2008 YAMAHA YZF-R125 Owners Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-17
6 cargo, and accessories does
not exceed the specified maxi-
mum load for the vehicle.


Do not carry along loosely
packed items, which can shift
during a ride.


Securely pack the heaviest
items close to the center of the
vehicle and distribute the
weight evenly on both sides.


Adjust the tire air pressure with
regard to the load.


Check the tire condition and airpressure before each ride.
Tire inspectionThe tires must be checked before each
ride. If the center tread depth reaches
the specified limit, if the tire has a nail or
glass fragments in it, or if the sidewall is
cracked, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place the tire immediately.
NOTE:
The tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always complywith the local regulations.
WARNING
EWA10470


Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besides
being illegal, operating the vehi-
cle with excessively worn tires
decreases riding stability and
can lead to loss of control.


The replacement of all wheel
and brake related parts, includ-
ing the tires, should be left to aYamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
edge and experience.
Tire information
This motorcycle is equipped with cast
wheels and tubeless tires with valves.WARNING
EWA10900


The front and rear tires should
be of the same make and de-
sign, otherwise the handling
characteristics of the motor-
cycle cannot be guaranteed.
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depth
Minimum tire tread depth (front and
rear):
1.6 mm (0.06 in)
1. Tire air valve
2. Tire air valve core
3. Tire air valve cap with seal
123
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-18
6


After extensive tests, only the
tires listed below have been ap-
proved for this model by
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.


Always make sure that the valve
caps are securely installed to
prevent air pressure leakage.


Use only the tire valves and
valve cores listed below toavoid tire deflation during a ride.
WARNING
EWA10600
This motorcycle is fitted with super-
high-speed tires. Note the following
points in order to make the most ef-
ficient use of these tires.

Use only the specified replace-
ment tires. Other tires may run
the danger of bursting at super
high speeds.


Brand-new tires can have a rela-
tively poor grip on certain road
surfaces until they have been
“broken in”. Therefore, it is ad-
visable before doing any high-
speed riding to ride conserva-
tively for approximately 100 km
(60 mi) after installing a new tire.


The tires must be warmed up
before a high-speed run.


Always adjust the tire air pres-
sure according to the operatingconditions.
EAU21960
Cast wheels To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your vehicle,
note the following points regarding the
specified wheels.

The wheel rims should be checked
for cracks, bends or warpage be-
fore each ride. If any damage is
found, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place the wheel. Do not attempt
even the smallest repair to the
wheel. A deformed or cracked
wheel must be replaced.


The wheel should be balanced
whenever either the tire or wheel
has been changed or replaced. An
unbalanced wheel can result in
poor performance, adverse han-
dling characteristics, and a short-
ened tire life.


Ride at moderate speeds after
changing a tire since the tire sur-
face must first be “broken in” for it
to develop its optimal characteris-
tics.
Front tire:
Size:
100/80-17 M/C 52H
Manufacturer/model:
PIRELLI/SPORT DEMON
MICHELIN/PILOT SPORTY
Tire air valve:
TR412
Va l ve c o r e :
V3002 (original)
Rear tire:
Size:
130/70-17 M/C 62H
Manufacturer/model:
PIRELLI/SPORT DEMON
MICHELIN/PILOT SPORTY
Tire air valve:
TR412
Va l ve c o r e :
V3002 (original)
U5D7E0E0.book Page 18 Tuesday, December 18, 2007 10:13 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-19
6
EAU22041
Adjusting the clutch lever free
play The clutch lever free play should mea-
sure 10.0–15.0 mm (0.39–0.59 in) as
shown. Periodically check the clutch le-
ver free play and, if necessary, adjust it
as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the clutch le-
ver.
2. To increase the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in di-
rection (a). To decrease the clutch
lever free play, turn the adjusting
bolt in direction (b).
NOTE:If the specified clutch lever free play
could be obtained as described above,
tighten the locknut and skip the rest of
the procedure, otherwise proceed asfollows.
3. Fully turn the adjusting bolt at the
clutch lever in direction (a) to loos-
en the clutch cable.
4. Loosen the locknut at the crank-
case.5. To increase the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting nut in direc-
tion (a). To decrease the clutch le-
ver free play, turn the adjusting nut
in direction (b).
6. Tighten the locknut at the clutch le-
ver and the crankcase.
1. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
2. Clutch lever free play
1. Locknut
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut (crank-
case)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-20
6
EAUT1220
Checking the front brake lever
free play The brake lever free play should mea-
sure 3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in) as
shown. Periodically check the brake le-
ver free play and, if necessary, have a
Yamaha dealer check the brake sys-
tem.
WARNING
EWA10640
An incorrect brake lever free play in-
dicates a hazardous condition in the
brake system. Do not operate the
motorcycle until the brake system
has been checked or repaired by aYamaha dealer.
EAUM1353
Adjusting the brake pedal free
play The brake pedal free play should mea-
sure 3.5–4.5 mm (0.14–0.18 in) as
shown. Periodically check the brake
pedal free play and, if necessary, have
a Yamaha dealer adjust it.
WARNING
EWAM1030
An incorrect brake pedal free play
indicates a hazardous condition in
the brake system. Do not operate the
motorcycle until the brake system
has been checked or repaired by aYamaha dealer.
EAU22390
Checking the front and rear
brake pads The front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
EAU22440
Front brake pads
1. Remove the front brake caliper by
removing the bolts.
2. Check each front brake pad for
damage and measure the lining
thickness. If a brake pad is dam-
aged or if the lining thickness is
1. Brake lever free play
1. Brake pedal free play
1. Bolt
2. Brake caliper
3. Lining thickness
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-21
6 less than 0.8 mm (0.03 in), have a
Yamaha dealer replace the brake
pads as a set.
3. Install the front brake caliper by in-
stalling the bolts, then tightening
them to the specified torque.
EAU22500
Rear brake pads
Check each rear brake pad for damage
and measure the lining thickness. If a
brake pad is damaged or if the lining
thickness is less than 1 mm (0.04 in),
have a Yamaha dealer replace the
brake pads as a set.
EAU22580
Checking the brake fluid level Front brake
Rear brake
Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to
enter the brake system, possibly caus-
ing it to become ineffective.Before riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark and
replenish if necessary. A low brake fluid
level may indicate worn brake pads
and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake fluid level is low, be sure to check
the brake pads for wear and the brake
system for leakage.
Observe these precautions:


When checking the fluid level,
make sure that the top of the brake
fluid reservoir is level.


Use only the recommended quality
brake fluid, otherwise the rubber
seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage and poor braking perfor-
mance.


Refill with the same type of brake
fluid. Mixing fluids may result in a
harmful chemical reaction and
lead to poor braking performance.
Tightening torque:
Brake caliper bolt:
30 Nm (3.0 m·kgf, 22 ft·lbf)1. Lining thickness
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-22
6


Be careful that water does not en-
ter the brake fluid reservoir when
refilling. Water will significantly
lower the boiling point of the fluid
and may result in vapor lock.


Brake fluid may deteriorate paint-
ed surfaces or plastic parts. Al-
ways clean up spilled fluid
immediately.


As the brake pads wear, it is nor-
mal for the brake fluid level to grad-
ually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause.
EAUM1360
Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, have the brake
hose replaced every four years or
whenever it is damaged or leaking.
EAU22760
Drive chain slack The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU22773
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on the side-
stand.NOTE:When checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, there should be no weighton the motorcycle.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Move the rear wheel by pushing
the motorcycle to locate the tight-
est portion of the drive chain, and
then measure the drive chain slack
as shown.Drive chain slack:
30.0–40.0 mm (1.18–1.57 in)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-23
6 4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU34312
To adjust the drive chain slack
1. Loosen the axle nut and the lock-
nut on each side of the swingarm.2. To tighten the drive chain, turn the
drive chain slack adjusting bolt on
each side of the swingarm in direc-
tion (a). To loosen the drive chain,
turn the adjusting bolt on each side
of the swingarm in direction (b),
and then push the rear wheel for-
ward.
NOTE:Using the alignment marks on each
side of the swingarm, make sure that
both chain pullers are in the same posi-tion for proper wheel alignment.
CAUTION:
ECA10570
Improper drive chain slack will over-
load the engine as well as other vital
parts of the motorcycle and can lead
to chain slippage or breakage. To
prevent this from occurring, keep
the drive chain slack within thespecified limits.
3. Tighten the locknuts, then the axle
nut to their specified torques.
1. Drive chain slack
1. Axle nut
2. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
3. Locknut
4. Alignment marks
Tightening torques:
Locknut:
16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 11 ft·lbf)
Axle nut:
85 Nm (8.5 m·kgf, 61 ft·lbf)
U5D7E0E0.book Page 23 Tuesday, December 18, 2007 10:13 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-24
6
EAU23022
Cleaning and lubricating the
drive chain The drive chain must be cleaned and
lubricated at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or
wet areas. Service the drive chain as
follows.CAUTION:
ECA10581
The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle andriding in the rain.
1. Clean the drive chain with kero-
sene and a small soft brush.CAUTION:
ECA11120
To prevent damaging the O-rings, do
not clean the drive chain with steam
cleaners, high-pressure washers orinappropriate solvents.
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive
chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant.
CAUTION:
ECA11110
Do not use engine oil or any other lu-
bricants for the drive chain, as they
may contain substances that coulddamage the O-rings.
EAU23100
Checking and lubricating the
cables The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubricat-
ed if necessary. If a cable is damaged
or does not move smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer check or replace it.
WARNING
EWA10720
Damage to the outer sheath may in-
terfere with proper cable operation
and will cause the inner cable to
rust. Replace a damaged cable as
soon as possible to prevent unsafeconditions.Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil
U5D7E0E0.book Page 24 Tuesday, December 18, 2007 10:13 AM