2018 YAMAHA MT-125 engine

Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-12
613. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
14. Reset the oil change indicator.
(See page 3-10.)
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.
EAUM1726To 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.
1. Coolant reservoir cap
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
ZAUM1207
FULL
LOW2
3
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-13
6 3. If the coolant is at or below the
minimum level mark, remove
cowling A (See page 6-7.), and
then open the reservoir cap.
WARNING! Remove only the
coolant reservoir cap. Never at-
tempt to remove the radiator
cap when the engine is hot.
[EWA15162]
4. Add coolant to the maximum level
mark, and then close 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]
5. Install the cowling.
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]
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to
the maximum level mark):
0.25 L (0.26 US qt, 0.22 Imp.qt)
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-14
6
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.
EAU44735
Checking the engine idling
speed
Check the engine idling speed and, if
necessary, have it corrected by a
Yamaha dealer.
1. Air filter check hose
Engine idling speed:
1350–1550 r/min
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-15
6
EAU48434
Adjusting the throttle grip free
play
Measure the throttle grip free play as
shown.
Periodically check the throttle grip free
play and, if necessary, adjust it as fol-
lows.
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).4. Tighten the locknut and then slide
the rubber cover to its original po-
sition.
1. Throttle grip free play
Throttle grip free play:
3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in)
1
1. Rubber cover
2. Adjusting nut
3. Locknut
ZAUM1208
1
23
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-16
6
EAU21402
Valve clearance
The valve clearance changes with use,
resulting in improper air-fuel mixture
and/or engine noise. To prevent this
from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
EAU59162
Tires
Tires are the only contact between the
vehicle and the road. Safety in all con-
ditions of riding depends on a relatively
small area of road contact. Therefore, it
is essential to maintain the tires in good
condition at all times and replace them
at the appropriate time with the speci-
fied tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted
before each ride.
WARNING
EWA10504
Operation of this vehicle with im-
proper tire pressure may cause se-
vere injury or death from loss of
control.
The tire air pressure must be
checked and adjusted on cold
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the ambient
temperature).
The tire air pressure must be
adjusted in accordance with the
riding speed and with the total
weight of rider, passenger, car-
go, and accessories approved
for this model.
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-25
6 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.4. Make sure that the drive chain
pullers are in the same position,
the drive chain slack is correct,
and the drive chain moves
smoothly.
1. Axle nut
2. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
3. Locknut
4. Alignment marks
ZAUM1468
Tightening torques:
Axle nut:
85 N·m (8.5 kgf·m, 61 lb·ft)
Locknut:
16 N·m (1.6 kgf·m, 12 lb·ft)
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-26
6
EAU23026
Cleaning and lubricating the
drive chain
The drive chain must be cleaned and
lubricated at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or
wet areas. Service the drive chain as
follows.
NOTICE
ECA10584
The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle, riding
in the rain or riding in wet areas.
1. Clean the drive chain with kero-
sene and a small soft brush.
NOTICE: To prevent damaging
the O-rings, do not clean the
drive chain with steam cleaners,
high-pressure washers or inap-
propriate solvents.
[ECA11122]
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive
chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant. NOTICE: Do not use
engine oil or any other lubri-
cants for the drive chain, as they
may contain substances that
could damage the O-rings.
[ECA11112]EAU23098
Checking and lubricating the
cables
The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubri-
cated if necessary. If a cable is
damaged or does not move smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
place it. WARNING! Damage to the
outer housing of cables may result
in internal rusting and cause inter-
ference with cable movement. Re-
place damaged cables as soon as
possible to prevent unsafe condi-
tions.
[EWA10712]
Recommended lubricant:
Yamaha cable lubricant or other
suitable cable lubricant
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-38
6
EAU68070
Troubleshooting charts
Starting problems or poor engine performance
1. FuelThere is enough fuel.
There is no fuel.Supply fuel.
The engine turns over
quickly.
Operate the electric
starter.
Check the
compression.
The engine turns over
slowly.
Wipe off with a dry
cloth and correct the
spark plug gap, or
replace the spark
plug.
Check the electrolyte
and battery lead
connections, and
charge the battery if
necessary.
The engine does not
start.
Have a Yamaha
dealer check the
vehicle.
4. BatteryThe battery is good.
3. IgnitionWet
Dry
The engine does not
start.
Check the
compression.
Have a Yamaha
dealer check the
vehicle.The engine does not
start.
Check the battery.
Remove the spark
plug and check
the electrodes.
Check the fuel level
in the fuel tank.
Operate the electric
starter.
Operate the electric
starter.
There is compression.
There is no
compression.Have a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
Check the ignition.2. Compression
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