2011 YAMAHA XJ6-S maintenance
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-22
6 Tire information
This motorcycle is equipped with cast
wheels and tubeless tires with valves.
WARNING
EWA10481
The front and rear tires should
be of the same make and de-
sign, otherwise the handling
characteristics of the motorcy-
cle may be different, which
could lead to an accident.
Always make sure that the valve
caps are securely installed to
prevent air pressure leakage.
Use only the tire valves and
valve cores listed below to
avoid tire deflation during a
high-speed ride.
After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below have been approved for this
model by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
WARNING
EWA10600
This motorcycle is fitted with super-
high-speed tires. Note the following
points in order to make the most ef-
ficient use of these tires.
Use only the specified replace-
ment tires. Other tires may run
the danger of bursting at super
high speeds.
Brand-new tires can have a rela-
tively poor grip on certain road
surfaces until they have been
“broken in”. Therefore, it is ad-
visable before doing any high-
speed riding to ride conserva-
tively for approximately 100 km
(60 mi) after installing a new tire.
The tires must be warmed up
before a high-speed run.
Always adjust the tire air pres-
sure according to the operating
conditions.
1. Tire air valve
2. Tire air valve core
3. Tire air valve cap with seal
Front tire:
Size:
120/70 ZR17M/C (58W)
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/BT021
DUNLOP/ROADSMART
Rear tire:
Size:
160/60 ZR17M/C (69W)
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/BT021
DUNLOP/ROADSMART
FRONT and REAR:
Tire air valve:
TR412
Va l ve c o r e :
#9100 (original)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-23
6
EAU21962
Cast wheels To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your vehicle,
note the following points regarding the
specified wheels.
The wheel rims should be checked
for cracks, bends, warpage or oth-
er damage before each ride. If any
damage is found, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the wheel. Do not
attempt even the smallest repair to
the wheel. A deformed or cracked
wheel must be replaced.
The wheel should be balanced
whenever either the tire or wheel
has been changed or replaced. An
unbalanced wheel can result in
poor performance, adverse han-
dling characteristics, and a short-
ened tire life.
EAU47590
Adjusting the clutch lever free
play The clutch lever free play should mea-
sure 10.0–15.0 mm (0.39–0.59 in) as
shown. Periodically check the clutch le-
ver free play and, if necessary, adjust it
as follows.
To increase the clutch lever free play,
turn the clutch lever free play adjusting
bolt at the clutch lever in direction (a).
To decrease the clutch lever free play,
turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b).
TIPIf the specified clutch lever free play
cannot be obtained as described
above, proceed as follows.1. Fully turn the adjusting bolt at the
clutch lever in direction (a) to loos-
en the clutch cable.
2. Remove cowling B. (See page
6-8.)
3. Loosen the locknut further down
the clutch cable.
4. To increase the clutch lever free
play, turn the clutch lever free play
adjusting nut in direction (a). To
decrease the clutch lever free play,
turn the adjusting nut in direction
(b).
1. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
2. Clutch lever free play
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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
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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
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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
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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
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-28
6 5. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU50530
To adjust the drive chain slack
1. Take the motorcycle off the center-
stand, and then put the sidestand
down.
2. Loosen the locknut at each end of
the swingarm, and then loosen the
axle nut.
3. Place the motorcycle on the cen-
terstand.
4. 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 for
proper wheel alignment.
5. Take the motorcycle off the center-
stand, and then put the sidestand
down.
6. Tighten the axle nut, and then
tighten the locknuts to the speci-
fied torques.
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)
1. Alignment plate
2. Notch
Tightening torques:
Axle nut:
90 Nm (9.0 m·kgf, 65 ft·lbf)
Locknut:
16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
12
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6
EAU23025
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
ECA10583
The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle, riding
in the rain or riding in wet areas.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]EAU23094
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]Recommended lubricant:
Yamaha Chain and Cable Lube or 4-
stroke engine oil
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