2019 YAMAHA NIKEN GT engine

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-13
6
7. Install the engine oil drain bolt witha new gasket, and then tighten the
bolt to the specified torque.
8. Pour the specified amount of the recommended oil into the crank-
case.
TIPUsing a funnel is recommended.
9. After checking the engine oil fillercap O-ring, install the filler cap.TIPWipe off any spilled oil before starting
the engine.10. Start the engine and let it idle while checking for oil leaks.TIPIf any oil leaks are found which you
cannot fix, have the vehicle inspected.11. Stop the engine, wait a few min-utes for the oil to settle, and then
check the oil level one last time.
NOTICE: Do not operate the ve-
hicle until you know that the en-
g ine oil level is sufficient.
[ECA10012] EAU85450
Why Yamalu
beYAMALUBE oil is a Genuine YAMAHA
Part born of the engineers’ passion
and belief that engine oil is an impor-
tant liquid engine component. We form
teams of specialists in the fields of me-
chanical engineering, chemistry, elec-
tronics and track testing, and have
them develop the engine together with
the oil it will use. Yamalube oils take full
advantage of the base oil’s qualities
and blend in the ideal balance of addi-
tives to make sure the final oil clears
our performance standards. Thus,
Yamalube mineral, semisynthetic and synthetic oils have their own distinct
characters and value. Yamaha’s expe-
rience gained over many years of re-
search and development into oil since
the 1960’s helps make Yamalube the
best choice for your Yamaha engine.
1. Torque wrenchTi ghtenin g torque:
Oil filter cartridge: 17 N·m (1.7 kgf·m, 13 lb·ft)
Ti ghtenin g torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
43 N·m (4.3 kgf·m, 32 lb·ft)1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-14
6
EAUS1203
CoolantThe coolant level should be checked
regularly. In addition, the coolant must
be changed at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance chart.TIPIf genuine Yamaha coolant is not avail-
able, use an ethylene glycol antifreeze
containing corrosion inhibitors for alu-
minum engines and mix with distilled
water at a 1:1 ratio.
EAU20097
To check the coolant level
Since the coolant level varies with en-
gine temperature, check when the en-
gine is cold.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface. 2. With the vehicle in an upright posi-
tion, look at the coolant level in the
reservoir.
3. If the coolant is at or below the minimum level mark, remove the
coolant reservoir cap. WARNING!
Remove only the coolant reser-
voir cap. Never attempt to re-
move the ra diator cap when the
en gine is hot.
[EWA15162]
4. Add coolant to the maximum level
mark. NOTICE: If coolant is not
availab le, use distille d water or
soft tap water instead . Do not
use har d water or salt water
since it is harmful to the en gine.
If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possi ble, other-
wise the coolin g system will not
b e protecte d a gainst frost an d
corrosion. If water has been
a dd ed to the coolant, have a
Yamaha dealer check the anti-
freeze content of the coolant as
soon as possi ble, otherwise the
effectiveness of the coolant will
b e re duce d.
[ECA10473]
Recommen ded coolant:
YAMALUBE coolant
Coolant quantity: Coolant reservoir (max level mark):0.25 L (0.26 US qt, 0.22 Imp.qt)
Radiator (including all routes): 1.93 L (2.04 US qt, 1.70 Imp.qt)
1. Coolant reservoir
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
2
3
1
1. Coolant reservoir cap
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-15
6 5. Install the coolant reservoir cap.
EAU33032
Chan
gin g the coolant
The coolant must be changed at the in-
tervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart. Have a
Yamaha dealer change the coolant.
WARNING! Never attempt to remove the ra diator cap when the en gine is
hot.
[EWA10382] EAU36765
Air filter elementThe air filter element must be replaced
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
Have a Yamaha dealer replace the air
filter element.
EAU44735
Checkin
g the en gine i dlin g
spee dCheck the engine idling speed and, if
necessary, have it corrected by a
Yamaha dealer.En gine i dlin g spee d:
1100–1300 r/min
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-16
6
EAU21386
Checkin g the throttle grip free
playMeasure the throttle grip free play as
shown.
Periodically check the throttle grip free
play and, if necessary, have a Yamaha
dealer adjust it.
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 prevent this from occurring, have
your Yamaha dealer check and adjust
the valve clearance at regular intervals.TIPThis service must be performed when
the engine is cold.
EAU64412
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
EWA10504
Operation of this vehicle with im-
proper tire pressure may cause se-
vere injury or d eath from loss of
control.  The tire air pressure must be
checked and a djuste d on col d
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the am bient
temperature).
 The tire air pressure must be
a d juste d in accor dance with the
ri din g spee d an d with the total
1. Throttle grip free playThrottle grip free play:
3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in)
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-35
6
EAU42505
Trou bleshootin g chartsStartin g pro blems or poor en gine performance
Check the fuel level in
the fuel tank.1. Fuel
There is enough fuel.
There is no fuel.
Check the battery.
Supply fuel.
The engine does not start.
Check the battery.
Remove the spark plugs
and check the electrodes.3. Ignition
Wipe off with a dry cloth and correct the
spark plug gaps, or replace the spark plugs.
Have a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
Operate the electric starter.4. Compression
There is compression.
There is no compression.
The engine does not start.
Have a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.Have a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
The engine does not start.
Check the compression.
Operate the electric starter.2. Battery
The engine turns over
quickly.
The engine turns over
slowly.
The engine does not start.
Check the ignition.
The battery is good.Check the battery lead connections,
and have a Yamaha dealer charge
the battery if necessary.
DryWet
Operate the electric starter.
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-36
6
En
gine overheatin g
WARNING
EWAT1041
Do not remove the ra diator cap when the en gine an d ra diator are hot. Scal din g hot flui d an d steam may be
b lown out un der pressure, which coul d cause serious injury. Be sure to wait until the en gine has coole d.
 Place a thick ra g, like a towel, over the ra diator cap, an d then slowly rotate the cap counterclockwise to the
d etent to allow any resi dual pressure to escape. When the hissin g soun d has stoppe d, press down on the cap
while turnin g it counterclockwise, an d then remove the cap.TIPIf coolant is not available, tap water can be temporarily used instead, provided that it is changed to the recommended cool-
ant as soon as possible.
Wait until the
engine has cooled.
Check the coolant level in the
reservoir and radiator.
The coolant level
is OK.The coolant level is low.
Check the cooling system
for leakage.
Have a Yamaha dealer checkand repair the cooling system.Add coolant. (See TIP.)
Start the engine. If the engine overheats again,
have a
Yamaha dealer check
and repair the cooling system.
There is
leakage.
There is
no leakage.
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Motorcycle care and stora ge
7-3
7 will
become slippery, which
coul d cause loss of control.
Thorou ghly clean the surfaces
of these parts before operatin g
the vehicle.
[EWA20650]
5. Treat rubber, vinyl, and unpainted plastic parts with a suitable care
product.
6. Touch up minor paint damage caused by stones, etc.
7. Wax all painted surfaces using a non-abrasive wax or use a detail
spray for motorcycles.
8. When finished cleaning, start the engine and let it idle for several
minutes to help dry any remaining
moisture.
9. If the headlight lens has fogged up, start the engine and turn on
the headlight to help remove the
moisture.
10. Let the vehicle dry completely be- fore storing or covering it.NOTICE
ECA26320
Do not apply wax to ru bber or
unpainte d plastic parts. 
Do not use a brasive polishin g
compoun ds as they will wear
away the paint.
 Apply sprays an d wax sparin gly.
Wipe off excess afterwar ds.
WARNING
EWA20660
Contaminants left on the b rakes or
tires can cause loss of control.  Make sure there is no lu bricant
or wax on the brakes or tires.
 If necessary, wash the tires with
warm water an d a mil d d eter-
g ent.
 If necessary, clean the brake
d iscs an d pa ds with brake
cleaner or acetone.
 Before ri din g at hi gher spee ds,
test the vehicle’s b raking per-
formance an d cornerin g b ehav-
ior.
EAU83472
Stora geAlways store the vehicle in a cool, dry
place. If necessary, protect it against
dust with a porous cover. Be sure the
engine and the exhaust system are
cool before covering the vehicle. If the
vehicle often sits for weeks at a time
between uses, the use of a quality fuel
stabilizer is recommended after each
fill-up.NOTICE
ECA21170
 Storin g the vehicle in a poorly
ventilate d room or coverin g it
with a tarp, while it is still wet,
will allow water an d humi dity to
seep in an d cause rust.
 To prevent corrosion, avoi d
d amp cellars, sta bles (b ecause
of the presence of ammonia)
an d areas where stron g chemi-
cals are store d.Lon g term stora ge
Before storing the vehicle long term (60
days or more):
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Motorcycle care and stora ge
7-4
7
1. Make all necessary repairs and
perform any outstanding mainte-
nance.
2. Follow all instructions in the Care section of this chapter.
3. Fill up the fuel tank, adding fuel stabilizer according to product in-
structions. Run the engine for 5
minutes to distribute treated fuel
through the fuel system.
4. For vehicles equipped with a fuel cock: Turn the fuel cock lever to
the off position.
5. For vehicles with a carburetor: To prevent fuel deposits from build-
ing up, drain the fuel in the carbu-
retor float chamber into a clean
container. Retighten the drain bolt
and pour the fuel back into the fuel
tank.
6. Use a quality engine fogging oil according to product instructions
to protect internal engine compo-
nents from corrosion. If engine
fogging oil is not available, per-
form the following steps for each
cylinder:a. Remove the spark plug cap and spark plug. b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine
oil into the spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug cap onto the spark plug, and then place
the spark plug on the cylinder
head so that the electrodes are
grounded. (This will limit spark-
ing during the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several times with the starter. (This will
coat the cylinder wall with oil.)
WARNING! To prevent dam-
a g e or injury from sparkin g,
make sure to groun d the
spark plu g electro des while
turnin g the en gine over.
[EWA10952]
e. Remove the spark plug cap
from the spark plug, and then
install the spark plug and the
spark plug cap.
7. Lubricate all control cables, piv- ots, levers and pedals, as well as
the sidestand and centerstand (if
equipped).
8. Check and correct the tire air pressure, and then lift the vehicle
so that all wheels are off the
ground. Otherwise, turn the wheels a little once a month in or-
der to prevent the tires from be-
coming degraded in one spot.
9. Cover the muffler outlet with a plastic bag to prevent moisture
from entering it.
10. Remove the battery and fully charge it, or attach a maintenance
charger to keep the battery opti-
mally charged. NOTICE: Confirm
that the battery an d its char ger
are compati ble. Do not char ge a
VRLA battery with a convention-
al char ger.
[ECA26330]
TIP If the battery will be removed,
charge it once a month and store
it in a temperate location between
0-30 °C (32-90 °F).
 See page 6-30 for more informa-
tion on charging and storing the
battery.
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