Page 69 of 92

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-21
7
EAU51721
Chan gin g the brake flui d
Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, have the oil seals
of the master cylinders and calipers as
well as the brake hoses replaced at the
intervals listed below or whenever they
are damaged or leaking.
Oil seals: Replace every two
years.
Brake hoses: Replace every four
years.
EAU22762
Drive chain slack
The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU84400To check the d rive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on a suitable stand. (See page 7-28.)
2. Confirm the rear wheel is off the ground and the rear shock ab-
sorber is fully extended.
3. Shift the transmission into neutral.
4. Pull up the drive chain until the chain is taut, and then measure
distance A between the top of the
swingarm and the bottom of the
chain as shown.
5. 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 an d can lead to chain slip-
pa ge or breakag e. To prevent
1. Distance A
Distance A:
58.0–68.0 mm (2.28–2.68 in) (YZ85,
YZ85L)
65.0–75.0 mm (2.56–2.95 in)
(YZ85LW, YZ85LWL)
1
UB4B81E0.book Page 21 Friday, March 1, 2019 2:54 PM
Page 70 of 92
![YAMAHA YZ85 2020 Owners Manual Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-22
7 this from occurrin
g, keep the
d rive chain slack within the
specifie d limits.
[ECA10572]
EAU84060
To adjust the drive chain slack
Consult a Yamaha deal YAMAHA YZ85 2020 Owners Manual Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-22
7 this from occurrin
g, keep the
d rive chain slack within the
specifie d limits.
[ECA10572]
EAU84060
To adjust the drive chain slack
Consult a Yamaha deal](/manual-img/51/54024/w960_54024-69.png)
Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-22
7 this from occurrin
g, keep the
d rive chain slack within the
specifie d limits.
[ECA10572]
EAU84060
To adjust the drive chain slack
Consult a Yamaha dealer before ad-
justing the drive chain slack. 1. Loosen the axle nut and the lock- nut on each side of the swingarm.
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.
TIP
Using the alignment marks on the drive
chain pullers and the notch on each
side of the swingarm, make sure that
both drive chain pullers are in the same
position for proper wheel alignment.
3. Tighten both locknuts and the axlenut to the 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. Locknut
1. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
1
2
(b)
(a) 1
1. Notch
2. Alignment mark
3. Drive chain puller
Ti
ghtening torques:
Locknut: 21 N·m (2.1 kgf·m, 15 lb·ft)
Axle nut:
80 N·m (8.0 kgf·m, 59 lb·ft)
12
3
UB4B81E0.book Page 22 Friday, March 1, 2019 2:54 PM
Page 75 of 92
Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-27
7
EAU23285
Checkin g the steerin g
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 7-28.)
WARNING! To avoi d injury, se-
curely support the vehicle so
there is no dan ger of it fallin g
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.
EAU23292
Checkin g the wheel bearin gs
The front and rear wheel bearings must
be checked at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. If there is play in the wheel
hub or if the wheel does not turn
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the wheel bearings.
UB4B81E0.book Page 27 Friday, March 1, 2019 2:54 PM
Page 76 of 92
Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-28
7
EAU75190
Supportin g the motorcycle
Since this model is not equipped with a
centerstand, use a maintenance stand
when removing the front or rear wheel,
adjusting the chain or washing the ve-
hicle, etc.
Check that the motorcycle is in a stable
and level position before starting any
maintenance.
TIP
If a suitable maintenance stand is not
available, a strong wooden box can be
used instead.
EAU24361
Front wheel
EAU56372
To remove the front wheel
WARNING
EWA10822
To avoi d injury, securely support the
vehicle so there is no dan ger of it
fallin g over.
1. Loosen the axle nut.
2. Place the motorcycle on a suitable
stand. (See page 7-28.)
3. Remove the axle nut and washer.
4. Pull out the wheel axle.1. Maintenance stand (for off-road motorcycle)
1
1. Washer
2. Axle nut
1. Wheel axle
2
1
1
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Page 77 of 92

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-29
7
5. Remove the wheel.
NOTICE: Do
not apply the brake after the
wheel an d b rake disc have been
remove d, otherwise the brake
pa ds will b e forced shut.
[ECA11073]
To install the front wheel
1. Make sure the brake pads have not been forced shut.
2. Lift up the wheel between the fork legs.
3. Insert the wheel axle from the right side.
4. Install the washer and axle nut.
5. Tighten the axle nut to the speci- fied torque.
EAU25081
Rear wheel
EAU84051
To remove the rear wheel
WARNING
EWA10822
To avoi d injury, securely support the
vehicle so there is no dan ger of it
fallin g over.
1. Loosen the axle nut.
2. Place the motorcycle on a suitable
stand. (See page 7-28.)
3. Loosen the locknut, and then turn the drive chain slack adjusting bolt
in direction (a). Repeat for the oth-
er side.
Tightening torque:
Axle nut: 70 N·m (7.0 kgf·m, 52 lb·ft)
1. Axle nut
2. Washer
1. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
2. Locknut
3. Drive chain puller
12
23
(a)1
UB4B81E0.book Page 29 Friday, March 1, 2019 2:54 PM
Page 78 of 92

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-30
7 4. Remove the axle nut and washer.
5. Push the wheel forward and re-
move the drive chain from the rear
sprocket.
6. While supporting the brake caliper bracket, pull out the wheel axle.
TIP
A rubber mallet may be useful to
tap the wheel axle out.
The drive chain pullers may fall out
when removing the wheel axle.
7. Remove the wheel. NOTICE: Do
not apply the b rake after the
wheel an d b rake disc have been
remove d, otherwise the brake
pa ds will be forced shut.
[ECA11073]
TIP
If the drive chain is difficult to re-
move, remove the wheel axle first.
For easy installation, rest the drive
chain on top of the swingarm.
To install the rear wheel
1. Make sure the brake pads have not been forced shut.
2. Install the wheel, the brake caliper bracket and drive chain pullers by
inserting the wheel axle from the
left side.
TIP
Make sure the slot in the brake caliper
bracket is fit over the retainer on the
swingarm.
3. Install the drive chain onto the rearsprocket.
4. Install the washer and axle nut.
5. Adjust the drive chain slack. (See page 7-21.)
1. Wheel axle
1
1. Retainer
2. Slot
2 1
UB4B81E0.book Page 30 Friday, March 1, 2019 2:54 PM
Page 82 of 92

Motorcycle care and stora ge
8-1
8
EAU37834
Matte color caution
NOTICE
ECA15193
Some mo dels are equipped with
matte colore d finishe d parts. Be
sure to consult a Yamaha dealer for
a d vice on what pro ducts to use be-
fore cleanin g the vehicle. Usin g a
b rush, harsh chemical prod ucts or
cleanin g compoun ds when cleanin g
these parts will scratch or damag e
their surface. Wax also shoul d not
b e applied to any matte colored fin-
ishe d parts.
EAU86440
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.
NOTICE
ECA26280
Improper cleanin g can cause cos-
metic an d mechanical dama ge. Do
not use: high-pressure washers or
steam-jet cleaners. Excessive
water pressure may cause wa-
ter seepag e and d eterioration of
wheel bearin gs, brakes, trans-
mission seals an d electrical de-
vices. Avoi d hi gh-pressure
d eter gent applications such as
those availa ble in coin-operate d
car washers.
UB4B81E0.book Page 1 Friday, March 1, 2019 2:54 PM
Page 83 of 92

Motorcycle care and stora ge
8-2
8
harsh chemicals, inclu din g
stron g aci dic wheel cleaners,
especially on spoke or ma gne-
sium wheels.
harsh chemicals, ab rasive
cleanin g compoun ds, or wax on
matte-finished parts. Brushes
can scratch an d damag e the
matte-finish, use soft spon ge or
towel only.
towels, spon ges, or brushes
contaminate d with a brasive
cleanin g prod ucts or stron g
chemicals such as, solvents,
g asoline, rust removers, brake
flui d, or antifreeze, etc.
Before washin g
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
d eg reasin g a gent on areas re-
quirin g lu brication such as
seals, gaskets, an d wheel axles.
Follow prod uct 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 col d water if the vehicle has
b een 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 stron g chemicals to clean
the win dshiel d. A dditionally,
some cleanin g compoun ds for
plastic may scratch the win d-
shiel d, so b e sure to test all
cleanin g prod ucts 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 washin g
1. Dry the vehicle with a chamois or absorbent towel, preferably mi-
crofiber terrycloth.
UB4B81E0.book Page 2 Friday, March 1, 2019 2:54 PM