Page 70 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-25
6Before 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.
TIPThe rear brake fluid reservoir is locatedbehind panel A. (See page 6-7.)
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.
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.
EAU22731
Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the TIP after the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. In addition, have
the oil seals of the master cylinders and
calipers as well as the brake hoses re-
placed at the intervals listed below or
whenever they are damaged or leak-
ing.
Oil seals: Replace every two
years.
Brake hoses: Replace every four
years.
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
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Page 71 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-26
6
EAU22760
Drive chain slack The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU22793
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on the cen-
terstand.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Spin the rear wheel several times
to locate the tightest portion of the
drive chain.
4. Measure the drive chain slack as
shown.5. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU47032
To adjust the drive chain slack
1. Loosen the locknut at each end of
the swingarm, and then loosen the
axle nut.
2. To tighten the drive chain, turn the
drive chain slack adjusting nut at
each end of the swingarm in direc-
tion (a). To loosen the drive chain,
turn the adjusting nut at each end
of the swingarm in direction (b),
and then push the rear wheel for-
ward. NOTICE: Improper drive
chain slack will overload the en-
gine 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 with-
in the specified limits.
[ECA10571]
TIPUsing the alignment marks on each
side of the swingarm, make sure that
the notch on the alignment plates is in
the same position on both sides forproper wheel alignment.
1. Drive chain slack
1
Drive chain slack:
45.0–55.0 mm (1.77–2.17 in)
1. Axle nut
2. Alignment marks
3. Drive chain slack adjusting nut
4. Locknut
13
42(a)(b)
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Page 72 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-27
63. Tighten the axle nut, and then
tighten the locknuts to the speci-
fied torques.
EAU23023
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.NOTICE
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.
NOTICE: To prevent damaging
the O-rings, do not clean the
drive chain with steam cleaners,
high-pressure washers or inap-
propriate solvents.
[ECA11121]
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive
chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant. NOTICE: Do not use
engine oil or any other lubri-
cants for the drive chain, as theymay contain substances that
could damage the O-rings.
[ECA11111]
1. Alignment plate
2. NotchTightening torques:
Axle nut:
90 Nm (9.0 m·kgf, 65 ft·lbf)
Locknut:
16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 11 ft·lbf)
12
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Page 79 of 102
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-34
6 XJ6S XJ6SA XJ6SA
If a fuse is blown, replace it as follows.
1. Turn the key to “OFF” and turn off
the electrical circuit in question.
2. Remove the blown fuse, and then
install a new fuse of the specified
amperage. WARNING! Do not
use a fuse of a higher amperage
1. Taillight fuse
2. Spare fuse
3. Headlight fuse
4. Ignition fuse
5. Signaling system fuse
6. Backup fuse (for odometer, clock and immo-
bilizer system)
7. Fuel injection system fuse
8. Radiator fan fuse
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1. Starter relay cover
2. Main fuse
3. Spare main fuse
4. Fuse box
2
4 3 1
1. Taillight fuse
2. ABS control unit fuse
3. ABS solenoid fuse
4. ABS motor fuse
5. Spare fuse
6. Headlight fuse
7. Ignition fuse
8. Signaling system fuse
9. Backup fuse (for odometer, clock and immo-
bilizer system)
10.Fuel injection system fuse
11.Radiator fan fuse
1
5
56
7
8
9
10
11 234
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Page 81 of 102
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-36
6 1. Remove cowling B. (See page
6-7.)
2. Disconnect the headlight coupler,
and then remove the headlight
bulb cover.3. Unhook the headlight bulb holder,
and then remove the burnt-out
bulb.
4. Place a new headlight bulb into po-
sition, and then secure it with the
bulb holder.
5. Install the headlight bulb cover,
and then connect the coupler.
6. Install the cowling.
7. Have a Yamaha dealer adjust the
headlight beam if necessary.
EAU47020
Replacing the tail/brake light
bulb 1. Remove the seat. (See page
3-18.)
2. Remove the socket (together with
the bulb) by turning it counter-
clockwise.
3. Remove the burnt-out bulb by pull-
ing it out.
1. Do not touch the glass part of the bulb.
1. Headlight bulb cover
2. Headlight coupler
1
2
1. Headlight bulb
2. Headlight bulb holder
1
2
1. Tail/brake light bulb socket
1
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Page 82 of 102
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-37
64. Insert a new bulb into the socket.
5. Install the socket (together with the
bulb) by turning it clockwise.
6. Install the seat.
EAU24204
Replacing a turn signal light
bulb 1. Remove the turn signal light lens
by removing the screw.
2. Remove the burnt-out bulb by
pushing it in and turning it counter-
clockwise.
3. Insert a new bulb into the socket,
push it in, and then turn it clock-
wise until it stops.
4. Install the lens by installing the
screw. NOTICE: Do not over-
tighten the screw, otherwise the
lens may break.
[ECA11191]EAU24312
Replacing the license plate
light bulb 1. Remove the license plate light unit
by removing the screws.
2. Remove the socket (together with
the bulb) by pulling it out.
1. Tail/brake light bulb
2. Tail/brake light bulb socket
2
1
1. Turn signal light lens
2. Screw
2
1
1. License plate light unit
2. Screw
2
1
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Page 85 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-40
6
EAU44800
Rear wheel (XJ6S)
WARNING
EWA14840
For the ABS model, have a Yamahadealer remove and install the wheel.
EAU32874
To remove the rear wheel
WARNING
EWA10821
To avoid injury, securely support the
vehicle so there is no danger of itfalling over.
1. Loosen the locknut and drive chain
slack adjusting nut on each side of
the swingarm.
2. Loosen the axle nut.3. Place the motorcycle on the cen-
terstand.
4. Remove the axle nut.
5. Push the wheel forward, and then
remove the drive chain from the
rear sprocket.
TIPThe drive chain does not need to be
disassembled in order to remove andinstall the rear wheel.
6. While supporting the brake caliper
and slightly lifting the wheel, pull
the wheel axle out.TIPA rubber mallet may be useful to tap thewheel axle out.
1. Axle nut
2. Drive chain slack adjusting nut
3. Locknut
1
3
2
1. Locknut
2. Drive chain slack adjusting nut
3. Brake caliper bracket
4. Brake caliper
5. Wheel axle
1
4
3
2
5
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Page 86 of 102

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-41
67. Remove the wheel. NOTICE: Do
not apply the brake after the
wheel has been removed to-
gether with the brake disc, oth-
erwise the brake pads will be
forced shut.
[ECA11071]
EAU34432
To install the rear wheel
1. Install the wheel and the brake cal-
iper bracket by inserting the wheel
axle from the right-hand side.TIP
Make sure that the retainer on the
swingarm is inserted into the slot in
the brake caliper bracket.
Make sure that there is enough
space between the brake pads be-fore installing the wheel.2. Install the drive chain onto the rear
sprocket.
3. Install the axle nut.
4. Adjust the drive chain slack. (See
page 6-26.)
5. Lower the rear wheel so that it is
on the ground, and then put the
sidestand down.
6. Tighten the axle nut, and then
tighten the locknuts to the speci-
fied torques.
EAU25871
Troubleshooting Although Yamaha motorcycles receive
a thorough inspection before shipment
from the factory, trouble may occur dur-
ing operation. Any problem in the fuel,
compression, or ignition systems, for
example, can cause poor starting and
loss of power.
The following troubleshooting charts
represent quick and easy procedures
for checking these vital systems your-
self. However, should your motorcycle
require any repair, take it to a Yamaha
dealer, whose skilled technicians have
the necessary tools, experience, and
know-how to service the motorcycle
properly.
Use only genuine Yamaha replace-
ment parts. Imitation parts may look like
Yamaha parts, but they are often inferi-
or, have a shorter service life and can
lead to expensive repair bills.
WARNING
EWA15141
When checking the fuel system, do
not smoke, and make sure there are
no open flames or sparks in the ar-
ea, including pilot lights from water
1. Slot
2. RetainerTightening torques:
Axle nut:
90 Nm (9.0 m·kgf, 65 ft·lbf)
Locknut:
16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 11 ft·lbf)12
U36CE0E0.book Page 41 Friday, December 5, 2008 2:33 PM