Page 51 of 98
Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-9
6 To install the panel
1. Place the panel in the original po-
sition, and then install the screws.
2. Install the rider seat.
EAU19633
Checking the spark plug
The spark plug is an important engine
component, which is easy to check.
Since heat and deposits will cause any
spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plug should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart. In addi-
tion, the condition of the spark plug
can reveal the condition of the engine.
To remove the spark plug
1. Remove cowling A. (See page
6-7.)
2. Remove the spark plug cap.
3. Remove the spark plug as shown,
with the spark plug wrench includ-
ed in the owner’s tool kit.
1. Screw
2. Panel A
1. Spark plug cap
1. Spark plug wrench
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-10
6To check the spark plug
1. Check that the porcelain insulator
around the center electrode of the
spark plug is a medium-to-light
tan (the ideal color when the vehi-
cle is ridden normally).
TIP
If the spark plug shows a distinctly dif-
ferent color, the engine could be oper-
ating improperly. Do not attempt to
diagnose such problems yourself. In-
stead, have a Yamaha dealer check
the vehicle.
2. Check the spark plug for electrode
erosion and excessive carbon or
other deposits, and replace it if
necessary.
To install the spark plug
1. Measure the spark plug gap with a
wire thickness gauge and, if nec-
essary, adjust the gap to specifi-
cation.2. Clean the surface of the spark
plug gasket and its mating sur-
face, and then wipe off any grime
from the spark plug threads.
3. Install the spark plug with the
spark plug wrench, and then tight-
en it to the specified torque.
TIP
If a torque wrench is not available
when installing a spark plug, a good
estimate of the correct torque is 1/4…
1/2 turn past finger tight. However, the
spark plug should be tightened to the
specified torque as soon as possible.
4. Install the spark plug cap.
5. Install the cowling.Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR9E
1. Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in)
1
ZAUM0037
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
12.5 Nm (1.25 m·kgf, 9.04 ft·lbf)
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-11
6
EAUM3491
Engine oil and oil filter ele-
ment
The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter ele-
ment replaced at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubri-
cation chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. A slight tilt to the side can
result in a false reading.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles, remove the oil filler cap, wipe
the dipstick clean, insert it back
into the oil filler hole (without
screwing it in), and then remove it
again to check the oil level.
NOTICE: Do not operate the ve-
hicle until you know that the en-
gine oil level is sufficient.
[ECA10012]
TIP
The engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
4. If the engine oil is below the mini-
mum level mark, add sufficient oil
of the recommended type to raise
it to the correct level.
5. Install the oil filler cap.
To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter element replace-
ment)
1. Remove cowling D. (See page
6-7.)
2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Install the engine oil drain attach-
ment, provided with the owner’s
tool kit, under the drain bolt of the
crankcase.
1. Engine oil filler cap
1. Dipstick
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1. Engine oil drain bolt (crankcase)
2. Engine oil drain attachment
1
2
3
ZAUE1300
ZAUM1229
2
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Page 55 of 98
![YAMAHA YZF-R125 2016 Owners Manual Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-13
6 NOTICE: Before installing the
engine oil drain bolt, do not for-
get to install the O-ring, com-
pression spring, and oil strainer
in position.
[ECA10422]
1 YAMAHA YZF-R125 2016 Owners Manual Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-13
6 NOTICE: Before installing the
engine oil drain bolt, do not for-
get to install the O-ring, com-
pression spring, and oil strainer
in position.
[ECA10422]
1](/manual-img/51/54258/w960_54258-54.png)
Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-13
6 NOTICE: Before installing the
engine oil drain bolt, do not for-
get to install the O-ring, com-
pression spring, and oil strainer
in position.
[ECA10422]
11. Refill with the specified amount of
the recommended engine oil, and
then install and tighten the oil filler
cap.
NOTICE
ECA11621
In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the engine oil also
lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do
not use oils with a diesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a high-
er quality than specified. In
addition, do not use oils labeled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
higher.
Make sure that no foreign mate-
rial enters the crankcase.
12. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking,
immediately turn the engine off
and check for the cause.13. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
14. Reset the oil change indicator.
(See page 3-9.)
Tightening torques:
Engine oil drain bolt:
32 Nm (3.2 m·kgf, 23 ft·lbf)
Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter element replace-
ment:
0.95 L (1.00 US qt, 0.84 Imp.qt)
With oil filter element replacement:
1.00 L (1.06 US qt, 0.88 Imp.qt)
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-14
6
EAU20071
Coolant
The coolant level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the cool-
ant must be changed at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU20095To check the coolant level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.
TIP
The coolant level must be
checked on a cold engine since
the level varies with engine tem-
perature.
Make sure that the vehicle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking
the coolant level. A slight tilt to the
side can result in a false reading.
2. Check the coolant level in the
coolant reservoir.
TIP
The coolant should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
3. If the coolant is at or below the
minimum level mark, remove the
reservoir cap. WARNING! Re-
move only the coolant reservoir
cap. Never attempt to remove
the radiator cap when the en-
gine is hot.
[EWA15162]
4. Add coolant to the maximum level
mark, and then install the reservoir
cap. NOTICE: If coolant is not
available, use distilled water or
soft tap water instead. Do not
use hard water or salt water
since it is harmful to the engine.
If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possible, other-
wise the cooling system will not
be protected against frost and
corrosion. If water has been
added to the coolant, have a
Yamaha dealer check the anti-
freeze content of the coolant as
soon as possible, otherwise the
effectiveness of the coolant will
be reduced.
[ECA10473]
1. Coolant reservoir
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
ZAUM1175
1. Coolant reservoir cap
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to
the maximum level mark):
0.25 L (0.26 US qt, 0.22 Imp.qt)
ZAUM1176
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Page 57 of 98

Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-15
6
EAU33032Changing the coolant
The coolant must be changed at the in-
tervals specified in the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. Have a
Yamaha dealer change the coolant.
WARNING! Never attempt to remove
the radiator cap when the engine is
hot.
[EWA10382]EAUM2391
Replacing the air filter ele-
ment and cleaning the check
hose
The air filter element should be re-
placed at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart. Have a Yamaha dealer replace
the air filter element more frequently if
you are riding in unusually wet or dusty
areas. In addition, the air filter check
hose must be frequently checked and
cleaned if necessary.
To clean the air filter check hose
1. Check the hose on the side of the
air filter case for accumulated dirt
or water.
2. If dirt or water is visible, remove
the hose, clean it, and then install
it.
1. Air filter check hose
U5D7E6E0.book Page 15 Wednesday, June 17, 2015 10:25 AM
Page 58 of 98
Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-16
6
EAU44735
Checking the engine idling
speed
Check the engine idling speed and, if
necessary, have it corrected by a
Yamaha dealer.
EAU48433
Adjusting the throttle grip free
play
The throttle grip free play should mea-
sure 3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in) at the
inner edge of the throttle grip. Periodi-
cally check the throttle grip free play
and, if necessary, adjust it as follows.
TIP
The engine idling speed must be cor-
rectly adjusted before checking and
adjusting the throttle grip free play.
1. Slide the rubber cover back.
2. Loosen the locknut.
3. To increase the throttle grip free
play, turn the adjusting nut in di-
rection (a). To decrease the throt-
tle grip free play, turn the adjusting
nut in direction (b).
Engine idling speed:
1350–1550 r/min
1. Throttle grip free play
1. Locknut
2. Adjusting nut
ZAUM1177
INFOINFO
ZAUM1178
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-26
6
EAU22762
Drive chain slack
The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAUM3551To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on the side-
stand.
TIP
When 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 at
the arrow mark on the swingarm
as shown in the illustration.
4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU34318To 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 di-
rection (a). To loosen the drive
chain, turn the adjusting bolt on
each side of the swingarm in di-
rection (b), and then push the rear
wheel forward. NOTICE: Improp-
er drive chain slack will over-
load the engine 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 within the specified limits.
[ECA10572]
TIP
Using the alignment marks on each
side of the swingarm, make sure that
both drive chain pullers are in the same
position for proper wheel alignment.
3. Tighten the axle nut, then the lock-
nuts to their specified torques.
Drive chain slack:
35.0–45.0 mm (1.38–1.77 in)
1. Drive chain slack
ZAUM1182
1. Axle nut
2. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
3. Locknut
4. Alignment marks
ZAUM1183
U5D7E6E0.book Page 26 Wednesday, June 17, 2015 10:25 AM