2008 YAMAHA YZF-R6 engine

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-31
6
EAU23271
Checking the front fork The condition and operation of the front
fork must be checked as follows at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
To check the condition
WARNING
EWA10750
Securely support the vehicle so thatthere is no danger of it falling over.
Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.
To check the operation
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.
2. While applying the front brake,
push down hard on the handlebars
several times to check if the front
fork compresses and rebounds
smoothly.
CAUTION:
ECA10590
If any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-pair it.
EAU23280
Checking the steering Worn or loose steering bearings may
cause danger. Therefore, the operation
of the steering must be checked as fol-
lows at the intervals specified in the pe-
riodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
1. Place a stand under the engine to
raise the front wheel off the
ground.
WARNING
EWA10750
Securely support the vehicle so thatthere is no danger of it falling over.
2. Hold the lower ends of the front
fork legs and try to move them for-
ward and backward. If any free
play can be felt, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair the steering.
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-38
6 3. Remove the defective bulb by pull-
ing it out.
4. Insert a new bulb into the socket.
5. Install the socket (together with the
bulb) by pushing it in.
6. Install the license plate light unit by
installing the screws.
EAU44940
Auxiliary light This model is equipped with an LED-
type auxiliary light.
If the auxiliary light does not come on,
have a Yamaha dealer check it.
EAU24350
Supporting the motorcycle Since this model is not equipped with a
centerstand, follow these precautions
when removing the front and rear
wheel or performing other maintenance
requiring the motorcycle to stand up-
right. Check that the motorcycle is in a
stable and level position before starting
any maintenance. A strong wooden
box can be placed under the engine for
added stability.
To service the front wheel
1. Stabilize the rear of the motorcycle
by using a motorcycle stand or, if
an additional motorcycle stand is
not available, by placing a jack un-
der the frame in front of the rear
wheel.
2. Raise the front wheel off the
ground by using a motorcycle
stand.
To service the rear wheel
Raise the rear wheel off the ground by
using a motorcycle stand or, if a motor-
cycle stand is not available, by placing
1. Auxiliary light
U13SE0E0.book Page 38 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-44
6
EAU42500
Troubleshooting charts Starting problems or poor engine performance
WARNING
EWA10840
Keep away open flames and do not smoke while checking or working on the fuel system.
Check the fuel level in
the fuel tank.1. Fuel
There is enough fuel.
There is no fuel.
Check the compression.
Supply fuel.
The engine does not start.
Check the compression.
Operate the electric starter.2. Compression
There is compression.
There is no compression.
Check the ignition.
Have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
Remove the spark plugs
and check the electrodes.3. Ignition
Wipe off with a dry cloth and correct the
spark plug gaps, or replace the spark plugs.
Have a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
The engine does not start.
Have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
The engine does not start.
Check the battery.
Operate the electric starter.4. Battery
The engine turns over
quickly.
The engine turns over
slowly.
The battery is good.Check the battery lead connections,
and charge the battery if necessary.
DryWet
Operate the electric starter.
U13SE0E0.book Page 44 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-45
6Engine overheating
WARNING
EWAT1040


Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine and radiator are hot. Scalding hot fluid and steam may be
blown out under pressure, which could cause serious injury. Be sure to wait until the engine has cooled.


Place a thick rag, like a towel, over the radiator cap, and then slowly rotate the cap counterclockwise to the de-
tent to allow any residual pressure to escape. When the hissing sound has stopped, press down on the capwhile turning it counterclockwise, and then remove the cap.
NOTE:If coolant is not available, tap water can be temporarily used instead, provided that it is changed to the recommended coolantas soon as possible.
Wait until the
engine has cooled.
Check the coolant level in the
reservoir and radiator.
The coolant level
is OK.The coolant level is low.
Check the cooling system
for leakage.
Have a Yamaha dealer checkand repair the cooling system.Add coolant. (See NOTE.)
Start the engine. If the engine overheats again,
have a
Yamaha dealer check
and repair the cooling system.
There is
leakage.
There is
no leakage.
U13SE0E0.book Page 45 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-1
7
EAU37833
Matte color caution CAUTION:
ECA15192
Some models are equipped with
matte colored finished parts. Be
sure to consult a Yamaha dealer for
advice on what products to use be-
fore cleaning the vehicle. Using a
brush, harsh chemical products or
cleaning compounds when cleaning
these parts will scratch or damage
their surface. Wax also should not
be applied to any matte colored fin-ished parts.
EAU26021
Care While the open design of a motorcycle
reveals the attractiveness of the tech-
nology, it also makes it more vulnera-
ble. Rust and corrosion can develop
even if high-quality components are
used. A rusty exhaust pipe may go un-
noticed on a car, however, it detracts
from the overall appearance of a motor-
cycle. Frequent and proper care does
not only comply with the terms of the
warranty, but it will also keep your
motorcycle looking good, extend its life
and optimize its performance.
Before cleaning
1. Cover the muffler outlet with a
plastic bag after the engine has
cooled down.
2. Make sure that all caps and covers
as well as all electrical couplers
and connectors, including the
spark plug caps, are tightly in-
stalled.
3. Remove extremely stubborn dirt,
like oil burnt onto the crankcase,
with a degreasing agent and a
brush, but never apply such prod-ucts onto seals, gaskets, sprock-
ets, the drive chain and wheel
axles. Always rinse the dirt and de-
greaser off with water.
Cleaning
CAUTION:
ECA11141


Avoid using strong acidic wheel
cleaners, especially on spoked
wheels. If such products are
used on hard-to-remove dirt, do
not leave the cleaner on the af-
fected area any longer than in-
structed. Also, thoroughly rinse
the area off with water, immedi-
ately dry it, and then apply a cor-
rosion protection spray.


Improper cleaning can damage
plastic parts (such as cowlings,
panels, windshields, headlight
lenses, meter lenses, etc.) and
the mufflers. Use only a soft,
clean cloth or sponge with mild
detergent and water to clean
plastic. However, if the muffler
cannot be thoroughly cleaned
U13SE0E0.book Page 1 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-2
7with mild detergent, alkaline
products and a soft brush may
be used.


Do not use any harsh chemical
products on plastic parts or the
muffler. Be sure to avoid using
cloths or sponges which have
been in contact with strong or
abrasive cleaning products, sol-
vent or thinner, fuel (gasoline),
rust removers or inhibitors,
brake fluid, antifreeze or electro-
lyte.


Do not use high-pressure wash-
ers or steam-jet cleaners since
they cause water seepage and
deterioration in the following ar-
eas: seals (of wheel and swing-
arm bearings, fork and brakes),
storage compartments, electric
components (couplers, connec-
tors, instruments, switches and
lights), breather hoses and
vents.


For motorcycles equipped with
a windshield: Do not use strong
cleaners or hard sponges as
they will cause dulling or
scratching. Some cleaning com-pounds for plastic may leave
scratches on the windshield.
Test the product on a small hid-
den part of the windshield to
make sure that it does not leave
any marks. If the windshield is
scratched, use a quality plastic
polishing compound after
washing.
After normal use
Remove dirt with warm water, a mild
detergent, and a soft, clean sponge,
and then rinse thoroughly with clean
water. Use a toothbrush or bottlebrush
for hard-to-reach areas. Stubborn dirt
and insects will come off more easily if
the area is covered with a wet cloth for
a few minutes before cleaning.
After riding in the rain, near the sea oron salt-sprayed roadsSince sea salt or salt sprayed on roads
during winter are extremely corrosive in
combination with water, carry out the
following steps after each ride in the
rain, near the sea or on salt-sprayed
roads.
NOTE:Salt sprayed on roads in the winter mayremain well into spring.
1. Clean the motorcycle with cold wa-
ter and a mild detergent, after the
engine has cooled down.CAUTION:
ECA10790
Do not use warm water since it in-
creases the corrosive action of thesalt.
2. After drying the motorcycle, apply
a corrosion protection spray on all
metal, including chrome- and nick-
el-plated, surfaces (except the tita-
nium muffler) to prevent corrosion.
Cleaning the titanium mufflerThis model is equipped with a titanium
muffler, which requires the following
special care.

Use only a soft, clean cloth or
sponge with mild detergent and
water to clean the titanium muffler.
However, if the muffler cannot be
U13SE0E0.book Page 2 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-4
7
EAU26180
Storage Short-term
Always store your motorcycle in a cool,
dry place and, if necessary, protect it
against dust with a porous cover.CAUTION:
ECA10810


Storing the motorcycle in a
poorly ventilated room or cover-
ing it with a tarp, while it is still
wet, will allow water and humid-
ity to seep in and cause rust.


To prevent corrosion, avoid
damp cellars, stables (because
of the presence of ammonia)
and areas where strong chemi-cals are stored.
Long-term
Before storing your motorcycle for sev-
eral months:
1. Follow all the instructions in the
“Care” section of this chapter.
2. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.3. Perform the following steps to pro-
tect the cylinders, piston rings, etc.
from corrosion.
a. Remove the spark plug caps
and spark plugs.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil
into each spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug caps onto
the spark plugs, and then place
the spark plugs on the cylinder
head so that the electrodes are
grounded. (This will limit spark-
ing during the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several
times with the starter. (This will
coat the cylinder walls with oil.)
e. Remove the spark plug caps
from the spark plugs, and then
install the spark plugs and the
spark plug caps.
WARNING
EWA10950
To prevent damage or injury from
sparking, make sure to ground the
spark plug electrodes while turningthe engine over.4. Lubricate all control cables and the
pivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the side-
stand/centerstand.
5. Check and, if necessary, correct
the tire air pressure, and then lift
the motorcycle so that both of its
wheels are off the ground. Alterna-
tively, turn the wheels a little every
month in order to prevent the tires
from becoming degraded in one
spot.
6. Cover the muffler outlet with a
plastic bag to prevent moisture
from entering it.
7. Remove the battery and fully
charge it. Store it in a cool, dry
place and charge it once a month.
Do not store the battery in an ex-
cessively cold or warm place [less
than 0 °C (30 °F) or more than 30
°C (90 °F)]. For more information
on storing the battery, see page
6-32.
NOTE:Make any necessary repairs beforestoring the motorcycle.
U13SE0E0.book Page 4 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM

SPECIFICATIONS
8-1
8
Dimensions:Overall length:
2040 mm (80.3 in)
Overall width:
705 mm (27.8 in)
Overall height:
1100 mm (43.3 in)
Seat height:
850 mm (33.5 in)
Wheelbase:
1380 mm (54.3 in)
Ground clearance:
130 mm (5.12 in)
Minimum turning radius:
3600 mm (141.7 in)Weight:With oil and fuel:
185.0 kg (408 lb)Engine:Engine type:
Liquid cooled 4-stroke, DOHC
Cylinder arrangement:
Forward-inclined parallel 4-cylinder
Displacement:
599.0 cm³
Bore × stroke:
67.0 × 42.5 mm (2.64 × 1.67 in)
Compression ratio:
13.10 :1
Starting system:
Electric starter
Lubrication system:
Wet sump
Engine oil:Type:
SAE 10W-30, SAE 10W-40, SAE 15W-40,
SAE 20W-40 or SAE 20W-50
Recommended engine oil grade:
API service SG type or higher, JASO
standard MA
Engine oil quantity:
Without oil filter cartridge replacement:
2.40 L (2.54 US qt) (2.11 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement:
2.60 L (2.75 US qt) (2.29 Imp.qt)Cooling system:Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the
maximum level mark):
0.25 L (0.26 US qt) (0.22 Imp.qt)
Radiator capacity (including all routes):
2.30 L (2.43 US qt) (2.02 Imp.qt)Air filter:Air filter element:
Oil-coated paper element
Fuel:Recommended fuel:
Premium unleaded gasoline only
Fuel tank capacity:
17.3 L (4.57 US gal) (3.81 Imp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount:
3.5 L (0.92 US gal) (0.77 Imp.gal)Fuel injection:Throttle body:
Manufacturer:
MIKUNI
Type/quantity:
41EIDW/1Spark plug (s):Manufacturer/model:
NGK/CR10EK
Spark plug gap:
0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)Clutch:Clutch type:
Wet, multiple-discTransmission:Primary reduction system:
Spur gear
Primary reduction ratio:
85/41 (2.073)
Secondary reduction system:
Chain drive
Secondary reduction ratio:
45/16 (2.813)
Transmission type:
Constant mesh 6-speed
Operation:
Left foot operation
-20 -10 0
10 20 30
40
50 ˚C
SAE 10W-30
SAE 15W-40SAE 20W-40SAE 20W-50
SAE 10W-40SAE 10W-50
U13SE0E0.book Page 1 Monday, August 27, 2007 4:53 PM