
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-17
7
WARNING
EWA14390
●
Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Operat-
ing the motorcycle with exces-
sively worn tires decreases
riding stability and can lead to
loss of control.
●
The replacement of all wheel-
and brake-related parts, includ-
ing the tires, should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
edge and experience.
●
It is not recommended to patch
a punctured tube. If unavoid-
able, however, patch the tube
very carefully and replace it as
soon as possible with a high-
quality product.
EAU48321
Spoke wheels
WARNING
EWA10610
The wheels on this model are not de-
signed for use with tubeless tires.
Do not attempt to use tubeless tires
on this model.To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your motorcy-
cle, note the following points regarding
the specified wheels.●
The wheel rims should be checked
for cracks, bends, warpage or oth-
er damage and the spokes for
looseness or damage before each
ride. If any damage is found, have
a Yamaha dealer replace the
wheel. Do not attempt even the
smallest repair to the wheel. A de-
formed or cracked wheel must be
replaced.
●
The wheel should be balanced
whenever either the tire or wheel
has been changed or replaced. An
unbalanced wheel can result in
poor performance, adverse han-
dling characteristics, and a short-
ened tire life.
Front tire:Size:
YZ85 70/100-17 40M
YZ85D 70/100-17 40M
YZ85LW 70/100-19 42M
YZ85LWD 70/100-19 42M
Manufacturer/model:
DUNLOP/D756F
Rear tire: Size:
YZ85 90/100-14 49M
YZ85D 90/100-14 49M
YZ85LW 90/100-16 52M
YZ85LWD 90/100-16 52M
Manufacturer/model: DUNLOP/D756
U1SN81E0.book Page 17 Tuesday, June 12, 2012 3:17 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-22
7
EAU51720
Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, have the oil seals
of the master cylinders and calipers as
well as the brake hoses replaced at the
intervals listed below or whenever they
are damaged or leaking.●
Oil seals: Replace every two
years.
●
Brake hoses: Replace every four
years.
EAU22760
Drive chain slack The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU41411
To check the drive chain slack1. Install the removable sidestand and place the motorcycle on it.TIPWhen checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, there should be no weight
on the motorcycle.2. Shift the transmission into the neu-tral position.
3. Measure the drive chain slack as shown. 4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU41483
To adjust the drive chain slack
Consult a Yamaha dealer before ad-
justing the drive chain slack.1. Loosen the axle nut and the lock- nut on each side of the swingarm.
2. To tighten the drive chain, turn the drive chain slack adjusting bolt on
each side of the swingarm in direc-
tion (a). To loosen the drive chain,
turn the adjusting bolt on each side
of the swingarm in direction (b),
and then push the rear wheel for-
ward. NOTICE: Improper drive
chain slack will overload the en-
Drive chain slack: 35.0–45.0 mm (1.38–1.77 in)
1. Drive chain slack
U1SN81E0.book Page 22 Tuesday, June 12, 2012 3:17 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-23
7gine as well as other vital parts
of the motorcycle and can lead
to chain slippage or breakage.
To prevent this from occurring,
keep the drive chain slack with-
in the specified limits.
[ECA10571]
TIPUsing the alignment marks on each
drive chain puller, make sure that both
drive chain pullers are in the same po-
sition for proper wheel alignment.3. Tighten both locknuts and the axle
nut to the specified torques. 4. Make sure that the drive chain pull-
ers are in the same position, the
drive chain slack is correct, and
the drive chain moves smoothly.
EAU23016
Cleaning and lubricating the
drive chain The drive chain must be cleaned and
lubricated at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or
wet areas. Service the drive chain as
follows.NOTICE
ECA10583
The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle, riding
in the rain or riding in wet areas.1. Remove all dirt and mud from thedrive chain with a brush or cloth.TIPFor a thorough cleaning, have a
Yamaha dealer remove the drive chain and soak it in solvent.2. Spray Yamaha Chain and Cable Lube or a high-quality spray-type
drive chain lubricant on the entire
chain, making sure that all side
plates and rollers have been suffi-
ciently oiled.
1. Axle nut
2. Drive chain puller
3. Locknut
4. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
5. Alignment marks
5 4
32
Tightening torques:
Locknut:
16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
Axle nut:
90 Nm (9.0 m·kgf, 65 ft·lbf)
U1SN81E0.book Page 23 Tuesday, June 12, 2012 3:17 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-27
7
EAU23283
Checking the steering Worn or loose steering bearings may
cause danger. Therefore, the operation
of the steering must be checked as fol-
lows at the intervals specified in the pe-
riodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.1. Place a stand under the engine to raise the front wheel off the
ground. (See page 7-27 for more
information.) WARNING! To
avoid injury, securely support
the vehicle so there is no danger
of it falling over.
[EWA10751]
2. Hold the lower ends of the front fork legs and try to move them for-
ward and backward. If any free
play can be felt, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair the steering.
EAU23291
Checking the wheel bearings The front and rear wheel bearings must
be checked at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. If there is play in the wheel
hub or if the wheel does not turn
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check
the wheel bearings.
EAU24350
Supporting the motorcycle Since this model is not equipped with a
centerstand, follow these precautions
when removing the front and rear
wheel or performing other maintenance
requiring the motorcycle to stand up-
right. Check that the motorcycle is in a
stable and level position before starting
any maintenance. A strong wooden
box can be placed under the engine for
added stability.
To service the front wheel1. Stabilize the rear of the motorcycle by using a motorcycle stand or, if
an additional motorcycle stand is
not available, by placing a jack un-
der the frame in front of the rear
wheel.
2. Raise the front wheel off the ground by using a motorcycle
stand.
To service the rear wheel
Raise the rear wheel off the ground by
using a motorcycle stand or, if a motor-
cycle stand is not available, by placing
U1SN81E0.book Page 27 Tuesday, June 12, 2012 3:17 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-28
7
a jack either under each side of the
frame in front of the rear wheel or under
each side of the swingarm.
EAU24360
Front wheel
EAU41343
To remove the front wheel
WARNING
EWA10821
To avoid injury, securely support the
vehicle so there is no danger of it
falling over.1. Loosen the axle nut.
2. Lift the front wheel off the ground
according to the procedure in the
previous section “Supporting the
motorcycle”.
3. Remove the axle nut and washer. 4. Pull the wheel axle out, and then
remove the wheel. NOTICE: Do
not apply the brake after the
wheel has been removed to-
gether with the brake disc, oth-
erwise the brake pads will be
forced shut.
[ECA11071]
EAU41422
To install the front wheel1. Lift the wheel up between the fork legs.TIPMake sure that there is enough space
between the brake pads before install-
ing the wheel.2. Insert the wheel axle from the rightside.
1. Washer
2. Axle nut
1. Wheel axle
U1SN81E0.book Page 28 Tuesday, June 12, 2012 3:17 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-29
73. Lower the front wheel so that it is
on the ground, install the remov-
able sidestand, and then rest the
motorcycle on it.
4. Install the washer and axle nut, and then tighten the axle nut to the
specified torque.
EAU25080
Rear wheel
EAU41313
To remove the rear wheel
WARNING
EWA10821
To avoid injury, securely support the
vehicle so there is no danger of it
falling over.1. Loosen the axle nut.
2. Lift the rear wheel off the groundaccording to the procedure on
page 7-27.
3. Fully loosen the locknut, and then loosen the drive chain slack ad-
justing bolt on each side of the
swingarm.
4. Remove the axle nut and washer. 5. Push the wheel forward, and then
remove the drive chain from the
rear sprocket.
TIP●
If the drive chain is difficult to re-
move, remove the wheel axle first,
and then lift the wheel upward
enough to remove the drive chain
from the rear sprocket.
●
The drive chain does not need to
be disassembled in order to re-
move and install the rear wheel.
Tightening torque:Axle nut:70 Nm (7.0 m·kgf, 51 ft·lbf)
1. Axle nut
2. Washer
3. Locknut
4. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
U1SN81E0.book Page 29 Tuesday, June 12, 2012 3:17 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
7-30
7
6. While supporting the brake caliper
and slightly lifting the wheel, pull
the wheel axle out.
TIPA rubber mallet may be useful to tap the
wheel axle out.7. Remove the wheel. NOTICE: Do
not apply the brake after the
wheel has been removed to-
gether with the brake disc, oth-
erwise the brake pads will be
forced shut.
[ECA11071]
EAU41325
To install the rear wheel1. Install the drive chain onto the rear sprocket. 2. Install the wheel and the brake cal-
iper bracket by inserting the wheel
axle from the right-hand side.
TIP●
Make sure that the slot in the brake
caliper bracket is fit over the retain-
er on the swingarm.
●
Make sure that there is enough
space between the brake pads be-
fore installing the wheel.
3. Install the washer and axle nut.
4. Lower the rear wheel so that it ison the ground, install the remov-
able sidestand, and then rest the
motorcycle on it. 5. Adjust the drive chain slack. (See
page 7-22.)
6. Tighten the locknuts and the axle nut to their specified torques.
1. Wheel axle
1. Retainer
2. Slot
2 1
Tightening torque:
Locknut: 16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
Axle nut:
90 Nm (9.0 m·kgf, 65 ft·lbf)
U1SN81E0.book Page 30 Tuesday, June 12, 2012 3:17 PM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
8-1
8
EAU37833
Matte color caution NOTICE
ECA15192
Some models are equipped with
matte colored finished parts. Be
sure to consult a Yamaha dealer for
advice on what products to use be-
fore cleaning the vehicle. Using a
brush, harsh chemical products or
cleaning compounds when cleaning
these parts will scratch or damage
their surface. Wax also should not
be applied to any matte colored fin-
ished parts.
EAU41358
Care While the open design of a motorcycle
reveals the attractiveness of the tech-
nology, it also makes it more vulnera-
ble. Rust and corrosion can develop
even if high-quality components are
used. A rusty exhaust pipe may go un-
noticed on a car, however, it detracts
from the overall appearance of a motor-
cycle. Frequent and proper care does
not only comply with the terms of the
warranty, but it will also keep your mo-
torcycle looking good, extend its life
and optimize its performance.
Before cleaning1. Cover the muffler outlet with a plastic bag after the engine has
cooled down.
2. Make sure that all caps and covers as well as all electrical couplers
and connectors, including the
spark plug cap, are tightly in-
stalled.
3. Remove extremely stubborn dirt, like oil burnt onto the crankcase,
with a degreasing agent and a
brush, but never apply such prod- ucts onto seals, gaskets, sprock-
ets, the drive chain and wheel
axles. Always rinse the dirt and de-
greaser off with water.
Cleaning
NOTICE
ECA17691
●
Avoid using strong acidic wheel
cleaners, especially on spoked
wheels. If such products are
used on hard-to-remove dirt, do
not leave the cleaner on the af-
fected area any longer than in-
structed. Also, thoroughly rinse
the area off with water, immedi-
ately dry it, and then apply a cor-
rosion protection spray.
●
Improper cleaning can damage
plastic parts (such as cowlings,
panels, etc.) and the mufflers.
Use only a soft, clean cloth or
sponge with water to clean plas-
tic. However, if the plastic parts
cannot be thoroughly cleaned
with water, diluted mild deter-
gent with water may be used. Be
U1SN81E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, June 12, 2012 3:17 PM