maintenance YAMAHA YFM350R 2003 Owners Manual

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1-INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the Yamaha
YFM350X. It represents the result of many years
of Yamaha experience in the production of fine
sporting, touring, and pacesetting racing ma-
chines. With the purchase of this Yamaha, you can
now appreciate the high degree of craftsmanship
and reliability that have made Yamaha a leader in
these fields.
This manual will provide you with a good basic un-
derstanding of the features and operation of this
ATV.
This manual includes important safety in-
formation. It provides information about spe-
cial techniques and skills necessary to ride
your ATV. It also includes basic maintenance and
inspection procedures. If you have any questions
regarding the operation or maintenance of your
ATV, please consult a Yamaha dealer.
U5NF62.book Page 2 Wednesday, May 8, 2002 1:40 PM

OPERATION ............................................6-1
Starting a cold engine ...........................6-3
Starting a warm engine .........................6-9
Warming up...........................................6-9
Drive select lever operation and
reverse driving ..................................6-11
Shifting ................................................6-15
To start out and accelerate: ................6-17
To decelerate: .....................................6-21
Engine break-in ...................................6-23
Parking ................................................6-27
Parking on a slope ..............................6-29
Accessories and loading .....................6-31
RIDING YOUR ATV..................................7-1
Getting to know your ATV .....................7-3
Ride with care and good
judgement ...........................................7-5
Be careful where you ride ...................7-27
Turning your ATV ................................7-39
Climbing uphill.....................................7-45
Riding downhill ....................................7-55
Crossing a slope .................................7-59
Crossing through shallow water ..........7-63
Riding over rough terrain ....................7-67
Sliding and skidding ............................7-69
What to do if ........................................7-73
67
What to do .......................................... 7-73
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT ......................................... 8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit ................. 8-3
Periodic maintenance/lubrication.......... 8-7
Engine oil ............................................ 8-15
Spark plug inspection ......................... 8-25
Air filter cleaning ................................. 8-29
Carburetor adjustment ........................ 8-35
Idle speed adjustment ........................ 8-37
Throttle lever adjustment .................... 8-39
Valve clearance adjustment ............... 8-39
Front and rear brake pad
inspection ......................................... 8-41
Brake fluid level check ........................ 8-43
Brake fluid replacement ...................... 8-47
Front brake lever free play.................. 8-49
Brake pedal height adjustment ........... 8-51
Parking brake adjustment ................... 8-53
Adjusting the rear brake light switch ... 8-57
Clutch lever free play adjustment ....... 8-59
Drive chain slack check ...................... 8-61
Drive chain slack adjustment .............. 8-63
Lubricating the drive chain.................. 8-65
Cable inspection and lubrication......... 8-67
8
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2-5

Never attempt wheelies, jumps, or other stunts.


Always inspect your ATV each time you use it
to make sure it is in safe operating condition.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance
procedures and schedules described in this
manual.


Always keep both hands on the handlebars
and both feet on the footboards of the ATV dur-
ing operation.


Always go slowly and be extra careful when op-
erating on unfamiliar terrain. Always be alert to
changing terrain conditions when operating the
ATV.


Never operate on excessively rough, slippery
or loose terrain until you have learned and
practiced the skills necessary to control the
ATV on such terrain. Always be especially cau-
tious on these kinds of terrain.
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5-4
WARNING
Always inspect your ATV each time you use it to make sure the ATV is in safe operating condition.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance procedures and schedules described in the
Owner’s Manual. Failure to inspect increases the possibility of an accident or equipment damage.
AVERTISSEMENT
Toujours effectuer ces contrôles avant chaque départ afin de s’assurer que le VTT peut être utilisé en toute sécurité.
Toujours respecter les procédés et intervalles de contrôle et d’entretien repris dans ce manuel. Omettre ces con-
trôles accroît les risques d’accident ou d’endommagement du véhicule.
ADVERTENCIA
Inspeccionar siempre el ATV cada vez que vaya a utilizarse, para asegurarse de que está en condicio-
nes de funcionar sin peligro.
Seguir siempre los procedimientos y programas de inspección y mantenimiento descritos en el Manual
del Usuario. Si no se inspecciona la máquina, aumenta el riesgo de accidente o avería.U5NF62.book Page 4 Wednesday, May 8, 2002 1:40 PM

8-1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENTPeriodic inspection, adjustment and lubrication will
keep your machine in the safest and most efficient
condition possible. Safety is an obligation of the
machine owner. The most important points of ma-
chine inspection, adjustment and lubrication are
explained on the following pages.
WARNING
Never service an engine while it is running.
Moving parts can catch clothing or parts of the
body, causing injury. Electrical components
can cause shocks or can start fires. Turn off
the engine when performing maintenance un-
less otherwise specified. Have a Yamaha deal-
er perform service if you are not familiar with
machine service.
U5NF62.book Page 1 Wednesday, May 8, 2002 1:40 PM

8-3 1. Owner’s manual
2. Low-pressure tire gauge
3. Owner’s tool kit
1. Manuel du propriétaire
2. Manomètre basse pression pour pneus
3. Trousse à outils
1. Manual del propietario
2. Manómetro de baja presión
3. Equipo de herramientas
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Owner’s manual and tool kit
You are recommended to put this owner’s manual
and low-pressure tire gauge in the vinyl bag and
always carry them along with the owner’s tool kit
under the seat. The service information included in
this manual is intended to provide you, the owner,
with the necessary information for completing your
own preventive maintenance and minor repairs.
The tools provided in the owner’s tool kit are suffi-
cient for this purpose, except that a torque wrench
is also necessary to properly tighten nuts and
bolts.NOTE:_ If you do not have a torque wrench available dur-
ing a service operation requiring one, take your
machine to a Yamaha dealer to check the torque
settings and adjust them as necessary. _
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8-7
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5-PERIODIC MAINTENANCE/LUBRICATION
ITEM ROUTINEINITIAL EVERY
1
month3
months6
months6
months1
year
Valves*•Check valve clearance.
•Adjust if necessary.
Spark plug*•Check condition.
•Adjust gap and clean.
•Replace if necessary.Air filter element•Clean.
•Replace if necessary.Every 20–40 hours
(More often in wet or dusty areas.)
Carburetor*•Check idle speed/starter operation.
•Adjust if necessary.Crankcase breather
system*•Check breather hose for cracks or damage.
•Replace if necessary.Exhaust system*•Check for leakage.
•Tighten if necessary.
•Replace gasket(s) if necessary.Fuel line*•Check fuel hose for cracks or damage.
•Replace if necessary.Engine oil•Replace. (Warm engine before draining.)Engine oil filter element•Clean.
•Replace if necessary.Engine oil strainer•Clean.Drive chain•Check and adjust slack/alignment/clean/lube.Brakes*•Check operation/fluid leakage/See NOTE page 8-8.
•Correct if necessary.Clutch*•Check operation.
•Adjust if necessary.Wheels*•Check balance/damage/runout.
•Replace if necessary.U5NF62.book Page 7 Wednesday, May 8, 2002 1:40 PM

8-33
NOTE:_ The air filter element should be cleaned every 20–
40 hours. It should be cleaned and lubricated more
often if the machine is operated in extremely dusty
areas. Each time air filter element maintenance is
performed, check the air inlet to the air filter case
for obstructions. Check the air filter element rubber
joint to the carburetor and manifold fittings for an
airtight seal. Tighten all fittings securely to avoid
the possibility of unfiltered air entering the engine. _CAUTION:_ Never operate the engine with the air filter ele-
ment removed. This will allow unfiltered air to
enter, causing rapid engine wear and possible
engine damage. Additionally, operation with-
out the air filter element will affect carburetor
jetting with subsequent poor performance and
possible engine overheating. _
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8-35
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Carburetor adjustment
The carburetor is a vital part of the engine and re-
quires very sophisticated adjustment. Most adjust-
ing should be left to a Yamaha dealer who has the
professional knowledge and experience to do so.
However, the idling speed may be performed by
the owner as a part of the usual maintenance rou-
tine.CAUTION:
The carburetor was set at the Yamaha factory
after many tests. If the settings are disturbed
by someone without sufficient technical
knowledge, poor engine performance and
damage may result.
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8-47
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Brake fluid replacement
Complete fluid replacement should be done only
by trained Yamaha service personnel. Have a
Yamaha dealer replace the following components
during periodic maintenance or when they are
damaged or leaking.

Replace the oil seals every two years.


Replace the brake hoses every four years.
U5NF62.book Page 47 Wednesday, May 8, 2002 1:40 PM