2020 YAMAHA YZ85 suspension

Table of contents
Location of important la bels ........... 1-1
Safety information ............................ 2-1
Description ....................................... 3-1
Left view ......................................... 3-1
Right view ....................................... 3-2
Controls and instruments ............... 3-3
Instrument an d control functions ... 4-1
Handlebar switch............................ 4-1
Clutch lever .................................... 4-1
Shift pedal ...................................... 4-2
Brake lever...................................... 4-2
Brake pedal .................................... 4-3
Fuel tank cap .................................. 4-3
Fuel ................................................. 4-4
Fuel tank breather hose.................. 4-6
Fuel cock ........................................ 4-7
Starter (choke) knob ....................... 4-7
Kickstarter ...................................... 4-8
Seat ................................................ 4-8
Adjusting the front fork ................... 4-9
Front fork bleeding ....................... 4-11
Adjusting the shock absorber assembly ................................... 4-12
Removable sidestand ................... 4-15
YPVS system ................................ 4-16
For your safety – pre-operation
checks ............................................... 5-1
Operation an d important ri din g
points ................................................ 6-1
Engine break-in .............................. 6-1
Starting and warming up a cold
engine ......................................... 6-3
Starting a warm engine .................. 6-3
Shifting ........................................... 6-4
Parking ........................................... 6-5
Perio dic maintenance an d
a d justment ........................................ 7-1
Periodic maintenance and lubrication chart .......................... 7-2
Checking the spark plug ................ 7-6 Transmission oil .............................. 7-7
Coolant ............................................ 7-8
Cleaning the air filter element ....... 7-10
Adjusting the carburetor ............... 7-12
Adjusting the engine idling
speed ......................................... 7-13
Adjusting the throttle grip free play ............................................ 7-13
Tires .............................................. 7-14
Spoke wheels ................................ 7-16
Adjusting the clutch lever free play ............................................ 7-17
Checking the brake lever free play ............................................ 7-18
Checking the shift pedal ............... 7-18
Checking the front and rear brake pads ................................. 7-19
Checking the brake fluid level ....... 7-20
Changing the brake fluid ............... 7-21
Drive chain slack ........................... 7-21
Cleaning and lubricating the drive chain ................................. 7-23
Checking and lubricating the
cables ........................................ 7-23
Checking and lubricating the throttle grip and cable ............... 7-24
Checking and lubricating the brake and clutch levers ............. 7-24
Checking and lubricating the
brake pedal ................................ 7-25
Lubricating the rear suspension.... 7-25
Lubricating the swingarm pivots ... 7-26
Checking the front fork ................. 7-26
Checking the steering ................... 7-27
Checking the wheel bearings ........ 7-27
Supporting the motorcycle ........... 7-28
Front wheel ................................... 7-28
Rear wheel .................................... 7-29
Troubleshooting ............................ 7-31
Troubleshooting chart ................... 7-32
Motorcycle care an d stora ge .......... 8-1
Matte color caution ......................... 8-1
Care................................................. 8-1
Storage............................................ 8-4
UB4B81E0.book Page 1 Friday, March 1, 2019 2:54 PM

Safety information
2-4
2tempt to lift the motorcycle, or
the motorcycle may become
unstable in cross winds.
• Certain accessories can dis- place the operator from his or
her normal riding position. This
improper position limits the
freedom of movement of the
operator and may limit control
ability, therefore, such accesso-
ries are not recommended.
 Use caution when adding electri-
cal accessories. If electrical ac-
cessories exceed the capacity of
the motorcycle’s electrical sys-
tem, an electric failure could re-
sult, which could cause a
dangerous loss of lights or engine
power.
Aftermarket Tires an d Rims
The tires and rims that came with your
motorcycle were designed to match
the performance capabilities and to
provide the best combination of han-
dling, braking, and comfort. Other
tires, rims, sizes, and combinations
may not be appropriate. Refer to page
7-14 for tire specifications and more in-
formation on replacing your tires.
Transportin g the Motorcycle
Be sure to observe following instruc-
tions before transporting the motorcy-
cle in another vehicle.  Remove all loose items from the
motorcycle.
 Check that the fuel cock (if
equipped) is in the “OFF” position
and that there are no fuel leaks. 
Point the front wheel straight
ahead on the trailer or in the truck
bed, and choke it in a rail to pre-
vent movement.
 Shift the transmission in gear (for
models with a manual transmis-
sion).
 Secure the motorcycle with tie-
downs or suitable straps that are
attached to solid parts of the mo-
torcycle, such as the frame or up-
per front fork triple clamp (and not,
for example, to rubber-mounted
handlebars or turn signals, or
parts that could break). Choose
the location for the straps carefully
so the straps will not rub against
painted surfaces during transport.
 The suspension should be com-
pressed somewhat by the tie-
downs, if possible, so that the mo-
torcycle will not bounce exces-
sively during transport.
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Instrument and control functions
4-9
4
EAU84382
A djustin g the front fork
WARNING
EWA10181
Always a djust both fork le gs equally,
otherwise poor han dlin g an d loss of
sta bility may result.
This front fork is equipped with re-
bound damping force adjusting screws
and compression damping force ad-
justing screws.
NOTICE
ECA10102
To avoi d d amag ing the mechanism,
d o not attempt to turn b eyond the
maximum or minimum settin gs.
Re boun d d ampin g force
1. Remove the protector.
2. Turn the adjusting screw in direc- tion (a) to increase the rebound
damping force. Turn the adjusting
screw in direction (b) to decrease
the rebound damping force. To
set the rebound damping force,
turn the adjuster in direction (a)
until it stops, and then count the
clicks in direction (b). 3. Install the protector.
TIP

Install the protector so that the
side with the notch is facing rear-
ward.
 When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (a), the 0 click
position and the 1 click position
may be the same.
 When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (b), it may
click beyond the stated specifica-
tions, however such adjustments
are ineffective and may damage
the suspension.
1. Protector
1
1. Rebound damping force adjusting screw
Reboun d d ampin g settin g:
Minimum (soft): 20 click(s) in direction (b)
Standard: 7 click(s) in direction (b)
Maximum (hard):
1 click(s) in direction (b)
1 1
(a)
(b)(a)(b)
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Instrument and control functions
4-10
4
Compression
dampin g force
1. Remove the rubber cap by pulling it out of the front fork leg.
2. Turn the adjusting screw in direc- tion (a) to increase the compres-
sion damping force. Turn the
adjusting screw in direction (b) to
decrease the compression damp-
ing force. To set the compression
damping force, turn the adjuster in
direction (a) until it stops, and then
count the clicks in direction (b). 3. Install the rubber cap.
TIP

When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (a), the 0 click
position and the 1 click position
may be the same.
 When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (b), it may
click beyond the stated specifica-
tions, however such adjustments
are ineffective and may damage
the suspension.
1. Notch
1. Rubber cap
2. Compression damping force adjusting
screw
1
2
1
(a)(b)
Compression dampin g settin g:
Minimum (soft): 20 click(s) in direction (b)
Standard:
10 (YZ85LW, YZ85LWL)
12 (YZ85, YZ85L) click(s) in direc-
tion (b)
Maximum (hard): 1 click(s) in direction (b)
UB4B81E0.book Page 10 Friday, March 1, 2019 2:54 PM

Instrument and control functions
4-11
4
EAU84390
Front fork blee din g
When riding in extremely rough condi-
tions, the air temperature and pressure
in the front fork will rise. This will in-
crease the spring preload and harden
the front suspension. If this occurs,
bleed the air from each front fork leg.
WARNING
EWA10201
Always blee d b oth fork le gs, other-
wise poor han dlin g an d loss of sta-
b ility may result.
To bleed the front fork legs
1. Remove the protector.
2. Place the motorcycle on a suitable
stand. (See page 7-28.)
3. Make sure the front wheel is off the ground and the area near the
bleed screws is clean.
4. Remove the bleed screws. 5. Wait a few seconds, and then in-
stall the bleed screws.
6. Install the protector.
1. Protector
1
1. Bleed screw
1 1
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Instrument and control functions
4-14
4
TIP
 When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (a), the 0 click
position and the 1 click position
may be the same.
 When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (b), it may
click beyond the stated specifica-
tions, however such adjustments
are ineffective and may damage
the suspension.
Compression dampin g force
Turn the adjusting screw in direction (a)
to increase the compression damping
force.
Turn the adjusting screw in direction (b)
to decrease the compression damping
force.
To set the compression damping for-
ce, turn the adjuster in direction (a) until
it stops, and then count the clicks in di-
rection (b).TIP
 When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (a), the 0 click
position and the 1 click position
may be the same.
 When turning the damping force
adjuster in direction (b), it may
click beyond the stated specifica-
tions, however such adjustments
are ineffective and may damage
the suspension.
WARNING
EWA10222
This shock ab sorber assem bly con-
tains hig hly pressurize d nitro gen
g as. Rea d an d un derstan d the fol-
lowin g information before han dlin g
the shock a bsor ber assem bly.
 Do not tamper with or attempt
to open the cylind er assembly.
Re boun d d ampin g settin g:
Minimum (soft): 20 click(s) in direction (b)
Standard:
10 (YZ85LW, YZ85LWL)
6 (YZ85, YZ85L) click(s) in direc-
tion (b)
Maximum (hard): 1 click(s) in direction (b)
1. Compression damping force adjusting
screw
Compression dampin g settin g:
Minimum (soft): 15 click(s) in direction (b)
Standard: 10 (YZ85LW, YZ85LWL)
9 (YZ85, YZ85L) click(s) in direc-
tion (b)
Maximum (hard): 1 click(s) in direction (b)
(b)(a)
1
UB4B81E0.book Page 14 Friday, March 1, 2019 2:54 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-5
7
EAU42012
TIP
 Hydraulic brake service
• Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid levels.
• Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cyl- inders and calipers, and change the brake fluid.
• Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.
NO. ITEM ROUTINEAfter
break-in
Everyrace
Every
third race
Every
fifth race
As
required
*Shock absorber
assembly Check operation and adjust. Tighten if necessary.
Lubricate with lithium-soap-based
grease.

*Drive chain roller
and support guide Check for wear or damage. Replace if necessary.
*Rear suspension Check operation and tighten if
necessary.
Lubricate with molybdenum disulfidegrease.
Check operation, free play, andtighten if necessary.
*
Steering head Clean and lubricate with
lithium-soap-based grease.
Replace bearings. Check tire air pressure, wheel runout,spokes for looseness, and tires for
wear.

Tighten sprocket bolts if necessary.
*Tires and wheels
Check wheel bearings for looseness. Lubricate wheel bearings with
lithium-soap-based grease.
Replace wheel bearings.
*Moving parts and ca-
bles Lubricate.
*
Throttle grip Check operation. Check throttle grip free play, and
adjust if necessary.
27 *Swingarm pivot
bearings 
Lubricate cable and grip housing.
After washing the motorcycle or riding in the rain.
Lubricate with molybdenum
disulfide grease. Check bearing assemblies for
looseness.
24
25
26
28
29
30
31
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Specifications
9-2
9
Front suspension:
Type:Telescopic fork
Rear suspension:
Type:Swingarm (link suspension)
UB4B81E0.book Page 2 Friday, March 1, 2019 2:54 PM