2012 YAMAHA WR 450F Owners Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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5. Turn the drive chain slack adjust-
ing bolts fully in direction (a).
6. Push the wheel forward, and then remove the drive chain from the
rear sprocket.
TIPThe drive chain does not need to be
disassembled in order to remove andinstall the rear wheel.
7. While supporting the brake caliper, pull the wheel axle out.
8. Remove the drive chain pullers, spacers and 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]

EAU45193
To install the rear wheel 1. Install the spacers into both sides of the wheel hub. NOTICE: When
installing the spacers, be sure
to install them on the correct
side.
[ECA17700]

2. Install the wheel, drive chain pull- ers and the brake caliper bracket
by inserting the wheel axle from
the left-hand side.
TIP
Make sure that the retainer on the
brake caliper bracket is inserted into the slot in the swingarm.

Make sure that there is enough
space between the brake pads be-fore installing the wheel.
3. Install the drive chain onto the rear sprocket.
4. Install the washer and the axle nut.
5. Lower the rear wheel so that it is on the ground, and then put the
sidestand down.
6. Adjust the drive chain slack. (See page 6-24.)
7. Tighten the axle nut, and then the locknuts to their specified torques.
1. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
2. Locknut
3. Brake caliper
1 2
3
(a)
1. Brake caliper bracket
2. Retainer
3. Slot
1
2
3
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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EAU25871
Troubleshooting Although Yamaha motorcycles receive
a thorough inspection before shipment
from the factory, trouble may occur dur-
ing operation. Any problem in the fuel,
compression, or ignition systems, for
example, can cause poor starting and
loss of power.
The following troubleshooting charts
represent quick and easy procedures
for checking these vital systems your-
self. However, should your motorcycle
require any repair, take it to a Yamaha
dealer, whose skilled technicians have
the necessary tools, experience, and
know-how to service the motorcycle
properly.
Use only genuine Yamaha replace-
ment parts. Imitation parts may look like
Yamaha parts, but they are often inferi-
or, have a shorter service life and can
lead to expensive repair bills.
WARNING
EWA15141
When checking the fuel system, do
not smoke, and make sure there are
no open flames or sparks in the ar-
ea, including pilot lights from waterheaters or furnaces. Gasoline or
gasoline vapors can ignite or ex-
plode, causing severe injury or
property damage.
Tightening torques:
Axle nut:125 Nm (12.5 m·kgf, 90 ft·lbf)
Locknut:
19 Nm (1.9 m·kgf, 13 ft·lbf)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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EAU53121
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
or the kickstarter.2. Compression
There is compression.
There is no compression.
Check the ignition. Have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
Remove the spark plug
and check the electrodes.3. Ignition
Wipe off with a dry cloth and correct the
spark plug gap, or replace the spark plug.
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.
DryWet
Operate the electric starter or the
kickstarter.
Check the battery lead connections,
and have a Yamaha dealer charge
the battery if necessary.
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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9Engine overheating
WARNING
EWAT1040

Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine and radiator are hot. Scalding hot fluid and steam may be
blown out under pressure, which could cause serious injury. Be sure to wait until the engine has cooled.

Place a thick rag, like a towel, over the radiator cap, and then slowly rotate the cap counterclockwise to the de-
tent to allow any residual pressure to escape. When the hissing sound has stopped, press down on the capwhile turning it counterclockwise, and then remove the cap.
TIPIf coolant is not available, tap water can be temporarily us
ed instead, provided that it is changed to the recommended coolantas soon as possible.
Wait until the
engine has cooled.
Check the coolant level in the
reservoir and radiator.
The coolant level
is OK.The coolant level is low.
Check the cooling system
for leakage.
Have a Yamaha dealer checkand repair the cooling system.Add coolant. (See TIP.)
Start the engine. If the engine overheats again,
have a
Yamaha dealer check
and repair the cooling system.
There is
leakage.
There is
no leakage.
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9
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
EAU37833
Matte color caution NOTICE
ECA15192
Some models are equipped with
matte colored finished parts. Be
sure to consult a Yamaha dealer for
advice on what products to use be-
fore cleaning the vehicle. Using a
brush, harsh chemical products or
cleaning compounds when cleaning
these parts will scratch or damage
their surface. Wax also should not
be applied to any matte colored fin-ished parts.
EAU26004
Care While the open design of a motorcycle
reveals the attractiveness of the tech-
nology, it also makes it more vulnera-
ble. Rust and corrosion can develop
even if high-quality components are
used. A rusty exhaust pipe may go un-
noticed on a car, however, it detracts
from the overall appearance of a motor-
cycle. Frequent and proper care does
not only comply with the terms of the
warranty, but it will also keep your mo-
torcycle looking good, extend its life
and optimize its performance.
Before cleaning1. Cover the muffler outlet with a plastic bag after the engine has
cooled down.
2. Make sure that all caps and covers as well as all el ectrical couplers
and connectors, including the
spark plug cap, are tightly in-
stalled.
3. Remove extremely stubborn dirt, like oil burnt onto the crankcase,
with a degreasing agent and a
brush, but never apply such prod- ucts onto seals, gaskets, sprock-
ets, the drive chain and wheel
axles. Always rinse the dirt and de-
greaser off with water.
Cleaning
NOTICE
ECA10772

Avoid using strong acidic wheel
cleaners, especially on spoked
wheels. If such products are
used on hard-to-remove dirt, do
not leave the cleaner on the af-
fected area any longer than in-
structed. Also, thoroughly rinse
the area off with water, immedi-
ately dry it, and then apply a cor-
rosion protection spray.

Improper cleaning can damage
plastic parts (such as cowlings,
panels, windshields, headlight
lenses, meter lenses, etc.) and
the mufflers. Use only a soft,
clean cloth or sponge with wa-
ter to clean plastic. However, if
the plastic parts cannot be thor-
oughly cleaned with water, di-
luted mild detergent with water
may be used. Be sure to rinse
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MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
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9off any detergent residue using
plenty of water, as it is harmful
to plastic parts.

Do not use any harsh chemical
products on plastic parts. Be
sure to avoid using cloths or
sponges which have been in
contact with strong or abrasive
cleaning products, solvent or
thinner, fuel (gasoline), rust re-
movers or inhibitors, brake flu-
id, antifreeze or electrolyte.

Do not use high-pressure wash-
ers or steam-jet cleaners since
they cause water seepage and
deterioration in the following ar-
eas: seals (of wheel and swing-
arm bearings, fork and brakes),
electric components (couplers,
connectors, instruments,
switches and lights), breather
hoses and vents.

For motorcycles equipped with
a windshield: Do not use strong
cleaners or hard sponges as
they will cause dulling or
scratching. Some cleaning com-
pounds for plastic may leave
scratches on the windshield. Test the product on a small hid-
den part of the windshield to
make sure that it does not leave
any marks. If the windshield is
scratched, use a quality plastic
polishing compound after
washing.
After normal use
Remove dirt with warm water, a mild
detergent, and a soft, clean sponge,
and then rinse thoroughly with clean
water. Use a toothbrush or bottlebrush
for hard-to-reach areas. Stubborn dirt
and insects will come off more easily if
the area is covered with a wet cloth for
a few minutes before cleaning.
After riding in the rain, near the sea oron salt-sprayed roadsSince sea salt or salt sprayed on roads
during winter are extremely corrosive in
combination with water, carry out the
following steps after each ride in the
rain, near the sea or on salt-sprayed
roads.TIPSalt sprayed on roads in the winter may
remain well into spring. 1. Clean the motorcycle with cold wa- ter and a mild detergent, after the
engine has cooled down.
NOTICE: Do not use warm water
since it increases the corrosive
action of the salt.
[ECA10791]

2. Apply a corrosion protection spray on all metal, including chrome- and
nickel-plated, surfaces to prevent
corrosion.
After cleaning 1. Dry the motorcycle with a chamois or an absorbing cloth.
2. Immediately dry the drive chain and lubricate it to prevent it from
rusting.
3. Use a chrome polish to shine chrome, aluminum and stain-
less-steel parts, including the ex-
haust system. (Even the thermally
induced discoloring of stain-
less-steel exhaust systems can be
removed through polishing.)
4. To prevent corrosion, it is recom- mended to apply a corrosion pro-
tection spray on all metal,
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MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
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including chrome- and nickel-plat-
ed, surfaces.
5. Use spray oil as a universal clean- er to remove any remaining dirt.
6. Touch up minor paint damage caused by stones, etc.
7. Wax all painted surfaces.
8. Let the motorcycle dry completely before storing or covering it.
WARNING
EWA11131
Contaminants on the brakes or tires
can cause loss of control.
Make sure that there is no oil or
wax on the brakes or tires.

If necessary, clean the brake
discs and brake linings with a
regular brake disc cleaner or ac-
etone, and wash the tires with
warm water and a mild deter-
gent. Before riding at higher
speeds, test the motorcycle’s
braking performance and cor-nering behavior.
NOTICE
ECA10800

Apply spray oil and wax spar-
ingly and make sure to wipe off any excess.

Never apply oil or wax to any
rubber and plastic parts, but
treat them with a suitable care
product.

Avoid using abrasive polishing
compounds as they will wearaway the paint.
TIP
Consult a Yamaha dealer for ad-
vice on what products to use.

Washing, rainy weather or humid
climates can cause the headlight
lens to fog. Turning the headlight
on for a short period of time will
help remove the moisture from thelens.
EAU43202
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
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MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
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9stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.
3. Perform the following steps to pro- tect the cylinder, piston rings, etc.
from corrosion.
a. Remove the spark plug cap and spark plug.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil into the spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug cap onto the spark plug, and then place
the spark plug 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 wall with oil.)
e. Remove the spark plug cap from the spark plug, and then
install the spark plug and the
spark plug cap. WARNING! To
prevent damage or injury
from sparking, make sure to
ground the spark plug elec-
trodes while turning the en-
gine over.
[EWA10951]

4. Lubricate all control cables and the pivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the sidestand/
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 outlet with a plastic bag to prevent moisture
from entering it.
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.
TIPMake any necessary repairs beforestoring the motorcycle.
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