brake YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 2004 Owners Manual

EBU00015
1-CONTENTS
LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND
SPECIFICATION LABELS ...................... 1-1
SAFETY INFORMATION ......................... 2-1
DESCRIPTION AND MACHINE
IDENTIFICATION ................................... 3-1
Identification number records ............... 3-3
Key identification number ..................... 3-5
Vehicle identification number ............... 3-7
Model label ........................................... 3-9
CONTROL FUNCTIONS ........................ 4-1
Main switch........................................... 4-1
Indicator and warning lights.................. 4-3
Speedometer unit ................................. 4-9
Fuel gauge ......................................... 4-15
Handlebar switches ............................ 4-17
Throttle lever ...................................... 4-35
Speed limiter ...................................... 4-37
Front brake lever ................................ 4-39
Brake pedal and rear brake lever ....... 4-41
Drive select lever ................................ 4-43
Recoil starter ...................................... 4-43
1234
Fuel tank cap ..................................... 4-45
Fuel cock............................................ 4-47
Starter (choke) ................................... 4-49
Seat.................................................... 4-51
Storage compartment ........................ 4-53
Front carrier ....................................... 4-55
Rear carrier ........................................ 4-55
Front shock absorber adjustment ...... 4-57
Rear shock absorber adjustment ....... 4-61
Auxiliary DC jack ................................ 4-63
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS .................. 5-1
Front and rear brakes .......................... 5-5
Fuel ...................................................... 5-9
Engine oil ........................................... 5-13
Final gear oil ...................................... 5-15
Differential gear oil ............................. 5-17
Coolant............................................... 5-19
Throttle lever ...................................... 5-21
Fittings and fasteners......................... 5-21
Lights ................................................. 5-23
Switches............................................. 5-23
Tires ................................................... 5-25
How to measure tire pressure ............ 5-29
5
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Tire wear limit......................................5-31
OPERATION ...........................................6-1
Starting a cold engine ...........................6-3
Starting a warm engine .........................6-9
Warming up...........................................6-9
Drive select lever operation and
reverse driving ..................................6-11
Engine break-in ...................................6-17
Parking ................................................6-19
Parking on a slope ..............................6-21
Accessories and loading .....................6-23
RIDING YOUR ATV..................................7-1
Getting to know your ATV .....................7-3
Ride with care and good judgement .....7-5
Be careful where you ride ...................7-27
Turning your ATV ................................7-39
Climbing uphill.....................................7-45
Riding downhill ....................................7-55
Crossing a slope .................................7-59
Crossing through shallow water ..........7-63
Riding over rough terrain ....................7-69
Sliding and skidding ............................7-71
What to do if ........................................7-75
What to do...........................................7-75
67
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT ........................................ 8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit ................. 8-3
Periodic maintenance/lubrication.......... 8-7
Panel removal and installation............ 8-15
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ......... 8-31
Final gear oil ....................................... 8-41
Differential gear oil.............................. 8-47
Cooling system ................................... 8-53
Changing the coolant.......................... 8-57
Axle boots ........................................... 8-63
Spark plug inspection ......................... 8-65
Air filter element cleaning ................... 8-71
V-belt cooling duct check hose ........... 8-79
V-belt case drain plug ......................... 8-79
Carburetor adjustment ........................ 8-81
Idle speed adjustment ........................ 8-83
Valve clearance adjustment ............... 8-85
Throttle lever adjustment .................... 8-87
Front brake pad check ........................ 8-89
Rear brake pad check ........................ 8-91
Inspecting the brake fluid level ........... 8-93
Brake fluid replacement ...................... 8-97
Front brake lever free play.................. 8-99
Rear brake lever adjustment ............ 8-101
Brake pedal position adjustment ...... 8-101
8
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Adjusting the rear brake light
switch ............................................. 8-105
Cable inspection and lubrication ...... 8-107
Brake lever and brake pedal
lubrication ....................................... 8-109
Wheel removal ................................. 8-111
Wheel installation ............................. 8-113
Battery .............................................. 8-115
Battery maintenance ........................ 8-119
Fuse replacement............................. 8-121
Replacing a headlight bulb ............... 8-125
Headlight beam adjustment.............. 8-129
Tail/brake light bulb replacement ..... 8-129
Troubleshooting................................ 8-131
Troubleshooting chart....................... 8-133
CLEANING AND STORAGE .................. 9-1
A. Cleaning ........................................... 9-1
B. Storage ............................................ 9-7
SPECIFICATIONS ................................ 10-1
CONVERSION TABLE .......................... 11-1
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2-11

Always check for obstacles before operating in
a new area.
Never attempt to operate over large obstacles,
such as large rocks or fallen trees. Always fol-
low proper procedures when operating over
obstacles as described in this manual.


Always be careful when skidding or sliding.
Learn to safely control skidding or sliding by
practicing at low speeds and on level, smooth
terrain. On extremely slippery surfaces, such
as ice, go slowly and be very cautious in order
to reduce the chance of skidding or sliding out
of control.


Never operate an ATV in fast flowing water or
in water deeper than that recommended in this
manual. Remember that wet brakes may have
reduced stopping ability. Test your brakes after
leaving water. If necessary, apply them several
times to let friction dry out the linings.
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3-1
EBU00032
DESCRIPTION AND MACHINE
IDENTIFICATION1. Rear shock absorber
assembly spring preload
adjusting ring
2. Storage compartment
and tool kit
3. Spark plug
4. Rear brake fluid reservoir
5. Radiator cap
6. Front shock absorber
assembly spring preload
adjusting ring
7. V-belt case
8. Brake pedal
9. Front shock absorber
assembly spring preload
adjusting ring
10. Fuel cock
11. Air filter case
12. Fuses13. Tail/brake light
14. V-belt cooling duct check
hose
15. Coolant reservoir
16. Oil filter cartridge
17. Engine oil dipstick
18. Rear brake lever
19. Left handlebar switches
20. Starter (choke)
21. Horn switch
22. Drive select lever
23. Speedometer unit
24. Main switch
25. Fuel tank cap
26. Auxiliary DC jack
27. Right handlebar switch
28. Throttle lever
29. Front brake leverNOTE:The machine you have purchased may differ
slightly from those shown in the figures of this
manual.
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4-39 1. Front brake lever
1. Levier de frein avant
1. Palanca del freno delantero
EBU00070
Front brake lever
The front brake lever is located on the right handle-
bar. Pull it toward the handlebar to apply the front
brake.
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4-41 1. Brake pedal
1. Pédale de frein
1. Pedal del freno
1. Rear brake lever
1. Levier de frein arrière
1. Palanca del freno trasero
EBU00732
Brake pedal and rear brake lever
The brake pedal is located on the right side of the
ATV and the rear brake lever is located on the left
handlebar. Push down on the pedal or pull the le-
ver toward the handlebar to apply the rear brake.
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5-1
EBU00113
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
Before using this machine, check the following points:
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
Front brakeCheck operation, lever free play, fluid level and fluid leakage.
Fill with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary.5-5–5-7,
8-89, 8-93–8-99
Rear brakeCheck operation, lever free play, fluid level and fluid leakage.
Fill with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary.5-5–5-7,
8-91–8-97,
8-101–8-103
FuelCheck fuel level.
Fill with fuel if necessary.5-9–5-11
Engine oilCheck oil level.
Fill with oil if necessary.5-13, 8-31–8-41
Coolant reservoirCheck coolant level in reservoir.
Fill with coolant if necessary.5-19–5-21,
8-53–8-63
Final gear oil and
differential gear oilCheck for leakage.5-15–5-17,
8-41–8-51
ThrottleCheck for proper throttle cable operation and free play. 5-21, 8-87
Wheels and tiresCheck tire pressure, wear and damage.5-25–5-31,
8-111–8-113
Fittings and fastenersCheck all fittings and fasteners. 5-21
Lights and switchesCheck for proper operation.5-23, 8-105,
8-125–8-129
Axle bootsCheck for damage. 8-63
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5-5
EBU12761
Front and rear brakes
Brake levers and brake pedal

Check that there is no free play in the front
brake lever. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust it.


Check for correct free play in the rear brake le-
ver. If the free play is incorrect, adjust it. (See
pages 8-101–8-103.)


Check for correct brake pedal height. If the
pedal height is incorrect, have a Yamaha deal-
er adjust it.


Check the operation of the brake levers and
pedal. They should move smoothly and there
should be a firm feeling when the brakes are
applied. If not, have a Yamaha dealer inspect
the brake system.
Brake fluid level
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See pages 8-93–8-97.)
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
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5-7
Brake fluid leakage
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
pipe joints or brake fluid reservoirs. Apply the
brakes firmly for one minute. If the lever moves
slowly inward, there may be a leak in the brake
system. If there is any leakage, the brake system
should be inspected by a Yamaha dealer.
Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out to
make sure they are working properly. If the brakes
do not provide proper braking performance, in-
spect the brake pads for wear. (See pages 8-89–
8-91.)
WARNING
_ Always check the brakes at the start of every
ride. Do not ride the ATV if you find any prob-
lem with the brakes or you could lose braking
ability, which could lead to an accident. If a
problem cannot be corrected by the adjust-
ment procedures provided in this manual,
have a Yamaha dealer check for the cause. _
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