YAMAHA XVS250 2002 Workshop Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-19
6
EAU00685
Spoke wheels To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your motor-
cycle, note the following points
regarding the specified wheels.

The wheel rims should be checked
for cracks, bends or warpage, and
the spokes for looseness or dam-
age before each ride. If any dam-
age is found, have a Yamaha
dealer replace 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 characteristics.
EAU00694
Adjusting the clutch lever free
play The clutch lever free play should mea-
sure 5–10 mm as shown. Periodically
check the clutch lever free play and, if
necessary, adjust it as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the clutch
lever.
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.3. If the specified clutch lever free
play could be obtained as de-
scribed above, tighten the locknut
and skip the rest of the procedure,
otherwise proceed as follows.
4. Fully turn the adjusting bolt at the
clutch lever in direction
a to loos-
en the clutch cable.
5. Loosen the locknut at the
crankcase.
6. To increase the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting nut in di-
rection
a. To decrease the clutch
lever free play, turn the adjusting
nut in direction
b.
7. Tighten the locknut at the clutch
lever and the crankcase.1. Locknut
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
c. Clutch lever free play
1. Locknut
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut
E_5kr.book Page 19 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-20
6
EAU00696
Adjusting the brake lever free
play The brake lever free play should mea-
sure 5–8 mm as shown. Periodically
check the brake lever free play and, if
necessary, adjust it as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the brake
lever.
2. To increase the brake lever free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in di-
rection
a. To decrease the brake
lever free play, turn the adjusting
bolt in direction
b.
3. Tighten the locknut.
EW000099
WARNING
_

After adjusting the brake lever
free play, check the free play
and make sure that the brake is
working properly.


A soft or spongy feeling in the
brake lever can indicate the
presence of air in the hydraulic
system. If there is air in the hy-
draulic system, have a Yamaha
dealer bleed the system before
operating the motorcycle. Air in
the hydraulic system will dimin-
ish the braking performance,
which may result in loss of con-
trol and an accident.
_
EAU03778
Adjusting the brake pedal
position and free play
EW000104
WARNING
_ It is advisable to have a Yamaha
dealer make these adjustments. _Brake pedal position
The top of the brake pedal should be
positioned approximately 77 mm above
the top of the footrest as shown. Peri-
odically check the brake pedal position
and, if necessary, adjust it as follows.
1. Locknut
2. Brake lever free play adjusting bolt
c. Brake lever free play
1. Footrest
a. Distance between brake pedal and footrest
b. Brake pedal free play
E_5kr.book Page 20 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
6-23
6
EAU00727
Rear brake shoes
The rear brake is provided with a wear
indicator, which allows you to check the
brake shoe wear without having to dis-
assemble the brake. To check the
brake shoe wear, check the position of
the wear indicator while applying the
brake. If a brake shoe has worn to the
point that the wear indicator reaches
the wear limit line, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the brake shoes as a
set.
EAU03294
Checking the brake fluid level Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to
enter 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 flu-
id level may indicate worn brake pads
and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake level is low, be sure to check the
brake pads for wear and the brake sys-
tem for leakage.Observe these precautions:


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


Use only the recommended quali-
ty brake fluid, otherwise the rubber
seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage and poor braking
performance.


Refill with the same type of brake
fluid. Mixing fluids may result in a
harmful chemical reaction and
lead to poor braking performance.


Be careful that water does not en-
ter the brake fluid reservoir when
refilling. Water will significantly
lower the boiling point of the fluid
and may result in vapor lock.
1. Brake shoe wear limit line
2. Brake shoe wear indicatorRear
1. Minimum level mark
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
E_5kr.book Page 23 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-24
6


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
gradually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause.
EAU03985
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 brake master
cylinder and caliper as well as the
brake hose replaced at the intervals
listed below or whenever they are dam-
aged or leaking.

Oil seals: Replace every two
years.


Brake hose: Replace every four
years.
EAU00744
Drive chain slack The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and hold it in an upright
position.NOTE:_ When checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, the motorcycle should be
positioned straight up and there should
be no weight on it. _
E_5kr.book Page 24 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-25
6 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.
4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU04486
To adjust the drive chain slack
1. Loosen the brake pedal free play
adjusting nut, axle nut, and locknut
at each end of the swingarm.2. To tighten the drive chain, turn the
adjusting nut at each end of the
swingarm in direction
a. To loos-
en the drive chain, turn the adjust-
ing nut at each end 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 adjusting nuts are in the same po-
sition for proper wheel alignment. _
a. Drive chain slack
Drive chain slack:
30–40 mm
1. Axle nut
2. Locknut
3. Brake pedal free play adjusting nut
1. Alignment marks
2. Drive chain slack adjusting nut
3. Locknut
E_5kr.book Page 25 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
6-27
6
EAU02962
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.
EW000112
WARNING
_ 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. _
EAU04034
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 or
replaced at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance chart.
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil
E_5kr.book Page 27 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-28
6
EAU03370
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.
EAU03164
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.
EAU03165
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.
EW000113
WARNING
_ If the sidestand does not move up
and down smoothly, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair it. _
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
E_5kr.book Page 28 Friday, December 14, 2001 11:33 AM