set clock YAMAHA YZ450F 2008 Owners Manual
Page 27 of 188
2-5
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Stem-to-guide clearance (IN) 0.010–0.037 mm (0.0004–0.0015  in) 0.08 mm (0.003 
in)
Stem-to-guide clearance (EX) 0.020–0.047 mm (0.0008–0.0019  in) 0.10 mm (0.004 
in)
Stem runout limit ---- 0.01 mm 
(0.0004 in)
Valve seat width (IN) 0.9–1.1 mm (0.0354–0.0433 in) 1.6 mm (0.0630 
in)
Valve seat width (EX) 0.9–1.1 mm (0.0354–0.0433 in) 1.6 mm (0.0630 
in)
Valve spring:
Free length (IN) 37.03 mm (1.46 in) 36.03 mm (1.42 
in)
Free length (EX) 37.68 mm (1.48 in) 36.68 mm (1.44 
in)
Set length (valve closed) (IN) 27.87 mm (1.10 in) ----
Set length (valve closed) (EX) 27.38 mm (1.08 in) ----
Compressed force (installed) (IN) 111.3–127.9 N at 27.87 mm (11.3–13.0 kg 
at 27.87 mm, 24.91–28.66 lb at 1.10 in)----
Compressed force (installed) (EX) 127.4–146.4 N at 27.38 mm (13.0–14.9 kg 
at 27.38 mm, 28.66–32.85 lb at 1.08 in)----
Tilt limit* (IN) ---- 2.5°/1.61 mm 
(2.5°/0.063 in)
Tilt limit* (EX) ---- 2.5°/1.65 mm 
(2.5°/0.065 in)
Direction of winding (top view) (IN) Clockwise ----
Direction of winding (top view) (EX) Clockwise ----
Piston:
Piston to cylinder clearance 0.020–0.045 mm (0.0008–0.0018 in) 0.1 mm (0.004 
in)
Piston size "D" 94.965–94.980 mm (3.7388–3.7394 in) ----
Measuring point "H" 8 mm (0.315 in) ---- Item Standard Limit 
Page 85 of 188
4-17
CAMSHAFTS
Measurement steps:
a. Install the camshaft onto the cylin-
der head.
b. Position a strip of Plastigauge
® 
"1" onto the camshaft.
c. Install the clip, dowel pins and 
camshaft caps.
• Tighten the bolts (camshaft cap) in 
a crisscross pattern from innermost 
to outer caps.
• Do not turn the camshaft when 
measuring clearance with the Plas-
tigauge
®.
d. Remove the camshaft caps and 
measure the width of the Plasti-
gauge
® "1".
5. Measure:
• Camshaft outside diameter "a"
Out of specification
→Replace 
the camshaft.
Within specification
→Replace 
camshaft case and camshaft 
caps as a set.CHECKING THE CAMSHAFT 
SPROCKET
1. Inspect:
• Camshaft sprocket "1"
Wear/damage
→Replace the 
camshaft assembly and timing 
chain as a set.
CHECKING THE 
DECOMPRESSION SYSTEM
1. Check:
• Decompression system
Checking steps:
a. Check that the decompression 
mechanism cam "1" moves 
smoothly.
b. Check that the decompression 
mechanism cam lever pin "2" 
projects from the camshaft.
CHECKING THE TIMING CHAIN 
TENSIONER
1. Check:
• While pressing the tensioner rod 
lightly with fingers, use a thin 
screwdriver "1" and wind the ten-
sioner rod up fully clockwise.
• When releasing the screwdriver 
by pressing lightly with fingers, 
make sure that the tensioner rod 
will come out smoothly.
• If not, replace the tensioner as-
sembly.INSTALLING THE CAMSHAFT
1. Install:
• Exhaust camshaft "1"
• Intake camshaft "2"
Installation steps:
a. Turn the crankshaft counterclock-
wise with a wrench.
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil 
on the camshafts.
• Apply the engine oil on the decom-
pression system.
b. Align the T.D.C. mark "a" on the 
rotor with the align mark "b" on the 
crankcase cover when piston is at 
T.D.C. on compression stroke.
c. Fit the timing chain "3" onto both 
camshaft sprockets and install the 
camshafts on the cylinder head.
The camshafts should be installed 
onto the cylinder head so that the 
punch mark "c" on the exhaust cam-
shaft and the punch mark "d" on the 
intake camshaft must align with the 
cylinder head surface, as shown in 
the illustration.
Camshaft-to-cap clear-
ance:
0.028–0.062 mm 
(0.0011–0.0024 in)
<Limit>:0.08 mm (0.003 
in)
Bolt (camshaft cap):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2 
ft•lb)
Camshaft outside diame-
ter:
21.959–21.972 mm 
(0.8645–0.8650 in) 
Page 186 of 188
7-9
CHASSIS
SUSPENSION SETTING (FRONT FORK)
• If any of the following symptoms is experienced with the standard position as the base, make resetting by reference to 
the adjustment procedure given in the same chart.
• Before any change, set the rear shock absorber sunken length to the standard figure 90–100 mm (3.5–3.9 in).
SymptomSection
Check Adjust
JumpLarge 
gapMedi-
um 
gapSmall 
gap
Stiff over entire 
range
â—‹â—‹â—‹
Compression  damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Oil  amount Decrease oil amount by about 5–10 cm
3 (0.2–0.4 
Imp oz, 0.2–0.3 US oz).
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Unsmooth move-
ment over entire 
range
â—‹â—‹â—‹â—‹
Outer tube Check for any bends, dents, and other noticeable 
scars, etc. If any, replace affected parts.
Inner tube
Slide metal Replace with a new one for extended use.
Piston metal Replace with a new one for extended use.
Under bracket tighten-
ing torqueRetighten to specified torque.
Poor initial move-
ment
â—‹
Rebound  damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Oil seal Apply grease in oil seal wall.
Soft over entire 
range, bottoming 
out
â—‹â—‹
Compression damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
Oil amount Increase oil amount by about 5–10 cm
3 (0.2–0.4 
Imp oz, 0.2–0.3 US oz).
Spring Replace with stiff spring.
Stiff toward stroke 
end
â—‹Oil amountDecrease oil amount by about 5 cm3 (0.2 Imp 
oz,0.2 US oz).
Soft toward stroke 
end, bottoming out
â—‹Oil amountIncrease oil amount by about 5 cm3 (0.2 Imp 
oz,0.2 US oz).
Stiff initial move-
ment
â—‹â—‹â—‹â—‹Compression dampingTurn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Low front, tending to 
lower front posture
â—‹â—‹
Compression damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
Rebound  damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Balance with rear end Set sunken length for 95–100 mm (3.7–3.9 in) 
when one passenger is astride seat (lower rear 
posture).
Oil amount Increase oil amount by about 5 cm
3 (0.2 Imp oz, 
0.2 US oz).
"Obtrusive" front, 
tending to upper 
front posture
â—‹â—‹
Compression  damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Balance with rear end Set sunken length for 90–95 mm (3.5–3.7 in) 
when one passenger is astride seat (upper rear 
posture).
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Oil  amount Decrease oil amount by about 5–10 cm
3 (0.2–0.4 
Imp oz, 0.2–0.3 US oz). 
Page 187 of 188
7-10
CHASSIS
SUSPENSION SETTING (REAR SHOCK ABSORBER)
• If any of the following symptoms is experienced with the standard position as the base, make resetting by reference to 
the adjustment procedure given in the same chart.
• Adjust the rebound damping in 2-click increments or decrements.
• Adjust the low compression damping in 1-click increments or decrements.
• Adjust the high compression damping in 1/6 turn increments or decrements.
SymptomSection
Check Adjust
JumpLarge 
gapMedi-
um 
gapSmall 
gap
Stiff, tending to sink
â—‹â—‹
Rebound  damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Spring set length Set sunken length for 90–100 mm (3.5–3.9 in) 
when one passenger is astride seat.
Spongy and unsta-
ble
â—‹â—‹
Rebound damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
Low compression 
dampingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1 click) to increase 
damping.
Spring Replace with stiff spring.
Heavy and dragging
â—‹â—‹
Rebound  damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Poor road gripping
â—‹
Rebound  damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Low compression 
dampingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
High compression 
dampingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1/6 turn) to in-
crease damping.
Spring set length Set sunken length for 90–100 mm (3.5–3.9 in) 
when one passenger is astride seat.
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Bottoming out
â—‹â—‹
High compression 
dampingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1/6 turn) to in-
crease damping.
Spring set length Set sunken length for 90–100 mm (3.5–3.9 in) 
when one passenger is astride seat.
Spring Replace with stiff spring.
Bouncing
â—‹â—‹
Rebound damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Stiff travel
â—‹â—‹
High compression 
dampingTurn adjuster counterclockwise (about 1/6 turn) to 
decrease damping.
Spring set length Set sunken length for 90–100 mm (3.5–3.9 in) 
when one passenger is astride seat.
Spring Replace with soft spring.