YAMAHA YZF-R3 2015 Repair Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-16
6
wei
ght of ri der, passen ger, car-
g o, an d accessories approve d
for this mo del.
WARNING
EWA10512
Never overload your vehicle. Opera-
tion of an overloa ded vehicle coul d
cause an acci dent.
Tire inspection
The tires must be checked before each
ride. If the center tread depth reaches
the specified limit, if the tire has a nail
or glass fragments in it, or if the side-
wall is cracked, have a Yamaha dealer
replace the tire immediately.TIPThe tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always com-
ply with the local regulations.
WARNING
EWA10472
 Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besi des
b ein g ille gal, operatin g the vehi-
cle with excessively worn tires
d ecreases ri din g sta bility an d
can lead to loss of control.
 The replacement of all wheel
and b rake-relate d parts, inclu d-
in g the tires, shoul d b e left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
e dg e an d experience to d o so.
 Ride at mo derate spee ds after
chan gin g a tire since the tire
surface must first b e “broken
in” for it to d evelop its optimal
characteristics.Tire information
This model is equipped with tubeless
tires and rubber tire air valves.
Tires age, even if they have not been
used or have only been used occasion-
ally. Cracking of the tread and sidewall
rubber, sometimes accompanied by
carcass deformation, is an evidence of
Tire air pressure (measure d on col d
tires): Front (1 person):200 kPa (2.00 kgf/cm2, 29 psi)
Rear (1 person): 250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm2, 36 psi)
Front (2 persons):
200 kPa (2.00 kgf/cm2, 29 psi)
Rear (2 persons): 250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm2, 36 psi)
Maximum loa d*:
160 kg (353 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car-
go and accessories
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depth
Minimum tire trea d d epth (front an d
rear): 1.6 mm (0.06 in)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-17
6ageing. Old and aged tires shall be
checked by tire specialists to ascertain
their suitability for further use.
WARNING
EWA10462
The front an
d rear tires shoul d b e of
the same make an d d esi gn, other-
wise the han dlin g characteristics of
the vehicle may be different, which
coul d lea d to an acci dent.After extensive tests, only the tires list-
ed below have been approved for this
model by Yamaha.
EAU21963
Cast wheelsTo maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your vehicle,
note the following points regarding the
specified wheels.
 The wheel rims should be
checked for cracks, bends, warp-
age or other damage before each
ride. If any damage is found, have
a Yamaha dealer replace the
wheel. Do not attempt even the
smallest repair to the wheel. A de-
formed or cracked wheel must be
replaced.
 The wheel should be balanced
whenever either the tire or wheel
has been changed or replaced. An
unbalanced wheel can result in
poor performance, adverse han-
dling characteristics, and a short-
ened tire life.
EAU62662
Adjustin g the clutch lever free
playThe clutch lever free play should mea-
sure 10.0–15.0 mm (0.39–0.59 in) as
shown. Periodically check the clutch
lever free play and, if necessary, adjust
it as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the clutch lever.
2. To increase the clutch lever free play, turn the clutch lever free play
adjusting bolt in direction (a). To
decrease the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in di-
rection (b).
Front tire:Size:110/70-17M/C (54H)
Manufacturer/model: MICHELIN/PILOT STREET
Rear tire:
Size:140/70-17M/C (66H)
Manufacturer/model:
MICHELIN/PILOT STREET
1. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
2. Locknut
3. Clutch lever free play3
2
1
(a)(b)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-18
6
TIPIf the specified clutch lever free play
could be obtained as described above,
skip steps 3–8.3. Fully turn the adjusting bolt at theclutch lever in direction (a) to loos-
en the clutch cable.
4. Remove the right side cowling by removing the bolts.
5. Loosen the locknut at the crank- case.
6. To increase the clutch lever free play, turn the clutch lever free play
adjusting nut in direction (a). To decrease the clutch lever free
play, turn the adjusting nut in di-
rection (b).
7. Tighten the locknut at the crank- case.
8. Install the right side cowling by in- stalling the bolts.
TIPFit the projections on the cowling into
the slots as shown.
9. Tighten the locknut at the clutchlever.
1. Right side cowling
2. Bolt
21
2
2
1. Locknut
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut
2(b)(a)
1
1. Slot
2. Projection
3. Right side cowling
3
1
2
21
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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6
EAU37914
Checking the brake lever free
playThere should be no free play at the
brake lever end. If there is free play,
have a Yamaha dealer inspect the
brake system.
WARNING
EWA14212
A soft or spon gy feelin g in the b rake
lever can in dicate the presence of
air in the hy draulic system. If there is
air in the hy draulic system, have a
Yamaha dealer blee d the system be-
fore operatin g the vehicle. Air in the
hy draulic system will diminish the b
rakin g performance, which may re-
sult in loss of control and an acci-
d ent.
EAU36504
Brake li ght switchesThe brake light, which is activated by
the brake pedal and brake lever,
should come on just before braking
takes effect. If necessary, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust the brake light switches.
1. No brake lever free play
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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6
EAU22393
Checking the front an d rear
b rake pa dsThe front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
EAU22432
Front brake pad s
Each front brake pad is provided with
wear indicator grooves, which allow
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator grooves. If a brake
pad has worn to the point that the wear indicator grooves have almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.
EAU36721
Rear
brake pa ds
Each rear brake pad is provided with
wear indicator grooves, which allow
you to check the brake pad wear with-
out having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check
the wear indicator grooves. If a brake
pad has worn to the point that the wear
indicator grooves have almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace
the brake pads as a set.
EAU40262
Checkin g the brake flui d levelBefore riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark.
Check the brake fluid level with the top
of the reservoir level. Replenish the
brake fluid if necessary.
Front brake
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1
1
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
11
1. Minimum level mark1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-21
6Rear
brake
WARNING
EWA16011
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of brakin g a bility. O bserve
these precautions:  Insufficient brake flui d may al-
low air to enter the b rake sys-
tem, re ducin g brakin g
performance.
 Clean the filler cap before re-
moving . Use only DOT 4 b rake
flui d from a seale d container. 
Use only the specified b rake flu-
i d ; otherwise, the ru bber seals
may deteriorate, causin g leak-
a g e.
 Refill with the same type of
brake flui d. A ddin g a brake flui d
other than DOT 4 may result in a
harmful chemical reaction.
 Be careful that water or dust
d oes not enter the brake flui d
reservoir when refillin g. Water
will si gnificantly lower the boil-
in g point of the flui d an d may re-
sult in vapor lock, an d d ir
t may
clo g the ABS hy draulic unit
valves.
NOTICE
ECA17641
Brake flui d may damag e painted
surfaces or plastic parts. Always
clean up spille d flui d imme diately.As the brake pads wear, it is normal for
the brake fluid level to gradually go
down. A low brake fluid level may indi-
cate 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 suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause before further riding.
1. Minimum level markSpecifie d b rake flui d:
DOT 4
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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6
EAU22733
Changin g the brake flui dHave a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion 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.
EAU22762
Drive chain slackThe drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU22776
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on the side- stand.TIPWhen checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, there should be no weight
on the motorcycle.2. Shift the transmission into the neutral position.
3. Measure the drive chain slack as shown. 4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU62980
To a djust the drive chain slack
Consult a Yamaha dealer before ad-
justing the drive chain slack. 1. Remove the drive chain puller cap, and then loosen the axle nut and
the locknut on each side of the
swingarm.
Drive chain slack:35.0–45.0 mm (1.38–1.77 in)
1. Drive chain slack
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-23
62. To tighten the drive chain, turn the
drive chain slack adjusting bolt on
each side of the swingarm in di-
rection (a). To loosen the drive
chain, turn the adjusting bolt on
each side of the swingarm in di-
rection (b), and then push the rear
wheel forward. NOTICE: Improp-
er drive chain slack will over-
loa d the en gine as well as other
vital parts of the motorcycle an d
can lead to chain slippa ge or
b reakag e. To prevent this from
occurrin g, keep the drive chain
slack within the specifie d limits.
[ECA10572]
TIPUsing the alignment marks on each
side of the swingarm, make sure that
both drive chain pullers are in the same
position for proper wheel alignment.
3. Tighten the axle nut, then the lock-
nuts to their specified torques.
4. Make sure that the drive chain pullers are in the same position,
the drive chain slack is correct,
and the drive chain moves
smoothly.
5. Install the drive chain puller caps.
1. Axle nut
2. Locknut
3. Drive chain puller cap
2
1
3
1. Drive chain slack adjusting nut
1. Alignment marks
2. Drive chain puller
1
(a)(b)
1
2
Ti
ghtenin g torques:
Axle nut: 57 Nm (5.7 m·kgf, 41 ft·lbf)
Locknut:
16 Nm (1.6 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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6
EAU23026
Cleaning an d lu bricatin g the
d rive chainThe drive chain must be cleaned and
lubricated at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or
wet areas. Service the drive chain as
follows.NOTICE
ECA10584
The drive chain must b e lubricate d
after washin g the motorcycle, ri din g
in the rain or ri din g in wet areas.1. Clean the drive chain with kero-
sene and a small soft brush.
NOTICE: To prevent damag ing
the O-rin gs, do not clean the
d rive chain with steam cleaners,
hi gh-pressure washers or inap-
propriate solvents.
[ECA11122]
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant. NOTICE: Do not use
en gine oil or any other lu bri-
cants for the drive chain, as they may contain su
bstances that
coul d damag e the O-rin gs.
[ECA11112] EAU23098
Checkin
g an d lu bricatin g the
ca blesThe operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubri-
cated if necessary. If a cable is
damaged or does not move smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
place it. WARNING! Dama ge to the
outer housin g of cab les may result
in internal rustin g an d cause inter-
ference with ca ble movement. Re-
place damag ed cab les as soon as
possi ble to prevent unsafe con di-
tions.
[EWA10712]
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Yamaha cable lubricant or other
suitable cable lubricant
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
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6
EAU49921
Checking an d lu bricatin g the
throttle grip an d cab leThe operation of the throttle grip
should be checked before each ride. In
addition, the cable should be lubricat-
ed by a Yamaha dealer at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
chart.
EAU44275
Checkin g an d lu bricatin g the
b rake an d shift pe dalsThe operation of the brake and shift
pedals should be checked before each
ride, and the pedal pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Brake pe dal
Shift pe dal
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
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