2015 YAMAHA XVS950 check oil

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-18
6
EAU40262
Checking 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 Rear
brake
WARNING
EWA16011
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of b raking a bility. O bserve
these precautions:  Insufficient brake flui d may al-
low air to enter the brake 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 b rake fluid
reservoir when refillin g. Water
will si gnificantly lower the b oil-
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
1. Minimum level mark
1
1. Minimum level markSpecifie d b rake flui d:
DOT 4
1
UB33E0E0.book Page 18 Monday, December 1, 2014 4:49 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-19
6
fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause before further riding.
EAU22733
Chan gin 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.
EAU23041
Drive belt slackThe drive belt slack should be checked
and adjusted at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubri-
cation chart.
EAU55772
To check the drive belt slack
1. Place the vehicle on the side- stand.
2. Note the current position of the drive belt using the marks near the
drive belt check hole.
3. Note the position of the drive belt w it h a fo r c e o f 4 5 N ( 4.5 kg f , 10 l bf )
applied to the belt with a belt ten-
sion gauge as shown.1. Drive belt
2. Marks2
1
UB33E0E0.book Page 19 Monday, December 1, 2014 4:49 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-23
6
EAU51951
Checking the front forkThe condition and operation of the
front fork must be checked as follows
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
To check the con dition
Check the front fork for damage and
excessive oil leakage.
To check the operation 1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. WARNING! To avoi d injury,
securely support the vehicle so
there is no dan ger of it fallin g
over.
[EWA10752]
2. While applying the front brake, push down hard on the handle-
bars several times to check if the
front fork compresses and re-
bounds smoothly.
NOTICE
ECA10591
If any damag e is foun d or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha d ealer check or re-
pair it.
EAU23285
Checkin g the steerin gWorn 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
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
1. Raise the front wheel off the ground. (See page 6-30.)
WARNING! To avoi d injury, se-
curely support the vehicle so
there is no dan ger of it fallin g
over.
[EWA10752]
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 steer-
ing.
UB33E0E0.book Page 23 Monday, December 1, 2014 4:49 PM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-4
72. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.
3. Perform the following steps to protect the cylinders, piston rings,
etc. from corrosion.a. Remove the spark plug caps and spark plugs.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil into each spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug caps onto the spark plugs, and then
place the spark plugs on the
cylinder head so that the elec-
trodes are grounded. (This will
limit sparking during the next
step.)
d. Turn the engine over several times with the starter. (This will
coat the cylinder walls with oil.)
WARNING! To prevent d am-
a g e or injury from sparkin g,
make sure to groun d the
spark plu g electro des while
turnin g the en gine over.
[EWA10952]
e. Remove the spark plug caps
from the spark plugs, and then
install the spark plugs and the
spark plug caps.
4. Lubricate all control cables and the pivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the side-
stand/centerstand.
5. Check and, if necessary, correct the tire air pressure, and then lift
the motorcycle so that both of its
wheels are off the ground. Alterna-
tively, turn the wheels a little every
month in order to prevent the tires
from becoming degraded in one
spot.
6. Cover the muffler outlet with a plastic bag to prevent moisture
from entering it.
7. Remove the battery and fully charge it. Store it in a cool, dry
place and charge it once a month.
Do not store the battery in an ex-
cessively cold or warm place [less
than 0 °C (30°F) or more than 30
°C (90°F)]. For more information
on storing the battery, see page
6-24.
TIPMake any necessary repairs before
storing the motorcycle.
UB33E0E0.book Page 4 Monday, December 1, 2014 4:49 PM

10-1
10
INDEXAABS ....................................................... 3-11
ABS warning light ................................... 3-4
Air filter element, replacing ................... 6-12
Auxiliary light bulb, replacing ................ 6-28BBattery .................................................. 6-24
Brake and clutch levers, checking and lubricating ........................................... 6-21
Brake and shift pedals, checking and lubricating ........................................... 6-21
Brake fluid, changing ............................ 6-19
Brake fluid level, checking .................... 6-18
Brake lever ............................................ 3-10
Brake lever free play, checking............. 6-16
Brake light switches.............................. 6-17
Brake pedal........................................... 3-10CCables, checking and lubricating ......... 6-20
Care ........................................................ 7-1
Catalytic converter ................................ 3-14
Clutch lever ............................................. 3-9
Clutch lever free play, adjusting ........... 6-15DDimmer switch ........................................ 3-8
Drive belt slack ..................................... 6-19EEngine break-in....................................... 5-4
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ............. 6-9
Engine serial number .............................. 9-1
Engine trouble warning light ................... 3-4FFront and rear brake pads, checking.... 6-17
Front fork, checking .............................. 6-23 Fuel ....................................................... 3-12
Fuel consumption, tips for reducing ...... 5-4
Fuel level warning light ........................... 3-4
Fuel tank breather/overflow hose ......... 3-14
Fuel tank cap ........................................ 3-12
Fuses, replacing ................................... 6-25
HHandlebar switches ................................ 3-8
Hazard switch......................................... 3-9
Headlight bulb, replacing ..................... 6-27
High beam indicator light ....................... 3-3
Horn switch ............................................ 3-9IIdentification numbers ............................ 9-1
Ignition circuit cut-off system ............... 3-18
Immobilizer system ................................ 3-1
Immobilizer system indicator light .......... 3-5
Indicator lights and warning lights ......... 3-3LLicense plate light ................................ 6-30MMain switch ............................................ 3-2
Maintenance and lubrication, periodic ... 6-4
Maintenance, emission control
system.................................................. 6-3
Matte color, caution ............................... 7-1
Model label ............................................. 9-1
Multi-function meter unit ........................ 3-5NNeutral indicator light ............................. 3-3OOil level warning light ............................. 3-3PPanel, removing and installing ............... 6-8 Parking ....................................................5-5
Part locations ..........................................2-1
Pass switch .............................................3-8
SSafety information ...................................1-1
Seat .......................................................3-15
SELECT switch .......................................3-9
Shifting ....................................................5-2
Shift pedal .............................................3-10
Shock absorber assemblies,
adjusting .............................................3-16
Sidestand ..............................................3-17
Sidestand, checking and lubricating.....6-22
Spark plugs, checking ............................6-8
Specifications .........................................8-1
Start/Engine stop switch .........................3-9
Starting the engine ..................................5-1
Steering, checking ................................6-23
Steering lock .........................................3-15
Storage ...................................................7-3
Supporting the motorcycle ...................6-30
Swingarm pivots, lubricating ................6-22TTail/brake light ......................................6-29
Throttle grip and cable, checking and lubricating ...........................................6-20
Throttle grip free play, checking ...........6-13
Tires ......................................................6-13
Tool kit ....................................................6-2
Troubleshooting ....................................6-31
Troubleshooting chart ...........................6-32
Turn signal indicator light........................3-3
Turn signal light bulb, replacing ............6-29
Turn signal switch ...................................3-8
UB33E0E0.book Page 1 Monday, December 1, 2014 4:49 PM