YAMAHA YFZ450R 2018 Owners Manual

8-27
8
WARNING
EWB02342Always let the exhaust system cool prior to
touching exhaust components.
Do not start the engine with the spark arrester
removed. Sparks or exhaust particulate can
cause eye injury, burns, or start a fire.
EBU29704Adjusting the throttle lever free playPeriodically check the throttle lever free play and
adjust if necessary.1. Slide the rubber cover back.
2. Loosen the locknut.
Tightening torque:
Tailpipe cover bolt:8 N·m (0.8 kgf·m, 5.9 lb·ft)1. Rubber cover
2. Throttle lever free play adjusting bolt
3. Locknut
4. Throttle lever free playThrottle lever free play: 2.0–4.0 mm (0.08–0.16 in)
32
4
(a)(b)
1
UBW261E0.book Page 27 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-28
83. 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.
EBU24061Valve clearanceThe 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.EBU29602BrakesReplacement of brake components requires pro-
fessional knowledge. Brake service should be
performed by a Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB02572Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could lead to a loss in braking ability
and an accident.
EBU24131Checking the front and rear brake padsThe front and rear brake pads must be checked
for wear at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.EBU29561Front brake pads
Each brake pad is provided with wear indicator
grooves, which allow you to check the brake pad
wear without having to disassemble the brake. To
check the brake pad wear, check the wear indica-
tor grooves. If a brake pad has worn to the point
that the wear indicator grooves have almost dis-
appeared, have a Yamaha dealer replace the
brake pads as a set.
UBW261E0.book Page 28 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-29
8
TIPThe wheels need to be removed to check the
brake pads. (See page 8-49.) EBU29832Rear brake pads
Each brake pad is provided with wear indicator
grooves, which allow you to check the brake pad
wear without having to disassemble the brake. To
check the brake pad wear, check the wear indica-
tor grooves. If a brake pad has worn to the point
that the wear indicator grooves have almost dis-
appeared, have a Yamaha dealer replace the
brake pads as a set.
EBU29502Checking the brake fluid levelBefore 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.
1. Wear indicator groove
1
1. Wear indicator groove
1
UBW261E0.book Page 29 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-30
8Front brake
Rear brake
TIPTo check the rear brake fluid level, remove the
seat. (See page 4-10.)
WARNING
EWB02721Improper 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.
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
1
1
Specified brake fluid:
DOT 4
UBW261E0.book Page 30 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-31
8

Be careful that water does not enter the
brake fluid reservoir when refilling. Water will
significantly lower the boiling point of the flu-
id and may result in vapor lock.
NOTICEECB01161Brake 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
brake pads for wear and the brake system for
leakage. If the brake fluid level goes down sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer check the cause be-
fore further riding.EBU24293Changing the brake fluidHave a Yamaha dealer change the brake fluid at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. In addition, have the oil seals of the master cylinders and calipers as well as the
brake hoses replaced at the intervals listed below
or whenever they are damaged or leaking.

Oil seals: Replace every two years.
 Brake hoses: Replace every four years.
EBU24396Checking the front brake lever free
playThere should be no free play at the brake lever
end. If there is free play, have a Yamaha dealer in-
spect the brake system.1. No brake lever free play
1
UBW261E0.book Page 31 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-32
8
EBU24615Checking the brake pedal heightPeriodically check the brake pedal height. If the
brake pedal is not positioned as specified, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust it.
EBU24717Adjusting the parking brake free playPeriodically check the cable length “A” and adjust
if necessary. 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.
1. Brake pedal heightBrake pedal height:11.7 mm (0.46 in)
1
1. Adjusting bolt
2. Cable length “A”
3. LocknutCable length “A”:47–51 mm (1.85–2.01 in)
1
2
3
UBW261E0.book Page 32 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-33
8
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.
TIPIf the cable length cannot be adjusted to specifi-
cation, 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.
[ECB00522]
WARNING
EWB02091Operating 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.
1. Locknut
2. Parking brake free play adjusting nut
3. Rubber cover
1
2
3
(b)
(a)
Tightening torque: Locknut (rear brake caliper):16 N·m (1.6 kgf·m, 12 lb·ft)
UBW261E0.book Page 33 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-34
8
EBU24744Brake light switchesThe 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).
EBU30155Adjusting the clutch lever free playPeriodically check the clutch lever free play and
adjust if necessary.1. To increase the clutch lever free play, turn the clutch lever free play adjusting nut at the
clutch lever in direction (a), and to decrease it,
turn the nut in direction (b).
If the specified free play cannot be obtained,
proceed with the following steps.
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2(a) (b)
1. Clutch lever free play
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut (clutch lever)Clutch lever free play:
8.0–13.0 mm (0.31–0.51 in)
1
(a)
(b)
2
UBW261E0.book Page 34 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-35
8
2. Fully turn the adjusting nut at the clutch lever
in direction (a) to loosen the clutch cable.
3. Slide back the rubber cover at the clutch ca- ble.
4. Loosen the locknut.
5. To increase the clutch lever free play, turn the clutch lever free play adjusting nut located to-
wards the center of the cable in direction (a),
and to decrease it, turn the nut in direction (b).
6. Tighten the locknut.
7. Slide the rubber cover to its original position.
TIPIf the specified free play cannot be obtained as de-
scribed above or if the clutch does not operate
correctly, have a Yamaha dealer check the internal
clutch mechanism. EBU26866Drive chain slackThe drive chain slack should be checked before
each ride and adjusted if necessary.TIPWhen checking and adjusting the drive chain
slack, there should be no weight on the ATV and
all tires must be touching the ground. To check the drive chain slack 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Move the ATV back and forth to locate the tightest portion of the drive chain, and then
measure the drive chain slack as shown.
1. Locknut
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut (clutch cable)
3. Rubber cover
1
2
3
(b)
(a)
Drive chain slack:25.0–35.0 mm (0.98–1.38 in)
UBW261E0.book Page 35 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-36
83. If the drive chain slack is incorrect, adjust it as
follows.
To adjust the drive chain slack 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Loosen the rear wheel axle pinch bolts.
3. Insert a rod of a diameter of 8 mm (0.3 in) and a length of 10 cm (4 in) into one of the holes in
the drive chain tensioner as shown.
TIPA rod can be obtained at a Yamaha dealer to make
this adjustment. 4. Shift the transmission into neutral.
5. To tighten the drive chain, push the ATVbackward. To loosen the drive chain, push
the ATV forward. NOTICE: Improper drive
chain slack will overload the engine as well
as other vital parts of the ATV and can lead
to drive chain slippage or breakage. To
1. Drive chain slack
1
1. Rear wheel axle pinch bolt
2. Rod
3. Drive chain tensioner
4. Hole
3
4
2 11
UBW261E0.book Page 36 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM