2020 YAMAHA MT-03 brake

Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-20
6
EAU36505
Brake light switches
The brake light should come on just
before braking takes effect. The brake
light is activated by switches connect-
ed to the brake lever and brake pedal.
Since the brake light switches are
components of the anti-lock brake sys-
tem, they should only be serviced by a
Yamaha dealer.
EAU22393
Checking the front and rear
brake pads
The front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
EAU22433Front brake pads
Each front brake pad is provided with
wear indicator grooves, which allow
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator grooves. If a brake
pad has worn to the point that the wear
indicator grooves have almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1
1
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Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-21
6
EAU36721Rear brake pads
Each rear brake pad is provided with
wear indicator grooves, which allow
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator grooves. If a brake
pad has worn to the point that the wear
indicator grooves have almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.EAU22583
Checking the brake fluid level
Before 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
surfaces or plastic parts. Always
clean up spilled fluid immediately.
Front brake
Rear brake
As the brake pads wear, it is normal for
the brake fluid level to gradually go
down.
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1
1Specified brake fluid:
DOT 4
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
1
1
UB6WE0E0.book Page 21 Friday, March 27, 2020 11:37 AM

Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-22
6A low brake fluid level may indi-
cate 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 vapor
lock.
EAU22734
Changing the brake fluid
Have 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
UB6WE0E0.book Page 22 Friday, March 27, 2020 11:37 AM

Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-26
6
EAU44276
Checking and lubricating the
brake and shift pedals
The operation of the brake and shift
pedals should be checked before each
ride, and the pedal pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Brake pedal
Shift pedal
EAU23144
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers
The operation of the brake and clutch
levers should be checked before each
ride, and the lever pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Brake lever
Clutch lever
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based greaseRecommended lubricants:
Brake lever:
Silicone grease
Clutch lever:
Lithium-soap-based grease
UB6WE0E0.book Page 26 Friday, March 27, 2020 11:37 AM

Periodic maintenance and adjustment
6-28
6
EAU23273
Checking the front fork
The condition and operation of the
front fork must be checked as follows
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
To check the condition
Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.
To check the operation
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. WARNING! To avoid injury,
securely support the vehicle so
there is no danger of it falling
over.
[EWA10752]
2. While applying the front brake,
push down hard on the handle-
bars several times to check if the
front fork compresses and re-
bounds smoothly.
NOTICE
ECA10591
If any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it.
EAU23285
Checking the steering
Worn or loose steering bearings may
cause danger. Therefore, the operation
of the steering must be checked as fol-
lows at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
1. Raise the front wheel off the
ground. (See page 6-34.)
WARNING! To avoid injury, se-
curely support the vehicle so
there is no danger of it falling
over.
[EWA10752]
2. Hold the lower ends of the front
fork legs and try to move them for-
ward and backward. If any free
play can be felt, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair the steer-
ing.
UB6WE0E0.book Page 28 Friday, March 27, 2020 11:37 AM

Motorcycle care and storage
7-1
7
EAU37834
Matte color caution
NOTICE
ECA15193
Some models are equipped with
matte colored finished parts. Be
sure to consult a Yamaha dealer for
advice on what products to use be-
fore cleaning the vehicle. Using a
brush, harsh chemical products or
cleaning compounds when cleaning
these parts will scratch or damage
their surface. Wax also should not
be applied to any matte colored fin-
ished parts.
EAU83443
Care
Frequent, thorough cleaning of the ve-
hicle will not only enhance its appear-
ance but also will improve its general
performance and extend the useful life
of many components. Washing, clean-
ing, and polishing will also give you a
chance to inspect the condition of the
vehicle more frequently. Be sure to
wash the vehicle after riding in the rain
or near the sea, because salt is corro-
sive to metals.
TIP
The roads of heavy snowfall areas
may be sprayed with salt as a de-
icing method. This salt can stay on
the roads well into spring, so be
sure to wash the underside and
chassis parts after riding in such
areas.
Genuine Yamaha care and main-
tenance products are sold under
the YAMALUBE brand in many
markets worldwide.
See your Yamaha dealer for addi-
tional cleaning tips.
NOTICE
ECA26280
Improper cleaning can cause cos-
metic and mechanical damage. Do
not use:
high-pressure washers or
steam-jet cleaners. Excessive
water pressure may cause wa-
ter seepage and deterioration of
wheel bearings, brakes, trans-
mission seals and electrical de-
vices. Avoid high-pressure
detergent applications such as
those available in coin-operated
car washers.
UB6WE0E0.book Page 1 Friday, March 27, 2020 11:37 AM

Motorcycle care and storage
7-2
7 harsh chemicals, including
strong acidic wheel cleaners,
especially on spoke or magne-
sium wheels.
harsh chemicals, abrasive
cleaning compounds, or wax on
matte-finished parts. Brushes
can scratch and damage the
matte-finish, use soft sponge or
towel only.
towels, sponges, or brushes
contaminated with abrasive
cleaning products or strong
chemicals such as, solvents,
gasoline, rust removers, brake
fluid, or antifreeze, etc.
Before washing
1. Park the vehicle out of direct sun-
light and allow it to cool. This will
help avoid water spots.
2. Make sure all caps, covers, elec-
trical couplers and connectors are
tightly installed.
3. Cover the muffler end with a plas-
tic bag and a strong rubber band.
4. Pre-soak stubborn stains like in-
sects or bird droppings with a wet
towel for a few minutes.
5. Remove road grime and oil stains
with a quality degreasing agent
and a plastic-bristle brush or
sponge. NOTICE: Do not use
degreasing agent on areas re-
quiring lubrication such as
seals, gaskets, and wheel axles.
Follow product instructions.
[ECA26290]
Washing
1. Rinse off any degreaser and spray
down the vehicle with a garden
hose. Use only enough pressure
to do the job. Avoid spraying wa-
ter directly into the muffler, instru-
ment panel, air inlet, or other inner
areas such as underseat storage
compartments.
2. Wash the vehicle with a quality au-
tomotive-type detergent mixed
with cool water and a soft, clean
towel or sponge. Use an old tooth-
brush or plastic-bristle brush for
hard-to-reach places. NOTICE:
Use cold water if the vehicle has
been exposed to salt. Warm wa-
ter will increase salt’s corrosive
properties.
[ECA26301]
3. For windshield-equipped vehicles:
Clean the windshield with a soft
towel or sponge dampened with
water and a pH neutral detergent.
If necessary, use a high-quality
windshield cleaner or polish for
motorcycles. NOTICE: Never use
any strong chemicals to clean
the windshield. Additionally,
some cleaning compounds for
plastic may scratch the wind-
shield, so be sure to test all
cleaning products before gen-
eral application.
[ECA26310]
4. Rinse off thoroughly with clean
water. Be sure to remove all deter-
gent residues, as they can be
harmful to plastic parts.
After washing
1. Dry the vehicle with a chamois or
absorbent towel, preferably mi-
crofiber terrycloth.
UB6WE0E0.book Page 2 Friday, March 27, 2020 11:37 AM

Motorcycle care and storage
7-3
72. For drive chain-equipped models:
Dry and then lubricate the drive
chain to prevent rust.
3. Use a chrome polish to shine
chrome, aluminum, and stainless
steel parts. Often the thermally in-
duced discoloring of stainless
steel exhaust systems can be re-
moved through polishing.
4. Apply a corrosion protection spray
on all metal parts including
chrome or nickel-plated surfaces.
WARNING! Do not apply silicone
or oil spray to seats, hand grips,
rubber foot pegs or tire treads.
Otherwise these parts will be-
come slippery, which could
cause loss of control. Thor-
oughly clean the surfaces of
these parts before operating 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 rubber or
unpainted plastic parts.
Do not use abrasive polishing
compounds as they will wear
away the paint.
Apply sprays and wax sparingly.
Wipe off excess afterwards.
WARNING
EWA20660
Contaminants left on the brakes or
tires can cause loss of control.
Make sure there is no lubricant
or wax on the brakes or tires.
If necessary, wash the tires with
warm water and a mild deter-
gent.
If necessary, clean the brake
discs and pads with brake
cleaner or acetone.
Before riding at higher speeds,
test the vehicle’s braking per-
formance and cornering behav-
ior.
UB6WE0E0.book Page 3 Friday, March 27, 2020 11:37 AM