2012 YAMAHA YFZ450 Owners Manual

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EBU26864Drive chain slack The drive chain slack should be checked before
each ride and adjusted if necessary.
To check the drive chain slack1. Place the ATV on a level surface.TIPWhen checking and adjusting the drive chain
slack, there should be no weight on the ATV and
all tires must be touching the ground.2. Move the ATV back and forth to locate the tightest portion of the drive chain, and then
measure the drive chain slack as shown. 3. If the drive chain slack is incorrect, adjust it as
follows.
To adjust the drive chain slack 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Loosen the rear wheel axle pinch bolts.
3. Insert a rod of a diameter of 8 mm (0.3 in) and a length of 10 cm (4 in) into one of the holes in
the drive chain tensioner as shown.
Drive chain slack:
25.0– 35.0 mm (0.98 –1.38 in)
1. Drive chain slack
1
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TIPA rod can be obtained at a Yamaha dealer to make
this adjustment.4. Shift the transmission into neutral.
5. To tighten the drive chain, push the ATV back-ward. To loosen the drive chain, push the ATV
forward. NOTICE: Improper drive chain
slack will overload the engine as well as
other vital parts of the ATV and can lead to
drive chain slippage or breakage. To pre- vent this from occurring, keep the drive
chain slack within the specified limits.
[ECB00542]
6. Pull the rod out, and then tighten the rear axle
pinch bolts to the specified torque in the order
shown.
1. Rear wheel axle pinch bolt
2. Rod
3. Drive chain tensioner
4. Hole
3
4
2 11
Tightening torque:
Rear axle pinch bolt:21 Nm (2.1 m ·kgf, 15 ft· lbf)
31 2
4
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EBU24882Lubricating the drive chain The drive chain must be cleaned and lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or wet areas.
Service the drive chain as follows.NOTICEECB00561The drive chain must be lubricated after wash-
ing the ATV or riding in the rain or wet areas.1. Clean the drive chain with kerosene and asmall soft brush. NOTICE: To prevent dam-
aging the O-rings, do not clean the drive
chain with steam cleaners, high-pressure
washers or inappropriate solvents.
[ECB00571]
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive chain with a special O-ring chain lubricant. NOTICE: Do
not use engine oil or any other lubricants
for the drive chain, as they may contain
substances that could damage the O-
rings.
[ECB00581]
EBU24902
Checking and lubricating the cables The operation and the condition of all control ca-
bles should be checked before each ride, and the
cables and cable ends should be lubricated if nec-1. O-rings
1
1
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8essary. If a cable is damaged or does not move
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check or replace
it.
WARNING
EWB02581
Inspect cables frequently and replace if dam-
aged. Corrosion can result when the cable
sheaths become damaged, and cables can
also become frayed or kinked, which could
restrict the operation of controls and lead to
an accident or injury.
Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or do
not work smoothly, you could be unable to
control the ATV, which could lead to an acci-
dent or collision.
EBU24922Checking 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 lubricated if necessary.
Brake lever
Recommended lubricant:
Yamaha Chain and Cable Lube or engine oilRecommended lubricants: Brake lever:Silicone grease
Clutch lever: Lithium-soap-based grease
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Clutch lever
EBUM0170Checking the shift pedal The operation of the shift pedal should be checked
before each ride. If operation is not smooth, have
a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.EBU28871Checking and lubricating the brake
pedal The operation of the brake pedal should be
checked before each ride, and the pedal pivot
should be lubricated if necessary.
EBU24963Checking the wheel hub bearings The front and rear wheel hub bearings must be
checked at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart. If there is play
in a wheel hub or if a wheel does not turn smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check the wheel hub bear-
ings.Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
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EBU24995Lubricating the swingarm pivots The swingarm pivots must be lubricated by a
Yamaha dealer at the intervals specified in the pe- riodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
EBU25033Lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots The upper and lower arm pivots must be lubricated
at the intervals specified in the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart.TIPFor parts equipped with a grease nipple, use a
grease gun.
Recommended lubricant: Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:Lithium-soap-based grease
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Left side Right side
EBU25092Lubricating the steering shaft The steering shaft must be lubricated by a Yamaha
dealer at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.TIPFor parts equipped with a grease nipple, use a
grease gun.
1. Upper grease nipple
2. Lower grease nipple
2
1
1. Upper grease nipple
2. Lower grease nippleRecommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
2
1
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EBU29189Battery The battery is located under the seat. (See page
4-12.)
This model is equipped with a VRLA (Valve Regu-
lated Lead Acid) battery. There is no need to check
the electrolyte or to add distilled water. However,
the battery lead connections need to be checked
and, if necessary, tightened.
WARNING
EWB02160Battery electrolyte is poisonous and danger-
ous, as it contains sulfuric acid, which can
cause severe burns. Avoid contact with skin,
eyes or clothing. Always shield your eyes
when working near batteries.
Antidote:
EXTERNAL: Flush with water.
INTERNAL: Drink large quantities of water or
milk. Follow with milk of magnesia, beaten egg
or vegetable oil. Call a physician immediately.
EYES: Flush with water for 15 minutes and get
prompt medical attention.
Batteries produce explosive gases. Keep
sparks, flame, cigarettes or other sources of ig-
nition away. Ventilate when charging or using
in an enclosed space.KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
NOTICEECB00620Never attempt to remove the battery cell seals,
as this would permanently damage the battery.To remove the battery
1. Remove the seat. (See page 4-12.)
2. Remove the battery holding plate by removing the bolts.
3. Disconnect the negative battery lead first, then the positive battery lead by removing
their bolt. NOTICE: When removing the bat-
tery, the main switch must be off, and the
negative lead must be disconnected be-
fore the positive lead.
[ECB01001]
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