2012 YAMAHA XVS950 check oil

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

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-21
6
EAU23095
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] 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: Yamaha Chain and Cable Lube or
engine oil
U26PE3E0.book Page 21 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-24
6
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 operation1. 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.
NOTICE
ECA10590
If any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it.
EAU23283
Checking the steering Worn or loose steering bearings may
cause danger. Therefore, the operation
of the steering must be checked as fol-
lows at the intervals specified in the pe-
riodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.1. Place a stand under the engine to raise the front wheel off the
ground. (See page 6-32 for more
information.) WARNING! To
avoid injury, securely support
the vehicle so there is no danger
of it falling over.
[EWA10751]
2. Hold the lower ends of the front fork legs and try to move them for-
ward and backward. If any free
play can be felt, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair the steering.
U26PE3E0.book Page 24 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-4
7
2. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.
3. Perform the following steps to pro- tect the cylinders, piston rings, etc.
from corrosion.a. Remove the spark plug caps and spark plugs.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil into each spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug caps onto the spark plugs, and then place
the spark plugs 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 walls with oil.)
WARNING! To prevent dam- age or injury from sparking,
make sure to ground the
spark plug electrodes while
turning the engine over.
[EWA10951]
e. Remove the spark plug caps from the spark plugs, and then
install the spark plugs and the
spark plug caps.
4. Lubricate all control cables and the pivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the side-
stand/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
6-25.
TIPMake any necessary repairs before
storing the motorcycle.
U26PE3E0.book Page 4 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

INDEXAAir filter element, replacing ................... 6-12
Auxiliary light bulb, replacing ................ 6-31BBattery................................................... 6-25
Brake and clutch levers, checking and lubricating ........................................... 6-22
Brake and shift pedals, checking and lubricating ........................................... 6-21
Brake fluid, changing ............................ 6-19
Brake fluid level, checking .................... 6-18
Brake lever ............................................ 3-11
Brake lever free play, adjusting............. 6-16
Brake light switches .............................. 6-17
Brake pedal ........................................... 3-11CCables, checking and lubricating .......... 6-21
Care ........................................................ 7-1
Catalytic converter ................................ 3-14
Clutch lever ........................................... 3-10
Clutch lever free play, adjusting ............ 6-15DDimmer switch ........................................ 3-9
Drive belt slack...................................... 6-20EEngine break-in ....................................... 5-3
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge .............. 6-9
Engine stop switch .................................. 3-9
Engine trouble warning light.................... 3-5FFront and rear brake pads, checking .... 6-17
Front fork, checking .............................. 6-24
Fuel ....................................................... 3-12
Fuel consumption, tips for reducing ........ 5-3 Fuel level warning light ........................... 3-4
Fuel tank breather/overflow hose ......... 3-13
Fuel tank cap ........................................ 3-11
Fuses, replacing ................................... 6-26
HHandlebar switches ................................ 3-8
Hazard switch ......................................... 3-9
Headlight bulb, replacing ...................... 6-28
Helmet holder ....................................... 3-15
High beam indicator light ........................ 3-4
Horn switch ............................................. 3-9IIdentification numbers ............................ 9-1
Ignition circuit cut-off system ................ 3-18
Immobilizer system ................................. 3-1
Immobilizer system indicator light........... 3-5
Indicator lights and warning lights .......... 3-4LLicense plate light bulb, replacing ........ 6-30MMain switch/steering lock........................ 3-2
Maintenance and lubrication, periodic .... 6-4
Maintenance, emission control system... 6-3
Matte color, caution ................................ 7-1
Model label ............................................. 9-1
Multi-function meter unit ......................... 3-5NNeutral indicator light .............................. 3-4OOil level warning light.............................. 3-4PPanel, removing and installing................ 6-8
Parking ................................................... 5-4
Part locations .......................................... 2-1Pass switch ............................................. 3-9
RRear suspension, lubricating ................. 6-23
RESET switch ....................................... 3-10
Rider seat .............................................. 3-14SSafety information ................................... 1-1
SELECT switch ....................................... 3-9
Shifting .................................................... 5-2
Shift pedal ............................................. 3-10
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting .... 3-16
Sidestand .............................................. 3-17
Sidestand, checking and lubricating...... 6-23
Spark plugs, checking ............................. 6-8
Specifications .......................................... 8-1
Starting the engine .................................. 5-1
Start switch.............................................. 3-9
Steering, checking................................. 6-24
Storage.................................................... 7-3
Supporting the motorcycle .................... 6-32
Swingarm pivots, lubricating ................. 6-23TTail/brake light bulb, replacing .............. 6-29
Throttle grip and cable, checking and
lubricating ........................................... 6-21
Throttle grip free play, checking ............ 6-13
Tires ...................................................... 6-13
Tool kit..................................................... 6-2
Troubleshooting .................................... 6-33
Troubleshooting chart ........................... 6-34
Turn signal indicator light ........................ 3-4
Turn signal light bulb, replacing ............ 6-30
Turn signal switch ................................... 3-9
U26PE3E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM