2016 YAMAHA YZ450F maintenance

EASB111003
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of a Yamaha YZ series. This model is the culmination of Yamaha’s
vast experience in the production of pacesetting racing machines. It represents the highest grade of
craftsmanship and reliability that have made Yamaha a leader.
This manual explains operation, inspection, basic maintenance and tuning of your machine. If you
have any questions about this manual or your machine, please contact your Yamaha dealer.
TIP
Yamaha continually seeks advancements in product design and quality. Therefore, while this manual
contains the most current product information available at the time of printing, there may be minor
discrepancies between your machine and this manual. If you have any questions concerning this
manual, please consult your Yamaha dealer.
EWA
WARNING
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY BEFORE OPERATING THIS
MACHINE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE UNTIL YOU HAVE ATTAINED A
SATISFACTORY KNOWLEDGE OF ITS CONTROLS AND OPERATING FEATURES AND UNTIL
YOU HAVE BEEN TRAINED IN SAFE AND PROPER RIDING TECHNIQUES. REGULAR INSPEC-
TIONS AND CAREFUL MAINTENANCE, ALONG WITH GOOD RIDING SKILLS, WILL ENSURE
THAT YOU SAFETY ENJOY THE CAPABILITIES AND THE RELIABILITY OF THIS MACHINE.
EASB111004
IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION
Particularly important information is distinguished in this manual by the following notations.
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal
injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid
possible injury or death.
A WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.
A NOTICE indicates special precautions that must be taken to avoid
damage to the vehicle or other property.
A TIP provides key information to make procedures easier or clearer.
WARNING
NOTICE
TIP

STARTING AND BREAK-IN.......................................................................... 1-21
FUEL ........................................................................................................ 1-21
STARTING A COLD ENGINE .................................................................. 1-21
STARTING A WARM ENGINE ................................................................. 1-22
BREAK-IN PROCEDURES ...................................................................... 1-22
MAINTENANCE AFTER BREAK-IN.............................................................. 1-23
MAJOR MAINTENANCE .......................................................................... 1-23
TORQUE-CHECK POINTS............................................................................ 1-24
CLEANING AND STORAGE.......................................................................... 1-26
CLEANING ............................................................................................... 1-26
STORAGE ................................................................................................ 1-26

STARTING AND BREAK-IN
1-22
7. To stop the engine, push the engine stop
switch “1”.
TIP
Continue pushing the engine stop switch till the
engine comes to a full stop.
EASB111043STARTING A WARM ENGINE
When the engine is warm, give a kick with the
throttle closed without using the starter knob/
idle screw.
TIP
If it fails to start, fully open the throttle grip and
give 10 to 20 slow kicks to clear the engine of
the rich air-fuel mixture retained in it.
EASB111044BREAK-IN PROCEDURES
A break-in is important so that rotating portion,
sliding surfaces, and mounted areas may fit
one another, and that the rider may become ac-
customed to the machine.
ECA
NOTICE
Before running, do maintenance on the air
filter element.
Refer to “CLEANING THE AIR FILTER ELE-
MENT” on page 3-12.
1. After warming up the engine, drive it for
about 20 minutes at a throttle opening of 1/2
or less.
2. Make a pit stop, and check mounted areas
for looseness, oil leaks, or other problems.
3. Then, drive it for about 40 minutes at a throt-
tle opening of 3/4 or less.
4. Make a pit stop again, and thoroughly check
mounted areas for looseness, oil leaks, or
other problems. Thorough checks and ad-
justments are required in particular for
stretch of cables, free play of the brake,
stretch of the drive chain, looseness of the
spoke, and so on.
ECA
NOTICE
After a break-in or after each race, always
check the points shown in “TORQUE-
CHECK POINTS” for tightening torques and
retighten them. (Refer to “TORQUE-CHECK
POINTS” on page 1-24.)
Also when the following parts are replaced,
a break-in is required.
• Cylinder and Crankshaft: A break-in is re-
quired for about an hour.
• Piston, Piston ring, Valve, Camshaft, and
Gear: A break-in is required for about 30
minutes at a throttle opening of 1/2 or less.
Observe the condition of the engine careful-
ly during a break-in.
For checkpoints for a break-in, see “MAIN-
TENANCE AFTER BREAK-IN”. If any prob-
lem is found, immediately stop the engine
and make a checkup.

MAINTENANCE AFTER BREAK-IN
1-23
EASB111045
MAINTENANCE AFTER BREAK-IN
After a break-in, perform careful maintenance
to get ready for the next practice or race.
Refer to “PRE-OPERATION INSPECTION
AND MAINTENANCE” on page 3-7.
EASB111046MAJOR MAINTENANCE
1. For the engine
• Leaks around the engine
Check for pressure leaks from the cylinder
head or the cylinder, oil leaks from the
crankcase or the case cover, leaks from the
coolant system, and other leaks.
• Check that the valve, the cylinder head, the
cylinder, the piston, and the piston ring fit
one another, and that contact between the
valve and the cylinder head, and that be-
tween the cylinder and the piston are cor-
rect.
• Engine oil change
Drain the oil, and check for dirt and foreign
materials such as metal chips. (If any foreign
material is mixed, disassemble and check
the crankcase.)
Pour the specified amount of the recom-
mended oil.
• AC magneto
Check for looseness in mounted areas of
the rotor and the stator.
Check that the connector is not being dis-
connected.
• Silencer
Check the main body and stay for cracks.
Check for leaks.
• Mounting bolts and nuts
Check for looseness in mounted areas of
parts, as well as engine mounting bolts and
engine brackets.
2. For the chassis
• Check welds and mounted areas of the
frame, the swingarm, the link, the bracket,
and so on, for looseness and cracks.
• Wheel (s)
Check the wheel for runout. Check the
spoke for looseness.
• Brake(s)
Check the brake disc mounting bolt for
looseness.
Check that the reservoir contains the speci-
fied amount of brake fluid. Check for leaks.• Cable
Grease and adjust cables.
•Drive chain
Lubricate the drive chain and adjust its ten-
sion.
• Fuel tank
Clean the inside of the fuel tank. Check for
leaks.
• Suspension
Check for oil leaks in the front fork or the rear
shock absorber. Check that the mounted
conditions are good.
• Sprocket
Check for looseness in the sprocket mount-
ed on the rear wheel.
• Mounting bolts and nuts
Check mounted areas for looseness.
ECA
NOTICE
After a break-in or before each race, always
check the points shown in “TORQUE-
CHECK POINTS” for tightening torques and
retighten them. (Refer to “TORQUE-CHECK
POINTS” on page 1-24.)
• Greasing and oiling
Always grease or oil the specified points.

3
PERIODIC CHECKS AND ADJUSTMENTS
MAINTENANCE INTERVALS.......................................................................... 3-1
MAINTENANCE INTERVALS .................................................................... 3-1
PRE-OPERATION INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE................................. 3-7
GENERAL INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE........................................ 3-7
ENGINE............................................................................................................ 3-8
CHECKING THE COOLANT LEVEL .......................................................... 3-8
CHECKING THE COOLING SYSTEM ....................................................... 3-8
CHANGING THE COOLANT...................................................................... 3-8
CHECKING THE RADIATOR CAP ............................................................ 3-9
CHECKING THE RADIATOR CAP VALVE OPENING PRESSURE ......... 3-9
CHECKING THE COOLANT CIRCULATORY SYSTEM FOR LEAKS .... 3-10
ADJUSTING THE CLUTCH LEVER POSITION ...................................... 3-10
ADJUSTING THE CLUTCH LEVER FREE PLAY .................................... 3-11
ADJUSTING THE THROTTLE GRIP FREE PLAY .................................. 3-11
LUBRICATING THE THROTTLE CABLE ................................................ 3-12
CLEANING THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT................................................. 3-12
CHECKING THE THROTTLE BODY JOINT ............................................ 3-13
CHECKING THE BREATHER HOSES .................................................... 3-13
CHECKING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM..................................................... 3-14
CHECKING THE FUEL LINE ................................................................... 3-14
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL..................................................... 3-14
CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL ................................................................ 3-15
ADJUSTING THE ENGINE IDLING SPEED ............................................ 3-16
ADJUSTING THE VALVE CLEARANCE ................................................. 3-17
CHASSIS........................................................................................................ 3-22
BLEEDING THE BRAKE SYSTEM .......................................................... 3-22
CHECKING THE BRAKE HOSE .............................................................. 3-23
ADJUSTING THE FRONT BRAKE .......................................................... 3-23
ADJUSTING THE REAR BRAKE ............................................................. 3-24
CHECKING THE FRONT BRAKE PADS ................................................. 3-24
CHECKING THE REAR BRAKE PADS ................................................... 3-26
CHECKING THE REAR BRAKE PAD INSULATOR ................................ 3-27
CHECKING THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL.................................................. 3-27
ADJUSTING THE DRIVE CHAIN SLACK ................................................ 3-28
CHECKING THE FRONT FORK LEGS ................................................... 3-29
CHECKING THE FRONT FORK PROTECTOR GUIDE .......................... 3-29
CLEANING THE FRONT FORK OIL SEAL AND DUST SEAL ................ 3-29
AIR BLEEDING FROM FRONT FORK .................................................... 3-30
ADJUSTING THE FRONT FORK LEGS .................................................. 3-30
CHECKING THE SWINGARM OPERATION ........................................... 3-31
CHECKING THE REAR SUSPENSION ................................................... 3-31
ADJUSTING THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY ................... 3-31
CHECKING THE TIRES ........................................................................... 3-34
CHECKING AND TIGHTENING THE SPOKES ....................................... 3-34
CHECKING THE WHEELS ...................................................................... 3-34

MAINTENANCE INTERVALS
3-1
EASB111064
MAINTENANCE INTERVALS
EASB111065MAINTENANCE INTERVALSECA@
NOTICE
• After a break-in or before each race, always check the points shown in “TORQUE-CHECK
POINTS” for tightening torques and retighten them. (“TORQUE-CHECK POINTS” on page 1-
24.)
• Periodic inspection is essential in making full use of the machine performance. The life of
parts varies significantly according to the environment in which the machine runs (e.g., rain,
dirt, etc.). Therefore, earlier inspection is required by reference to the list below.
ITEMAfter
break-
inEvery
race
(about
2.5
hours)Every
third
(about
7.5
hours)Every
fifth
(about
12.5
hours)As re-
quiredRemarks
VALVE
Check the valve
clearancesThe engine must be cold.
Inspect Check the valve seats and the
valve faces for wear.
Replace
VALVE SPRING
Inspect Check the free length and the
tilt.
Replace
VALVE LIFTER
Inspect Check for scratches and wear.
Replace
CAMSHAFT Inspect the camshaft surface.
Inspect Inspect the decompression
system.
Replace
CAMSHAFT
SPROCKET
Inspect Check for wear on the teeth
and for damage.
Replace
PISTON
Inspect Inspect crack.
Clean Inspect carbon deposits and
eliminate them.
Replace Replace the piston, piston pin,
piston pin clip, and piston ring
all as a set.

MAINTENANCE INTERVALS
3-2
PISTON RING
Inspect Check the end gap of the pis-
ton ring.
Replace Replace the piston, piston pin,
piston pin clip, and piston ring
all as a set.
PISTON PIN
Inspect
Replace Replace the piston, piston pin,
piston pin clip, and piston ring
all as a set.
CYLINDER HEAD Check the coolant passages
for corrosion.
Inspect carbon deposits and
eliminate them.
Inspect and clean Check for warpage, and re-
place the gasket.
CYLINDER
Inspect and clean Inspect score marks.
Replace Inspect wear.
ENGINE OIL
Inspect Check the engine oil amount.
Replace
OIL FILTER ELE-
MENT
Replace
OIL STRAINER
Clean
CLUTCH
Inspect and adjust Inspect housing, friction plate,
clutch plate and spring.
Replace
TRANSMISSION
Inspect
Replace bearings
SHIFT FORK, SHIFT
CAM, GUIDE BAR
Inspect Inspect wear.ITEMAfter
break-
inEvery
race
(about
2.5
hours)Every
third
(about
7.5
hours)Every
fifth
(about
12.5
hours)As re-
quiredRemarks

MAINTENANCE INTERVALS
3-3
NUT (ROTOR)
Retighten Check for tightening torques.
EXHAUST PIPE, SI-
LENCER, PROTEC-
TOR
Inspect and re-
tightenCheck for exhaust leaks, and
tightening torques.
Clean
Replace fiver ** When the exhaust sound be-
comes louder or when a per-
formance drop is felt.
CRANKSHAFT
Inspect and clean
THROTTLE BODY
Inspect
AIR FILTER
Clean and lubri-
cateUse foam air-filter oil or equiv-
alent oil.
Replace
SPARK PLUG
Inspect and clean Check the electrodes and the
terminals for wear.
Replace
COOLING SYSTEM
Check coolant lev-
el and leakage
Check radiator cap
operationUse the radiator cap tester for
a checkup.
Check radiator cap
attached
Change the cool-
antEvery two years
Inspect hoses
ENGINE GUARD
Replace Breakage
FRAME
Clean and inspectITEMAfter
break-
inEvery
race
(about
2.5
hours)Every
third
(about
7.5
hours)Every
fifth
(about
12.5
hours)As re-
quiredRemarks