warning YAMAHA YZ450F 2003 User Guide

3 - 24
INSP
ADJ
CHASSIS/BRAKE SYSTEM AIR BLEEDING
EC360000
CHASSIS
EC361012
BRAKE SYSTEM AIR BLEEDING
WARNING
Bleed the brake system if:
The system has been disassembled.
A brake hose has been loosened or
removed.
The brake fluid is very low.
The brake operation is faulty.
A dangerous loss of braking performance
may occur if the brake system is not prop-
erly bleed.
1. Remove:
Master cylinder cap
Diaphragm
Protector (rear brake)
2. Bleed:
Brake fluid
ÅFront
ıRear
Air bleeding steps:
a. Add proper brake fluid to the reservoir.
b. Install the diaphragm. Be careful not to
spill any fluid or allow the reservoir to
overflow.
c. Connect the clear plastic tube 2 tightly
to the caliper bleed screw 1.
d. Place the other end of the tube into a
container.
e. Slowly apply the brake lever or pedal
several times.
f. Pull the lever in or push down on the
pedal. Hold the lever or pedal in position.
g. Loosen the bleed screw and allow the
lever or pedal to travel towards its limit.
h. Tighten the bleed screw when the lever
or pedal limit has been reached; then
release the lever or pedal.
T R..
Bleed screw:
6 Nm (0.6 m • kg, 4.3 ft • lb)
i. Repeat steps (e) to (h) until of the air
bubbles have been removed from the
system.
Å
ı

3 - 25
INSP
ADJ
FRONT BRAKE ADJUSTMENT
3. Install:
Protector (rear brake)
Diaphragm
Master cylinder cap
NOTE:
If bleeding is difficult, it may be necessary to
let the brake fluid system stabilize for a few
hours. Repeat the bleeding procedure when
the tiny bubbles in the system have disap-
peared.
j. Add brake fluid to the level line on the
reservoir.
WARNING
Check the operation of the brake after
bleeding the brake system.
EC362040
FRONT BRAKE ADJUSTMENT
1. Check:
Brake lever position a
Brake lever position a:
Standard position Extent of adjustment
95 mm (3.74 in)76 ~ 97 mm
(2.99 ~ 3.82 in)
2. Remove:
Lever cover
3. Adjust:
Brake lever position
4. Install:
Lever cover Brake lever position adjustment steps:
Loosen the locknut 1.
Turn the adjusting bolt 2 until the lever
position a is within specified position.
Tighten the locknut.
T R..
Locknut:
5 Nm (0.5 m • kg, 3.6 ft • lb)
CAUTION:
Be sure to tighten the locknut, as it will
cause poor brake performance.

3 - 26
INSP
ADJREAR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT/
FRONT BRAKE PAD INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT
EC364002
REAR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT
1. Check:
Brake pedal height a
Out of specification → Adjust.
Brake pedal height a:
5 mm (0.20 in)
2. Adjust:
Brake pedal height
Pedal height adjustment steps:
Loosen the locknut 1.
Turn the adjusting nut 2 until the pedal
height a is within specified height.
Tighten the locknut.
WARNING
Adjust the pedal height between the
maximum Å and the minimum ı as
shown. (In this adjustment the bolt 3
end b should protrude out of the
threaded portion 4 but not be less than
2 mm (0.08 in) c away from the brake
pedal 5).
After the pedal height adjustment, make
sure that the rear brake does not drag.
Å
ı
EC365080
FRONT BRAKE PAD INSPECTION AND
REPLACEMENT
1. Inspect:
Brake pad thickness a
Out of specification → Replace as a
set.
2. Replace:
Brake pad
Brake pad thickness a:
Standard
4.4 mm (0.17 in) 1.0 mm (0.04 in)
Brake pad replacement steps:
Remove the pad pin plug 1.

3 - 30
INSP
ADJREAR BRAKE PAD INSULATOR INSPECTION/
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL INSPECTION
3. Inspect:
Brake fluid level
Refer to “BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
INSPECTION” section.
4. Check:
Brake pedal operation
A softy or spongy feeling → Bleed
brake system.
Refer to “BRAKE SYSTEM AIR
BLEEDING” section.
EC36b000
REAR BRAKE PAD INSULATOR
INSPECTION
1. Remove:
Brake pad
Refer to “REAR BRAKE PAD INSPEC-
TION AND REPLACEMENT” section.
2. Inspect:
Rear brake pad insulator 1
Damage → Replace.
EC367001
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL INSPECTION
1. Place the master cylinder so that its top is
in a horizontal position.
2. Inspect:
Brake fluid level
Fluid at lower level → Fill up.
aLower level
ÅFront
ıRear
WARNING
Use only designated quality brake fluid to
avoid poor brake performance.
Refill with same type and brand of brake
fluid; mixing fluids could result in poor
brake performance.
Be sure that water or other contaminants
do not enter master cylinder when refill-
ing.
Clean up spilled fluid immediately to
avoid erosion of painted surfaces or plas-
tic parts.
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT #4
Å
ı

3 - 35
INSP
ADJFRONT FORK COMPRESSION DAMPING FORCE
ADJUSTMENT
STANDARD POSITION:
This is the position which is back by the spe-
cific number of clicks from the fully turned-in
position.
CAUTION:
Do not force the adjuster past the minimum
or maximum extent of adjustment. The
adjuster may be damaged.
WARNING
Always adjust each front fork to the same
setting. Uneven adjustment can cause poor
handling and loss of stability.
Extent of adjustment:
Maximum Minimum
Fully turned in
position20 clicks out (from
maximum posi-
tion)
Standard position:
10 clicks out
EC36J001
FRONT FORK COMPRESSION DAMPING
FORCE ADJUSTMENT
1. Remove:
Rubber cap
2. Adjust:
Compression damping force
By turning the adjuster 1.
Stiffer a →Increase the compression
damping force. (Turn the
adjuster 1 in.)
Softer b →Decrease the compression
damping force. (Turn the
adjuster 1 out.)

3 - 36
INSP
ADJ
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION
STANDARD POSITION:
This is the position which is back by the spe-
cific number of clicks from the fully turned-in
position.
* For EUROPE
CAUTION:
Do not force the adjuster past the minimum
or maximum extent of adjustment. The
adjuster may be damaged.
WARNING
Always adjust each front fork to the same
setting. Uneven adjustment can cause poor
handling and loss of stability.
3. Install:
Rubber cap
Extent of adjustment:
Maximum Minimum
Fully turned in
position20 clicks out
(from maximum
position)
Standard position:
12 clicks out
* 9 clicks out
EC36K000
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION
1. Inspect:
Swingarm smooth action
Abnormal noise/unsmooth action →
Grease the pivoting points or repair the
pivoting points.
Damage/oil leakage → Replace.

3 - 43
INSP
ADJ
STEERING HEAD INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT
Tighten the ring nut 3 using ring nut
wrench 4.
NOTE:
Apply the lithium soap base grease on the
thread of the steering shaft.
Set the torque wrench to the ring nut
wrench so that they form a right angle.
Ring nut wrench:
YU-33975/90890-01403
T R..
Ring nut (initial tightening):
38 Nm (3.8 m • kg, 27 ft • lb)
Loosen the ring nut one turn.
Retighten the ring nut using the ring nut
wrench.
WARNING
Avoid over-tightening.
T R..
Ring nut (final tightening):
7 Nm (0.7 m • kg, 5.1 ft • lb)
Check the steering shaft by turning it lock
to lock. If there is any binding, remove the
steering shaft assembly and inspect the
steering bearings.
Install the handle crown 5, plain washer,
steering shaft nut 6, handlebar 7, han-
dlebar holder 8 and number plate 9.
NOTE:
The upper handlebar holder should be
installed with the punched mark a for-
ward.
Insert the end of fuel breather hose 0 into
the hole of the number plate.
CAUTION:
First tighten the bolts on the front side of
the handlebar holder, and then tighten
the bolts on the rear side.
T R..
Steering shaft nut:
145 Nm (14.5 m • kg, 105 ft • lb)
Handlebar upper holder:
28 Nm (2.8 m • kg, 20 ft • lb)
Pinch bolt (handle crown):
23 Nm (2.3 m • kg, 17 ft • lb)
Number plate:
7 Nm (0.7 m • kg, 5.1 ft • lb)

4 - 6
ENG

RADIATOR
EC456000
HANDLING NOTE
WARNING

Do not remove the radiator cap when the
engine and radiator are hot. Scalding hot
fluid and steam may be blown out under
pressure, which could cause serious
injury.
When the engine has cooled, open the radi-
ator cap by the following procedure:
Place a thick rag, like a towel, over the radi-
ator cap, slowly rotate the cap counter-
clockwise to the detent. This procedure
allows any residual pressure to escape.
When the hissing sound has stopped,
press down on the cap while turning coun-
terclockwise and remove it.
EC454000
INSPECTION
EC444100
Radiator
1. Inspect:

Radiator core
1
Obstruction → Blow out with com-
pressed air through rear of the radiator.
Bent fin → Repair/replace.
EC455000
ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION
Radiator
1. Install:
Pipe 1 1
Hose 1 2
Pipe 2 3
Hose 3 4
Hose 4 5
2. Install:
Hose 2 1
Radiator (left) 2
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)
T R..2 Nm (0.2 m · kg, 1.4 ft · lb)
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)
T R..2 Nm (0.2 m · kg, 1.4 ft · lb)
T R..2 Nm (0.2 m · kg, 1.4 ft · lb)
T R..2 Nm (0.2 m · kg, 1.4 ft · lb)
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)

4 - 80
ENGENGINE REMOVAL
EC4M0000
ENGINE REMOVAL
Extent of removal Order Part name Q’ty Remarks
ENGINE REMOVAL
Preparation for removal Hold the machine by placing the
suitable stand under the frame.
WARNING
Support the machine securely so there is no
danger of it falling over.
Seat and fuel tank Refer to “SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE
COVERS” section.
Carburetor Refer to “CARBURETOR” section.
Exhaust pipe and silencer Refer to “EXHAUST PIPE AND
SILENCER” section.
Clutch cable and guide Disconnect at engine side.
Radiator Refer to “RADIATOR” section.
Shift pedal Refer to “CDI MAGNETO” section.
Cylinder head breather hose and
oil tank breather hoseRefer to “CAMSHAFTS” section.
Drain the engine oil Refer to “ENGINE OIL REPLACEMENT”
section in the CHAPTER 3.
Ignition coil
Disconnect the CDI magneto lead.

5 - 1
CHAS

EC500000
CHASSIS
EC590000
FRONT WHEEL AND REAR WHEEL
EC598000
FRONT WHEEL
FRONT WHEEL AND REAR WHEEL
Extent of removal:
1
Front wheel removal
2
Wheel bearing removal
3
Brake disc removal
Extent of removal Order Part name Q’ty Remarks
Preparation for removal
FRONT WHEEL REMOVAL
Hold the machine by placing the
suitable stand under the engine.
WARNING

Support the machine securely so there is no
danger of it falling over.
1 Hose cover 1
2 Bolt (brake hose holder) 2 Only loosening.
3 Bolt (axle holder) 4 Only loosening.
4 Nut (front wheel axle) 1
5 Front wheel axle 1
6 Front wheel 1
7 Collar 2
8 Oil seal 2
9 Bearing 2 Refer to “REMOVAL POINTS”.
10Brake disc
1
2
31
3