maintenance YAMAHA YFZ450 2009 Owner's Manual

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6. Install the brake fluid reservoir bracket bolt.
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 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 enter the brake
fluid reservoir when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of the fluid and may
result in vapor lock.

Brake fluid may deteriorate painted surfaces or
plastic parts. Always clean up spilled fluid imme-
diately.

As the brake pads wear, it is normal for the brake
fluid level to gradually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause.
EBU24291
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 cali-
pers as well as the brake hoses replaced at the in-
tervals listed below or whenever they are damaged
or leaking.

Oil seals: Replace every two years.

Brake hoses: Replace every four years.
1. Frame
2. Projection
3. Brake fluid reservoir bracket
4. Bolt
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
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4

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EBU24393
Checking the front brake lever free play
The brake lever free play must be checked at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. The brake lever should have no
free play as shown. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
WARNING

EWB02471
Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause loss of braking ability,
which could lead to an accident.
After servicing:

Make sure the brakes operate smoothly and
that there is no free play.

Make sure the brakes do not drag.

Make sure the brakes are not spongy. All air
must be bled from the brake system.
Replacement of brake components requires
professional knowledge. These procedures
should be performed by a Yamaha dealer.
EBU24611
Checking the brake pedal position
The brake pedal position must be checked and, if
necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
The top of the brake pedal should be positioned
11.7 mm (0.46 in) below the top of the footrest as
shown. If the brake pedal is not positioned as spec-
ified, have a Yamaha dealer adjust it.
1. Brake lever free play
1

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WARNING

EWB02110
Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause loss of braking ability,
which could lead to an accident.
After servicing:

Make sure the brakes operate smoothly and
that the brake pedal position is correct.

Make sure the brakes do not drag.

Make sure the brakes are not spongy. All air
must be bled from the brake system.
Replacement of brake components requires
professional knowledge. These procedures
should be performed by a Yamaha dealer.
EBU24710
Adjusting the parking brake free play
The parking brake free play must be checked and,
if necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
Cable length “A” should measure 47–51 mm (1.9–
2.0 in). Adjust the parking brake free play as fol-
lows.
1. Release the parking brake by moving the
1. Brake pedal position
1

1. Adjusting bolt
2. Cable length “A”
3. Locknut
2
3
1

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EBU24740
Brake light switches
The operation of the brake light switches must be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.
The brake light switch for the brake pedal can be
adjusted as follows, but the other brake light
switches should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
TIP

The brake light switch is properly adjusted when
the brake light comes on just before braking takes
effect.
Turn the adjusting nut while holding the 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 adjust-
ing nut in direction (b).
EBU29650
Adjusting the clutch lever free play
The clutch lever free play must be checked and, if
necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
The clutch lever free play should measure 8.0–
13.0 mm (0.31–0.51 in) as shown. If the free play
is incorrect, adjust it as follows.
1. Brake light switch
2. Brake light switch adjusting nut
(a)
(b)1
2

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EBU24880
Lubricating the drive chain
The drive chain must be cleaned and lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or wet areas.
Service the drive chain as follows.
NOTICE

ECB00560
The drive chain must be lubricated after wash-
ing the ATV or riding in the rain.
1. Clean the drive chain with kerosene and asmall soft brush.
NOTICE

ECB00570
To prevent damaging the O-rings, do not clean
the drive chain with steam cleaners, high-pres-
sure washers or inappropriate solvents.
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive chain with a
special O-ring chain lubricant.
NOTICE

ECB00580
Do not use engine oil or any other lubricants
for the drive chain, as they may contain sub-
stances that could damage the O-rings.
EBU24900
Checking and lubricating the cables
The operation and the condition of all control ca-
bles should be checked before each ride, and the
cables and cable ends should be lubricated if nec-
essary. If a cable is damaged or does not move
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check or replace
it.
1. O-rings
1

Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil

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EBU24931
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 lubricated if necessary.
Brake pedal
EBU24962
Checking the wheel hub bearings
The front and rear wheel hub bearings must be
checked at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart. If there is play
in a wheel hub or if a wheel does not turn smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check the wheel hub bear-
ings.
EBU24994
Lubricating the swingarm pivots
The swingarm pivots must be lubricated at the in-
tervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. Recommended lubricants:
Brake pedal:
Silicone grease
Shift pedal:
Lithium-soap-based grease (all-purpose
grease)
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease

K
Key identification number ............................................. 11-1
L
Label locations ............................................................... 2-1
Light switch .................................................................... 4-3
M
Main switch .................................................................... 4-1
Maintenance and lubrication chart ................................. 8-5
Maintenance chart, emission control system ................. 8-3
Model label ................................................................... 11-2
N
Neutral indicator light ..................................................... 4-1
O
Owner’s manual and tool kit ........................................... 8-1
P
Panel, removing and installing ....................................... 8-9
Parking ........................................................................... 6-5
Parking brake free play, adjusting ................................ 8-37
Parking brake lever ........................................................ 4-6
Parking on a slope ......................................................... 6-6
Part locations ................................................................. 3-1
Pre-operation check list.................................................. 5-1
R
Riding your ATV ............................................................. 7-1
S
Safety information .......................................................... 1-1
Seat .............................................................................. 4-11
Shifting ........................................................................... 6-3
Shift pedal ...................................................................... 4-7
Shock absorber assemblies, adjusting the front .......... 4-12
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting the rear .............. 4-17Spark arrester, cleaning ............................................... 8-28
Spark plug, checking .................................................... 8-10
Specifications ............................................................... 10-1
Speed limiter .................................................................. 4-4
Starter (choke) ............................................................. 4-10
Start switch..................................................................... 4-3
Storage........................................................................... 9-2
Suspension, lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots.......................................................................... 8-46
Swingarm pivots, lubricating ........................................ 8-45
T
Tail/brake light bulb, replacing ..................................... 8-53
Throttle cable free play, adjusting ................................ 8-30
Throttle lever .......................................................... 4-3
,
5-4
Tire pressure, measuring ............................................... 5-5
Tires ............................................................................... 5-4
Tire wear limit ................................................................. 5-6
Troubleshooting ........................................................... 8-54
Troubleshooting charts................................................. 8-55
V
Valve clearance............................................................ 8-31
Vehicle identification number ....................................... 11-1
W
Wheel hub bearings, checking ..................................... 8-45
Wheel, installing ........................................................... 8-53
Wheel, removing .......................................................... 8-53