service YAMAHA YFZ450R 2012 Owners Manual

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4
WARNING
EWB00410These shock absorber assemblies contain
highly pressurized nitrogen gas. Read and un-
derstand the following information before han-
dling the shock absorber assemblies.
Do not tamper with or attempt to open the
cylinder assemblies.
Do not subject the shock absorber assem-
blies to an open flame or other high heat
source. This may cause the unit to explode
due to excessive gas pressure.
Do not deform or damage the cylinders in
any way. Cylinder damage will result in poor
damping performance.

Do not dispose of a damaged or worn out
shock absorber assembly yourself. Take the
shock absorber assembly to a Yamaha deal-
er for any service.EBU30610Adjusting the rear shock absorber as-
sembly This shock absorber assembly is equipped with a
spring preload adjusting nut, a rebound damping
force adjusting screw, a compression damping
force adjusting bolt (for fast compression damp-
ing), and a compression damping force adjusting
screw (for slow compression damping).
WARNING
EWB02680Suspension components become hot during
operation. Never touch the compression
damping force adjusting bolt and screw, the re-
bound damping force adjusting screw or the
oil reservoir with your bare hand or skin until
the suspension components have cooled.
Compression damping setting (for slow com-
pression damping):Minimum (soft):18 click(s) in direction (b)*
Standard: 10 click(s) in direction (b)*
Maximum (hard): 1 click(s) in direction (b)*
* With the adjusting screw fully turned in di- rection (a)
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4
WARNING
EWB00430This shock absorber assembly contains highly
pressurized nitrogen gas. Read and under-
stand the following information before han-
dling the shock absorber assembly.
Do not tamper with or attempt to open the
cylinder assembly.
Do not subject the shock absorber assembly
to an open flame or other high heat source.
This may cause the unit to explode due to ex-
cessive gas pressure.
Do not deform or damage the cylinder in any
way. Cylinder damage will result in poor
damping performance.
Do not dispose of a damaged or worn out
shock absorber assembly yourself. Take the
shock absorber assembly to a Yamaha deal-
er for any service.EBU29401Handlebar position The handlebar can be adjusted to one of four posi-
tions to suit the rider’s preference. Have a Yamaha
dealer adjust the position of the handlebar.
1. Handlebar
1
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8
EBU28783
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
EBU21674Periodic inspection, adjustment, and lubrication
will keep your vehicle in the safest and most effi-
cient condition possible. Safety is an obligation of
the vehicle owner/operator. The most important
points of vehicle inspection, adjustment, and lubri-
cation are explained on the following pages.
WARNING
EWB01841Failure to properly maintain the vehicle or per-
forming maintenance activities incorrectly may
increase your risk of injury or death during ser-
vice or while using the vehicle. If you are not fa-
miliar with vehicle service, have a Yamaha
dealer perform the service.
WARNING
EWB02562Turn off the engine when performing mainte-
nance unless otherwise specified.
A running engine has moving parts that can
catch on body parts or clothing and electri-
cal parts that can cause shocks or fires.

Running the engine while servicing can lead
to eye injury, burns, fire, or carbon monoxide
poisoning - possibly leading to death. See
page 2-3 for more information about carbon
monoxide.
WARNING
EWB02690Brake discs, calipers, drums, and linings can
become very hot during use. To avoid possible
burns, let brake components cool before
touching them.The intervals given in the periodic maintenance
charts should be considered as a general guide
under normal riding conditions. However, DE-
PENDING ON THE WEATHER, TERRAIN, GEO-
GRAPHICAL LOCATION, AND INDIVIDUAL
USE, THE MAINTENANCE INTERVALS MAY
NEED TO BE SHORTENED.
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EBU29571Owner’s manual and tool kit Be sure to always keep the owner ’s manual, the
owner ’s tool kit and the low-pressure tire gauge
with the vehicle. Make sure to protect the owner ’s
manual by putting it in the plastic bag, then by plac-
ing the bag in the document pouch.
The service information included in this manual
and the tools provided in the owner ’s tool kit are in-
tended to assist you in the performance of preven-
tive maintenance and minor repairs. However, additional tools such as a torque wrench may be
necessary to perform certain maintenance work
correctly.
TIPIf you do not have the tools or experience required
for a particular job, have a Yamaha dealer perform
it for you.
1. Owner
’s manual
2. Low-pressure tire gauge
3. Owner ’s tool kit
1
2
3
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8
EBU29430TIP
Some maintenance items need more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet, dusty, sandy or
muddy areas, or at full-throttle.
Replace the fuel hose every five years and if cracked or damaged.
Hydraulic brake service
Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.
 Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinders and calipers, and
change the brake fluid.
 Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.23 *Throttle lever 
Check operation.
 Check throttle lever free play, and adjust if neces-
sary.
 Lubricate cable and lever housing. √√√√√
24 *Front and rear brake
switches

Check operation and correct if necessary. √√√√√
25 *Lights and switches 
Check operation and correct if necessary.
 Adjust headlight beams. √√√√√
NO. ITEM
CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL EVERY
Whichev- er comes first month136612
km
(mi) 320
(200) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320U18P66E0.book Page 8 Monday, May 16, 2011 4:23 PM

8-30
8The throttle lever free play should measure 2.0
–
4.0 mm (0.08– 0.16 in) as shown. Periodically
check the throttle lever free play and, if necessary,
adjust it as follows. 1. Slide the rubber cover back.
2. Loosen the locknut.
3. To increase the throttle lever free play, turn the throttle lever free play adjusting bolt in di-
rection (a). To decrease the throttle lever free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b).
4. Tighten the locknut. 5. Slide the rubber cover to its original position.
EBU24060Valve clearance The valve clearance changes with use, resulting in
improper air-fuel mixture and/or engine noise. To
prevent this from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.EBU29601Brakes Replacement of brake components requires pro-
fessional knowledge. Brake service should be per-
formed by a Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB02571Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could lead to a loss in braking ability
and an accident.EBU24130Checking the front and rear brake pads The front and rear brake pads must be checked for
wear at the intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
1. Rubber cover
2. Throttle lever free play adjusting bolt
3. Locknut
4. Throttle lever free play
32
4
(a)(b)
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8-36
8hold 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. 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).
EBU30152Adjusting 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.
Tightening torque:
Locknut (rear brake caliper):16 Nm (1.6 m ·kgf, 12 ft· lbf)1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2(a) (b)
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8
EBU24882Lubricating 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.NOTICEECB00561The drive chain must be lubricated after wash-
ing the ATV or riding in the rain or wet areas.1. Clean the drive chain with kerosene and asmall soft brush. NOTICE: To prevent dam-
aging the O-rings, do not clean the drive
chain with steam cleaners, high-pressure
washers or inappropriate solvents.
[ECB00571]
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive chain with a special O-ring chain lubricant. NOTICE: Do
not use engine oil or any other lubricants
for the drive chain, as they may contain
substances that could damage the O-
rings.
[ECB00581]
EBU24902
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-1. O-rings
1
1
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8
EBU25740Troubleshooting Although Yamaha ATVs receive a thorough in-
spection before shipment from the factory, trouble
may occur during operation. Any problem in the fu-
el, compression, or ignition systems, for example,
can cause poor starting and loss of power.
The following troubleshooting charts represent
quick and easy procedures for checking these vital
systems yourself. However, should your ATV re-
quire any repair, take it to a Yamaha dealer, whose
skilled technicians have the necessary tools, expe-
rience, and know-how to service the ATV properly.
Use only genuine Yamaha replacement parts. Im-
itation parts may look like Yamaha parts, but they
are often inferior, have a shorter service life and
can lead to expensive repair bills.
WARNING
EWB02280Do not smoke when checking the fuel system.
Fuel can ignite or explode, causing severe inju-
ry or property damage. Make sure there are no
open flames or sparks in the area, including pi-
lot lights from water heaters or furnaces.U18P66E0.book Page 52 Monday, May 16, 2011 4:23 PM

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Type:SAE 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40, 15W-40, 20W-40 or 20W-
50
Recommended engine oil grade: API service SG type or higher, JASO standard MA
Engine oil quantity: Without oil filter element replacement:
1.40 L (1.48 US qt, 1.23 Imp.qt)
With oil filter element replacement: 1.45 L (1.53 US qt, 1.28 Imp.qt)Cooling system:Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the maximum level mark):
0.25 L (0.26 US qt, 0.22 Imp.qt)
Radiator capacity (including all routes): 1.25 L (1.32 US qt, 1.10 Imp.qt)
Air filter:Air filter element:Wet elementFuel:Recommended fuel:Premium unleaded gasoline only
Fuel tank capacity: 10.0 L (2.64 US gal, 2.20 Imp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount:
3.4 L (0.90 US gal, 0.75 Imp.gal)Fuel injection:Throttle body:ID mark:18P1 00Spark plug (s):Manufacturer/model:
NGK/CR8E
Spark plug gap: 0.7 –0.8 mm (0.028 –0.031 in)Clutch:Clutch type:
Wet, multiple-discTransmission:Primary reduction system:Spur gear
Primary reduction ratio:
61/23 (2.652)
Secondary reduction system: Chain drive
Secondary reduction ratio: 38/14 (2.714)
0 10 30 50 70 90 110 130 ˚F
–20 –10 0 10 20 30 40 50 ˚CSAE 5W-30
SAE 10W-30
SAE 10W-40
SAE 15W-40
SAE 20W-40SAE 20W-50
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