2014 YAMAHA XJ6-N Owners Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-20
6
Tire inspection
The tires must be checked before each
ride. If the center tread depth reaches
the specified limit, if the tire has a nail
or glass fragments in it, or if the side-
wall is cracked, have a Yamaha dealer
replace the tire immediately.
TIPThe tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always com-
ply with the local regulations.
WARNING
EWA10472

Have a Yamaha d ealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besi des
b ein g ille gal, operatin g the vehi-
cle with excessively worn tires
d ecreases ri din g sta bility an d
can lea d to loss of control.
 The replacement of all wheel
and b rake-relate d parts, inclu d-
in g the tires, shoul d b e left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
e dg e an d experience to do so.
 Ride at mo derate spee ds after
chan gin g a tire since the tire
surface must first be “ broken
in” for it to d evelop its optimal
characteristics.
Tire information
This model is equipped with tubeless
tires and tire air valves.
Tires age, even if they have not been
used or have only been used occasion-
ally. Cracking of the tread and sidewall
rubber, sometimes accompanied by
carcass deformation, is an evidence of
ageing. Old and aged tires shall be
checked by tire specialists to ascertain
their suitability for further use.
WARNING
EWA10482
 The front an d rear tires shoul d
b e of the same make an d d e-
si gn, otherwise the han dlin g
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depthMinimum tire trea d d epth (front an d
rear): 1.6 mm (0.06 in)
1. Tire air valve
2. Tire air valve core
3. Tire air valve cap with seal
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-21
6characteristics of the motorcy-
cle may
be different, which
coul d lea d to an acci dent.
 Always make sure that the valve
caps are securely installe d to
prevent air pressure leaka ge.
 Use only the tire valves an d
valve cores listed below to
avoi d tire deflation during a
hi gh-spee d ri de.
After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below have been approved for this
model by Yamaha.
WARNING
EWA10601
This motorcycle is fitte d with super-
hi gh-spee d tires. Note the followin g
points in or der to make the most ef-
ficient use of these tires.  Use only the specified replace-
ment tires. Other tires may run
the dan ger of burstin g at super
hi gh spee ds.
 Bran d-new tires can have a rel-
atively poor g rip on certain roa d
surfaces until they have been
“ b roken in”. Therefore, it is a d-
visa ble before doin g any hi gh-
speed ridin g to ri de conserva-
tively for approximately 100 km
(60 mi) after installin g a new tire.
 The tires must be warme d up
b efore a hi gh-spee d run.
 Always a djust the tire air pres-
sure accor din g to the operating
con ditions.
EAU21963
Cast wheelsTo maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your vehicle,
note the following points regarding the
specified wheels.
 The wheel rims should be
checked for cracks, bends, warp-
age or other 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:120/70 ZR17M/C (58W)
Manufacturer/model: BRIDGESTONE/BT021
DUNLOP/ROADSMART
Rear tire: Size:160/60 ZR17M/C (69W)
Manufacturer/model: BRIDGESTONE/BT021
DUNLOP/ROADSMART
FRONT an d REAR:
Tire air valve: TR412
Valve core: #9100 (original)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-22
6
EAU46731
Adjustin g the clutch lever free
playThe clutch lever free play should mea-
sure 10.0–15.0 mm (0.39–0.59 in) as
shown. Periodically check the clutch
lever free play and, if necessary, adjust
it as follows.
To increase the clutch lever free play,
turn the clutch lever free play adjusting
bolt at the clutch lever in direction (a).
To decrease the clutch lever free play,
turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b).
TIPIf the specified clutch lever free play
cannot be obtained as described
above, proceed as follows.1. Fully turn the adjusting bolt at the
clutch lever in direction (a) to loos-
en the clutch cable.
2. Loosen the locknut further down the clutch cable.
3. To increase the clutch lever free play, turn the clutch lever free play
adjusting nut in direction (a). To
decrease the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting nut in di-
rection (b).
4. Tighten the locknut.
EAU37914
Checkin g the brake lever free
playThere should be no free play at the
brake lever end. If there is free play,
have a Yamaha dealer inspect the
brake system.
WARNING
EWA14212
A soft or spon gy feelin g in the b rake
lever can in dicate the presence of
air in the hy draulic system. If there is
air in the hy draulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer blee d the system be-
fore operatin g the vehicle. Air in the
hy draulic system will diminish the
1. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
2. Clutch lever free play
1. Locknut
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut
1
2
(b) (a)
1. No brake lever free play
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-23
6b
rakin g performance, which may re-
sult in loss of control and an acci-
d ent.
EAU57070
Brake li ght switchesFor non-ABS mo dels
The brake light, which is activated by
the brake pedal and brake lever,
should come on just before braking
takes effect. If necessary, adjust the
rear brake light switch as follows, but
the front brake light switch should be
adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
Turn the rear brake light switch adjust-
ing nut while holding the rear brake
light switch in place. To make the
brake light come on earlier, turn the ad- justing nut in direction (a). To make the
brake light come on later, turn the ad-
justing nut in direction (b).
For ABS mo
dels
The brake light, which is activated by
the brake pedal and brake lever,
should come on just before braking
takes effect. If necessary, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust the brake light switches.1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2(a)
(b)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-24
6
EAU22393
Checking the front an d rear
b rake pa dsThe front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
EAU22421
Front brake pad s
Each front brake pad is provided with a
wear indicator groove, which allows
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator groove. If a brake
pad has worn to the point that the wear indicator groove has almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.
EAU46292
Rear
brake pa ds
Each rear brake pad is provided with
wear indicator grooves, which allow
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator grooves. If a brake
pad has worn to the point that a wear
indicator groove almost appears, have
a Yamaha dealer replace the brake
pads as a set.
EAU43113
Checkin g the brake flui d levelBefore riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark.
Check the brake fluid level with the top
of the reservoir level. Replenish the
brake fluid if necessary.
Front brake
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
11
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove1
1
1. Minimum level mark
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-25
6Rear
brake
TIPThe rear brake fluid reservoir is located
behind panel A. (See page 6-8.)
WARNING
EWA16011
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of brakin g a bility. O bserve
these precautions:  Insufficient brake flui d may al-
low air to enter the b rake sys-
tem, re ducin g brakin g
performance. 
Clean the filler cap before re-
movin g. Use only DOT 4 b rake
flui d from a seale d container.
 Use only the specified b rake flu-
i d ; otherwise, the ru bber seals
may deteriorate, causin g leak-
a g e.
 Refill with the same type of
brake flui d. A ddin g a brake flui d
other than DOT 4 may result in a
harmful chemical reaction.
 Be careful that water or dust
d oes not enter the brake flui d
reservoir when refillin g. Water
will si gnificantly lower the boil-
in g point of the flui d an d may re-
sult in vapor lock, an d d ir
t may
clo g the ABS hy draulic unit
valves.
NOTICE
ECA17641
Brake flui d may damag e painted
surfaces or plastic parts. Always
clean up spille d flui d imme diately.As the brake pads wear, it is normal for
the brake fluid level to gradually go
down. A low brake fluid level may indi-
cate worn brake pads and/or brake system leakage; therefore, be sure to
check the brake pads for wear and the
brake system for leakage. If the brake
fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause before further riding.
1. Minimum level markSpecifie d b rake flui d:
DOT 4
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-26
6
EAU22733
Changin g the brake flui dHave 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.
EAU22762
Drive chain slackThe drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU22775
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on the side- stand.TIPWhen checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, there should be no weight
on the motorcycle.2. Shift the transmission into the neutral position.
3. Measure the drive chain slack as shown. 4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU53911
To a djust the drive chain slack
Consult a Yamaha dealer before ad-
justing the drive chain slack. 1. Loosen the locknut at each end of the swingarm, and then loosen the
axle nut.
2. To tighten the drive chain, turn the drive chain slack adjusting nut at
each end of the swingarm in direc-
tion (a). To loosen the drive chain,
turn the adjusting nut at each end
of the swingarm in direction (b),
and then push the rear wheel for-
ward. NOTICE: Improper d rive
Drive chain slack:
45.0–55.0 mm (1.77–2.17 in)
1. Drive chain slack
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-27
6chain slack will overload
the en-
g ine as well as other vital parts
of the motorcycle an d can lead
to chain slippa ge or breakag e.
To prevent this from occurrin g,
keep the d rive chain slack with-
in the specifie d limits.
[ECA10572]
TIPUsing the alignment marks on each
drive chain puller, make sure that both
chain pullers are in the same position
for proper wheel alignment.
3. Tighten the axle nut, and then
tighten the locknuts to the speci-
fied torques.
4. Make sure that the drive chain pullers are in the same position,
the drive chain slack is correct,
and the drive chain moves
smoothly.
EAU23026
Cleanin g an d lu bricatin g the
d rive chainThe 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
ECA10584
The drive chain must be lu bricated
after washin g the motorcycle, ri din g
in the rain or ri din g in wet areas.1. Clean the drive chain with kero-
sene and a small soft brush.
NOTICE: To prevent d amaging
the O-ring s, do not clean the
d rive chain with steam cleaners,
hi gh-pressure washers or inap-
propriate solvents.
[ECA11122]
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant. NOTICE: Do not use
en gine oil or any other lu bri-
cants for the drive chain, as they
1. Axle nut
2. Drive chain slack adjusting nut
3. Locknut
3
1
2
(a)(b)
1. Drive chain puller
2. Alignment marksTi ghtenin g torques:
Axle nut: 90 Nm (9.0 m·kgf, 65 ft·lbf)
Locknut:
16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
1
2
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