2018 YAMAHA YZF-R1 Owners Manual

Periodic maintenance and adjustment7-18
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EAU21403
Valve clearanceThe valves are an important engine
component, and since valve clearance
changes with use, they must be
checked and adjusted at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
chart. Unadjusted valves can result in
improper air-fuel mixture, engine noise,
and eventually engine damage. To pre-
vent this from occurring, have your
Yamaha dealer check and adjust the
valve clearance at regular intervals.TIPThis service must be performed whenthe engine is cold.
EAU70961
TiresTires 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
EWA18370

Operation of this vehicle with
improper tire air pressure may
cause severe 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 ambienttemperature).
WARNING
EWA10512
Never overload your vehicle. Opera-
tion of an overloaded vehicle couldcause an accident.
Tire inspection
Cold tire air pressure: Front:250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm
2, 36 psi)
Rear:
290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm2, 42 psi)
Maximum load*: 187 kg (412 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car- go and accessories
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depth
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
7-19
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12 The tires should be checked before
each ride. If the center tread depth
reaches the specified limit, if the tire
has a nail or glass fragments in it, or if
the sidewall is cracked, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the tire immediately.
TIPThe tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always complywith the local regulations.
WARNING
EWA10472

Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besides
being illegal, operating the vehi-
cle with excessively worn tires
decreases riding stability and
can lead to loss of control.

The replacement of all wheel
and brake-related parts, includ-
ing the tires, should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
edge and experience to do so.

Ride at moderate speeds after
changing a tire since the tire
surface must first be “broken
in” for it to develop its optimalcharacteristics.
Tire information
This model is equipped with tubeless
tires and tire air valves.
Tires age, even if they have not been
used or have only been used occasion-
ally. Cracking of the tread and sidewall
rubber, sometimes accompanied by
carcass deformation, is an evidence of
ageing. Old and aged tires should be checked by tire specialists to ascertain
their suitability for further use.
WARNING
EWA10482

The front and rear tires should
be of the same make and de-
sign, otherwise the handling
characteristics of the motorcy-
cle may be different, which
could lead to an accident.

Always make sure that the valve
caps are securely installed to
prevent air pressure leakage.

Use only the tire valves and
valve cores listed below to
avoid tire deflation during ahigh-speed ride.
After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below are approved for this model
by Yamaha.
Minimum tire tread depth (front and
rear): 1.6 mm (0.06 in)
1. Tire air valve
2. Tire air valve core
3. Tire air valve cap with seal
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment7-20
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WARNING
EWA10601
This motorcycle is fitted with su-
per-high-speed tires. Note the fol-
lowing points in order to make the
most efficient use of these tires.
Use only the specified replace-
ment tires. Other tires may run
the danger of bursting at super
high speeds.

Brand-new tires can have a rela-
tively poor grip on certain road surfaces until they have been
“broken in”. Therefore, it is ad-
visable before doing any
high-speed riding to ride con-
servatively for approximately
100 km (60 mi) after installing a
new tire.

The tires must be warmed up
before a high-speed run.

Always adjust the tire air pres-
sure according to the operatingconditions.
EAU66460
Cast magnesium wheelsTo maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your motorcy-
cle, note the following points regarding
these wheels.
The wheel rims should be checked
for cracks, bends, warpage or
damage before each ride. If any
damage is found, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the wheel. Do not
attempt even the smallest repair to
the wheel. A deformed or cracked
wheel must be replaced.

The wheel should be balanced
whenever the tire or wheel has
been changed or replaced. An un-
balanced wheel can result in poor
performance, adverse handling
characteristics, and shortened tire
life.
These wheels are made of magnesium
and require special care.

When balancing the wheel, use
press-on type weights to avoid
scratching the wheel.

Regularly inspect the wheel for
nicks and scratches. Use touch-up
paint or other sealant to prevent
Front tire: Size: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/BATTLAX RAC-
ING STREET RS10F
Rear tire:
Size: 190/55ZR17M/C (75W) (YZF-R1)
200/55ZR17M/C (78W)
(YZF-R1M)
Manufacturer/model: BRIDGESTONE/BATTLAX RAC-
ING STREET RS10R
FRONT and REAR: Tire air valve:
TR412
Valve core: #9100 (original)
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
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12 corrosion.

Follow the instructions for cleaning
provided on page 8-1.
EAU67342
Adjusting the clutch lever free
playMeasure the clutch lever free play as
shown.
Periodically check the clutch lever free
play and, if necessary, adjust it as fol-
lows.
To increase the clutch lever free play,
turn the clutch lever free play adjusting
bolt at the clutch lever in direction (a).
To decrease the clutch lever free play,
turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b).
TIPIf the specified clutch lever free play
cannot be obtained as describedabove, proceed as follows.
1. Fully turn the adjusting bolt at the clutch lever in direction (a) to loos-
en the clutch cable.
2. Remove cowling B. (See page 7-8.)
3. Loosen the locknut further down the clutch cable.
4. To increase the clutch lever free play, turn the clutch lever free play
adjusting nut in direction (a). To
decrease the clutch lever free play,
turn the adjusting nut in direction
(b).
1. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
2. Clutch lever free playClutch lever free play:10.0–15.0 mm (0.39–0.59 in)
1
2 (a)
(b)
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment7-22
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5. Tighten the locknut.
6. Install the cowling.
EAU37914
Checking the brak
e lever free
playThere should be no free play at the
brake lever end. If there is free play,
have a Yamaha dealer inspect the
brake system.
WARNING
EWA14212
A soft or spongy feeling in the brake
lever can indicate the presence of air
in the hydraulic system. If there is air
in the hydraulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer bleed the system be-
fore operating the vehicle. Air in the
hydraulic system will diminish the
braking performance, which may re- sult in loss of control and an acci-
dent.
1. Locknut
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut
1
2
(a)(b)
1. No brake lever free play
1
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
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EAU36505
Brake light switchesThe brake light should come on just be-
fore braking takes effect. The brake
light is activated by switches connected
to the brake lever and brake pedal.
Since the brake light switches are com-
ponents of the anti-lock brake system,
they should only be serviced by a
Yamaha dealer.
EAU22393
Checking the front and rear
brake padsThe front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
EAU36891
Front brake pads
Each front brake pad is provided with
wear indicators, which allows you to
check the brake pad wear without hav-
ing to disassemble the brake. To check
the brake pad wear, check the position
of the wear indicators while applying
the brake. If a brake pad has worn to
the point that a wear indicator almost touches the brake disc, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the brake pads as a set.
EAU48071
Rear brake pads
Each rear brake pad is provided with a
wear indicator groove, which allows
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator groove. If a brake
pad has worn to the point that the wear
indicator groove almost appears, have
a Yamaha dealer replace the brake
pads as a set.
1. Brake pad wear indicator
1
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1
1
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment7-24
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EAU22583
Checking the br ake fluid levelBefore riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark.
Check the brake fluid level with the res-
ervoir in an upright position. Replenish
the brake fluid if necessary.NOTICE
ECA17641
Brake fluid may damage painted sur-
faces or plastic parts. Always cleanup spilled fluid immediately.
Front brake Rear brake
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 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
suddenly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause before further rid-
ing.WARNING
EWA15991
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of braking ability. Observe
these precautions:

Insufficient brake fluid may al-
low air to enter the brake sys-
tem, reducing braking
performance.

Clean the filler cap before re-
moving. Use only DOT 4 brake
fluid from a sealed container.

Use only the specified brake flu-
id; otherwise, the rubber seals
may deteriorate, causing leak-
age.

Refill with the same type of
brake fluid. Adding 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 signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of
the fluid and may result in vaporlock.
Specified brake fluid:
DOT 41. Minimum level mark
1
1. Minimum level mark
1
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
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EAU22734
Changing the brake fluidHave a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid every 2 years. In addition,
have the seals of the master cylinders
and brake calipers, as well as the brake
hoses replaced at the intervals listed
below or sooner if they are damaged or
leaking.
Brake seals: every 2 years

Brake hoses: every 4 years
EAU22762
Drive chain slackThe drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU74251
To check the drive chain slack 1. Place the motorcycle on the sides- tand.TIPWhen checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, there should be no weighton the motorcycle.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu- tral position.
3. Measure the drive chain slack as shown. 4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows. NOTICE: Im-
proper drive chain slack will
overload the engine as well as
other vital parts of the motorcy-
cle and can lead to chain slip-
page or breakage. To prevent
this from occurring, keep the
drive chain slack within the
specified limits.
[ECA10572]
EAU74260
To adjust the drive chain slack
Consult a Yamaha dealer before ad-
justing the drive chain slack.1. Drive chain slackDrive chain slack:25.0–35.0 mm (0.98–1.38 in)
1
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