cooled down.CAUTION:
ECA11620


In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the engine oil also
lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do
not use oils with a diesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a high-
er quality than specified. In
addition, do not use oils labeled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
higher.


Make sure that no foreign mate-rial enters the crankcase.10. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking, im-
mediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
NOTE:After the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if theoil level is sufficient.CAUTION:
ECA10400
If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on, immediately turn the
engine off and have a Yamaha dealercheck the vehicle.
11. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
12. Install the cowling.
1. Torque wrenchTightening torque:
Oil filter cartridge:
17 Nm (1.7 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
Tightening torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
43 Nm (4.3 m·kgf, 31 ft·lbf)
Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment:
2.90 L (3.07 US qt) (2.55 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement:
3.10 L (3.28 US qt) (2.73 Imp.qt)
U4C8E1E0.book Page 12 Wednesday, June 13, 2007 9:24 AM