2012 YAMAHA XVS950 brake

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 *Drive belt 
Check belt condition.
 Replace if damaged.
 Check belt tension.
 Make sure that the rear wheel is
properly aligned. Every 4000 km (2500 mi)
11 *Steering bearings 
Check bearing play and steering
for roughness. √√√√√
 Lubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease. Every 20000 km (12000 mi)
12 *Chassis fasteners 
Make sure that all nuts, bolts and
screws are properly tightened. √√√√√
13 Brake lever pivot
shaft 
Lubricate with silicone grease. √√√√√
14 Brake pedal pivot
shaft 
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease. √√√√√
15 Clutch lever pivot
shaft 
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease. √√√√√
16 Shift pedal pivot
shaft 
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease. √√√√√
17 Sidestand 
Check operation.
 Lubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease. √√√√√
18 *Sidestand switch Check operation. √√√√√√
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)
U26PE3E0.book Page 5 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-6
6
19*Front fork 
Check operation and for oil leak-
age. √√√√
20 *Shock absorber as-
sembly 
Check operation and shock ab-
sorber for oil leakage. √√√√
21 *Rear suspension re-
lay arm and con-
necting arm
pivoting points 
Check operation. √√√√
 Lubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease. √√
22 Engine oil 
Change.
 Check oil level and vehicle for oil
leakage. √√√√√√
23 Engine oil filter car-
tridge

Replace. √√√
24 *Front and rear brake
switches 
Check operation. √√√√√√
25 Moving parts and
cables 
Lubricate. √√√√√
26 *Throttle grip 
Check operation.
 Check throttle grip free play, and
adjust if necessary.
 Lubricate cable and grip housing. √√√√√
27 *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)
U26PE3E0.book Page 6 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-7
6
EAU18680
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 service
 Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.
 Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinders and calipers, and change the brake
fluid.
 Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.
U26PE3E0.book Page 7 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-15
6
WARNING
EWA10471


Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besides
being illegal, operating the vehi-
cle with excessively worn tires
decreases riding stability and
can lead to loss of control.


The replacement of all wheel
and brake-related parts, includ-
ing the tires, should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
edge and experience to do so.


Ride at moderate speeds after
changing a tire since the tire
surface must first be “broken
in ” for it to develop its optimal
characteristics.
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.
EAU50270
Adjusting the clutch lever free
play The clutch lever free play should mea-
sure 5.0 –10.0 mm (0.20– 0.39 in) as
shown. Periodically check the clutch le-
ver free play and, if necessary, adjust it
as follows. 1. Slide the rubber cover back at the clutch lever.
2. Loosen the locknut.
3. To increase the clutch lever free play, turn the clutch lever free play
adjusting bolt in direction (a). To1. Rubber cover
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
3. Locknut
4. Clutch lever free play
2 1
3
4
(a)
(b)
U26PE3E0.book Page 15 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-16
6
decrease the clutch lever free play,
turn the adjusting bolt in direction
(b).
TIPIf the specified clutch lever free play
could be obtained as described above,
skip steps 4
–7.4. Fully turn the adjusting bolt in di-
rection (a) to loosen the clutch ca-
ble.
5. Slide the rubber covers apart, and then loosen the locknut.
6. 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).
7. Tighten the locknut at the clutch cable, and then slide the rubber
covers to their original positions.
8. Tighten the locknut at the clutch le- ver, and then slide the rubber cov-
er to its original position.
EAU22093
Adjusting the brake lever free
play The brake lever free play should mea-
sure 10.0 –15.0 mm (0.39 –0.59 in) as
shown. Periodically check the brake le-
ver free play and, if necessary, adjust it
as follows. 1. Loosen the locknut at the brake le- ver.
2. To increase the brake lever free play, turn the brake lever free play
adjusting screw in direction (a). To
decrease the brake lever free play,
turn the adjusting screw in direc-
tion (b).
1. Rubber cover
2. Locknut
3. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut
1
1
23 (a)
(b)
1. Locknut
2. Brake lever free play adjusting screw
3. Brake lever free play
(a)
3
1 2
(b)
U26PE3E0.book Page 16 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-17
63. Tighten the locknut.
WARNING
EWA10630


After adjusting the brake lever
free play, check the free play
and make sure that the brake is
working properly.


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 hy-
draulic system, have a Yamaha
dealer bleed the system before
operating the motorcycle. Air in
the hydraulic system will dimin-
ish the braking performance,
which may result in loss of con-
trol and an accident.
EAU22273
Brake light switches 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.
EAU22430
Front brake pads
Each front brake pad is provided with
wear indicator grooves, which allow
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator grooves. 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 groove11
U26PE3E0.book Page 17 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-18
6
indicator grooves have 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 0.8 mm (0.03 in),
have a Yamaha dealer replace the
brake pads as a set.
EAU22581
Checking the brake fluid level Before riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark.
Check the brake fluid level with the top
of the reservoir level. Replenish the
brake fluid if necessary.
Front brake
Rear brake
WARNING
EWA15990
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of braking ability. Observe
these precautions:

Insufficient brake fluid may al-
low air to enter the brake sys-
tem, reducing braking
performance.


Clean the filler cap before re-
moving. Use only DOT 4 brake
fluid from a sealed container.
1. Lining thickness
1
1. Minimum level mark
1
1. Minimum level mark
Specified brake fluid:
DOT 4
1
U26PE3E0.book Page 18 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-19
6


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 does not
enter the brake fluid reservoir
when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of
the fluid and may result in vapor
lock.
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 brakefluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause before further riding.
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.
U26PE3E0.book Page 19 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM