2021 YAMAHA MT-125 engine

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-6
6
20 Si destan d • Check operation.
• Lubricate with lithium-soap-
based grease. √√√√√
21 *Sidestan d switch • Check operation and replace if
necessary. √√√√√√
22 *Front fork • Check operation and for oil leak-
age.
• Replace if necessary. √√√√
23 *Shock a
bsor ber as-
sem bly • Check operation and for oil leak-
age.
• Replace if necessary. √√√√
24 *Rear suspension re-
lay arm an
d con-
nectin g arm
pivotin g points • Check operation.
√√√√
• Lubricate with lithium-soap- based grease. √√
25 En gine oil • Change (warm engine before
draining).
• Check oil level and vehicle for oil leakage. At the initial interval and
every 3000 km (1800 mi) thereafter. √
26 En
gine oil filter ele-
ment • Replace.
√√√√√
27 *Coolin g system • Check coolant level and vehicle
for coolant leakage. √√√√√
• Change. Every 3 years
28 *Front an
d rear
b rake switches • Check operation.
√√√√√√
29 *Movin
g parts an d
cab les • Lubricate.
√√
√√√
NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOB
ODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK
1000 km
(600 mi) 6000 km
(3500 mi) 12000 km
(7000 mi) 18000 km
(10500 mi) 24000 km
(14000 mi)
UB6GE1E0.book Page 6 Thursday, July 30, 2020 1:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-8
6
EAU18782
Removin g an d installin g cowl-
in gsThe cowlings shown need to be re-
moved to perform some of the mainte-
nance jobs described in this chapter.
Refer to this section each time a cowl-
ing needs to be removed and installed.
EAU46742
Cowlin g A
To remove the cowlingRemove the bolts, and then take the
cowling off. To install the cowling
Place the cowling in the original posi-
tion, and then install the bolts.
EAU19623
Checkin
g the spark plu gThe spark plug is an important engine
component, which should be checked
periodically, preferably by a Yamaha
dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode,
it should be removed and checked in
accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addi-
tion, the condition of the spark plug
can reveal the condition of the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the
center electrode of the spark plug
should be a medium-to-light tan (the
ideal color when the vehicle is ridden
normally). If the spark plug shows a
distinctly different color, the engine
could be operating improperly. Do not
attempt to diagnose such problems
yourself. Instead, have a Yamaha deal-
er check the vehicle.
If the spark plug shows signs of elec-
trode erosion and excessive carbon or
other deposits, it should be replaced.
1. Cowling AZAUM1738
1
1. Bolt
1
Specified spark plu g:
NGK/MR8E9
UB6GE1E0.book Page 8 Thursday, July 30, 2020 1:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-10
6
EAUM2584
En gine oil an d oil filter ele-
mentThe engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter ele-
ment replaced at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubri-
cation chart.
To check the en gine oil level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. A slight tilt to the side can
result in a false reading.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set- tles, remove the oil filler cap, wipe
the dipstick clean, insert it back
into the oil filler hole (without
screwing it in), and then remove it
again to check the oil level.
NOTICE: Do not operate the ve-
hicle until you know that the en-
g ine oil level is sufficient.
[ECA10012]
TIPThe engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
4. If the engine oil is below the mini-
mum level mark, add sufficient oil
of the recommended type to raise
it to the correct level.
5. Install the oil filler cap.
To chan ge the en gine oil (with or
without oil filter element replace-
ment) 1. Start the engine, warm it up for several minutes, and then turn it
off.
2. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect the used oil.
3. Remove the engine oil filler cap and the drain bolt along with the
O-ring, compression spring, and
engine oil strainer, to drain the oil
from the crankcase. NOTICE:
When removin g the en gine oil
d rain bolt, the O-rin g, compres-
sion sprin g, an d oil strainer will
fall out. Take care not to lose
these parts.
[ECA11002]
1. Engine oil filler cap
1. Dipstick
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1
2
3
ZAUE1300
UB6GE1E0.book Page 10 Thursday, July 30, 2020 1:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-11
6
4. Clean the engine oil strainer with solvent.
TIPSkip steps 5–7 if the oil filter element is
not being replaced.5. Remove the oil filter element coverby removing the bolts. 6. Remove and replace the oil filter
element and O-ring. 7. Install the oil filter element cover
by installing the bolts, then tight-
ening them to the specified
torque.
TIPMake sure that the O-ring is properly
seated.8. Install the engine oil strainer, com-pression spring, O-ring and the
engine oil drain bolt, and then
tighten it to the specified torque.
NOTICE: Before installin g the
en gine oil drain bolt, do not for-
g et to install the O-ring , com-
pression sprin g, an d oil strainer
in position.
[ECA10422]
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. O-ring
3. Compression spring
4. Strainer
5. Oil pan
1. Bolt
2. Oil filter element cover
1. Oil filter element
2. O-ring
Ti ghtenin g torque:
Oil filter element cover bolt: 10 N·m (1.0 kgf·m, 7.4 lb·ft)
Ti ghtenin g torque:
Engine oil drain bolt: 32 N·m (3.2 kgf·m, 24 lb·ft)
UB6GE1E0.book Page 11 Thursday, July 30, 2020 1:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-12
6 9. Refill with the specified amount of
the recommended engine oil, and
then install and tighten the oil filler
cap.
NOTICE
ECA11621
In or der to prevent clutch slip-
pa ge (since the en gine oil also
lu bricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do
not use oils with a d iesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a hi gh-
er quality than specifie d. In
a ddition, do not use oils la beled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
hi gher.
 Make sure that no forei gn mate-
rial enters the crankcase.
10. Start the engine, and then let it idle for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking,
immediately turn the engine off
and check for the cause.
11. Turn the engine off, and then check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
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.
Recommen ded en gine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity: Oil change:
0.85 L (0.90 US qt, 0.75 Imp.qt)
With oil filter removal: 0.95 L (1.00 US qt, 0.84 Imp.qt)
UB6GE1E0.book Page 12 Thursday, July 30, 2020 1:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-13
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.
EAUE4091
To check the coolant level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face.
2. Remove cowling A. (See page 6-8.)
3. Hold the vehicle in an upright po- sition.
TIPThe coolant level must be
checked on a cold engine since
the level varies with engine tem-
perature.
 Make sure that the vehicle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking
the coolant level. A slight tilt to the
side can result in a false reading.4. Check the coolant level in the
coolant reservoir.TIPThe coolant should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
5. If the coolant is at or below theminimum level mark, remove the
coolant reservoir cap protector by
removing the bolt then remove the
coolant reservoir cap.
Recommen ded coolant:
YAMALUBE coolant
Coolant quantity: Coolant reservoir (max level mark):0.15 L (0.16 US qt, 0.13 Imp.qt)
Radiator (including all routes): 0.49 L (0.52 US qt, 0.43 Imp.qt)
1. Coolant reservoir
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1. Coolant reservoir cap protector
1. Coolant reservoir cap
UB6GE1E0.book Page 13 Thursday, July 30, 2020 1:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-15
6
2. If dirt or water is visible, remove
the hose, clean it, and then install
it.
EAU34302
Adjustin g the en gine i dlin g
spee dThe engine idling speed must be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted as
follows at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
The engine should be warm before
making this adjustment.
Check the engine idling speed and, if
necessary, adjust it to specification by
turning the idle adjusting screw. To in-
crease the engine idling speed, turn
the screw in direction (a). To decrease
the engine idling speed, turn the screw
in direction (b).
TIPIf the specified idling speed cannot be
obtained as described above, have a
Yamaha dealer make the adjustment.
1. Idle adjusting screw
1
(b)
(a)
Engine i dlin g spee d:
1250–1550 r/min
UB6GE1E0.book Page 15 Thursday, July 30, 2020 1:08 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-16
6
EAU48434
A djustin g the throttle grip free
playMeasure the throttle grip free play as
shown.
Periodically check the throttle grip free
play and, if necessary, adjust it as fol-
lows.TIPThe engine idling speed must be cor-
rectly adjusted before checking and
adjusting the throttle grip free play.1. Slide the rubber cover back.
2. Loosen the locknut. 3. To increase the throttle grip free
play, turn the adjusting nut in di-
rection (a). To decrease the throt-
tle grip free play, turn the adjusting
nut in direction (b).
4. Tighten the locknut and then slide the rubber cover to its original po-
sition.
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.
1. Throttle grip free playThrottle g rip free play:
3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in)
1
1. Adjusting nut
2. Locknut
1
2
(a)
(b)
UB6GE1E0.book Page 16 Thursday, July 30, 2020 1:08 PM