light YAMAHA XVS250 2002 User Guide

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
EAU00423
Shifting Shifting gears lets you control the
amount of engine power available for
starting off, accelerating, climbing hills,
etc.
The gear positions are shown in the il-
lustration.NOTE:_ To shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position, press the shift pedal down
repeatedly until it reaches the end of its
travel, and then slightly raise it. _
EC000048
CAUTION:_

Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, do not
coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not
tow the motorcycle for long dis-
tances. The transmission is
properly lubricated only when
the engine is running. Inade-
quate lubrication may damage
the transmission.


Always use the clutch while
changing gears to avoid dam-
aging the engine, transmission,
and drive train, which are not
designed to withstand the
shock of forced shifting.
_
EAU02941
Recommended shift points
(for Switzerland only) The recommended shift points during
acceleration are shown in the table be-
low.CF-01ENOTE:_ When shifting down two gears at a
time, reduce the speed accordingly
(e.g., down to 35 km/h when shifting
from 4th to 2nd gear). _
1. Shift pedal
N. Neutral position
Shift point
(km/h)
1st→2nd
2nd→3rd
3rd→4th
4th→5th23
36
50
60
E_5kr.book Page 3 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
EAU00424
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:

Thoroughly warm up the engine.


Turn the starter (choke) off as
soon as possible.


Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.


Do not rev the engine while shift-
ing down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the engine.


Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length
of time (e.g., in traffic jams, at traf-
fic lights or at railroad crossings).
EAU01128
Engine break-in There is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between 0 and 1,600 km. For this rea-
son, you should read the following ma-
terial carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not
put an excessive load on it for the first
1,600 km. The various parts in the en-
gine wear and polish themselves to the
correct operating clearances. During
this period, prolonged full-throttle oper-
ation or any condition that might result
in engine overheating must be avoided.
EAU03845*
0–1,000 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
1/3 throttle.
1,000–1,600 km
Avoid prolonged operation above
1/2 throttle.
ECA00080*
CAUTION:_ After 1,000 km of operation, the en-
gine oil must be changed, and the
oil filter element replaced. _1,600 km and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated nor-
mally.
EC000049
CAUTION:_ If any engine trouble should occur
during the engine break-in period,
immediately have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle. _
E_5kr.book Page 4 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-4
6
EAU03541
NOTE:_

The air filter needs more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.


Hydraulic brake service
Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.
Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinder and caliper, and change the brake fluid.
Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.
_25
*Front and rear brake
switchesCheck operation.√√√√√ √
26 Moving parts and cablesLubricate.√√√√ √
27*Throttle grip housing
and cableCheck operation and free play.
Adjust the throttle cable free play if necessary.
Lubricate the throttle grip housing and cable.√√√√ √
28*Air induction systemCheck the air cut-off valve, read valve, and hose for
damage.
Replace the entire air induction system if necessary.√√√√ √
29*Lights, signals and
switchesCheck operation.
Adjust headlight beam.√√√√√ √ NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOBODOMETER READING (×1,000 km)
ANNUAL
CHECK
1 10203040
E_5kr.book Page 4 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-8
6
EAU03329
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which are easy to check.
Since heat and deposits will cause any
spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plugs should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plugs can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
To remove a spark plug
1. Remove the spark plug cap.2. Remove the spark plug as shown,
with the spark plug wrench includ-
ed in the owner’s tool kit.To check the spark plugs
1. Check that the porcelain insulator
around the center electrode on
each spark plug is a medium-to-
light tan (the ideal color when the
motorcycle is ridden normally).
2. Check that all spark plugs installed
in the engine have the same color.
NOTE:_ If any spark plug shows a distinctly dif-
ferent color, the engine could be defec-
tive. Do not attempt to diagnose such
problems yourself. Instead, have a
Yamaha dealer check the motorcycle. _3. Check each spark plug for elec-
trode erosion and excessive car-
bon or other deposits, and replace
it if necessary.
1. Spark plug cap
1. Spark plug wrench
Specified spark plug:
CR6HSA (NGK) or
U20FSR-U (DENSO)
E_5kr.book Page 8 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-10
6
EAU04433
Engine oil and oil filter
element The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter ele-
ment replaced at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubri-
cation chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and hold it in an upright
position.NOTE:_ Make sure that the motorcycle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking the oil
level. A slight tilt to the side can result in
a false reading. _2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles, and then check the oil level
through the check window located
at the bottom-right side of the
crankcase.
NOTE:_ The engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks. _4. If the engine oil is below the mini-
mum level mark, add sufficient oil
of the recommended type to raise
it to the correct level.To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter element replace-
ment)
1. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
2. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.1. Engine oil level check window
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
4. Engine oil filler capRight side
E_5kr.book Page 10 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-13
6 2. Remove the air filter case cover by
removing the screws.3. Remove the air filter element by
removing the screws.4. Lightly tap the air filter element to
remove most of the dust and dirt,
and then blow the remaining dirt
out with compressed air as shown.
If the air filter element is damaged,
replace it.
5. Install the air filter element by in-
serting it into the air filter case,
then installing the screws.
1. Air filter case cover
2. Screw (× 4)
1. Air filter element
2. Screw (× 3)
E_5kr.book Page 13 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-21
6 1. Loosen the locknut at the brake
pedal.
2. To raise the brake pedal, turn the
adjusting bolt in direction
a. To
lower the brake pedal, turn the ad-
justing bolt in direction
b.
3. Tighten the locknut.
EWA00044
WARNING
_ After adjusting the brake pedal posi-
tion, the brake pedal free play must
be adjusted. _
Brake pedal free play
The brake pedal free play should mea-
sure 20–30 mm at the brake pedal end.
Periodically check the brake pedal free
play and, if necessary, adjust it as
follows.
To increase the brake pedal free play,
turn the adjusting nut at the brake rod
in direction
a. To decrease the brake
pedal free play, turn the adjusting nut in
direction
b.
EW000106
WARNING
_

After adjusting the drive chain
slack or removing and installing
the rear wheel, always check
the brake pedal free play.


If proper adjustment cannot be
obtained as described, have a
Yamaha dealer make this ad-
justment.


After adjusting the brake pedal
free play, check the operation of
the brake light.
_
1. Brake pedal position adjusting bolt
2. Locknut
1. Brake pedal free play adjusting nut
E_5kr.book Page 21 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-22
6
EAU00713
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.
EAU00720
Checking the front brake pads
and rear brake shoes The front brake pads and the rear
brake shoes must be checked for wear
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
EAU00725
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
indicator groove has almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1. Brake pad wear indicator grooveFront
E_5kr.book Page 22 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-26
6
EC000096
CAUTION:_ 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 both locknuts and the axle
nut to the specified torques.
4. Adjust the brake pedal free play.
(See page 6-21 for brake pedal
free play adjustment procedures.)
EW000103
WARNING
_ After adjusting the brake pedal free
play, check the operation of the
brake light. _
EAU03006
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.
EC000097
CAUTION:_ The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle or
riding in the rain. _1. Clean the drive chain with kero-
sene and a small soft brush.
ECA00053
CAUTION:_ 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.
ECA00052
CAUTION:_ Do not use engine oil or any other
lubricants for the drive chain, as
they may contain substances that
could damage the O-rings. _
Tightening torques:
Locknut:
16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf)
Axle nut:
104 Nm (10.4 m·kgf)
E_5kr.book Page 26 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-32
6
EC000102
CAUTION:_

Always keep the battery
charged. Storing a discharged
battery can cause permanent
battery damage.


To charge a sealed-type (MF)
battery, a special (constant-
voltage) battery charger is re-
quired. Using a conventional
battery charger will damage the
battery. If you do not have ac-
cess to a sealed-type (MF) bat-
tery charger, have a Yamaha
dealer charge your battery.
_
EAU04190*
Replacing the fuses The main fuse and the fuse box, which
contains the fuses for the individual cir-
cuits, are located behind panel B. (See
page 6-6 for panel removal and instal-
lation procedures.)
If a fuse is blown, replace it as follows.
1. Turn the key to “OFF” and turn off
the electrical circuit in question.
2. Remove the blown fuse, and then
install a new fuse of the specified
amperage.
1. Main fuse
2. Spare main fuse
3. Headlight fuse
4. Ignition fuse
5. Signaling system fuse
6. Carburetor heater fuse
7. Spare fuse (× 2)
Specified fuses:
Main fuse: 30 A
Headlight fuse: 15 A
Signaling system fuse: 10 A
Ignition fuse: 10 A
Carburetor heater fuse: 10 A
E_5kr.book Page 32 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM