brake YAMAHA YFZ450 2012 Owner's Guide

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EBU26834Checking the brake fluid level Before riding, check that the brake fluid is above
the minimum level mark. Check the brake fluid lev-
el with the top of the reservoir level. Replenish the
brake fluid if necessary.Front brake
Rear brake1. Wear indicator groove
1
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
1
1
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8To access the rear brake fluid reservoir for replen-
ishing:
1. Remove the seat. (See page 4-12.)
2. Remove the brake fluid reservoir bracket bolt.
3. Pull the brake fluid reservoir out to the side as shown.
NOTICEECB00780Do not tilt the rear brake fluid reservoir exces-
sively when removing or installing the rear
brake fluid reservoir. Also do not twist or pull
the hose of the reservoir.4. After replenishing, insert the projection on thebrake fluid reservoir bracket into the hole in
the frame.
1. Bolt
1
1. Brake fluid reservoir cap
1
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5. Install the brake fluid reservoir bracket bolt.
6. Install the seat.
WARNING
EWB02720Improper maintenance can result in loss of
braking ability. Observe these precautions:

Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to enter
the brake system, reducing braking perfor-
mance.
Clean the filler cap before removing. Use
only DOT 4 brake fluid from a sealed contain-
er.
Use only the specified brake fluid; otherwise,
the rubber seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage.
Refill with the same type of brake fluid. Add-
ing 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 significantly lower the boiling point of
the fluid and may result in vapor lock.NOTICEECB01160Brake fluid may damage painted surfaces or
plastic parts. Always clean up spilled fluid im-
mediately.As the brake pads wear, it is normal for the brake
fluid level to gradually go down. A low brake fluid
level may indicate worn brake pads and/or brake
system leakage; therefore, be sure to check the
1. Frame
2. Projection
3. Brake fluid reservoir bracket
4. BoltSpecified brake fluid:
DOT 4
2 3
1 4
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8brake pads for wear and the brake system for leak-
age. If the brake fluid level goes down suddenly,
have a Yamaha dealer check the cause before fur-
ther riding.
EBU24291Changing 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.EBU24394Checking 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.
EBU24613Checking the brake pedal height The brake pedal height 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. No brake lever free play
1
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EBU24715Adjusting 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
(1.85 –2.01 in). Adjust the parking brake free play
as follows. 1. Release the parking brake by moving the
parking brake lever to the right.
2. Fully loosen the locknut and the adjusting bolt at the rear brake caliper.
3. Slide the rubber cover back at the brake ca- ble.
4. Loosen the locknut.
5. Turn the parking brake free play adjusting nut in direction (a) to increase the cable length,
and in direction (b) to decrease it.1. Brake pedal height
1
1. Adjusting bolt
2. Cable length “A”
3. Locknut
2
3 1
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TIPIf the cable length cannot be adjusted to specifica-
tion, consult a Yamaha dealer.6. Tighten the locknut on the brake cable.
7. Slide the rubber cover to its original position.
8. Turn in the adjusting bolt at the rear brake cal-iper until it feels tight, then turn it out 1/8 turn
and tighten its locknut to the specified torque.
NOTICE: When tightening the locknut, hold the adjusting bolt with a wrench so
that it does not turn together with the lock-
nut.
[ECB00521]
WARNING
EWB02090Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause the brakes to malfunc-
tion, resulting in reduced braking
performance. This could increase the chance
of a collision or accident. After adjusting the
parking brake free play, block the rear of the
ATV off the ground and spin the rear wheels.
Check to make sure there is no brake drag. If
brake drag is noticed, perform the adjustment
again.EBU24743Brake light switches The brake light, which is activated by the brake
pedal and brake lever, should come on just before
braking takes effect.
1. Locknut
2. Parking brake free play adjusting nut
3. Rubber cover
(a)
(b)
1
2
3
Tightening torque: Locknut (rear brake caliper):16 Nm (1.6 m ·kgf, 12 ft· lbf)
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The brake light switch for the brake pedal can be
adjusted as follows, but the front brake light switch
should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
Turn the rear brake light switch 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 adjusting nut in direction (b).
EBU30600Adjusting 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. Slide the rubber cover back at the clutch lever.
2. Loosen the locknut.
3. To increase the clutch lever free play, turn the adjusting bolt at the clutch lever in direction
(a), and to decrease it, turn the bolt in direction
(b).1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
(a) (b)1
2
1. Clutch lever free play
2. Locknut
3. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
4. Rubber cover1 3
4
(a)
(b)
2
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8essary. If a cable is damaged or does not move
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check or replace
it.
WARNING
EWB02581
Inspect cables frequently and replace if dam-
aged. Corrosion can result when the cable
sheaths become damaged, and cables can
also become frayed or kinked, which could
restrict the operation of controls and lead to
an accident or injury.
Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or do
not work smoothly, you could be unable to
control the ATV, which could lead to an acci-
dent or collision.
EBU24922Checking 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 lubricated if necessary.
Brake lever
Recommended lubricant:
Yamaha Chain and Cable Lube or engine oilRecommended lubricants: Brake lever:Silicone grease
Clutch lever: Lithium-soap-based grease
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Clutch lever
EBUM0170Checking the shift pedal The operation of the shift pedal should be checked
before each ride. If operation is not smooth, have
a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.EBU28871Checking and lubricating the brake
pedal The operation of the brake pedal should be
checked before each ride, and the pedal pivot
should be lubricated if necessary.
EBU24963Checking 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.Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
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6. Install the headlight bulb holder by pushing it
in and turning it clockwise.
7. Install the headlight bulb holder cover.
8. Connect the headlight coupler.
9. Install the headlight unit by installing the bolts.
10. Adjust the headlight beam if necessary.
EBU25551Adjusting a headlight beam NOTICEECB00690It is advisable to have a Yamaha dealer make
this adjustment.
To raise a headlight beam, turn the headlight beam
adjusting screw in direction (a).
To lower a headlight beam, turn the adjusting
screw in direction (b).EBU25613Replacing the tail/brake light bulb If the tail/brake light bulb burns out, replace it as
follows. 1. Remove the tail/brake light bulb holder (to- gether with the bulb) by turning it counter-
clockwise.
1. Do not touch the glass part of the bulb.
1
1. Headlight beam adjusting screw
1 (a)
(b)
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