maintenance YAMAHA TDM 900 2008 Owner's Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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9 overloaded motorcycle may re-
sult in tire damage, loss of con-
trol, or severe injury. Make sure
that the total weight of rider,
passenger, cargo, and accesso-
ries does not exceed the speci-
fied maximum load for the
vehicle.


Do not carry along loosely
packed items, which can shift
during a ride.

Securely pack the heaviest
items close to the center of the
motorcycle and distribute the
weight evenly on both sides.

Adjust the suspension and tire
air pressure with regard to the
load.

Check the tire condition and air
pressure before each ride.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 sidewall is
cracked, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place the tire immediately.
NOTE:

The tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always comply
with the local regulations.
WARNING

EWA10470

Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besides
being illegal, operating the vehi-
cle with excessively worn tires
decreases riding stability and
can lead to loss of control.

The replacement of all wheel
and brake related parts, includ-
ing the tires, should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
edge and experience.
1. Tire tread depth
2. Tire sidewall
Minimum tire tread depth (front and
rear):
1.6 mm (0.06 in)
21

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9Tire information
This motorcycle is equipped with cast
wheels and tubeless tires with valves.
WARNING

EWA10900

The front and rear tires should
be of the same make and de-
sign, otherwise the handling
characteristics of the motorcy-
cle cannot be guaranteed.

After extensive tests, only the
tires listed below have been ap-
proved for this model by
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

Always make sure that the valvecaps are securely installed to
prevent air pressure leakage.

Use only the tire valves and
valve cores listed below to
avoid tire deflation during a ride.
WARNING

EWA10600
This motorcycle is fitted with su-
per-high-speed tires. Note the fol-
lowing points in order to make themost efficient use of these tires.

Use only the specified replace-
ment tires. Other tires may run
the danger of bursting at super
high speeds.

Brand-new tires can have a rela-
tively poor grip on certain road
surfaces until they have been
“broken in”. Therefore, it is ad-
visable before doing any
high-speed riding to ride con-
servatively for approximately
100 km (60 mi) after installing a
new tire.

The tires must be warmed up
before a high-speed run.

Always adjust the tire air pres-
sure according to the operating
conditions.
1. Tire air valve
2. Tire air valve core
3. Tire air valve cap with seal
123

Front tire:
Size:
120/70 ZR18M/C (59W)
Manufacturer/model:
DUNLOP/D220FSTJ
Tire air valve:
TR412
Valve core:
#9000A (original)
Rear tire:
Size:
160/60 ZR17M/C (69W)
Manufacturer/model:
DUNLOP/D220STJ
Tire air valve:
TR412
Valve core:
#9000A (original)

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EAU21960
Cast wheels
To 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 or warpage be-
fore each ride. If any damage is
found, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place the wheel. Do not attempt
even the smallest repair to the
wheel. A deformed 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.

Ride at moderate speeds after
changing a tire since the tire sur-
face must first be “broken in” for it
to develop its optimal characteris-
tics.
EAU22041
Adjusting the clutch lever free
play
The clutch lever free play should mea-
sure 10.0–15.0 mm (0.39–0.59 in) as
shown. Periodically check the clutch le-
ver free play and, if necessary, adjust it
as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the clutch le-
ver.
2. To increase the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in di-
rection (a). To decrease the clutch
lever free play, turn the adjusting
bolt in direction (b).
NOTE:

If the specified clutch lever free play
could be obtained as described above,
tighten the locknut and skip the rest of
the procedure, otherwise proceed as
follows.
3. Fully turn the adjusting bolt at the
clutch lever in direction (a) to loos-
en the clutch cable.
4. Loosen the locknut at the crank-
case.
5. To increase the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting nut in direc-
tion (a). To decrease the clutch le-
1. Locknut (clutch lever)
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
3. Clutch lever free play
12
3
(a)
(b)

1. Locknut (crankcase)
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut
(crankcase)
12
(a)(b)

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ver free play, turn the adjusting nut
in direction (b).
6. Tighten the locknut at the clutch le-
ver and the crankcase.

EAU22270
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch
The rear brake light switch, which is ac-
tivated by the brake pedal, is properly
adjusted when the brake light comes
on just before braking takes effect. If
necessary, adjust the brake light switch
as follows.
Turn the adjusting nut while holding the
rear brake light switch in place. To
make the brake light come on earlier,
turn the adjusting nut in direction (a). To
make the brake light come on later, turn
the adjusting nut in direction (b).
EAU22390
Checking the front and rear
brake pads
The front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
EAU22420
Front brake pads
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 wear
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2 (a)(b)

1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1

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indicator groove has almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.

EAU22500
Rear brake pads
Check each rear brake pad for damage
and measure the lining thickness. If a
brake pad is damaged or if the lining
thickness is less than 0.8 mm (0.03 in),
have a Yamaha dealer replace the
brake pads as a set.
EAU36680
Checking the brake fluid level
Front brake
Rear brake
Insufficient brake fluid may allow air toenter the brake system, possibly caus-
ing it to become ineffective.
Before riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark and
replenish if necessary. A low brake fluid
level may indicate worn brake pads
and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake fluid level is low, be sure to check
the brake pads for wear and the brake
system for leakage.
NOTE:

The rear brake fluid reservoir is located
under the seat. (See page 3-14.)
Observe these precautions:

When checking the fluid level,
make sure that the top of the brake
fluid reservoir is level.

Use only the recommended quality
brake fluid, otherwise the rubber
seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage and poor braking perfor-
mance.

Refill with the same type of brake
fluid. Mixing fluids may result in a
1. Lining thickness
1

1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
1
1

Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4

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harmful chemical reaction and
lead to poor braking performance.


Be careful that water or dust does
not enter the brake fluid reservoir
when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of the
fluid and may result in vapor lock,
and dirt may clog the ABS hydrau-
lic unit valves.

Brake fluid may deteriorate paint-
ed surfaces or plastic parts. Al-
ways clean up spilled fluid
immediately.

As the brake pads wear, it is nor-
mal for the brake fluid level to grad-
ually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause.
EAU22730
Changing the brake fluid
Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the NOTE after the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
have the oil seals of the master cylin-
ders and calipers as well as the brake
hoses replaced at the intervals listed
below or whenever they are damaged
or leaking.

Oil seals: Replace every two
years.

Brake hoses: Replace every four
years.
EAU22760
Drive chain slack
The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU22773
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on the side-
stand.
NOTE:

When checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, there should be no weight
on the motorcycle.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Move the rear wheel by pushing
the motorcycle to locate the tight-
est portion of the drive chain, and
then measure the drive chain slack
as shown.
Drive chain slack:
50.0–60.0 mm (1.97–2.36 in)

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4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.

EAU22951
To adjust the drive chain slack
1. Loosen the axle nut, the brake cal-
iper bracket bolt and the locknut on
each side of the swingarm.
2. To tighten the drive chain, turn the
adjusting bolt on each side of theswingarm in direction (a). To loos-
en the drive chain, turn the adjust-
ing bolt on each side of the
swingarm in direction (b), and then
push the rear wheel forward.
NOTE:

Using the alignment marks on each
side of the swingarm, make sure that
both chain pullers are in the same posi-
tion for proper wheel alignment.
CAUTION:

ECA10570
Improper drive chain slack will over-
load the engine as well as other vital
parts of the motorcycle and can lead
to chain slippage or breakage. To
prevent this from occurring, keep
the drive chain slack within the
specified limits.
3. Tighten the locknuts, and then
tighten the axle nut and the brake
caliper bracket bolt to the specified
torques.
1. Drive chain slack
1

1. Axle nut
2. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt
3. Locknut
4. Alignment marks
1. Brake caliper bracket bolt
2. Brake caliper bracket3
4 1
2 (b)
(a)
1
2

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EAU23022
Cleaning and lubricating the
drive chain
The 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.
CAUTION:

ECA10581
The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle and
riding in the rain.
1. Clean the drive chain with kero-
sene and a small soft brush.
CAUTION:

ECA11120
To prevent damaging the O-rings, do
not clean the drive chain with steam
cleaners, high-pressure washers or
inappropriate solvents.
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive
chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant.
CAUTION:

ECA11110
Do not use engine oil or any other lu-
bricants for the drive chain, as they
may contain substances that could
damage the O-rings.
Tightening torque:
Axle nut:
150 Nm (15.0 m·kgf, 108.5 ft·lbf)
Brake caliper bracket bolt:
40 Nm (4.0 m·kgf, 29 ft·lbf)

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EAU23100
Checking and lubricating the
cables
The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubricat-
ed if necessary. If a cable is damaged
or does not move smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer check or replace it.
WARNING

EWA10720
Damage to the outer sheath may in-
terfere with proper cable operation
and will cause the inner cable to
rust. Replace a damaged cable as
soon as possible to prevent unsafe
conditions.
EAU23111
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable
The operation of the throttle grip should
be checked before each ride. In addi-
tion, the cable should be lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance chart.
EAU44271
Checking and lubricating the
brake and shift pedals
The operation of the brake and shift
pedals should be checked before each
ride, and the pedal pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease

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EAU23142
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers
The operation of the brake and clutch
levers should be checked before each
ride, and the lever pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
EAU23201
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand
The operation of the sidestand should
be checked before each ride, and the
sidestand pivot and metal-to-metal
contact surfaces should be lubricated if
necessary.
WARNING

EWA10730
If the sidestand does not move up
and down smoothly, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair it.
EAU23250
Lubricating the rear
suspension
The pivoting points of the rear suspen-
sion must be lubricated at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
Recommended lubricants:
Brake lever:
Silicone grease
Clutch lever:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease