
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of 
a Yamaha YZ series. This model is 
the culmination of Yamaha's vast ex-
perience in the production of paceset-
ting racing machines. It represents 
the highest grade of craftsmanship 
and reliability that have made Yama-
ha a leader.
This manual explains operation, in-
spection, basic maintenance and tun-
ing of your machine. If you have any 
questions about this manual or your 
machine, please contact your Yama-
ha dealer.
Yamaha continually seeks advance-
ments in product design and quality. 
Therefore, while this manual contains 
the most current product information 
available at the time of printing, there 
may be minor discrepancies between 
your machine and this manual. If you 
have any questions concerning this 
manual, please consult your Yamaha 
dealer.
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL 
CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY 
BEFORE OPERATING THIS MA-
CHINE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OP-
ERATE THIS MACHINE UNTIL YOU 
HAVE ATTAINED A SATISFACTO-
RY KNOWLEDGE OF ITS CON-
TROLS AND OPERATING 
FEATURES AND UNTIL YOU HAVE 
BEEN TRAINED IN SAFE AND 
PROPER RIDING TECHNIQUES. 
REGULAR INSPECTIONS AND 
CAREFUL MAINTENANCE, 
ALONG WITH GOOD RIDING 
SKILLS, WILL ENSURE THAT YOU 
SAFETY ENJOY THE CAPABILI-
TIES AND THE RELIABILITY OF 
THIS MACHINE.
IMPORTANT MANUAL 
INFORMATION
Particularly important information is 
distinguished in this manual by the 
following notations.
This is the safety alert symbol. It is 
used to alert you to potential per-
sonal injury hazards. Obey all safe-
ty messages that follow this 
symbol to avoid possible injury or 
death. A WARNING indicates a hazardous 
situation which, if not avoided, 
could result in death or serious in-
jury. 
A NOTICE indicates special pre-
cautions that must be taken to 
avoid damage to the vehicle or oth-
er property. 
A TIP provides key information to 
make procedures easier or clearer. 
SAFETY INFORMATION
THIS MACHINE IS DESIGNED 
STRICTLY FOR COMPETITION 
USE, ONLY ON A CLOSED 
COURSE. It is illegal for this machine 
to be operated on any public street, 
road, or highway. Off-road use on 
public lands may also be illegal. 
Please check local regulations before 
riding.
• THIS MACHINE IS TO BE OPER-
ATED BY AN EXPERIENCED RID-
ER ONLY.
Do not attempt to operate this ma-
chine at maximum power until you 
are totally familiar with its character-
istics.
• THIS MACHINE IS DESIGNED TO 
BE RIDDEN BY THE OPERATOR 
ONLY.
Do not carry passengers on this 
machine.
• ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE 
APPAREL.
When operating this machine, al-
ways wear an approved helmet with 
goggles or a face shield. Also wear 
heavy boots, gloves, and protective 
clothing. Always wear proper fitting 
clothing that will not be caught in 
any of the moving parts or controls 
of the machine.
• ALWAYS MAINTAIN YOUR MA-
CHINE IN PROPER WORKING 
ORDER.
For safety and reliability, the ma-
chine must be properly maintained. 
Always perform the pre-operation 
checks indicated in this manual. 
Correcting a mechanical problem 
before you ride may prevent an ac-
cident.• GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMA-
BLE.
Always turn off the engine while re-
fueling. Take care to not spill any 
gasoline on the engine or exhaust 
system. Never refuel in the vicinity 
of an open flame, or while smoking.
• GASOLINE CAN CAUSE INJURY.
If you should swallow some gaso-
line, inhale excess gasoline vapors, 
or allow any gasoline to get into 
your eyes, contact a doctor immedi-
ately. If any gasoline spills onto 
your skin or clothing, immediately 
wash skin areas with soap and wa-
ter, and change your clothes.
• ONLY OPERATE THE MACHINE 
IN AN AREA WITH ADEQUATE 
VENTILATION.
Never start the engine or let it run 
for any length of time in an enclosed 
area. Exhaust fumes are poison-
ous. These fumes contain carbon 
monoxide, which by itself is odor-
less and colorless. Carbon monox-
ide is a dangerous gas which can 
cause unconsciousness or can be 
lethal.
• PARK THE MACHINE CAREFUL-
LY; TURN OFF THE ENGINE.
Always turn off the engine if you are 
going to leave the machine. Do not 
park the machine on a slope or soft 
ground as it may fall over.
• THE ENGINE, EXHAUST PIPE, 
MUFFLER, AND OIL TANK WILL 
BE VERY HOT AFTER THE EN-
GINE HAS BEEN RUN.
Be careful not to touch them or to 
allow any clothing item to contact 
them during inspection or repair.
• PROPERLY SECURE THE MA-
CHINE BEFORE TRANSPORTING 
IT.
When transporting the machine in 
another vehicle, always be sure it is 
properly secured and in an upright 
position and that the fuel cock is in 
the "OFF" position. Otherwise, fuel 
may leak out of the carburetor or 
fuel tank. 

1-6
CONSUMER INFORMATION
CONSUMER INFORMATION
There are two significant reasons for 
knowing the serial number of your 
machine:
1. When ordering parts, you can 
give the number to your Yamaha 
dealer for positive identification of 
the model you own.
2. If your machine is stolen, the au-
thorities will need the number to 
search for and identify your ma-
chine.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION 
NUMBER
The vehicle identification number "1" 
is stamped on the right of the steering 
head pipe.
ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER
The engine serial number "1" is 
stamped into the elevated part of the 
right-side of the engine.
MODEL LABEL
The model label "1" is affixed to the 
frame under the rider's seat. This in-
formation will be needed to order 
spare parts.
INCLUDED PARTS
DETACHABLE SIDESTAND
This sidestand "1" is used to support 
only the machine when standing or 
transporting it.
• Never apply additional force to 
the sidestand.
• Remove this sidestand before 
starting out.
VALVE JOINT
This valve joint "1" prevents fuel from 
flowing out and is installed to the fuel 
tank breather hose.
In this installation, make sure the 
arrow faces the fuel tank and also 
downward.
SPARK PLUG WRENCH
This spark plug wrench "1" is used to 
remove and install the spark plug.
NIPPLE WRENCH
This nipple wrench "1" is used to 
tighten the spoke.
JET NEEDLE PULL-UP TOOL
The jet needle pull-up tool "1" is used 
to pull the jet needle out of the carbu-
retor.HANDLEBAR PROTECTOR
Install the handlebar protector "1" so 
that the mark "a" face forward.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
PREPARATION FOR REMOVAL 
AND DISASSEMBLY
1. Remove all dirt, mud, dust, and 
foreign material before removal 
and disassembly.
• When washing the machine with 
high pressured water, cover the 
parts follows.
Silencer exhaust port
Side cover air intake port
Water pump housing hole at the 
bottom
Drain hole on the cylinder head 
(right side)
2. Use proper tools and cleaning 
equipment. Refer to "SPECIAL 
TOOLS" section.
3. When disassembling the ma-
chine, keep mated parts together. 
They include gears, cylinders, 
pistons, and other mated parts 
that have been "mated" through 
normal wear. Mated parts must 
be reused as an assembly or re-
placed.