YAMAHA YZF-R125 2021 Repair Manual

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-17
6
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.
EAU77621
TiresTires are the only contact between the
vehicle and the road. Safety in all con-
ditions of riding depends on a relatively
small area of road contact. Therefore, it
is essential to maintain the tires in good
condition at all times and replace them
at the appropriate time with the speci-
fied tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted
before each ride.
WARNING
EWA10504
Operation of this vehicle with im-
proper tire pressure may cause se-
vere injury or d eath from loss of
control.  The tire air pressure must be
checked and a djuste d on col d
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the am bient
temperature).
 The tire air pressure must be
a d juste d in accor dance with the
ri din g spee d an d with the total
1. Adjusting nut
2. LocknutZAUM1596
1 2
(a)
(b)
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-18
6 wei
ght of ri der, passen ger, car-
g o, an d accessories approve d
for this mo del.
WARNING
EWA10512
Never overloa d your vehicle. Opera-
tion of an overloa ded vehicle coul d
cause an acci dent.
Tire inspection
The tires must be checked before each
ride. If the center tread depth reaches
the specified limit, if the tire has a nail
or glass fragments in it, or if the side-
wall is cracked, have a Yamaha dealer
replace the tire immediately.TIPThe tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always com-
ply with the local regulations.
WARNING
EWA10472
 Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besi des
b ein g ille gal, operatin g the vehi-
cle with excessively worn tires
d ecreases rid ing sta bility an d
can lead to loss of control.
 The replacement of all wheel
and b rake-relate d parts, inclu d-
in g the tires, shoul d b e left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
e dge an d experience to do so.
 Ride at mo derate speed s after
chan gin g a tire since the tire
surface must first be “ broken
in” for it to develop its optimal
characteristics.
Col d tire air pressure:
1 person: Front:200 kPa (2.00 kgf/cm², 29 psi)
Rear: 220 kPa (2.20 kgf/cm², 32 psi)
2 persons:
Front:200 kPa (2.00 kgf/cm², 29 psi)
Rear:
220 kPa (2.20 kgf/cm², 32 psi)
Maximum loa d:
Vehicle:
175 kg (387 lb)
The vehicle’s maximum load is the
combined weight of the rider, pas-
senger, cargo, and any accessories.
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depthMinimum tire trea d d epth (front an d
rear): 1.6 mm (0.06 in)
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-19
6
Tire information
This model is equipped with tubeless
tires and tire air valves.
Tires age, even if they have not been
used or have only been used occasion-
ally. Cracking of the tread and sidewall
rubber, sometimes accompanied by
carcass deformation, is an evidence of
ageing. Old and aged tires shall be
checked by tire specialists to ascertain
their suitability for further use.
WARNING
EWA16101

The front an d rear tires shoul d
b e of the same make an d d e-
si gn, otherwise the han dlin g characteristics of the vehicle
may
be different, which coul d
lea d to an acci dent.
 Always make sure that the valve
caps are securely installe d to
prevent air pressure leaka ge.
 Use only the tire valves an d
valve cores liste d below to
avoi d tire d eflation during a ride.
After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below have been approved for this
model by Yamaha.
EAU21963
Cast wheelsTo maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your vehicle,
note the following points regarding the
specified wheels.
 The wheel rims should be
checked for cracks, bends, warp-
age or other damage before each
ride. If any damage is found, have
a Yamaha dealer replace the
wheel. Do not attempt even the
smallest repair to the wheel. A de-
formed or cracked wheel must be
replaced.
 The wheel should be balanced
whenever either the tire or wheel
has been changed or replaced. An
unbalanced wheel can result in
poor performance, adverse han-
dling characteristics, and a short-
ened tire life.
1. Tire air valve
2. Tire air valve core
3. Tire air valve cap with seal
Front tire:
Size:100/80-17M/C 52S
Manufacturer/model: MICHELIN PILOT STREET
Tire air valve:
TR412
Valve core: V3002 (original)
Rear tire: Size:140/70-17M/C 66S
Manufacturer/model: MICHELIN PILOT STREET
Tire air valve:
TR412
Valve core: V3002 (original)
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-20
6
EAU33893
A djustin g the clutch lever free
playMeasure the clutch lever free play as
shown.
Periodically check the clutch lever free
play and, if necessary, adjust it as fol-
lows.
To increase the clutch lever free play,
turn the clutch lever free play adjusting
bolt at the clutch lever in direction (a).
To decrease the clutch lever free play,
turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b).
TIPIf the specified clutch lever free play
cannot be obtained as described
above, proceed as follows.1. Fully turn the adjusting bolt at the
clutch lever in direction (a) to loos-
en the clutch cable.
2. Loosen the locknut at the crank- case.
3. To increase the clutch lever free play, turn the clutch lever free play
adjusting nut in direction (a). To
decrease the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting nut in di-
rection (b). 4. Tighten the locknut.
1. Clutch lever free play
2. Locknut
3. Clutch lever free play adjusting boltClutch lever free play:
10.0–15.0 mm (0.39–0.59 in)ZAUM1597
)
)
3
2
1 (a
(b
1. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut (crank- case)
2. LocknutZAUM1598
2
(a)
(b) 1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-21
6
EAUT1223
Checkin g the front b rake lever
free playMeasure the front brake lever free play
as shown.
Periodically check the brake lever free
play and, if necessary, have a Yamaha
dealer check the brake system.
WARNING
EWA10642
An incorrect brake lever free play in-
d icates a hazar dous con dition in the
b rake system. Do not operate the vehicle until the
brake system has
b een checked or repaired by a
Yamaha dealer.
EAUM1355
A djustin g the brake pe dal free
playMeasure the brake pedal free play as
shown.
Periodically check the brake pedal free
play and, if necessary, have a Yamaha
dealer adjust it.
WARNING
EWAM1031
An incorrect brake ped al free play
in dicates a hazar dous con dition in
the brake system. Do not operate
1. Brake lever free playFront brake lever free play:
2.0–5.0 mm (0.08–0.20 in)ZAUM1599
1
1. Brake pedal free play
Brake pe dal free play:
3.5–4.5 mm (0.14–0.18 in)ZAUM1600
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-22
6 the motorcycle until the
brake sys-
tem has b een checked or repaired
b y a Yamaha dealer.
EAU36505
Brake li ght switchesThe brake light should come on just
before braking takes effect. The brake
light is activated by switches connect-
ed to the brake lever and brake pedal.
Since the brake light switches are
components of the anti-lock brake sys-
tem, they should only be serviced by a
Yamaha dealer.
EAU22393
Checkin g the front an d rear
b rake pa dsThe front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
EAU22421
Front brake pa ds
Each front brake pad is provided with a
wear indicator groove, which allows
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator groove. If a brake
pad has worn to the point that the wear1. Wear indicator grooveZAUM1466
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-23
6
indicator groove has almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.
EAU36721
Rear
brake pa ds
Each rear brake pad is provided with
wear indicator grooves, which allow
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator grooves. If a brake
pad has worn to the point that the wear
indicator grooves have almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.
EAU40262
Checkin g the brake flui d levelBefore riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark.
Check the brake fluid level with the top
of the reservoir level. Replenish the
brake fluid if necessary.
Front brake Rear
brake
WARNING
EWA16011
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of b raking a bility. O bserve
these precautions:  Insufficient brake flui d may al-
low air to enter the b rake sys-
tem, re ducing brakin g
performance.
 Clean the filler cap before re-
moving . Use only DOT 4 b rake
flui d from a seale d container.
1. Wear indicator grooveZAUM1601
1
1
1. Minimum level mark
1
ZAUM1057
1. Minimum level mark
Specified b rake flui d:
DOT 4ZAUM1603
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-24
6 
Use only the specified b rake flu-
i d ; otherwise, the ru bber seals
may deteriorate, causin g leak-
a g e.
 Refill with the same type of
brake flui d. A ddin g a brake flui d
other than DOT 4 may result in a
harmful chemical reaction.
 Be careful that water or d ust
d oes not enter the brake flui d
reservoir when refillin g. Water
will si gnificantly lower the boil-
in g point of the flui d an d may re-
sult in vapor lock, an d d irt may
clo g the ABS hy draulic unit
valves.
NOTICE
ECA17641
Brake flui d may damag e painted
surfaces or plastic parts. Always
clean up spille d flui d imme diately.As the brake pads wear, it is normal for
the brake fluid level to gradually go
down. A low brake fluid level may indi-
cate worn brake pads and/or brake
system leakage; therefore, be sure to
check the brake pads for wear and the
brake system for leakage. If the brake fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause before further riding.
EAU22734
Chan gin g the brake flui dHave a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid every 2 years. In addition,
have the seals of the master cylinders
and brake calipers, as well as the brake
hoses replaced at the intervals listed
below or sooner if they are damaged or
leaking.
 Brake seals: every 2 years
 Brake hoses: every 4 years
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-25
6
EAU22762
Drive chain slackThe drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU74253
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on the side- stand.TIPWhen checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, there should be no weight
on the motorcycle.2. Shift the transmission into the neutral position.
3. Measure the drive chain slack as shown. 4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows. NOTICE: Im-
proper drive chain slack will
overloa d the en gine as well as
other vital parts of the motorcy-
cle an d can lead to chain slip-
pa ge or b reakag e. To prevent
this from occurrin g, keep the
d rive chain slack within the
specifie d limits.
[ECA10572]
EAU3431B
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.
TIPUsing the alignment marks on each
side of the swingarm, make sure that
both drive chain pullers are in the same
position for proper wheel alignment.
1. Drive chain slackZAUM1604
1
Drive chain slack:30.0–40.0 mm (1.18–1.57 in)
1. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
2. Axle nut
3. Alignment marks
4. LocknutZAUM1605
321
4
(b)
(a)
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-26
6 3. Tighten the axle nut, then the lock-
nuts to their 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.
EAU23026
Cleanin g an d lu bricatin g the
d rive chainThe drive chain must be cleaned and
lubricated at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or
wet areas. Service the drive chain as
follows.NOTICE
ECA10584
The drive chain must b e lubricated
after washin g the motorcycle, ri din g
in the rain or ri din g in wet areas.1. Clean the drive chain with kero-
sene and a small soft brush.
NOTICE: To prevent d amaging
the O-rin gs, do not clean the
d rive chain with steam cleaners,
hi gh-pressure washers or inap-
propriate solvents.
[ECA11122]
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant. NOTICE: Do not use
en gine oil or any other lu bri-
cants for the drive chain, as they may contain su
bstances that
coul d damag e the O-rin gs.
[ECA11112]
Ti ghtenin g torques:
Axle nut: 85 N·m (8.5 kgf·m, 63 lb·ft)
Locknut:
15 N·m (1.5 kgf·m, 11 lb·ft)
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