2012 YAMAHA XVS950 maintenance

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
6-8
6
EAU18751
Removing and installing the
panel The panel shown needs to be removed
to perform some of the maintenance
jobs described in this chapter. Refer to
this section each time the panel needs
to be removed and installed.
EAU19151
Panel A
To remove the panelRemove the bolt, and then pull the pan-
el off as shown.To install the panel
Place the panel in the original position,
and then install the bolt.
EAU19642
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which should be checked
periodically, preferably by a Yamaha
dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode,
they should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plugs can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the cen-
ter electrode of each spark plug should
be a medium-to-light tan (the ideal color
when the vehicle is ridden normally),
and all spark plugs installed in the en-
gine should have the same color. If any
spark plug shows a distinctly different
color, the engine could be operating im-
properly. Do not attempt to diagnose
such problems yourself. Instead, have
a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
If a spark plug shows signs of electrode
erosion and excessive carbon or other
deposits, it should be replaced.
1. Panel A
1
1. Bolt
1
Specified spark plug:
NGK/CPR7EA-9
U26PE3E0.book Page 8 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-9
6Before installing a spark plug, the spark
plug gap should be measured with a
wire thickness gauge and, if necessary,
adjusted to specification.
Clean the surface of the spark plug
gasket and its mating surface, and then
wipe off any grime from the spark plug
threads.
TIPIf a torque wrench is not available when
installing a spark plug, a good estimate
of the correct torque is 1/4
–1/2 turn
past finger tight. However, the spark
plug should be tightened to the speci-
fied torque as soon as possible.
EAU47112
Engine oil and oil filter car-
tridge The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter car-
tridge replaced at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
To check the engine oil level 1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. A slight tilt to the side can
result in a false reading.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set- tles.
4. Remove the engine oil filler cap, wipe the engine oil dipstick clean,
insert it back into the oil filler hole
(without screwing it in), and then
remove it again to check the oil lev-
el.
1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap:0.8 –0.9 mm (0.031 –0.035 in)
Tightening torque: Spark plug:13 Nm (1.3 m ·kgf, 9.4 ft· lbf)
U26PE3E0.book Page 9 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-10
6
TIPThe engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
5. If the engine oil is at or below theminimum level mark, add sufficient
oil of the recommended type to
raise it to the correct level.
6. Insert the dipstick into the oil filler hole, and then tighten the oil filler
cap.
To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment) 1. Start the engine, warm it up for several minutes, and then turn it
off.
2. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect the used oil.
3. Remove the engine oil filler cap, the engine oil drain bolt and its
gasket to drain the oil from the
crankcase.
TIPSkip steps 4 –6 if the oil filter cartridge is
not being replaced.4. Remove the oil filter cartridge with an oil filter wrench.
1. Engine oil filler cap
1. Engine oil dipstick
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1
1
3
2
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. Gasket
1. Oil filter wrench
2. Oil filter cartridge
1
2
1
2
U26PE3E0.book Page 10 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-11
6
TIPAn oil filter wrench is available at a
Yamaha dealer.5. Apply a thin coat of clean engine oil to the O-ring of the new oil filter
cartridge.TIPMake sure that the O-ring is properly
seated.6. Install the new oil filter cartridgewith an oil filter wrench, and then
tighten it to the specified torque
with a torque wrench. 7. Install the engine oil drain bolt and
its new gasket, and then tighten
the bolt to the specified torque.
8. 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.
1. O-ring
1. Torque wrench
2. Oil filter cartridgeTightening 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
2
Recommended engine oil: See page 8-1.
Oil quantity: Without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment:3.70 L (3.91 US qt, 3.26 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement:
4.00 L (4.23 US qt, 3.52 Imp.qt)
U26PE3E0.book Page 11 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-12
6
9. 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.10. Turn the engine off, wait a few min- utes until the oil settles, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
EAU47080
Replacing the air filter element The air filter element should be re-
placed at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart. Replace the air filter element
more frequently if you are riding in un-
usually wet or dusty areas.
To replace the air filter element1. Remove the air filter case cover by removing the bolts.
2. Pull the air filter element out. 3. Insert a new air filter element into
the air filter case. NOTICE: Make
sure that the air filter element is
properly seated in the air filter
case. The engine should never
be operated without the air filter
element installed, otherwise the
piston(s) and/or cylinder(s) may
become excessively worn.
[ECA10481]
4. Install the air filter case cover by in- stalling the bolts.
1. Bolt
2. Air filter case cover1 2
1
1. Air filter element
1
U26PE3E0.book Page 12 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM