2011 YAMAHA XJ6-S brake

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-24
6 5. Tighten the locknut.
6. Install the cowling.
EAU37913
Checking the brake lever free
play There should be no free play at the
brake lever end. If there is free play,
have a Yamaha dealer inspect the
brake system.
WARNING
EWA14211
A soft or spongy feeling in the brake
lever can indicate the presence of air
in the hydraulic system. If there is air
in the hydraulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer bleed the system be-
fore operating the vehicle. Air in the
hydraulic system will diminish thebraking performance, which may re-
sult in loss of control and an acci-
dent.
1. Locknut (clutch cable)
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut (clutch
cable)
1
2
(a)
(b)
1. No brake lever free play
1
U36CE2E0.book Page 24 Friday, July 16, 2010 10:34 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-25
6
EAU50750
Brake light switches (for ABS
models) The brake light, which is activated by
the brake pedal and brake lever, should
come on just before braking takes ef-
fect. If necessary, have a Yamaha deal-
er adjust the brake light switches.
EAU50760
Brake light switches (for non-
ABS models) The brake light, which is activated by
the brake pedal and brake lever, should
come on just before braking takes ef-
fect. If necessary, adjust the rear brake
light switch as follows, but the front
brake light switch should be adjusted
by a Yamaha dealer.
Turn the rear brake light switch adjust-
ing nut while holding the rear brake light
switch in place. To make the brake light
come on earlier, turn the adjusting nut
in direction (a). To make the brake light
come on later, turn the adjusting nut in
direction (b).
EAU22392
Checking the front and rear
brake pads The front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
EAU22420
Front brake pads
Each front brake pad is provided with a
wear indicator groove, which allows
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator groove. If a brake
pad has worn to the point that the wear
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2(a)
(b)
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1 1
U36CE2E0.book Page 25 Friday, July 16, 2010 10:34 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-26
6 indicator groove has almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.
EAU22500
Rear brake pads
Check each rear brake pad for damage
and measure the lining thickness. If a
brake pad is damaged or if the lining
thickness is less than 1.5 mm (0.06 in),
have a Yamaha dealer replace the
brake pads as a set.
EAU39371
Checking the brake fluid level Front brake
Rear brake
Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to
enter the brake system, possibly caus-
ing it to become ineffective.Before 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 located
behind panel A. (See page 6-8.)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.
1. Lining thickness
1 1
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
1
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
U36CE2E0.book Page 26 Friday, July 16, 2010 10:34 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-27
6


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.
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.1. Drive chain slack
1
U36CE2E0.book Page 27 Friday, July 16, 2010 10:34 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-30
6
EAU49920
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 by a
Yamaha dealer at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance chart.
EAU44272
Checking and lubricating the
brake and shift pedals Brake pedal
Shift pedal
The operation of the brake and shift
pedals should be checked before each
ride, and the pedal pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
U36CE2E0.book Page 30 Friday, July 16, 2010 10:34 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-31
6
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.
EAU23213
Checking and lubricating the
centerstand and sidestand The operation of the centerstand and
sidestand should be checked before
each ride, and the pivots and metal-to-
metal contact surfaces should be lubri-
cated if necessary.
WARNING
EWA10741
If the centerstand or sidestand does
not move up and down smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it. Otherwise, the centerstand or
sidestand could contact the ground
and distract the operator, resulting
in a possible loss of control.
Recommended lubricants:
Brake lever:
Silicone grease
Clutch lever:
Lithium-soap-based grease
U36CE2E0.book Page 31 Friday, July 16, 2010 10:34 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-32
6
EAUM1651
Lubricating the swingarm piv-
ots The swingarm pivots must be lubricat-
ed by a Yamaha dealer 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.
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
U36CE2E0.book Page 32 Friday, July 16, 2010 10:34 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-38
6 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.
EAU47021
Replacing the tail/brake light
bulb 1. Remove the seat. (See page
3-18.)
2. Remove the tail/brake light bulb
socket (together with the bulb) by
turning it counterclockwise.
3. Remove the burnt-out bulb by pull-
ing it out.4. Insert a new bulb into the socket.
5. Install the socket (together with the
bulb) by turning it clockwise.
6. Install the seat.
1. Headlight bulb
2. Headlight bulb holder
1
2
1. Tail/brake light bulb socket
1
1. Tail/brake light bulb
2. Tail/brake light bulb socket
2
1
U36CE2E0.book Page 38 Friday, July 16, 2010 10:34 AM