2012 YAMAHA YZ450F Valve

3-12
ENGINE
5. Adjust:
• Valve clearance
Adjustment steps:
a. Remove the camshaft (intake and
exhaust).
Refer to "CAMSHAFTS" section
in the CHAPTER 4.
b. Remove the valve lifter "1" and
the valve pad "2" with a valve lap-
per "3".
• Place a rag in the timing chain
space to prevent pads from falling
into the crankcase.
• Identity each valve lifter and pad
position very carefully so that they
can be reinstalled in their original
place.
c. Select the proper pad using the
pad selecting table.
The thickness "a" of each pad is indi-
cated in hundredths of millimeters on
the pad upper surface.
d. Round off the last digit of the in-
stalled pad number to the nearest
increment.EXAMPLE:
Installed pad number = 148
Rounded off value = 150
Pads can only be selected in 0.05
mm increments.
e. Locate the rounded-off value and
the measured valve clearance in
the chart "PAD SELECTION TA-
BLE". The field where these two
coordinates intersect shows the
new pad number to use.
Use the new pad number only as a
guide when verifying the valve clear-
ance adjustment.
f. Install the new pads "4" and the
valve lifters "5".
• Apply the engine oil on the valve lift-
ers.
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil
on the valve stem ends.
• Valve lifter must turn smoothly
when rotated with a finger.
• Be careful to reinstall valve lifters
and pads in their original place.
g. Install the camshafts (exhaust
and intake).
Refer to "CAMSHAFTS" section
in the CHAPTER 4.
Pad rangePad Availabili-
ty: 25 incre-
ments
No.
120–N
o. 2401.20
mm–2.
40 mmPads are avail-
able in 0.05 mm
increments
Last digit of pad
numberRounded valve
0, 1 or 2 0
4, 5 or 6 5
8 or 9 10

3-21
CHASSIS
CHECKING THE TIRE PRESSURE
1. Measure:• Tire pressureOut of specification →Adjust.
• Check the tire while it is cold.
• Loose bead stoppers allow the tire
to slip off its position on the rim
when the tire pressure is low.
• A tilted tire valve stem indicates that
the tire slips off its position on the
rim.
• If the tire valve st em is found tilted,
the tire is considered to be slipping
off its position. Correct the tire posi-
tion.
CHECKING AND TIGHTENING THE
SPOKES
The following procedure applies to all
of the spokes.
1. Check: • SpokesBend/damage →Replace.
Loose spoke →Retighten.
Tap the spokes with a screw-
driver.
A tight spoke will emit a clear, ringing
tone; a loose spoke will sound flat.
2. Tighten: • Spokes(with a spoke nipple wrench "1")
Be sure to retighten these spokes be-
fore and after break-in.
CHECKING THE WHEELS
1. Inspect:
• Wheel runoutElevate the wheel and turn it.
Abnormal runout → Replace.
2. Inspect: • Bearing free playExist play →Replace.
CHECKING AND ADJUSTING THE
STEERING HEAD
1. Place a stand under the engine to raise the front wheel off the
ground. WARNING! Securely
support the vehicle so that
there is no danger of it falling
over.
2. Check: • Steering stem
Grasp the bottom of the forks and
gently rock the fork assembly
back and forth.
Free play →Adjust steering head. 3. Check:
• Steering smooth actionTurn the handlebar lock to lock.
Unsmooth action →Adjust steer-
ing ring nut.
4. Adjust: • Steering ring nut
Steering ring nut adjustment
steps:
a. Remove the number plate.
b. Remove the handlebar and upper bracket.
c. Loosen the steering ring nut "1"
using the steering nut wrench "2".
d. Tighten the steering ring nut "3" using steering nut wrench "4".
• Apply the lithium soap base grease on the thread of the steering stem.
• Set the torque wrench to the steer- ing nut wrench so that they form a
right angle.
Standard tire pressure:
100 kPa (1.0 kgf/cm2,
15 psi)
Spoke nipple wrench: YM-01521/90890-01521
Spokes: 3 Nm (0.3 m•kg, 2.2
ft•lb)
Steering nut wrench:YU-33975/90890-01403
Steering nut wrench: YU-33975/90890-01403
Steering ring nut (initial
tightening): 38 Nm (3.8 m•kg, 27
ft•lb)

3-25
ELECTRICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING
The following guide for troubleshooting does not cover all the possible causes of problems. If the following problems occur,
perform the specified checks or maintenance jobs. If a problem occurs that is not listed in this manual or if the problem
cannot be corrected by the procedures provided in this manual, contact your Yamaha dealer.
Engine starting problems, engine idling speed problems, and medium and high-speed performance problems
• Engine does not start even though the kickstarter is pushed.
• Engine starts, but soon stops.
Engine idling speed problems
• Engine idling speed fluctuates.
• Engine idling speed is high.
• Engine idling speed is low.
Medium and high-speed performance problems
• Engine speed does not increase.
• Engine knocks.
• Engine speed increases suddenly.
• Loss of engine power.
INSPECTION STEPS
If the aforementioned problems have occurred, perform the following inspection steps in the order given.
Check that the fuel tank is filled with fresh gaso-
line.No good→
Fill the fuel tank.
OK↓
Check that the fuel tank breather hose is not
clogged. (Refer to "INCLUDED PARTS" section
in the CHAPTER 1.)No good→
Repair or replace.
OK↓
Adjusting the engine idling speed(Refer to "AD-
JUSTING THE ENGINE IDLLING SPEED" sec-
tion in the CHAPTER 3.)No good→
Adjust.
OK↓
Check that the fuel hose is connected properly
and is not kinked or pinched.No good→
Repair.
OK↓
Check the spark plug for dirt, the spark plug gap,
and the spark plug cap. (Refer to "CHECKING
THE SPARK PLUG" section in the CHAPTER 3.)No good→
Clean or adjust.
OK↓
Check that the air filter element is installed cor-
rectly and is not clogged. (Refer to "CLEANING
THE AIR FILTER" section in the CHAPTER 3.)No good→
Clean or repair.
OK↓
Checking the sensors, injector and ignition coil
connection.No good→
Repair or replace.
OK↓
Installed condition of ECU (Refer to "CHECKING
THE ECU" section in the CHAPTER 7.)No good→
Repair.
OK↓
Check the assembled condition of the throttle
body, and check the throttle valve and its sur-
rounding parts for dirt.No good→
Repair or clean.
OK↓
Consult a Yamaha dealer.

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)

4-15
CYLINDER HEAD
CHECKING THE CYLINDER HEAD
1. Eliminate:
• Carbon deposits (from the com-
bustion chambers)
Use a rounded scraper.
Do not use a sharp instrument to
avoid damaging or scratching:
• Spark plug threads
• Valve seats
2. Inspect:
• Cylinder head
Scratches/damage → Replace.
Replace the titanium valves with the
cylinder head.
Refer to"CHECKING THE VALVE".
3. Measure:
• Cylinder head warpage
Out of specification → Resur-
face.
Warpage measurement and resur-
facing steps:
a. Place a straightedge and a feeler
gauge across the cylinder head.
b. Use a feeler gauge to measure
the warpage.
c. If the warpage is out of specifica-
tion, resurface the cylinder head.
d. Place a 400–600 grit wet sandpa-
per on the surface plate, and re-
surface the head using a figure-
eight sanding pattern.
To ensure an even surface rotate the
cylinder head several times.
INSTALLING THE CYLINDER
HEAD
1. Install:
• Timing chain guide (intake side)
"1"
• Dowel pin "2"
• Cylinder head gasket "3"
• Cylinder head "4"
While pulling up the timing chain, in-
stall the timing chain guide (intake
side) and cylinder head.
2. Install:
• Washer "1"
• Bolts "2"
Installation steps:
Tighten the cylinder head using
the rotation angle procedure to ob-
tain uniform tightening torque.
a. Wash the threads and contact
surfaces of the bolts, the contact
surfaces of the plain washers, the
contact surface of the cylinder
head, and the threads of the
crankcase.
b. Apply the molybdenum disulfide
grease on the threads and con-
tact surfaces of the bolts and on
both contact surfaces of the plain
washers.
c. Install the plain washers and
bolts.d. Tighten the bolts to the specified
torque in two or three steps in the
proper tightening sequence as
shown.
e. Remove the bolts.
f. Again apply the molybdenum dis-
ulfide grease on the threads and
contact surfaces of the bolts and
on both contact surfaces of the
plain washers.
g. Retighten the bolts.
Tighten the bolts to the specified
torque in two or three steps in the
proper tightening sequence as
shown.
h. Put a mark on the corner "1" of the
bolt (cylinder head) and the cylin-
der head "2" as shown. Cylinder head warpage:
Less than 0.05 mm
(0.002 in)
Bolts (cylinder head):
1st:
30 Nm (3.0 m•kg, 22
ft•lb)
Bolts (cylinder head):
2nd:
20 Nm (2.0 m•kg, 14
ft•lb)

4-17
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
REMOVING THE VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
Cylinder head Refer to "CYLINDER HEAD" section.
1 Valve lifter 4 Refer to removal section.
2 Adjusting pad 4 Refer to removal section.
3 Valve cotter 8 Refer to removal section.
4 Valve spring retainer 4
5 Valve spring 4
6 Valve stem seal 4
7 Valve spring seat 4
8 Exhaust valve 2
9 Intake valve 2

4-18
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
REMOVING THE VALVE LIFTER
AND VALVE COTTER
1. Remove:
• Valve lifter "1"
• Pad "2"
Identify each lifter "1" and pad "2" po-
sition very carefully so that they can
be reinstalled in their original place.
2. Check:
• Valve sealing
Leakage at the valve seat → In-
spect the valve face, valve seat
and valve seat width.
Checking steps:
a. Pour a clean solvent "1" into the
intake and exhaust ports.
b. Check that the valve seals prop-
erly.
There should be no leakage at the
valve seat "2".
3. Remove:
• Valve cotter
Remove the valve cotters by com-
pressing the valve spring with the
valve spring compressor "1" and the
valve spring compressor attachment
"2".
CHECKING THE VALVE
1. Measure:
• Stem-to-guide clearance
Out of specification → Replace
the valve guide.
2. Replace:
• Valve guide
Replacement steps:
To ease guide removal, installation
and to maintain correct fit heat the
cylinder head in an over to 100 °C
(212°F).
a. Remove the valve guide using a
valve guide remover "1".
b. Install the new valve guide using a
valve guide remover "1" and valve
guide installer "2".
c. After installing the valve guide,
bore the valve guide using a valve
guide reamer "3" to obtain proper
stem-to-guide clearance.
After replacing the valve guide reface
the valve seat.
Valve spring compres-
sor:
YM-4019/90890-04019
Stem-to-guide clearance = valve
guide inside diameter "a" -
valve stem diameter "b"
Clearance (stem to
guide):
Intake:
0.010–0.037 mm
(0.0004–0.0015 in)
:0.08 mm
(0.003 in)
Exhaust:
0.020–0.047 mm
(0.0008–0.0019 in)
:0.10 mm
(0.004 in)
Valve guide installation
height "a":
Intake:
15.1–15.5 mm
(0.59–0.61 in)
Exhaust:
12.2–12.6 mm
(0.48–0.50 in)
Valve guide remover &
installer set (ø5.5):
90890-04016
Valve guide remover (5.5
mm):
YM-01122
Valve guide installer (5.5
mm):
YM-04015
Valve guide reamer (5.5
mm):
YM-01196