Page 65 of 86

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-21
7
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.
EAU22760
Drive chain slack The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU41410
To check the drive chain slack
1. Install the removable sidestand
and place the motorcycle on it.TIPWhen checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, there should be no weight
on 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.4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU41482
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. NOTICE: Improper drive
chain slack will overload the en-
gine as well as other vital parts
of the motorcycle and can lead
Drive chain slack:
35.0–45.0 mm (1.38–1.77 in)
1. Drive chain slack
U5PA88E0.book Page 21 Tuesday, June 9, 2009 8:44 AM
Page 66 of 86
![YAMAHA YZ85 2010 Owners Manual PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-22
7to chain slippage or breakage.
To prevent this from occurring,
keep the drive chain slack with-
in the specified limits.
[ECA10571]
TIPUsing the alignment ma YAMAHA YZ85 2010 Owners Manual PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-22
7to chain slippage or breakage.
To prevent this from occurring,
keep the drive chain slack with-
in the specified limits.
[ECA10571]
TIPUsing the alignment ma](/manual-img/51/54053/w960_54053-65.png)
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-22
7to 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
drive chain puller, make sure that both
drive chain pullers are in the same po-
sition for proper wheel alignment.3. Tighten both locknuts and the axle
nut to the specified torques.
EAU23015
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
ECA10582
The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle and
riding in the rain or wet areas.1. Remove all dirt and mud from the
drive chain with a brush or cloth.TIPFor a thorough cleaning, have a
Yamaha dealer remove the drive chain
and soak it in solvent.2. Spray Yamaha Chain and Cable
Lube or a high-quality spray-type
drive chain lubricant on the entire
chain, making sure that all side
plates and rollers have been suffi-
ciently oiled.
1. Axle nut
2. Drive chain puller
3. Locknut
4. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
5. Alignment marks
54 3 2
Tightening torques:
Locknut:
16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 11 ft·lbf)
Axle nut:
90 Nm (9.0 m·kgf, 65 ft·lbf)
U5PA88E0.book Page 22 Tuesday, June 9, 2009 8:44 AM
Page 67 of 86

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-23
7
EAU41842
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! Damage to the outer
housing of cables may result in in-
ternal rusting and cause interfer-
ence with cable movement. Replace
damaged cables as soon as possi-
ble to prevent unsafe conditions.[EWA10711]EAU23111
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable The operation of the throttle grip should
be checked before each ride. In addi-
tion, the cable should be lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance chart.
EAU23142
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers Brake lever
Clutch lever
The operation of the brake and clutch
levers should be checked before each
ride, and the lever pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Recommended lubricant:
Yamaha Chain and Cable Lube or 4-
stroke engine oil
U5PA88E0.book Page 23 Tuesday, June 9, 2009 8:44 AM
Page 68 of 86
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-24
7
EAU23182
Checking and lubricating the
brake pedal The operation of the brake pedal
should be checked before each ride,
and the pedal pivot should be lubricat-
ed if necessary.
EAUM1650
Lubricating the swingarm piv-
ots The swingarm pivots must be lubricat-
ed at the intervals specified in the peri-
odic maintenance and lubrication chart.
Recommended lubricants:
Brake lever:
Silicone grease
Clutch lever:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
U5PA88E0.book Page 24 Tuesday, June 9, 2009 8:44 AM
Page 69 of 86

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-25
7
EAU23250
Lubricating the rear suspen-
sion The pivoting points of the rear suspen-
sion must be lubricated at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU23272
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
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. WARNING! To avoid injury,
securely support the vehicle so
there is no danger of it falling
over.
[EWA10751]
2. While applying the front brake,
push down hard on the handlebars
several times to check if the front
fork compresses and rebounds
smoothly.
NOTICE
ECA10590
If any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it.
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
U5PA88E0.book Page 25 Tuesday, June 9, 2009 8:44 AM
Page 70 of 86

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-26
7
EAU23283
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. (See page 7-26 for more
information.) WARNING! To
avoid injury, securely support
the vehicle so there is no danger
of it falling over.
[EWA10751]
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.
EAU23291
Checking the wheel bearings The front and rear wheel bearings must
be checked at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. If there is play in the wheel
hub or if the wheel does not turn
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check
the wheel bearings.
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
U5PA88E0.book Page 26 Tuesday, June 9, 2009 8:44 AM
Page 71 of 86

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-27
7 a jack either under each side of the
frame in front of the rear wheel or under
each side of the swingarm.
EAU24360
Front wheel
EAU41341
To remove the front wheel
WARNING
EWA10821
To avoid injury, securely support the
vehicle so there is no danger of it
falling over.1. Loosen the axle nut.
2. Lift the front wheel off the ground
according to the procedure on
page 7-26.
3. Remove the axle nut and washer.
4. Pull the wheel axle out, and then
remove the wheel.
EAU41421
To install the front wheel
1. Lift the wheel up between the fork
legs.
2. Insert the wheel axle from the right
side.
3. Lower the front wheel so that it is
on the ground, install the remov-
able sidestand, and then rest the
motorcycle on it.
4. Install the washer and axle nut,
and then tighten the axle nut to the
specified torque.
1. Washer
2. Axle nut
1. Wheel axle
Tightening torque:
Axle nut:
70 Nm (7.0 m·kgf, 50 ft·lbf)
U5PA88E0.book Page 27 Tuesday, June 9, 2009 8:44 AM
Page 72 of 86

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-28
7
EAU25080
Rear wheel
EAU41312
To remove the rear wheel
WARNING
EWA10821
To avoid injury, securely support the
vehicle so there is no danger of it
falling over.1. Loosen the axle nut.
2. Lift the rear wheel off the ground
according to the procedure on
page 7-26.
3. Loosen the locknut and drive chain
adjusting bolt on each side of the
swingarm.
4. Remove the axle nut and washer.5. Push the wheel forward, and then
remove the drive chain from the
rear sprocket.
TIP
If the drive chain is difficult to re-
move, remove the wheel axle first,
and then lift the wheel upward
enough to remove the drive chain
from the rear sprocket.
The drive chain does not need to
be disassembled in order to re-
move and install 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 the
wheel axle out.7. 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]
EAU41325
To install the rear wheel
1. Install the drive chain onto the rear
sprocket.
1. Axle nut
2. Washer
3. Locknut
4. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
1. Wheel axle
U5PA88E0.book Page 28 Tuesday, June 9, 2009 8:44 AM