2012 YAMAHA VMAX clutch

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
NOTICE
ECA10260
●
Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, do not
coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not
tow the motorcycle for long dis-
tances. The transmission is
properly lubricated only when
the engine is running. Inade-
quate lubrication may damage
the transmission.
●
Always use the clutch while
changing gears to avoid damag-
ing the engine, transmission,
and drive train, which are not
designed to withstand the
shock of forced shifting.
EAU16810
Tips for reducing fuel con-
sumption Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:●
Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.
●
Do not rev the engine while shifting
down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the engine.
●
Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length of
time (e.g., in traffic jams, at traffic
lights or at railroad crossings).
EAU16841
Engine break-in There is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between 0 and 1600 km (1000 mi). For
this reason, you should read the follow-
ing material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not
put an excessive load on it for the first
1600 km (1000 mi). The various parts in
the engine wear and polish themselves
to the correct operating clearances.
During this period, prolonged full-throt-
tle operation or any condition that might
result in engine overheating must be
avoided.
EAU17123
0–1000 km (0–600 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 4800
r/min. NOTICE: After 1000 km (600
mi) of operation, the engine oil and
final gear oil must be changed, and
the oil filter cartridge or element re-
placed.
[ECA10332]
U2S3E3E0.book Page 3 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-4
6
EAU1770C
General maintenance and lubrication chart NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOB ODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK
1000 km
(600 mi) 10000 km
(6000 mi) 20000 km
(12000 mi) 30000 km
(18000 mi) 40000 km
(24000 mi)
1 *Air filter element Replace. √
2 *Clutch Check operation, fluid level and
vehicle for fluid leakage. √√√√√
3 *Front brake Check operation, fluid level and
vehicle for fluid leakage. √√√√√√
Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
4 *Rear brake Check operation, fluid level and
vehicle for fluid leakage. √√√√√√
Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
5 *Brake hoses Check for cracks or damage.
Check for correct routing and
clamping. √√√√√
Replace. Every 4 years
6 *Wheels Check runout and for damage. √√√√
7 *Tires Check tread depth and for dam-
age.
Replace if necessary.
Check air pressure.
Correct if necessary. √√√√√
8 *Wheel bearings Check bearing for looseness or
damage. √√√√
U2S3E3E0.book Page 4 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-5
6
9*Swingarm Check operation and for exces-
sive play. √√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. Every 50000 km (30000 mi)
10 *Steering bearings Check bearing play and steering
for roughness. √√√√√
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. Every 50000 km (30000 mi)
11 *Chassis fasteners Make sure that all nuts, bolts and
screws are properly tightened. √√√√√
12 Brake lever pivot
shaft Lubricate with silicone grease.
√√√√√
13 Brake pedal pivot
shaft Lubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease. √√√√√
14 Clutch lever pivot
shaft
Lubricate with silicone grease.
√√√√√
15 Shift pedal pivot
shaft Lubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease. √√√√√
16 Sidestand Check operation.
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease. √√√√√
17 *Sidestand switch Check operation. √√√√√√
18 *Front fork Check operation and for oil leak-
age. √√√√
19 *Shock absorber as-
sembly Check operation and shock ab-
sorber for oil leakage. √√√√
NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOB
ODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK
1000 km
(600 mi) 10000 km
(6000 mi) 20000 km
(12000 mi) 30000 km
(18000 mi) 40000 km
(24000 mi)
U2S3E3E0.book Page 5 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-7
6
EAU36771
TIP●
Air filter This model’s air filter is equipped with a disposable oil-coated paper element, which must not be cleaned with com- pressed air to avoid damaging it.
The air filter element needs to be replaced more frequently when riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.
●
Hydraulic brake and clutch service Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid and clutch fluid levels.
Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinders and calipers as well as clutch master and release cylinders, and change the brake and clutch fluids.
Replace the brake and clutch hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.
29 *Lights, signals and
switches Check operation.
Adjust headlight beam.
√√√√√√
NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOB
ODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK
1000 km
(600 mi) 10000 km
(6000 mi) 20000 km
(12000 mi) 30000 km
(18000 mi) 40000 km
(24000 mi)U2S3E3E0.book Page 7 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-13
68. Install the engine oil drain bolt and
its new gasket, and then tighten
the bolt to the specified torque.
9. Refill with the specified amount of the recommended engine oil, and
then install and tighten the oil filler
cap.
TIPBe sure to wipe off spilled oil on any
parts after the engine and exhaust sys-
tem have cooled down.NOTICE
ECA11620
●
In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the engine oil also
lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do
not use oils with a diesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a high-
er quality than specified. In
addition, do not use oils labeled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
higher.
●
Make sure that no foreign mate-
rial enters the crankcase.
10. Start the engine, and then let it idle for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking, im-
mediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.TIPAfter the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if the
oil level is sufficient.NOTICE
ECA10401
If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on even if the oil level is
correct, immediately turn the engine
off and have a Yamaha dealer check
the vehicle.11. Turn the engine off, wait a few min-utes until the oil settles, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
1. Torque wrenchTightening torque:Oil filter cartridge:17 Nm (1.7 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
Tightening torque: Engine oil drain bolt:
43 Nm (4.3 m·kgf, 31 ft·lbf)
1
Recommended engine oil:See page 8-1.
Oil quantity: Without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment:4.30 L (4.55 US qt, 3.78 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement:
4.70 L (4.97 US qt, 4.14 Imp.qt)
U2S3E3E0.book Page 13 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM

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.
EAU42850
Clutch lever Since this model is equipped with a hy-
draulic clutch, adjusting the clutch lever
free play is not needed. However, it is
necessary to check the hydraulic sys-
tem for leakage before each ride. If the
clutch lever free play does become ex-
cessive, and shifting becomes rough or
clutch slippage occurs, causing poor
acceleration, there may be air in the
clutch system. If there is air in the hy-
draulic system, have a Yamaha dealer
bleed the system before operating the
motorcycle.
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 the1. No brake lever free play
1
U2S3E3E0.book Page 23 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-26
6
●
Clean the filler cap before re-
moving. Use only DOT 4 brake
fluid from a sealed container.
●
Use only the specified brake flu-
id; otherwise, the rubber seals
may deteriorate, causing leak-
age.
●
Refill with the same type of
brake fluid. Adding a brake fluid
other than DOT 4 may result in a
harmful chemical reaction.
●
Be careful that water or dust
does not enter the brake fluid
reservoir when refilling. Water
will significantly lower the boil-
ing point of the fluid and may re-
sult in vapor lock, and dirt may
clog the ABS hydraulic unit
valves.
NOTICE
ECA17640
Brake fluid may damage painted sur-
faces or plastic parts. Always clean
up spilled fluid immediately.As the brake pads wear, it is normal for
the brake fluid level to gradually go
down. A low brake fluid level may indi-
cate worn brake pads and/or brake sys-tem leakage; therefore, be sure to
check the brake pads for wear and the
brake system for leakage. If the brake
fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause before
further riding.
EAU22751
Changing the brake and
clutch fluids Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake and clutch fluids at the intervals
specified in the TIP after the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart. In
addition, have the oil seals of the brake
and clutch master cylinders and cali-
pers as well as the brake and clutch
hoses replaced at the intervals listed
below or whenever they are damaged
or leaking.●
Oil seals: Replace every two
years.
●
Brake and clutch hoses: Replace
every four years.
U2S3E3E0.book Page 26 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-28
6
EAU43601
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers The operation of the brake and clutch
levers should be checked before each
ride, and the lever pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Brake lever
Clutch lever
Recommended lubricant:Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:Silicone grease
U2S3E3E0.book Page 28 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM