2017 YAMAHA YFZ450R warning

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EBU28788
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
EBU21675Periodic inspection, adjustment, and lubrication
will keep your vehicle in the safest and most effi-
cient condition possible. Safety is an obligation of
the vehicle owner/operator. The most important
points of vehicle inspection, adjustment, and lu-
brication are explained on the following pages.
WARNING
EWB01842Failure to properly maintain the vehicle or per-
forming maintenance activities incorrectly may
increase your risk of injury or death during ser-
vice or while using the vehicle. If you are not fa-
miliar with vehicle service, have a Yamaha
dealer perform the service.
WARNING
EWB02563Turn off the engine when performing mainte-
nance unless otherwise specified.
A running engine has moving parts that can
catch on body parts or clothing and electri-
cal parts that can cause shocks or fires. 
Running the engine while servicing can lead
to eye injury, burns, fire, or carbon monoxide
poisoning - possibly leading to death. See
page 2-6 for more information about carbon
monoxide.

WARNING
EWB02691Brake discs, calipers, drums, and linings can
become very hot during use. To avoid possible
burns, let brake components cool before
touching them. The intervals given in the periodic maintenance
charts should be considered as a general guide
under normal riding conditions. However, DE-
PENDING ON THE WEATHER, TERRAIN, GEO-
GRAPHICAL LOCATION, AND INDIVIDUAL USE,
THE MAINTENANCE INTERVALS MAY NEED TO
BE SHORTENED.
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EBU29861CoolantThe coolant level should be checked before each
ride. In addition, the coolant must be changed at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. Have a Yamaha dealer
change the coolant. WARNING! Never attempt
to remove the radiator cap when the engine is
hot.
[EWB02671]
EBU27945
To check the coolant level 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture. 2. Check the coolant level in the coolant reser- voir.
TIPThe coolant should be between the minimum and
maximum level marks. 3. If the coolant is at or below the minimum levelmark, remove the coolant reservoir cap, add
coolant or distilled water to the maximum lev-
el 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
they are harmful to the engine. If water has
Tightening torque:
Engine guard bolt:7 N·m (0.7 kgf·m, 5.1 lb·ft)1. Coolant reservoir cap
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1
2
3
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88. Wash the sponge material gently but thor-
oughly in solvent. WARNING! Always use
parts cleaning solvent to clean the sponge
material. Never use low-flash-point sol-
vents or gasoline to clean the sponge ma-
terial because the engine could catch fire
or explode.
[EWB01942]
9. Squeeze the excess solvent out of the sponge material and let it dry. NOTICE: Do
not twist the sponge material when
squeezing it.
[ECB00442]
10. Check the sponge material and replace it if damaged.
11. Apply Yamaha foam air filter oil or other qual- ity foam air filter oil to the sponge material.TIPThe sponge material should be wet but not drip-
ping. 12. Pull the sponge material over the air filter ele-ment frame.
13. Apply all-purpose grease to the air filter ele- ment seat.
1. Sponge material
2. Air filter element frame
1
2
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WARNING
EWB02341Do not start the engine when cleaning the
spark arrester, otherwise it could cause injury
to the eyes, burns, carbon monoxide poison-
ing, possibly leading to death, and start a fire.
Always let the exhaust system cool prior to
touching exhaust components. EBU29703Adjusting the throttle lever free playThe throttle lever free play should be checked and,
if necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
The throttle lever free play should measure 2.0–4.0
mm (0.08–0.16 in) as shown. Periodically check
the throttle lever free play and, if necessary, adjust
it as follows.1. Slide the rubber cover back.
2. Loosen the locknut. 3. To increase the throttle lever free play, turn
the throttle lever free play adjusting bolt in di-
rection (a). To decrease the throttle lever free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b).
4. Tighten the locknut.
5. Slide the rubber cover to its original position.
EBU24061Valve clearanceThe valve clearance changes with use, resulting in
improper air-fuel mixture and/or engine noise. To
prevent this from occurring, the valve clearance
Tightening torque:
Tailpipe cover bolt:8 N·m (0.8 kgf·m, 5.8 lb·ft)1. Rubber cover
2. Throttle lever free play adjusting bolt
3. Locknut
4. Throttle lever free play
32
4
(a)(b)
1
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must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.
EBU29602BrakesReplacement of brake components requires pro-
fessional knowledge. Brake service should be
performed by a Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB02572Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could lead to a loss in braking ability
and an accident. EBU24131Checking the front and rear brake padsThe front and rear brake pads must be checked
for wear at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.EBU29561Front brake pads
Each brake pad is provided with wear indicator
grooves, which allow you to check the brake pad
wear without having to disassemble the brake. To
check the brake pad wear, check the wear indica- tor grooves. If a brake pad has worn to the point
that the wear indicator grooves have almost dis-
appeared, have a Yamaha dealer replace the
brake pads as a set.
TIPThe wheels need to be removed to check the
brake pads. (See page 8-48.) EBU29832Rear brake pads
Each brake pad is provided with wear indicator
grooves, which allow you to check the brake pad
wear without having to disassemble the brake. To
check the brake pad wear, check the wear indica-1. Wear indicator groove
1
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TIPTo check the rear brake fluid level, remove the
seat. (See page 4-10.)
WARNING
EWB02721Improper maintenance can result in loss of
braking ability. Observe these precautions:
Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to enter
the brake system, reducing braking perfor-
mance.
 Clean the filler cap before removing. Use
only DOT 4 brake fluid from a sealed contain-
er.
 Use only the specified brake fluid; otherwise,
the rubber seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage.
 Refill with the same type of brake fluid. Add-
ing a brake fluid other than DOT 4 may result
in a harmful chemical reaction. 
Be careful that water does not enter the
brake fluid reservoir when refilling. Water will
significantly lower the boiling point of the flu-
id and may result in vapor lock.
NOTICEECB01161Brake fluid may damage painted surfaces or
plastic parts. Always clean up spilled fluid im-
mediately. As the brake pads wear, it is normal for the brake
fluid level to gradually go down. A low brake fluid
level may indicate 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 sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer check the cause be-
fore further riding.EBU24293Changing the brake fluidHave a Yamaha dealer change the brake fluid at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. In addition, have the oil seals
Specified brake fluid:
DOT 4
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8NOTICE:
When tightening the locknut,
hold the adjusting bolt with a wrench so
that it does not turn together with the lock-
nut.
[ECB00522]
WARNING
EWB02091Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause the brakes to malfunc-
tion, resulting in reduced braking
performance. This could increase the chance
of a collision or accident. After adjusting the
parking brake free play, block the rear of the
ATV off the ground and spin the rear wheels.
Check to make sure there is no brake drag. If
brake drag is noticed, perform the adjustment
again. EBU24744Brake light switchesThe brake light, which is activated by the brake
pedal and brake lever, should come on just before
braking takes effect. The brake light switch for the brake pedal can be
adjusted as follows, but the front brake light
switch should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
Turn the rear brake light switch adjusting nut while
holding the brake light switch in place. To make
the brake light come on earlier, turn the adjusting
nut in direction (a). To make the brake light come
on later, turn the adjusting nut in direction (b).
EBU30153Adjusting the clutch lever free playThe clutch lever free play must be checked and, if
necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
Tightening torque:
Locknut (rear brake caliper):16 N·m (1.6 kgf·m, 12 lb·ft)1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2(a) (b)
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essary. If a cable is damaged or does not move
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check or replace
it.
WARNING
EWB02582
Inspect cables frequently and replace if
damaged. Corrosion can result when the ca-
ble sheaths become damaged, and cables
can also become frayed or kinked, which
could restrict the operation of controls and
lead to an accident or injury.
 Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or
do not work smoothly, you could be unable
to control the ATV, which could lead to an
accident or collision.
EBU24923Checking and lubricating the brake
and clutch leversThe operation of the brake and clutch levers
should be checked before each ride, and the lever
pivots should be lubricated if necessary.
Brake lever
Recommended lubricant:
Yamaha cable lubricant or other suitable cable lubricantRecommended lubricants: Brake lever:Silicone grease
Clutch lever: Lithium-soap-based grease
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