2012 YAMAHA YZ450F light

3-10
ENGINE
CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL
1. Start the engine and let it warm up
for several minutes.
2. Stop the engine and place an oil
pan under the drain bolt.
3. Remove:
• Oil filler cap "1"
• Drain bolt (with gasket) "2"
• Drain bolt (with gasket) "3"
Drain the engine oil.
4. If the oil filter is to be replaced dur-
ing this oil change, remove the fol-
lowing parts and reinstall them.
Replacement steps:
a. Remove the oil filter element cov-
er "1" and oil filter element "2".
b. Check the O-rings "3", if cracked
or damaged, replace them with a
new one.
c. Install the oil filter element and oil
filter element cover.
5. Install:
• Gaskets
• Oil drain bolt (oil pan)
• Oil drain bolt (oil tank)
6. Fill:
• Engine oil
7. Install:
• Oil filler cap
8. Inspect:
• Engine (for oil leaks)
• Oil levelCHECKING THE OIL PRESSURE
1. Check:
• Oil pressure
Checking steps:
a. Slightly loosen the oil pressure
check bolt "1".
b. Start the engine and keep it idling
until oil starts to seep from the oil
pressure check bolt. If no oil
comes out after one minute, turn
the engine off so it will not seize.
c. Check oil passages and oil pump
for damage or leakage.
d. Start the engine after solving the
problem(s) and recheck the oil
pressure.
e. Tighten the oil pressure check
bolt.
ADJUSTING THE ENGINE IDLING
SPEED
• Because the air pressure is lower at
high altitudes, the air-fuel mixture
will become richer. If the engine
idling speed is low, turn the starter
(choke) knob/idling screw a few
clicks counterclockwise to increase
the idling speed.
• Before adjusting the engine idling
speed, make sure that the com-
pression pressure is within specifi-
cation and that the air filter element
is not clogged.
• Adjust the engine idling speed with
the starter (choke) knob/idling
screw pushed in completely.
1. Start the engine and warm it up
until the engine oil has reached
the specified temperature.
2. Use a temperature probe tester
"1" and contact it to the drain bolt
thread. Recommended brand:
YAMALUBE
Recommended engine
oil type
SAE10W-30, SAE 10W-
40, SAE10W-50, SAE
15W-40, SAE 20W-40 or
SAE 20W-50
Recommended engine
oil grade
API service SG type or
higher, JASO standard
MA
Oil filter element cover:
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Oil drain bolt (oil pan):
20 Nm (2.0 m•kg, 14
ft•lb)
Oil drain bolt (oil tank):
20 Nm (2.0 m•kg, 14
ft•lb)
Oil quantity:
Periodic oil change:
0.95 L (0.84 Imp qt,
1.00 US qt)
With oil filter replace-
ment:
1.0 L (0.88 Imp qt, 1.06
US qt)
Total amount:
1.2 L (1.06 Imp qt, 1.27
US qt)
Oil pressure check bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Oil temperature:
55.0–65.0 °C
(131–149°F)

3-23
CHASSIS
LUBRICATION
To ensure smooth operation of all
components, lubricate your machine
during setup, after break-in, and after
every race.
1. All control cable
2. Clutch lever pivot
3. Shift pedal pivot
4. Footrest pivot
5. Throttle-to-handlebar contact
6. Drive chain
7. Tube guide cable winding por-
tion
8. Throttle cable end
9. Clutch cable endA. Use Yamaha cable lube or
equivalent on these areas.
B. Use SAE 10W-40 motor oil or
suitable chain lubricants.
C. Lubricate the following areas
with high quality, lightweight lith-
ium-soap base grease.
Wipe off any excess grease, and
avoid getting grease on the brake
discs.

3-24
ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL
CHECKING THE SPARK PLUG
1. Remove:
• Spark plug
2. Inspect:
• Electrode "1"
Wear/damage→Replace.
• Insulator color "2"
Normal condition is a medium to
light tan color.
Distinctly different color→Check
the engine condition.
An extended run at low speeds
causes the insulator to be colored
black even if the air-fuel mixture is
normal.
3. Measure:
• Plug gap "a"
Use a wire gauge or thickness
gauge.
Out of specification→Regap.
4. Clean the plug with a spark plug
cleaner if necessary.
5. Tighten:
• Spark plug
• Before installing a spark plug, clean
the gasket surface and plug sur-
face.
• Finger-tighten "a" the spark plug
before torquing to specification "b".
CHECKING THE IGNITION TIMING
1. Remove:
• Timing mark accessing screw "1"
2. Attach:
• Timing light
• Digital tachometer
To the ignition coil lead (orange
lead "1").
3. Adjust:
• Engine idling speed
Refer to "ADJUSTING THE EN-
GINE IDLING SPEED" section.
4. Check:
• Ignition timing
Visually check the stationary
pointer "a" is within the firing
range "b" on the rotor.
Incorrect firing range→Check ro-
tor and Crankshaft position sen-
sor.
5. Install:
• Timing mark accessing screw Spark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mm
(0.028–0.031 in)
Spark plug:
13 Nm (1.3 m•kg, 9.4
ft•lb)
Timing light:
YM-33277-A/90890-
03141
Timing mark accessing
screw:
6 Nm (0.6 m•kg, 4.3
ft•lb)

4-11
CAMSHAFTS
4. Measure:
• Camshaft-to-cap clearance
Out of specification → Measure
camshaft outside diameter.
Measurement steps:
a. Install the camshaft onto the cylin-
der head.
b. Position a strip of Plastigauge
®
"1" onto the camshaft.
c. Install the clip, dowel pins and
camshaft caps.
• Tighten the bolts (camshaft cap) in
a crisscross pattern from innermost
to outer caps.
• Do not turn the camshaft when
measuring clearance with the
Plastigauge
®.
d. Remove the camshaft caps and
measure the width of the Plasti-
gauge
® "1".
5. Measure:
• Camshaft outside diameter "a"
Out of specification → Replace
the camshaft.
Within specification → Replace
camshaft case and camshaft
caps as a set.CHECKING THE CAMSHAFT
SPROCKET
1. Inspect:
• Camshaft sprocket "1"
Wear/damage→Replace the
camshaft assembly and timing
chain as a set.
CHECKING THE
DECOMPRESSION SYSTEM
1. Check:
• Decompression system
Checking steps:
a. Check that the decompression
mechanism cam "1" moves
smoothly.
b. Check that the decompression
mechanism cam lever pin "2" proj-
ects from the camshaft.
CHECKING THE TIMING CHAIN
TENSIONER
1. Check:
• While pressing the tensioner rod
lightly with fingers, use a thin
screwdriver "1" and wind the ten-
sioner rod up fully clockwise.
• When releasing the screwdriver
by pressing lightly with fingers,
make sure that the tensioner rod
will come out smoothly.
• If not, replace the tensioner as-
sembly.INSTALLING THE CAMSHAFT
1. Install:
• Exhaust camshaft "1"
• Intake camshaft "2"
Installation steps:
a. Turn the crankshaft counterclock-
wise with a wrench.
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil
on the camshafts.
• Apply the engine oil on the decom-
pression system.
• Fill the cylinder head with engine oil
up to the tops "a" of the valve lifters.
b. Align the alignment mark "a" on
the rotor with the alignment mark
"b" on the crankcase cover.
The alignment mark "a" on the ro-
tor is there for camshaft installa-
tion. This alignment mark is
stamped 23° ATDC.
Camshaft-to-cap clear-
ance:
0.028–0.062 mm
(0.0011–0.0024 in)
:0.08 mm (0.003
in)
Bolt (camshaft cap):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Camshaft outside diame-
ter:
21.959–21.972 mm
(0.8645–0.8650 in)

4-12
CAMSHAFTS
c. Fit the timing chain "3" onto both
camshaft sprockets and install the
camshafts on the cylinder head.
Make sure that the alignment mark
"c" on the exhaust camshaft sprocket
and the alignment mark "d" on the in-
take camshaft sprocket are aligned
with the edge of the cylinder head.
Do not turn the crankshaft during
the camshaft installation. Damage
or improper valve timing will re-
sult.
d. Install the clips, camshaft caps "4"
and bolts (camshaft cap) "5".
• Before installing the clips, cover the
cylinder head with a clean rag to
prevent the clips from into the cylin-
der head cavity.
• Tighten the bolts to the specified
torque in two or three steps in the
proper tightening sequence as
shown.
The bolts (camshaft cap) must be
tightened evenly, or damage to the
cylinder head, camshaft caps, and
camshaft will result.
2. Install:
• Timing chain tensioner
Installation steps:
a. While pressing the tensioner rod
lightly with fingers, use a thin
screwdriver and wind the tension-
er rod up fully clockwise.
b. With the rod fully wound and the
chain tensioner UP mark "a" fac-
ing upward, install the gasket "1",
the timing chain tensioner "2", and
the gasket "3", and tighten the bolt
"4" to the specified torque.
c. Release the screwdriver, check
the tensioner rod to come out and
tighten the gasket "5" and the cap
bolt "6" to the specified torque.
3. Turn:
• Crankshaft
Counterclockwise several turns.
4. Check:
• Alignment mark
Align with the crankcase align
mark.
• Camshaft match marks
Align with the cylinder head sur-
face.
Out of alignment→Adjust. Bolt (camshaft cap):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (timing chain ten-
sioner):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Tensioner cap bolt:
7 Nm (0.7 m•kg, 5.1
ft•lb)

4-19
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
3. Inspect:
• Valve face
Pitting/wear → Grind the face.
• Valve stem end
Mushroom shape or diameter
larger than the body of the stem
→ Replace.
4. Measure:
• Margin thickness "a"
Out of specification → Replace.
5. Measure:
• Runout (valve stem)
Out of specification → Replace.
• When installing a new valve always
replace the guide.
• If the valve is removed or replaced
always replace the oil seal.
6. Eliminate:
• Carbon deposits
(from the valve face and valve
seat)
7. Inspect:
• Valve seat
Pitting/wear → Reface the valve
seat.
8. Measure:
• Valve seat width "a"
Out of specification → Reface the
valve seat.
Measurement steps:
a. Apply Mechanic's blueing dye
(Dykem) "b" to the valve face.
b. Install the valve into the cylinder
head.
c. Press the valve through the valve
guide and onto the valve seat to
make a clear pattern.
d. Measure the valve seat width.
Where the valve seat and valve
face made contact, blueing will
have been removed.
e. If the valve seat is too wide, too
narrow, or the seat is not cen-
tered, the valve seat must be
refaced.
9. Lap:
• Valve face
• Valve seat
This model uses titanium intake
and exhaust valves. Titanium
valves that have been used to lap
the valve seats must not be used.
Always replace lapped valves with
new valves.
• When replacing the cylinder head,
replace the valves without lapping
the valve seats and valve faces.
• When replacing the valves or valve
guides, use new valves to lap the
valve seats, and then replace them
with new valves.
Lapping steps:
a. Apply a coarse lapping compound
to the valve face.
Do not let the compound enter the
gap between the valve stem and
the guide.
b. Apply molybdenum disulfide oil to
the valve stem.
c. Install the valve into the cylinder
head.
d. Turn the valve until the valve face
and valve seat are evenly pol-
ished, then clean off all of the
compound.
For best lapping results, lightly tap
the valve seat while rotating the valve
back and forth between your hands.
e. Apply a fine lapping compound to
the valve face and repeat the
above steps.
After every lapping operation be sure
to clean off all of the compound from
the valve face and valve seat.
Margin thickness:
Intake:
1.3 mm (0.051 in)
Exhaust:
1.0 mm (0.039 in)
Runout limit:
0.01 mm (0.0004 in)
Valve seat width:
Intake:
0.9–1.1 mm
(0.0354–0.0433 in)
:1.6 mm
(0.0630 in)
Exhaust:
0.9–1.1 mm
(0.0354–0.0433 in)
:1.6 mm
(0.0630 in)

4-20
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
f. Apply Mechanic's blueing dye
(Dykem) to the valve face.
g. Install the valve into the cylinder
head.
h. Press the valve through the valve
guide and onto the valve seat to
make a clear pattern.
i. Measure the valve seat width
again. If the valve seat width is out
of specification, reface and relap
the valve seat.
CHECKING THE VALVE SPRINGS
1. Measure:
• Valve spring free length "a"
Out of specification → Replace.
2. Measure:
• Compressed spring force "a"
Out of specification → Replace.
b. Installed length3. Measure:
• Spring tilt "a"
Out of specification → Replace.
CHECKING THE VALVE LIFTERS
1. Inspect:
• Valve lifter
Scratches/damage→Replace
both lifters and cylinder head.
INSTALLING THE VALVES
1. Apply:
• Molybdenum disulfide oil
Onto the valve stem and valve
stem seal.
2. Install:
• Valves "1"
• Valve spring seats "2"
• Valve stem seals "3"
• Valve springs "4"
• Valve spring retainers "5"
• Install the valve "a" with the identifi-
cation 33DI on the intake side and
the valve "b" with the identification
33DE on the exhaust side.
• Install the valve springs with the
larger pitch "d" facing upward.
e. Smaller pitch
3. Install:
• Valve cotters
Install the valve cotters by compress-
ing the valve spring with the valve
spring compressor "1" and the valve
spring compressor attachment "2".
4. To secure the valve cotters onto
the valve stem, lightly tap the
valve tip with a piece of wood.
Hitting the valve tip with excessive
force could damage the valve.
5. Install:
• Adjusting pad "1"
• Valve lifter "2"
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil
on the valve stem end.
• Apply the engine oil on the valve lift-
ers.
• Valve lifter must turn smoothly
when rotated with a finger.
• Be careful to reinstall valve lifters
and pads in their original place.
Free length (valve
spring):
Intake:
40.76 mm (1.60 in)
: 39.76 mm
(1.57 in)
Exhaust:
37.01 mm (1.46 in)
: 36.01 mm
(1.42 in)
Compressed spring
force:
Intake:
178–204 N at 34.78
mm (18.2–20.8 kg at
34.78 mm,
40.01–45.86 lb at 1.37
in)
Exhaust:
124–142 N at 30.83
mm (12.6–14.5 kg at
30.83 mm,
27.88–31.92 lb at 1.21
in)
Spring tilt limit:
Intake:
2.5°/1.8 mm (0.070 in)
Exhaust:
2.5°/1.6 mm (0.062 in)
Valve spring compres-
sor:
YM-04019/90890-04019
Valve spring compressor
attachment:
YM-04108/90890-04108

4-53
CRANKCASE AND CRANKSHAFT
DISASSEMBLING THE
CRANKCASE
1. Separate:
• Right crankcase
• Left crankcase
Separation steps:
a. Remove the crankcase bolts,
hose guide and clutch cable hold-
er.
Loosen each bolt 1/4 of a turn at a
time and after all the bolts are loos-
ened, remove them.
b. Remove the right crankcase "1".
• Place the crankcase with its left
side downward and split it by insert-
ing a screwdriver tip into the split-
ting slit "a" in the crankcase.
• Lift the right crankcase horizontally
while lightly patting the case split-
ting slit and engine mounting boss
using a soft hammer, and leave the
crankshaft and transmission with
the left crankcase.
Use soft hammer to tap on the
case half. Tap only on reinforced
portions of case. Do not tap on
gasket mating surface. Work slow-
ly and carefully. Make sure the
case halves separate evenly. If the
cases do not separate, check for a
remaining case bolt or fitting. Do
not force.
c. Remove the dowel pins and O-
ring.
REMOVING THE BALANCER
SHAFT
1. Remove:
• Balancer shaft "1"
Remove the balancer shaft with its
flat side "a" facing the crankshaft.
REMOVING THE CRANKSHAFT
1. Remove:
• Crankshaft "1"
Use the crankcase separating
tool "2".
• Install the crankcase separating
tool as shown.
• Do not use a hammer to drive out
the crankshaft.
REMOVING THE CRANKCASE
BEARING
1. Remove:
• Bearing "1"
• Remove the bearing from the
crankcase by pressing its inner
race.
• Do not use the removed bearing.
CHECKING THE TIMING CHAIN
AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDE
1. Inspect:
• Timing chain
Cracks/stiff→Replace the timing
chain and camshaft sprocket as a
set.
2. Inspect:
• Timing chain guide
Wear/damage→Replace.
CHECKING THE CRANKCASE
1. Inspect:
• Contacting surface "a"
Scratches → Replace.
• Engine mounting boss "b", crank-
case
Cracks/damage → Replace.
2. Inspect:
• Bearing
Rotate inner race with a finger.
Rough spot/seizure → Replace.
Crankcase separating
tool:
YU-A9642/90890-04152