2012 YAMAHA YFZ450 brake light

7-12
7
trol.
[EWB02631]

NOTICE: Do not shift gears without
releasing the throttle. Damage to the engine or
drive train may occur.
[ECB01071]
Use this same procedure as you move into the
higher gears. Be sure to coordinate the use of the
throttle and shift pedal properly.
Avoid higher speeds until you are thoroughly famil-
iar with the operation of your ATV.
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. As
you slow down, shift to a lower gear. Be sure that
the engine has sufficiently slowed before engaging
a lower gear. Improper use of the brakes or shifting
can cause the tires to lose traction, reducing con-
trol and increasing the possibility of an accident.
TURNING YOUR ATV
WARNING
EWB01771Always follow proper procedures for turning
as described in this Owner ’s Manual. Practice
turning at low speeds before attempting to turn
at faster speeds. Do not turn at speeds too fast
for your skills or the conditions. ATV could go
out of control, causing a collision or overturn.
To achieve maximum traction on unpaved surfac-
es, the two rear wheels turn together at the same
speed. Therefore, unless the wheel on the inside
of the turn is allowed to slip or lose some traction,
the ATV will resist turning. A special turning tech-
nique must be used to allow the ATV to make turns
quickly and easily. It is essential that this skill be
learned first at low speed.
As you approach a curve, slow down and begin to
turn the handlebars in the desired direction. As you
do so, put your weight on the footrest to the outside
of the turn (opposite your desired direction) and
lean your upper body into the turn. Use the throttle
to maintain an even speed through the turn. This
maneuver will let the wheel on the inside of the turn
slip slightly, allowing the ATV to make the turn
properly.
U1PD60E0.book Page 12 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

8-8
8
EBU23071TIP
Some maintenance items need more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet, dusty, sandy or
muddy areas, or at full-throttle.
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.23 *Moving parts and
cables 
Lubricate. √√√√
24 *Throttle lever 
Check operation.
 Check throttle lever free play, and adjust if neces-
sary.
 Lubricate cable and lever housing. √√√√√
25 *Front and rear brake
switches 
Check operation and correct if necessary. √√√√√
26 *Lights and switches 
Check operation and correct if necessary.
 Adjust headlight beams. √√√√√
NO. ITEM
CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL EVERY
Whichev- er comes first month136612
km
(mi) 320
(200) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320U1PD60E0.book Page 8 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

8-38
8
TIPIf the cable length cannot be adjusted to specifica-
tion, consult a Yamaha dealer.6. Tighten the locknut on the brake cable.
7. Slide the rubber cover to its original position.
8. Turn in the adjusting bolt at the rear brake cal-iper until it feels tight, then turn it out 1/8 turn
and tighten its locknut to the specified torque.
NOTICE: When tightening the locknut, hold the adjusting bolt with a wrench so
that it does not turn together with the lock-
nut.
[ECB00521]
WARNING
EWB02090Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause the brakes to malfunc-
tion, resulting in reduced braking
performance. This could increase the chance
of a collision or accident. After adjusting the
parking brake free play, block the rear of the
ATV off the ground and spin the rear wheels.
Check to make sure there is no brake drag. If
brake drag is noticed, perform the adjustment
again.EBU24743Brake light switches The brake light, which is activated by the brake
pedal and brake lever, should come on just before
braking takes effect.
1. Locknut
2. Parking brake free play adjusting nut
3. Rubber cover
(a)
(b)
1
2
3
Tightening torque: Locknut (rear brake caliper):16 Nm (1.6 m ·kgf, 12 ft· lbf)
U1PD60E0.book Page 38 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

8-39
8
The brake light switch for the brake pedal can be
adjusted as follows, but the front brake light switch
should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
Turn the rear brake light switch adjusting nut while
holding the 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).
EBU30600Adjusting the clutch lever free play The clutch lever free play must be checked and, if
necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication chart. The clutch lever free play should measure 8.0
–
13.0 mm (0.31 –0.51 in) as shown. If the free play
is incorrect, 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 adjusting bolt at the clutch lever in direction
(a), and to decrease it, turn the bolt in direction
(b).1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
(a) (b)1
2
1. Clutch lever free play
2. Locknut
3. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
4. Rubber cover1 3
4
(a)
(b)
2
U1PD60E0.book Page 39 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

8-53
8
6. Install the headlight bulb holder by pushing it
in and turning it clockwise.
7. Install the headlight bulb holder cover.
8. Connect the headlight coupler.
9. Install the headlight unit by installing the bolts.
10. Adjust the headlight beam if necessary.
EBU25551Adjusting a headlight beam NOTICEECB00690It is advisable to have a Yamaha dealer make
this adjustment.
To raise a headlight beam, turn the headlight beam
adjusting screw in direction (a).
To lower a headlight beam, turn the adjusting
screw in direction (b).EBU25613Replacing the tail/brake light bulb If the tail/brake light bulb burns out, replace it as
follows. 1. Remove the tail/brake light bulb holder (to- gether with the bulb) by turning it counter-
clockwise.
1. Do not touch the glass part of the bulb.
1
1. Headlight beam adjusting screw
1 (a)
(b)
U1PD60E0.book Page 53 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

8-54
82. Remove the burnt-out bulb by pushing it in
and turning it counterclockwise. 3. Insert a new bulb into the bulb holder, push it
in, and then turn it clockwise until it stops.
4. Install the bulb holder (together with the bulb) by turning it clockwise.
EBU25651Removing a wheel 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Loosen the wheel nuts.
1. Tail/brake light bulb holder
1
1. Tail/brake light bulb holder
2. Tail/brake light bulb
U1PD60E0.book Page 54 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

10-4
10
Rim size:9 x 8.0ATFront brake:Type:
Disc brake
Operation: Right hand operation
Specified brake fluid: DOT 4Rear brake:Type:Disc brake
Operation: Right foot operation
Specified brake fluid:
DOT 4Front suspension:Type:Double wishbone
Spring/shock absorber type:
Coil spring/oil damper
Wheel travel: 230 mm (9.1 in)Rear suspension:Type:
Swingarm (link suspension)
Spring/shock absorber type: Coil spring/gas-oil damper
Wheel travel: 270 mm (10.6 in)
Electrical system:Ignition system:DC CDI
Charging system:
AC magnetoBattery:Model:GT7B-4
Voltage, capacity:
12 V, 6.5 AhHeadlight:Bulb type:Krypton bulbBulb voltage, wattage × quantity:Headlight:
12 V, 30.0/30.0 W × 2
Tail/brake light: 12 V, 5.0/21.0 W × 1
Neutral indicator light:
12 V, 1.7 W × 1
Coolant temperature warning light: 12 V, 1.7 W × 1Fuses:Main fuse:
15.0 A
U1PD60E0.book Page 4 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

INDEX
AAccessories and loading ................................................ 6-7
Air filter element, cleaning ............................................ 8-24BBattery .......................................................................... 8-48
Brake and clutch levers, checking and lubricating ....... 8-44
Brake fluid, changing ................................................... 8-36
Brake fluid level, checking ........................................... 8-33
Brake lever ..................................................................... 4-5
Brake lever free play, checking the front ...................... 8-36
Brake light switches ..................................................... 8-38
Brake pads, checking the front and rear ...................... 8-32
Brake pedal .................................................................... 4-6
Brake pedal, checking and lubricating ......................... 8-45
Brake pedal height, checking ....................................... 8-36
Brakes .......................................................................... 8-32
Brakes, front and rear .................................................... 5-4CCables, checking and lubricating ................................. 8-43
Carburetor, adjusting ................................................... 8-30
Chassis fasteners .......................................................... 5-7
Cleaning ......................................................................... 9-1
Clutch lever .................................................................... 4-5
Clutch lever free play, adjusting ................................... 8-39
Coolant .................................................................. 5-4, 8-20
Coolant temperature warning light ................................. 4-2DDrive chain ..................................................................... 5-5Drive chain, lubricating ................................................ 8-43
Drive chain slack .......................................................... 8-41
EEngine break-in .............................................................. 6-5
Engine, cold start ........................................................... 6-1
Engine idling speed ..................................................... 8-30
Engine oil ....................................................................... 5-4
Engine oil and oil filter element .................................... 8-14
Engine, starting a warm ................................................. 6-3
Engine stop switch ......................................................... 4-3FFuel ......................................................................... 4-8, 5-4
Fuel cock ..................................................................... 4-10
Fuel tank cap ................................................................. 4-8
Fuse, replacing ............................................................ 8-50HHandlebar switches ....................................................... 4-3
Headlight beam, adjusting ........................................... 8-53
Headlight bulb, replacing ............................................. 8-51IIdentification numbers .................................................. 11-1
Indicator light and warning light ..................................... 4-2
Instruments, lights and switches .................................... 5-7LLabel locations ............................................................... 1-1
Light switch .................................................................... 4-3MMain switch .................................................................... 4-1
U1PD60E0.book Page 1 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM