boot YAMAHA YZ450F 2008 Owners Manual
Page 6 of 188
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of 
a Yamaha YZ series. This model is 
the culmination of Yamaha's vast ex-
perience in the production of paceset-
ting racing machines. It represents 
the highest grade of craftsmanship 
and reliability that have made 
Yamaha a leader.
This manual explains operation, in-
spection, basic maintenance and tun-
ing of your machine. If you have any 
questions about this manual or your 
machine, please contact your 
Yamaha dealer.
Yamaha continually seeks advance-
ments in product design and quality. 
Therefore, while this manual contains 
the most current product information 
available at the time of printing, there 
may be minor discrepancies between 
your machine and this manual. If you 
have any questions concerning this 
manual, please consult your Yamaha 
dealer.
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL 
CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY 
BEFORE OPERATING THIS MA-
CHINE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OP-
ERATE THIS MACHINE UNTIL YOU 
HAVE ATTAINED A SATISFACTO-
RY KNOWLEDGE OF ITS CON-
TROLS AND OPERATING 
FEATURES AND UNTIL YOU HAVE 
BEEN TRAINED IN SAFE AND 
PROPER RIDING TECHNIQUES. 
REGULAR INSPECTIONS AND 
CAREFUL MAINTENANCE, 
ALONG WITH GOOD RIDING 
SKILLS, WILL ENSURE THAT YOU 
SAFETY ENJOY THE CAPABILI-
TIES AND THE RELIABILITY OF 
THIS MACHINE.
PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT 
INFORMATION
The Safety Alert Symbol means AT-
TENTION! BECOME ALERT! YOUR 
SAFETY IS INVOLVED!
Failure to follow WARNING instruc-
tions could result in severe injury or 
death to the machine operator, a by-
stander, or a person inspecting or re-
pairing the machine.A CAUTION indicates special pre-
cautions that must be taken to avoid 
damage to the machine.
A NOTE provides key information to 
make procedures easier or clearer.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
THIS MACHINE IS DESIGNED 
STRICTLY FOR COMPETITION 
USE, ONLY ON A CLOSED 
COURSE.  It is illegal for this machine 
to be operated on any public street, 
road, or highway. Off-road use on 
public lands may be illegal. Please 
check local regulations before riding.
1. THIS MACHINE IS TO BE OP-
ERATED BY AN EXPERI-
ENCED RIDER ONLY.
Do not attempt to operate this 
machine at maximum power 
until you are totally familiar 
with its characteristics.
2. THIS MACHINE IS DESIGNED 
TO BE RIDDEN BY THE OP-
ERATOR ONLY.
Do not carry passengers on 
this machine.
3. ALWAYS WEAR PROTEC-
TIVE APPAREL.
When operating this ma-
chine, always wear an ap-
proved helmet with goggles 
or a face shield. Also wear 
heavy boots, gloves, and pro-
tective clothing. Always wear 
proper fitting clothing that 
will not be caught in any of 
the moving parts or controls 
of the machine.
4. ALWAYS MAINTAIN YOUR 
MACHINE IN PROPER 
WORKING ORDER.
For safety and reliability, the 
machine must be properly 
maintained. Always perform 
the pre-operation checks in-
dicated in this manual. Cor-
recting a mechanical problem 
before you ride may prevent 
an accident.
5. GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAM-
MABLE.
Always turn off the engine 
while refueling. Take care to 
not spill any gasoline on the 
engine or exhaust system. 
Never refuel in the vicinity of 
an open flame, or while 
smoking.
6. GASOLINE CAN CAUSE IN-
JURY.
If you should swallow some 
gasoline, inhale excess gaso-
line vapors, or allow any gas-
oline to get into your eyes, 
contact a doctor immediately. 
If any gasoline spills onto 
your skin or clothing, imme-
diately wash skin areas with 
soap and water, and change 
your clothes.
7. ONLY OPERATE THE MA-
CHINE IN AN AREA WITH AD-
EQUATE VENTILATION.
Never start the engine or let it 
run for any length of time in 
an enclosed area. Exhaust 
fumes are poisonous. These 
fumes contain carbon mon-
oxide, which by itself is odor-
less and colorless. Carbon 
monoxide is a dangerous gas 
which can cause uncon-
sciousness or can be lethal.
8. PARK THE MACHINE CARE-
FULLY; TURN OFF THE EN-
GINE.
Always turn off the engine if 
you are going to leave the 
machine. Do not park the ma-
chine on a slope or soft 
ground as it may fall over.
9. THE ENGINE, EXHAUST 
PIPE, MUFFLER, AND OIL 
TANK WILL BE VERY HOT 
AFTER THE ENGINE HAS 
BEEN RUN.
Be careful not to touch them 
or to allow any clothing item 
to contact them during in-
spection or repair. 
Page 52 of 188
3-6
ENGINE
Apply water on the radiator cap seal.
3. Radiator cap
2. Apply the specified pressure.
3. Inspect:
• Pressure
Impossible to maintain the speci-
fied pressure for 10 seconds
→
Replace.
CHECKING THE COOLING 
SYSTEM
1. Inspect:
• Coolant level
2. Attach:
• Radiator cap tester "1" and adapt-
er "2"
3. Apply the specified pressure.
• Do not apply pressure more than 
specified pressure.
• Radiator should be filled fully.
4. Inspect:
• Pressure
Impossible to maintain the speci-
fied pressure for 10 seconds
→
Repair.
•Radiator
• Radiator hose joint
Coolant leakage
→Repair or re-place.
• Radiator hose
Swelling
→Replace.
ADJUSTING THE CLUTCH CABLE 
FREE PLAY
1. Check:
• Clutch lever free play "a"
Out of specification
→Adjust.
2. Adjust:
• Clutch lever free play
Clutch lever free play adjustment 
steps:
a. Loosen the locknuts "1".
b. Turn the adjuster "2" until free 
play "a" is within the specified lim-
its.
c. Tighten the locknuts.
• Before adjustment, expose the ad-
juster by moving the boot "3" and 
cap "4" away.
• Make minute adjustment on the le-
ver side using the adjuster "5".
• After adjustment, check proper op-
eration of clutch lever.
3. Install:
• Cap "1"
•Boot "2"
Place the tip "a" of the cap in the boot.
ADJUSTING THE THROTTLE 
CABLE FREE PLAY
1. Check:
• Throttle grip free play "a"
Out of specification
→Adjust.
2. Adjust:
• Throttle grip free play
Throttle grip free play adjustment 
steps:
a. Slide the adjuster cover.
b. Loosen the locknut "1".
c. Turn the adjuster "2" until the 
specified free play is obtained.
d. Tighten the locknut.
Before adjusting the throttle cable 
free play, the engine idle speed 
should be adjusted.
After adjusting the throttle cable 
free play, start the engine and turn 
the handlebar to right and left and 
make sure that the engine idling 
does not run faster.
Radiator cap opening 
pressure:
110 kPa (1.1 kg/cm
2, 
15.6 psi)
Radiator cap tester:
YU-24460-01/90890-
01325
Radiator cap tester 
adapter:
YU-33984/90890-01352
Standard pressure:
180 kPa (1.8 kg/cm
2, 
25.6 psi)
Clutch lever free play "a" 
:
8–13 mm (0.31–0.51 in)
Locknut:
4 Nm (0.4 m•kg, 2.9 
ft•lb)
Throttle grip free play 
"a":
3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in)
Locknut:
4 Nm (0.4 m•kg, 2.9 
ft•lb) 
Page 138 of 188
5-9
FRONT BRAKE AND REAR BRAKE
DISASSEMBLING THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
A. Front
B. Rear
1 Brake master cylinder cap 1
2 Diaphragm 1
3 Reservoir float 1
4 Push rod (Front) 1
5 Brake master cylinder boot 1
6 Circlip 1 Use a long nose circlip pliers.
7 Washer 1
8 Push rod (Rear) 1
9 Brake master cylinder kit 1 
Page 141 of 188
5-12
FRONT BRAKE AND REAR BRAKE
INSTALLING THE REAR BRAKE 
CALIPER
1. Install:
• Pad support "1"
• Brake pad "2"
• Pad pin "3"
• Install the brake pads with their pro-
jections "a" into the brake caliper re-
cesses "b".
• Temporarily tighten the pad pin at 
this point.
2. Install:
• Brake disc cover "1"
• Bolt (brake disc cover) "2"
3. Install:
• Brake caliper "1"
• Rear wheel "2"
Refer to "FRONT WHEEL AND 
REAR WHEEL" section.
4. Tighten:
• Pad pin "3"
5. Install:
• Pad pin plug "4"INSTALLING THE BRAKE 
MASTER CYLINDER KIT
1. Clean:
• Brake master cylinder
• Brake master cylinder kit
Clean them with brake fluid.
2. Install:
• Brake master cylinder cup (prima-
ry) "1"
• Brake master cylinder cup (sec-
ondary) "2"
To brake master cylinder piston 
"3".
Apply the brake fluid on the brake 
master cylinder cup.
After installing, cylinder cup 
should be installed as shown di-
rection. Wrong installation cause 
improper brake performance.
3. Install:
• Spring "1"
To brake master cylinder piston 
"2".
Install the spring at the smaller dia. 
side.
4. Install:
• Brake master cylinder kit "1"
• Washer (front brake) "2"
• Push rod (rear brake) "2"
• Circlip "3"
• Brake master cylinder boot "4"
• Push rod (front brake) "5"
To brake master cylinder.
• Apply the brake fluid on the brake 
master cylinder kit.
• Apply the silicone grease on the tip 
of the push rod.
• When installing the circlip, use a 
long nose circlip pliers.
A. Front
B. Rear
INSTALLING THE FRONT BRAKE 
MASTER CYLINDER
1. Install:
• Brake master cylinder "1"
• Brake master cylinder bracket "2"
• Bolt (brake master cylinder brack-
et) "3"
• Install the bracket so that the arrow 
mark "a" face upward.
• First tighten the bolts on the upper 
side of the brake master cylinder 
bracket, and then tighten the bolts 
on the lower side.
Bolt (brake disc cover):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2 
ft•lb)
Pad pin:
18 Nm (1.8 m•kg, 13 
ft•lb)
Pad pin plug:
3 Nm (0.3 m•kg, 2.2 
ft•lb)
Bolt (brake master cylin-
der bracket):
9 Nm (0.9 m•kg, 6.5 
ft•lb)