2016 YAMAHA YZ450F oil level

CHASSIS
3-29
TIP
• To maintain the proper wheel alignment, ad-
just both sides evenly.
• Push the rear wheel forward to make sure that
there is no clearance between the swingarm
end plates and the ends of the swingarm.
d. Tighten the locknut.
e. Tighten the wheel axle nut.
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EASB111098CHECKING THE FRONT FORK LEGS
1. Stand the vehicle upright on a level surface.
EWA
WARNING
Securely support the vehicle so that there is
no danger of it falling over.
2. Check:
• Inner tube
Damage/scratches  Replace.
• Front fork leg (s)
Oil leaks between inner tube and outer tube
 Replace the oil seal.
3. Hold the vehicle upright and apply the front
brake.
4. Check:
• Front fork operation
Push down hard on the handlebar several
times and check if the front fork rebounds
smoothly.
Unsmooth operation  Correct or replace.
Refer to “FRONT FORK” on page 4-38.
EASB111099CHECKING THE FRONT FORK PROTEC-
TOR GUIDE
1. Check:
• Protector guide “1”
Out of specification  Replace.
TIP
The protector guide reaches the limit of its use
when it is worn down to the same height “a” as
of the outer tube circumference.
EASB111100CLEANING THE FRONT FORK OIL SEAL
AND DUST SEAL
1. Remove:
•Protector
• Dust seal “1”
ECA
NOTICE
Be careful not to damage the dust seal and
the inner tube by a driver. Locknut
21 Nm (2.1 m·kgf, 15 ft·lbf)
Wheel axle nut
135 Nm (13.5 m·kgf, 98 ft·lbf)
1
32
a
b
T R..
T R..1
a
1

CHASSIS
3-31
Compression dampingECA@
NOTICE
Do not turn the adjuster forcibly beyond its
adjusting range.
1. Adjust:
• Compression damping
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a. Turn the adjuster “1” in the direction of “a” or
“b” to make an adjustment.
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EASB111103CHECKING THE SWINGARM OPERATION
1. Check:
• Swingarm smooth action
• Swingarm free play
Refer to “SWINGARM” on page 4-62.
EASB111104
CHECKING THE REAR SUSPENSION
1. Stand the vehicle upright on a level surface.
EWA
WARNING
Securely support the vehicle so that there is
no danger of it falling over.
2. Check:
• Rear shock absorber assembly
Gas leaks/oil leaks  Replace the rear
shock absorber assembly.
Refer to “REAR SHOCK ABSORBER AS-
SEMBLY” on page 4-55.
3. Check:
• Rear shock absorber assembly smooth ac-
tion
• Rear suspension link smooth action
Sit astride the seat and shake your body up
and down several times to check whether
the rear shock absorber assembly operates
smoothly.
Unsmooth operation  Correct or replace.
Refer to “REAR SHOCK ABSORBER AS-
SEMBLY” on page 4-55.
EASB111105ADJUSTING THE REAR SHOCK ABSORB-
ER ASSEMBLY
Use a suitable stand to raise the rear wheel off
the ground.
EWA13120
WARNING
Securely support the vehicle so that there is
no danger of it falling over.
Spring preload
ECA@
NOTICE
Do not turn the adjuster forcibly beyond its
adjusting range.
1. Remove:
• Rear frame
Refer to “REAR SHOCK ABSORBER AS-
SEMBLY” on page 4-55. Direction “a”
Compression damping is increased
(suspension is harder).
Direction “b”
Compression damping is decreased
(suspension is softer).
Compression damping adjusting
positions
Maximum
Fully turned in
Standard
8 clicks out* (USA) (CAN)
16 clicks out* (EUR) (JPN) (AUS)
(NZL) (ZAF)
Minimum
20 clicks out*
* With the adjuster fully turned in
a b
1

FRONT BRAKE
4-18
3. Install:
• Brake caliper piston “1”
TIP
Apply the brake fluid on the piston outer sur-
face.
ECA
NOTICE
• Install the piston with its side “a” facing
the brake caliper.
• Never force to insert.
EASB111142INSTALLING THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER
1. Install:
• Front brake caliper bracket
• Front brake caliper
(temporarily)
• Copper washers
• Brake hose
• Union bolt
EWA
WARNING
Proper brake hose routing is essential to in-
sure safe vehicle operation.
ECA
NOTICE
Make sure that the pipe portion “a” of the
brake hose touches the projection “b” on
the brake caliper.2. Install:
• Front brake caliper
• Brake pad spring
• Brake pad
• Brake pad pin
• Brake hose holder
Refer to “CHECKING THE FRONT BRAKE
PADS” on page 3-24.
3. Tighten:
• Brake hose holder mounting bolt “1”
TIP
Make sure that the brake hose holder “2” is in-
stalled with its upper end “a” aligned with the
paint “b” on the brake hose.
4. Pour brake fluid to the brake master cylinder
reservoir up to the specified level.
EWA
WARNING
• Use only the designated brake fluid. Other
brake fluids may cause the rubber seals to
deteriorate, causing leakage and poor
brake performance.
• Refill with the same type of brake fluid that
is already in the system. Mixing brake flu-
ids may result in a harmful chemical reac-
tion, leading to poor brake performance.
• When refilling, be careful that water does
not enter the brake fluid reservoir. Water
will significantly lower the boiling point of
the brake fluid and could cause vapor
lock.
ECA
Front brake caliper bracket
28 Nm (2.8 m·kgf, 20 ft·lbf)
Brake hose union bolt
30 Nm (3.0 m·kgf, 22 ft·lbf)
1
a
1
New
T R..
a
b
Brake pad pin
17 Nm (1.7 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
Brake hose holder mounting bolt
9 Nm (0.9 m·kgf, 6.5 ft·lbf)
Specified brake fluid
DOT 4
T R..
T R..
2
1 b
a

FRONT BRAKE
4-21
TIP
Turn the handlebar toward right and left to
make sure that the brake hose does not touch
other parts (e.g., wire harness, cables, leads).
Adjust if necessary.
3. Pour brake fluid to the brake master cylinder
reservoir up to the specified level.
EWA13540
WARNING
• Use only the designated brake fluid. Other
brake fluids may cause the rubber seals to
deteriorate, causing leakage and poor
brake performance.
• Refill with the same type of brake fluid that
is already in the system. Mixing brake flu-
ids may result in a harmful chemical reac-
tion, leading to poor brake performance.
• When refilling, be careful that water does
not enter the brake master cylinder reser-
voir. Water will significantly lower the boil-
ing point of the brake fluid and could
cause vapor lock.
ECA13540
NOTICE
Brake fluid may damage painted surfaces
and plastic parts. Therefore, always clean
up any spilt brake fluid immediately.
4. Bleed:
• Brake system
Refer to “BLEEDING THE BRAKE SYS-
TEM” on page 3-22.
5. Check:
• Brake fluid level
The minimum level mark “a” or below 
Add.
Refer to “CHECKING THE BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL” on page 3-27.6. Check:
• Brake lever free play
Refer to “ADJUSTING THE FRONT
BRAKE” on page 3-23.
• Brake lever operation
A softy or spongy feeling  Bleed the brake
system.
Refer to “BLEEDING THE BRAKE SYS-
TEM” on page 3-22.
Specified brake fluid
DOT 4

REAR BRAKE
4-29
WARNING
• Use only the designated brake fluid. Other
brake fluids may cause the rubber seals to
deteriorate, causing leakage and poor
brake performance.
• Refill with the same type of brake fluid that
is already in the system. Mixing brake flu-
ids may result in a harmful chemical reac-
tion, leading to poor brake performance.
• When refilling, be careful that water does
not enter the brake fluid reservoir. Water
will significantly lower the boiling point of
the brake fluid and could cause vapor
lock.
ECA
NOTICE
Brake fluid may damage painted surfaces
and plastic parts. Therefore, always clean
up any spilt brake fluid immediately.
5. Bleed:
• Brake system
Refer to “BLEEDING THE BRAKE SYS-
TEM” on page 3-22.
6. Check:
• Brake fluid level
The minimum level mark “a” or below 
Add.
Refer to “CHECKING THE BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL” on page 3-27.
7. Check:
• Brake pedal operation
A softy or spongy feeling  Bleed the brake
system.
Refer to “BLEEDING THE BRAKE SYS-
TEM” on page 3-22.
EASB111156REMOVING THE REAR BRAKE MASTER
CYLINDER
TIP
Before removing the rear brake master cylin-
der, drain the brake fluid from the entire brake
system.
1. Remove:
• Union bolt
• Copper washers
• Brake hose
TIP
To drain any remaining brake fluid, place a con-
tainer under the master cylinder and the end of
the brake hose.
EASB111157CHECKING THE REAR BRAKE MASTER
CYLINDER
1. Check:
• Brake master cylinder “1”
Damage/scratches/wear  Replace.
• Brake fluid delivery passages “2”
(brake master cylinder body)
Obstruction  Blow out with compressed
air.
2. Check:
• Brake master cylinder kit
Damage/wear  Replace.
3. Check:
• Master cylinder reservoir cap
Crack/damage  Replace.
• Brake master cylinder reservoir diaphragm
holder
• Brake master cylinder reservoir diaphragm
Crack/damage  Replace.
4. Check:
• Brake hoses
Cracks/damage/wear  Replace.
a
1
2

REAR BRAKE
4-31
2. Pour brake fluid to the brake fluid reservoir
up to the specified level.
EWA
WARNING
• Use only the designated brake fluid. Other
brake fluids may cause the rubber seals to
deteriorate, causing leakage and poor
brake performance.
• Refill with the same type of brake fluid that
is already in the system. Mixing brake flu-
ids may result in a harmful chemical reac-
tion, leading to poor brake performance.
• When refilling, be careful that water does
not enter the brake fluid reservoir. Water
will significantly lower the boiling point of
the brake fluid and could cause vapor
lock.
ECA
NOTICE
Brake fluid may damage painted surfaces
and plastic parts. Therefore, always clean
up any spilt brake fluid immediately.
3. Bleed:
• Brake system
Refer to “BLEEDING THE BRAKE SYS-
TEM” on page 3-22.
4. Check:
• Brake fluid level
The minimum level mark “a” or below 
Add.
Refer to “CHECKING THE BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL” on page 3-27.5. Check:
• Brake pedal operation
A softy or spongy feeling  Bleed the brake
system.
Refer to “BLEEDING THE BRAKE SYS-
TEM” on page 3-22. Specified brake fluid
DOT 4
a
a

FRONT FORK
4-42
5. Check:
• Base valve “1”
Wear/damage  Replace.
Contamination  Clean.
• O-rings “2”
Wear/damage  Replace.
• Base valve bushing “3”
Wear/damage  Replace.
• Spring “4”
Damage/fatigue  Replace the base valve.
• Air bleed screw “5”
Wear/damage  Replace.
6. Check:
• Contacting surface “a”
Wear/damage  Replace.
7. Check:
• Adjuster “1”
• O-rings “2”
Wear/damage  Replace.EASB111168ASSEMBLING THE FRONT FORK LEGSEWA13660
WARNING
• Make sure the oil levels in both front fork
legs are equal.
• Uneven oil levels can result in poor han-
dling and a loss of stability.
TIP
• When assembling the front fork leg, be sure to
replace the following parts:
• Inner tube bushing
• Outer tube bushing
• Oil seals
• Copper washers
• Before assembling the front fork leg, make
sure that all of the components are clean.
1. Stretch the damper assembly fully.
2. Fill:
• Damper assembly
ECA14210
NOTICE
• Be sure to use the recommended oil. Other
oils may have an adverse effect on front
fork performance.
• When disassembling and assembling the
front fork leg, take care not to allow any
foreign material to enter the front fork.
3. After filling, pump the damper assembly “1”
slowly up and down (about 200 mm (7.9 in)
stroke) several times to bleed the damper
assembly of air.
TIP
Avoid excessive full stroke. A stroke of 200 mm
(7.9 in) or more will cause air to enter. In this
case, repeat the steps 1 to 3.
21
New
New
New
2
21 543
a
New
Recommended oil
Suspension oil S1
Standard oil amount
204 cm
3 (6.90 US oz, 7.20
Imp.oz)
New
1
2

FRONT FORK
4-43
4. Measure:
• Oil level (left and right) “a”
Out of specification  Regulate.
5. Tighten:
• Locknut “1”
TIP
Fully finger tighten the locknut onto the damper
assembly.6. Loosen:
• Compression damping force adjuster “1”
TIP
• Before loosening the damping force adjuster,
record the setting position.
• Unless the damping force adjuster is fully
loosened, correct damping characteristic can-
not be obtained after installation.
7. Install:
• Base valve “1”
(to the damper assembly “2”)
TIP
First bring the damper rod pressure to a maxi-
mum. Then install the base valve while releas-
ing the damper rod pressure.
8. Check:
• Damper assembly
Not fully stretched  Repeat the steps 1 to
7. Standard oil level
145–148 mm (5.71–5.83 in)
From top of fully stretched
damper assembly.
1
a1
1
2