2010 YAMAHA YZ450F engine

3-5
PRE-OPERATION INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PRE-OPERATION INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Before riding for break-in operation, practice or a race, make sure the machine is in good operating condition.
Before using this machine, check the following points.
GENERAL INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Item Routine Page
CoolantCheck that coolant is filled up to the radiator cap. Check the cool-
ing system for leakage.P.3-6 – 7
FuelCheck that a fresh gasoline is filled in the fuel tank. Check the fuel
line for leakage.P.1-17
Engine oilCheck that the oil level is correct. Check the crankcase and oil line
for leakage.P.3-9 – 10
Gear shifter and clutchCheck that gears can be shifted correctly in order and that the
clutch operates smoothly.P.3-7
Throttle grip/HousingCheck that the throttle grip operation and free play are correctly
adjusted. Lubricate the throttle grip and housing, if necessary.P.3-8
Brakes Check the play of front brake and effect of front and rear brake. P.3-14 – 17
Drive chainCheck drive chain slack and alignment. Check that the drive chain
is lubricated properly.P.3-17 –18
WheelsCheck for excessive wear and tire pressure. Check for loose
spokes and have no excessive play.P.3-21
SteeringCheck that the handlebar can be turned smoothly and have no ex-
cessive play.P.3-21 – 22
Front forks and rear shock
absorberCheck that they operate smoothly and there is no oil leakage.
P.3-18 – 20
Cables (wires)Check that the clutch and throttle cables move smoothly. Check
that they are not caught when the handlebars are turned or when
the front forks travel up and down.—
Exhaust pipe Check that the exhaust pipe is tightly mounted and has no cracks. P.4-3 – 6
Rear wheel sprocket Check that the rear wheel sprocket tightening bolt is not loose. P.3-17
Lubrication Check for smooth operation. Lubricate if necessary. P.3-23
Bolts and nuts Check the chassis and engine for loose bolts and nuts. P.1-19
Lead connectorsCheck that the AC magneto, ECU and ignition coil are connected
tightly.P.1-10 – 11
SettingsIs the machine set suitably for the condition of the racing course
and weather or by taking into account the results of test runs be-
fore racing? Are inspection and maintenance completely done?P.8-1 – 5

3-6
ENGINE
ENGINE
CHECKING THE COOLANT LEVEL
Do not remove the radiator cap
"1", drain bolt and hoses when the
engine and radiator are hot. Scald-
ing hot fluid and steam may be
blown out under pressure, which
could cause serious injury. When
the engine has cooled, place a
thick towel over the radiator cap,
slowly rotate the cap counter-
clockwise to the detent. This pro-
cedure allows any residual
pressure to escape. When the
hissing sound has stopped, press
down on the cap while turning
counterclockwise and remove it.
Hard water or salt water is harmful
to the engine parts. You may use
distilled water, if you can't get soft
water.
1. Place the machine on a level
place, and hold it in an upright po-
sition.
2. Remove:
• Radiator cap
3. Check:
• Coolant level "a"
Coolant level low→Add coolant.
1. RadiatorCHANGING THE COOLANT
Do not remove the radiator cap
when the engine is hot.
Take care so that coolant does not
splash on painted surfaces. If it
splashes, wash it away with water.
1. Place a container under the en-
gine.
2. Remove:
• Coolant drain bolt "1"
3. Remove:
• Radiator cap
Drain the coolant completely.
4. Clean:
• Cooling system
Thoroughly flush the cooling sys-
tem with clean tap water.
5. Install:
• Copper washer
• Coolant drain bolt
6. Fill:
• Radiator
•Engine
To specified level.
• Do not mix more than one type of
ethylene glycol antifreeze con-
taining corrosion inhibitors for
aluminum engine.
• Do not use water containing im-
purities or oil.
Handling notes of coolant:
The coolant is harmful so it should be
handled with special care.
• When coolant splashes to your
eye.
Thoroughly wash your eye with
water and see your doctor.
• When coolant splashes to your
clothes.
Quickly wash it away with water
and then with soap.
• When coolant is swallowed.
Quickly make him vomit and take
him to a doctor.
7. Install:
• Radiator cap
Start the engine and warm it up
for a several minutes.
8. Check:
• Coolant level
Coolant level low→Add coolant.
CHECKING THE RADIATOR CAP
1. Inspect:
• Seal (radiator cap) "1"
• Valve and valve seat "2"
Crack/damage→Replace.
Exist fur deposits "3" →Clean or
replace.
Coolant drain bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Recommended coolant:
High quality ethylene
glycol anti-freeze con-
taining anti-corrosion
for aluminum engine
Coolant "1" and water
(soft water) "2" mixing ra-
tio:
50%/50%
Coolant capacity:
1.13 L (0.99 Imp qt, 1.19
US qt)

3-7
ENGINE
CHECKING THE RADIATOR CAP
OPENING PRESSURE
1. Attach:
• Radiator cap tester "1" and adapt-
er "2"
Apply water on the radiator cap seal.
3. Radiator cap
2. Apply the specified pressure.
3. Inspect:
• Pressure
Impossible to maintain the speci-
fied pressure for 10 seconds →
Replace.
CHECKING THE COOLING
SYSTEM
1. Inspect:
• Coolant level
2. Attach:
• Radiator cap tester "1" and adapt-
er "2"3. Apply the specified pressure.
• Do not apply pressure more than
specified pressure.
• Radiator should be filled fully.
4. Inspect:
•Pressure
Impossible to maintain the speci-
fied pressure for 10 seconds →
Repair.
• Radiator
• Radiator hose joint
Coolant leakage → Repair or re-
place.
• Radiator hose
Swelling → Replace.
ADJUSTING THE CLUTCH LEVER
POSITION
1. Adjust:
• Clutch lever position
Clutch lever position adjustment
steps:
a. Loosen the locknuts "1".
b. Turn the adjusting bolt "2" until the
clutch lever position "a" is in the
desiered position .
c. Tighten the locknuts.
2. Adjust:
• Clutch cable free play
Refer to "ADJUSTING THE
CLUTCH CABLE FREE PLAY".ADJUSTING THE CLUTCH CABLE
FREE PLAY
1. Check:
• Clutch lever free play "a"
Out of specification→Adjust.
2. Adjust:
• Clutch lever free play
Clutch lever free play adjustment
steps:
a. Loosen the locknuts "1".
b. Turn the adjuster "2" until free
play "a" is within the specified lim-
its.
c. Tighten the locknuts.
• Before adjustment, expose the ad-
juster by moving the boot "3" and
cap "4" away.
• Make minute adjustment on the le-
ver side using the adjuster "5".
• After adjustment, check proper op-
eration of clutch lever.
3. Install:
•Cap "1"
• Boot "2" Radiator cap tester:
YU-24460-01/90890-
01325
Radiator cap tester
adapter:
YU-33984/90890-01352
Radiator cap opening
pressure:
108–137 kPa (1.08–1.37
kg/cm
2, 15.4–19.5 psi)
Radiator cap tester:
YU-24460-01/90890-
01325
Radiator cap tester
adapter:
YU-33984/90890-01352
Standard pressure:
196 kPa (1.96 kg/cm2,
27.9 psi)
Locknut:
5 Nm (0.5 m•kg, 3.6
ft•lb)
Clutch lever free play "a"
:
7–12 mm (0.28–0.47 in)
Locknut:
4 Nm (0.4 m•kg, 2.9
ft•lb)

3-8
ENGINE
ADJUSTING THE THROTTLE
CABLE FREE PLAY
1. Check:• Throttle grip free play "a"
Out of specification →Adjust.
2. Adjust: • Throttle grip free play
Throttle grip free play adjustment
steps:
a. Slide the adjuster cover.
b. Loosen the locknut "1".
c. Turn the adjuster "2" until the specified free play is obtained.
d. Tighten the locknut.
Before adjusting the throttle cable
free play, the engine idle speed
should be adjusted.
After adjusting th e throttle cable
free play, start the engine and turn
the handlebar to right and left and
make sure that the engine idling
does not run faster.
LUBRICATING THE THROTTLE
1. Remove: • Cover (throttle cable cap) "1"
• Cover (grip cap) "2"
• Throttle grip cap "3" 2. Apply:
• Lithium soap base greaseOn the throttle cable end "a".
3. Install: • Throttle grip cap
• Screw (throttle grip cap)
• Cover (grip cap)
• Cover (throttle cable cap)
CHECKING THE THROTTLE
VALVE PULLY COVER DRAIN
HOSE
Drain the water that stays in the throt-
tle valve pulley cove r after a machine
wash or a rainy weather ride.
1. Drain the water by picking up the flat portion of the lower end "a" of
the drain hose.
CLEANING THE AIR FILTER
ELEMENT
1. Remove: •Seat
2. Remove the fuel tank bolt (front) "1" and lift the fuel tank.
Hold the fuel tank in position by the
use of the fuel tank holding cable "2".
3. Remove:• Mounting bolt for air filter case
cover 4. Loosen and release the binder "1"
and lift the air filter case lid.
Hold the air filter case lid by the use of
the binder.
5. Remove:• Air filter guide
• Air filter element "1"
Do not remove the thin sheet (air
filter element 2) "2" under the air
filter element unless it is dirty. It is
there to prevent foreign matter
from dropping in to the throttle
body. If the thin sheet must be re-
moved for cleaning, lift it carefully
to avoid loosening the dirt, and
then temporarily block the throttle
body opening with a clean, lint-free
cloth.
6. Clean: • Air filter element
Clean them with solvent.
After cleaning, remo ve the remaining
solvent by squeezing the element.
• Do not twist the element when squeezing the element.
• Leaving too much of solvent in
the element may result in poor
starting.
7. Inspect:• Air filter elementDamage → Replace.
Throttle grip free play
"a":
3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in)
Screw (throttle grip cap): 4 Nm (0.4 m•kg, 2.9
ft•lb)

3-9
ENGINE
8. Apply:• Foam-air-filter oil or equivalent oil to the element
Squeeze out the excess oil. Element
should be wet but not dripping.
9. If the thin sheet (air filter element 2) is dirty with mud etc., clean the
thin sheet (air filt er element 2) by
the following steps.
Cleaning steps:
a. Remove the air filter element 2 "1".
b. Clean the air filter element 2 with solvent.
After cleaning, remo ve the remaining
solvent by squeezing the element.
Do not twist the element when
squeezing the element.
c. Inspect the air filter element 2. Damage → Replace.
d. Install the air filter element 2.
10. Install: • Air filter element "1"
• Air filter guide "2"
•Binder
11. Install: • Mounting bolt for air filter case
cover 12. Install:
• Fuel tank bolt (front)
CHECKING THE THROTTLE BODY
JOINT
1. Remove: •Seat
• Air scoop (left/right)
•Fuel tank
• Air filter
2. Check: • Throttle body joint "1"
Cracks/damage → Replace.
3. Install: • Air filter
•Fuel tank
• Air scoop (left/right)
•Seat
CHECKING THE FUEL LINE
1. Remove: •Seat
•Fuel tank
• Air scoop (left/right)
• Air filter case
• Cover
2. Check:
• Fuel hose "1"Cracks/damage → Replace.
Loose connection → Reconnect.
3. Install: • Cover
• Air filter case
• Air scoop (left/right)
•Fuel tank
•Seat
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL
LEVEL
1. Stand the machine on a level sur- face.
• When checking the oil level make sure that the machine is upright. • Place the machine on a suitable
stand.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for 2–3 minutes at engine idling
speed, and then stop the engine
and wait approximately 1 minute.
3. Inspect: • Oil levelMake sure that the engine oil level
is between the maximum level
line "a" and minimum level line "b"
shown for the oil level check win-
dow.
Above the upper limit "a" →Check
that no oil comes out when the
check bolt "1" for the oil quantity
upper limit is removed.
If any engine oil comes out, drain
it until its last drop is out.
Below the level mark "b" →Add
sufficient oil and idle run the en-
gine, and after stopping the en-
gine, recheck through the oil
inspection window that the oil is at
the specified level.
• Check the oil quantity within 5 min- utes after the engin e is shut off.
Over 5 minutes, idle the engine
again and recheck the oil quantity.
• Do not leave the check bolt for the oil quantity upper limit removed.
Otherwise, the oil level drops with
time in the engine, allowing the oil
to flow out.
• Engine oil also luburicates the clutch and the wrong oil types or
additives could cause clutch
slippage. Therefore, do not add
any chemical additives or use en-
gine oils with a grade of CD or
higher and do not use oils la-
beled "ENERGY CONSERVING
II".
• Do not allow fore ign material to
enter the crankcase.
Oil application quantify: 35 g
Mounting bolt for air filter
case cover: 5 Nm (0.5 m•kg, 3.6
ft•lb)
Fuel tank bolt (front):9 Nm (0.9 m•kg, 6.5
ft•lb)

3-10
ENGINE
CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL
1. Start the engine and let it warm up for several minutes.
2. Stop the engine and place an oil pan under the drain bolt.
3. Remove: • Oil filler cap "1"
• Drain bolt (with gasket) "2"
• Drain bolt (with gasket) "3"Drain the engine oil.
4. If the oil filter is to be replaced dur- ing this oil change, remove the fol-
lowing parts and reinstall them.
Replacement steps:
a. Remove the oil filter element cov-er "1" and oil filter element "2".
b. Check the O-rings "3", if cracked or damaged, replace them with a
new one.
c. Install the oil filter element and oil filter element cover.
5. Install:• Gaskets
• Oil drain bolt (oil pan)
• Oil drain bolt (oil tank)
6. Fill: • Engine oil
7. Install: • Oil filler cap
8. Inspect:
• Engine (for oil leaks)
• Oil level CHECKING THE OIL PRESSURE
1. Check:
• Oil pressure
Checking steps:
a. Slightly loosen the oil pressure check bolt "1".
b. Start the engine and keep it idling until oil starts to seep from the oil
pressure check bolt. If no oil
comes out after one minute, turn
the engine off so it will not seize.
c. Check oil passages and oil pump
for damage or leakage.
d. Start the engine after solving the problem(s) and recheck the oil
pressure.
e. Tighten the oil pressure check bolt.
ADJUSTING THE ENGINE IDLING
SPEED
• Because the air pressure is lower at
high altitudes, the air-fuel mixture
will become richer. If the engine
idling speed is low, turn the starter
(choke) knob/idling screw a few
clicks counterclockwise to increase
the idling speed.
• Before adjusting the engine idling speed, make sure that the com-
pression pressure is within specifi-
cation and that the air filter element
is not clogged.
• Adjust the engine idling speed with
the starter (choke) knob/idling
screw pushed in completely.
1. Start the engine and warm it up until the engine oil has reached
the specified temperature.
2. Use a temperature probe tester "1" and contact it to the drain bolt
thread.
Recommended brand:
YAMALUBE
Recommended engine
oil type
SAE10W-30, SAE 10W-
40, SAE10W-50, SAE
15W-40, SAE 20W-40 or
SAE 20W-50
Recommended engine
oil grade
API service SG type or
higher, JASO standard
MA
Oil filter element cover:10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Oil drain bolt (oil pan): 20 Nm (2.0 m•kg, 14
ft•lb)
Oil drain bolt (oil tank): 20 Nm (2.0 m•kg, 14
ft•lb)
Oil quantity: Periodic oil change:0.95 L (0.84 Imp qt,
1.00 US qt)
With oil filter replace-
ment: 1.0 L (0.88 Imp qt, 1.06
US qt)
Total amount: 1.2 L (1.06 Imp qt, 1.27
US qt)
Oil pressure check bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Oil temperature: 55.0–65.0 °C
(131–149°F)

3-11
ENGINE
3. Adjust:• Engine idling speed
Adjustment steps:
a. Turn the starter knob/idle screw "1" until the specified engine idling
speed is obtained.
Using the digital tachometer, mea-
sure the engine speed with the detec-
tor "c" pinched in the high tension
cord "2" of the ignition coil.
ADJUSTING THE VALVE
CLEARANCE
• This section is intended for those who have basic knowledge and skill
concerning the servicing of Yama-
ha motorcycles (e.g., Yamaha deal-
ers, service engineers, etc.) Those
who have little knowledge and skill
concerning servicing are requested
not to undertake in spection, adjust-
ment, disassembly, or reassembly
only by reference to this manual. It
may lead to servicing trouble and
mechanical damage.
• The valve clearance should be ad- justed when the engine is cool to
the touch.
1. Remove:•Seat
Refer to "SEAT AND SIDE COV-
ERS" section in the CHAPTER 4.
•Fuel tank
Refer to "FUEL TANK" section in
the CHAPTER 6.
2. Remove:
• Spark plug
• Cylinder head coverRefer to "CAMSHAFTS" section
in the CHAPTER 4.
3. Remove: • Timing mark accessing screw "1"
• Crankshaft end accessing screw "2"
• O-ring
4. Check: • Valve clearanceOut of specification →Adjust.
Checking steps:
a. Turn the crankshaft counterclock-
wise with a wrench.
b. Align the alignment mark "a" on the rotor with the alignment mark
"b" on the crankcase cover.
Make sure that the alignment mark
"c" on the exhaust camshaft sprocket
and the alignment mark "d" on the in-
take camshaft sprocket are aligned
with the edge of the cylinder head.
c. Measure the valve clearance "e" using a feeler gauge "1".
Record the measured reading if the
clearance is incorrect.
Digital tachometer:
YU-39951-B/90890-
06760
To increase the engine idling speed →Turn the starter
(choke) knob/idling screw
counterclockwise "a".
To decrease the engine idling
speed →Turn the starter
(choke) knob/idling screw
clockwise "b".
Engine idling speed:1,900–2,100 r/min
Valve clearance (cold):Intake valve:0.10–0.15 mm
(0.0039–0.0059 in)
Exhaust valve: 0.20–0.25 mm
(0.0079–0.0098 in)

3-12
ENGINE
5. Adjust:• Valve clearance
Adjustment steps:
a. Remove the camshaft (intake and exhaust).
Refer to "CAMSHAFTS" section
in the CHAPTER 4.
b. Remove the valve lifter "1" and the valve pad "2" with a valve lap-
per "3".
• Place a rag in the timing chain space to prevent pads from falling
into the crankcase.
• Identity each valve lifter and pad position very carefully so that they
can be reinstalled in their original
place.
c. Select the proper pad using the pad selecting table.
The thickness "a" of each pad is indi-
cated in hundredths of millimeters on
the pad upper surface.
d. Round off the last digit of the in-stalled pad number to the nearest
increment. EXAMPLE:
Installed pad number = 148
Rounded off value = 150
Pads can only be selected in 0.05
mm increments.
e. Locate the rounded-off value and
the measured valve clearance in
the chart "PAD SELECTION TA-
BLE". The field where these two
coordinates intersect shows the
new pad number to use.
Use the new pad number only as a
guide when verifying the valve clear-
ance adjustment.
f. Install the new pads "4" and the valve lifters "5".
• Apply the engine oil on the valve lift-ers.
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil
on the valve stem ends.
• Valve lifter must turn smoothly
when rotated with a finger.
• Be careful to reinstall valve lifters and pads in their original place.
g. Install the camshafts (exhaust and intake).
Refer to "CAMSHAFTS" section
in the CHAPTER 4.
Pad range Pad Availabili-
ty: 25 incre- ments
No.
120–N
o. 240 1.20
mm–2.
40 mm Pads are avail-
able in 0.05 mm
increments
Last digit of pad number Rounded valve
0, 1 or 2 0
4, 5 or 6 5 8 or 9 10