maintenance YAMAHA XVS950 2012 Owner's Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-17
63. Tighten the locknut.
WARNING
EWA10630


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.
EAU22273
Brake light switches The brake light, which is activated by
the brake pedal and brake lever, should
come on just before braking takes ef-
fect. If necessary, adjust the rear brake
light switch as follows, but the front
brake light switch should be adjusted
by a Yamaha dealer.
Turn the rear brake light switch adjust-
ing 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).
EAU22392
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.
EAU22430
Front brake pads
Each front 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
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2
(a)
(b)
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove11
U26PE3E0.book Page 17 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-18
6
indicator grooves have 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.
EAU22581
Checking the brake fluid level Before 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
EWA15990
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of braking ability. Observe
these precautions:

Insufficient brake fluid may al-
low air to enter the brake sys-
tem, reducing braking
performance.


Clean the filler cap before re-
moving. Use only DOT 4 brake
fluid from a sealed container.
1. Lining thickness
1
1. Minimum level mark
1
1. Minimum level mark
Specified brake fluid:
DOT 4
1
U26PE3E0.book Page 18 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-19
6


Use only the specified brake flu-
id; otherwise, the rubber seals
may deteriorate, causing leak-
age.


Refill with the same type of
brake fluid. Adding a brake fluid
other than DOT 4 may result in a
harmful chemical reaction.


Be careful that water 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.
NOTICE
ECA17640
Brake fluid may damage painted sur-
faces or plastic parts. Always clean
up spilled fluid immediately.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 sys-
tem leakage; therefore, be sure to
check the brake pads for wear and the
brake system for leakage. If the brakefluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause before further riding.
EAU22731
Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the TIP after the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. In addition, have
the oil seals of the master cylinders and
calipers as well as the brake hoses re-
placed at the intervals listed below or
whenever they are damaged or leak-
ing.

Oil seals: Replace every two
years.


Brake hoses: Replace every four
years.
U26PE3E0.book Page 19 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-20
6
EAU23040
Drive belt slack The drive belt slack should be checked
and adjusted at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubri-
cation chart.
EAU38410
To check the drive belt slack1. Place the vehicle on the sidestand.
2. Note the current position of the drive belt using the marks near the
drive belt check hole.TIPThe marks near the drive belt check
hole are 5 mm (0.2 in) apart.
3. Note the position of the drive beltwith a force of 45 N (4.5 kgf, 10 lbf)
applied to the belt with a belt ten-
sion gauge as shown.TIPA belt tension gauge is available at a
Yamaha dealer.4. Calculate the drive belt slack bysubtracting the measurement not-
ed in step 2 from the measurement
noted in step 3. 5. If the drive belt slack is incorrect,
have a Yamaha dealer adjust it.
1. Drive belt
2. Marks2
1
1. Belt tension gauge
2. Drive belt slack
Drive belt slack: 3.0 –5.0 mm (0.12 –0.20 in)
6 8 10 12 14
1
2
U26PE3E0.book Page 20 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-21
6
EAU23095
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! Damage to the outer housing of cables may result in in-
ternal rusting and cause interfer-
ence with cable movement. Replace
damaged cables as soon as possi-
ble to prevent unsafe conditions.[EWA10711] EAU49920
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 by a
Yamaha dealer at the intervals speci- fied in the periodic maintenance chart.
EAU44272
Checking and lubricating the
brake and shift pedals Brake pedal
Shift pedal
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: Yamaha Chain and Cable Lube or
engine oil
U26PE3E0.book Page 21 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-22
6
EAU23142
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers Brake lever
Clutch lever
The operation of the brake and clutch
levers should be checked before each
ride, and the lever pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Recommended lubricant:Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricants:Brake lever:
Silicone grease
Clutch lever:
Lithium-soap-based grease
U26PE3E0.book Page 22 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-23
6
EAU23202
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
EWA10731
If the sidestand does not move up
and down smoothly, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair it. Otherwise,
the sidestand could contact the
ground and distract the operator, re-
sulting in a possible loss of control.
EAUM1652
Lubricating the swingarm piv-
ots The swingarm pivots must be lubricat-
ed by a Yamaha dealer at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU23251
Lubricating the rear suspen-
sion The pivoting points of the rear suspen-
sion must be lubricated by a Yamaha
dealer at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
Recommended lubricant:Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:Lithium-soap-based grease
U26PE3E0.book Page 23 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-24
6
EAU23272
Checking the front fork The condition and operation of the front
fork must be checked as follows at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
To check the condition
Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.
To check the operation1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. WARNING! To avoid injury,
securely support the vehicle so
there is no danger of it falling
over.
[EWA10751]
2. While applying the front brake, push down hard on the handlebars
several times to check if the front
fork compresses and rebounds
smoothly.
NOTICE
ECA10590
If any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it.
EAU23283
Checking the steering Worn or loose steering bearings may
cause danger. Therefore, the operation
of the steering must be checked as fol-
lows at the intervals specified in the pe-
riodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.1. Place a stand under the engine to raise the front wheel off the
ground. (See page 6-32 for more
information.) WARNING! To
avoid injury, securely support
the vehicle so there is no danger
of it falling over.
[EWA10751]
2. Hold the lower ends of the front fork legs and try to move them for-
ward and backward. If any free
play can be felt, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair the steering.
U26PE3E0.book Page 24 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-25
6
EAU23291
Checking the wheel bearings The front and rear wheel bearings must
be checked at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. If there is play in the wheel
hub or if the wheel does not turn
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check
the wheel bearings.
EAU50210
Battery The battery is located under the rider
seat. (See page 3-14.)
This model is equipped with a VRLA
(Valve Regulated Lead Acid) battery.
There is no need to check the electro-
lyte or to add distilled water. However,
the battery lead connections need to be
checked and, if necessary, tightened.
WARNING
EWA10760


Electrolyte is poisonous and
dangerous since it contains sul-
furic acid, which causes severe
burns. Avoid any contact withskin, eyes or clothing and al-
ways shield your eyes when
working near batteries. In case
of contact, administer the fol-
lowing FIRST AID.
 EXTERNAL: Flush with plenty
of water.
 INTERNAL: Drink large quan-
tities of water or milk and im-
mediately call a physician.
 EYES: Flush with water for 15
minutes and seek prompt
medical attention.


Batteries produce explosive hy-
drogen gas. Therefore, keep
sparks, flames, cigarettes, etc.,
away from the battery and pro-
vide sufficient ventilation when
charging it in an enclosed
space.


KEEP THIS AND ALL BATTER-
IES OUT OF THE REACH OF
CHILDREN.
To charge the battery
Have a Yamaha dealer charge the bat-
tery as soon as possible if it seems to
have discharged. Keep in mind that the
1. Positive battery lead (red)
2. Battery
3. Negative battery lead (black)
2 1
3
U26PE3E0.book Page 25 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-26
6
battery tends to discharge more quickly
if the vehicle is equipped with optional
electrical accessories.
NOTICE
ECA16521
To charge a VRLA (Valve Regulated
Lead Acid) battery, a special (con-
stant-voltage) battery charger is re-
quired. Using a conventional battery
charger will damage the battery.To store the battery
1. If the vehicle will not be used for more than one month, remove the
battery, fully charge it, and then
place it in a cool, dry place.
NOTICE: When removing the
battery, be sure the key is
turned to “OFF ”, then discon-
nect the negative lead before
disconnecting the positive lead.
[ECA16302]
2. If the battery will be stored for more than two months, check it at least
once a month and fully charge it if
necessary.
3. Fully charge the battery before in- stallation. NOTICE: When install-
ing the battery, be sure the key is turned to “
OFF”, then con-
nect the positive lead before
connecting the negative lead.
[ECA16840]
4. After installation, make sure that the battery leads are properly con-
nected to the battery terminals.NOTICE
ECA16530
Always keep the battery charged.
Storing a discharged battery can
cause permanent battery damage.
EAU47134
Replacing the fuses The main fuse, the fuel injection system
fuse, and the fuse box, which contains
the fuses for the individual circuits, are
located under the rider seat. (See page
3-14.)1. Fuse box
2. Main fuse
3. Fuel injection system fuse
4. Fuel injection system spare fuse
1234
U26PE3E0.book Page 26 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 5:19 PM