2011 YAMAHA VMAX battery

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Battery .......................................... 6-30
Replacing the fuses ...................... 6-33
Replacing the headlight bulb ........ 6-34
Tail/brake light .............................. 6-36
Replacing a turn signal light
bulb ........................................... 6-36
Replacing a license plate light
bulb ........................................... 6-37
Replacing the auxiliary light
bulb ........................................... 6-38
Supporting the motorcycle ............ 6-39
Troubleshooting ............................ 6-39
Troubleshooting charts ................. 6-41
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND
STORAGE.......................................... 7-1
Matte color caution ......................... 7-1
Care ................................................ 7-1
Storage ...........................................7-4
SPECIFICATIONS ............................. 8-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION............. 9-1
Identification numbers .................... 9-1
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DESCRIPTION
2-1
2
EAU10410
Left view
1
4
56
7
8
11
9
10
12
13
14
15
2316
1. Headlight (page 6-34)
2. Front fork spring preload adjusting bolt (page 3-26)
3. Front fork rebound damping force adjusting knob (page 3-26)
4. Battery (page 6-30)
5. Owner’s tool kit (page 6-2)
6. Fuel tank cap (page 3-21)
7. Shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting knob (page 3-28)
8. Luggage strap holder (page 3-30)9. Final gear oil check bolt (page 6-14)
10.Final gear oil drain bolt (page 6-14)
11.Shock absorber assembly rebound damping force adjusting knob
(page 3-28)
12.Sidestand (page 3-31)
13.Shift pedal (page 3-19)
14.Engine oil drain bolt (page 6-11)
15.Engine oil filter cartridge (page 6-11)
16.Front fork compression damping force adjusting screw (page 3-26)
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INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-3
3
EAU10683
LOCK
The steering is locked, and all electrical
systems are off. The key can be re-
moved.
To lock the steering1. Turn the handlebars all the way to
the left.
2. Push the key in from the “OFF” po-
sition, and then turn it to “LOCK”
while still pushing it.
3. Remove the key.To unlock the steering
Push the key in, and then turn it to
“OFF” while still pushing it.
EAU34341
(Parking)
The steering is locked, and the taillight,
license plate light and auxiliary light are
on. The hazard lights and turn signal
lights can be turned on, but all other
electrical systems are off. The key can
be removed.
The steering must be locked before the
key can be turned to“”.
NOTICE
ECA11020
Do not use the parking position for
an extended length of time, other-
wise the battery may discharge.
1. Push.
2. Turn.12
1. Push.
2. Turn.12
U2S3E2E0.book Page 3 Tuesday, September 21, 2010 10:43 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-30
6
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.
EAU46555
Battery The battery is located under cowling A.
(See page 6-8.)
This model is equipped with a VRLA
(Valve Regulated Lead Acid) battery.
There is no need to check the electro-
lyte or to add distilled water. However,
the battery lead connections need to be
checked and, if necessary, tightened.
WARNING
EWA10760


Electrolyte is poisonous and
dangerous since it contains sul-
furic acid, which causes severe
burns. Avoid any contact with
skin, eyes or clothing and al-
ways shield your eyes when
working near batteries. In case
of contact, administer the fol-
lowing FIRST AID.
EXTERNAL: Flush with plenty
of water.
INTERNAL: Drink large quan-
tities of water or milk and im-
mediately call a physician.
EYES: Flush with water for 15
minutes and seek prompt
medical attention.


Batteries produce explosive hy-
drogen gas. Therefore, keep
sparks, flames, cigarettes, etc.,
away from the battery and pro-
vide sufficient ventilation when
charging it in an enclosed
space.


KEEP THIS AND ALL BATTER-
IES OUT OF THE REACH OF
CHILDREN.
To remove the battery
1. Remove cowling A. (See page
6-8.)
2. Disconnect the negative battery
lead first, then the positive battery
lead by removing their bolt.
NOTICE: When removing the
battery, be sure the key is
turned to “OFF”, then discon-
nect the negative lead before
disconnecting the positive lead.
[ECA16302]
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-31
6 3. Remove the battery cover bolts, lift
the battery cover (together with the
ECU), then move the cover to the
side.4. Remove the main fuse (together
with the holding band) from its
holder.
5. Disconnect coupler A.
6. Remove the rubber damper.7. Unfold the heat insulator as
shown.
8. Pull the battery out of its compart-
ment.
To charge the battery
Have a Yamaha dealer charge the bat-
tery as soon as possible if it seems to
have discharged. Keep in mind that the
battery tends to discharge more quickly
if the vehicle is equipped with optional
electrical accessories.
1. Negative battery lead (black)
2. Positive battery lead (red)
1. Battery cover bolt
2. Battery cover2
1
1
2
1. Main fuse
2. Holding band
3. Coupler A
1. Rubber damper2
1
3
1
1. Heat insulator
2. Battery1
2
U2S3E2E0.book Page 31 Tuesday, September 21, 2010 10:43 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-32
6
NOTICE
ECA16521
To charge a VRLA (Valve Regulated
Lead Acid) battery, a special (con-
stant-voltage) battery charger is re-
quired. Using a conventional battery
charger will damage the battery.To store the battery
1. If the vehicle will not be used for
more than one month, remove the
battery, fully charge it, and then
place it in a cool, dry place.
NOTICE: When removing the
battery, be sure the key is
turned to “OFF”, then discon-
nect the negative lead before
disconnecting the positive lead.
[ECA16302]
2. If the battery will be stored for more
than two months, check it at least
once a month and fully charge it if
necessary.
To install the batteryTIPBe sure the battery is fully charged.
1. Place the battery in its compart-
ment.
2. Fold the heat insulator back to its
original position. NOTICE: Make
sure that the heat insulator is in
its original position and it is
properly folded.
[ECA16550]
3. Install the rubber damper.
4. Connect coupler A.
5. Install the main fuse (together with
the holding band) on its holder.
6. Place the battery cover (together
with the ECU) in the original posi-
tion, and then install the bolts.
7. Connect the positive battery lead
first, then connect the negative
battery lead by installing their bolt.
NOTICE: When installing thebattery, be sure the key is
turned to “OFF”, then connect
the positive lead before con-
necting the negative lead.
[ECA16840]
8. Install the cowling.NOTICE
ECA16530
Always keep the battery charged.
Storing a discharged battery can
cause permanent battery damage.
1. Heat insulator1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-41
6
EAU46791
Troubleshooting charts Starting problems or poor engine performance
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 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 have a Yamaha dealer charge
the battery if necessary.
DryWet
Operate the electric starter.
U2S3E2E0.book Page 41 Tuesday, September 21, 2010 10:43 AM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-4
7
EAU26243
Storage Short-term
Always store your motorcycle in a cool,
dry place and, if necessary, protect it
against dust with a porous cover. Be
sure the engine and the exhaust sys-
tem are cool before covering the motor-
cycle.NOTICE
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.)
WARNING! To prevent dam-
age or injury from sparking,
make sure to ground the
spark plug electrodes while
turning the engine over.
[EWA10951]
e. Remove the spark plug caps
from the spark plugs, and then
install the spark plugs and the
spark plug caps.
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 outlets with plas-
tic bags to prevent moisture from
entering them.
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
6-30.
U2S3E2E0.book Page 4 Tuesday, September 21, 2010 10:43 AM