YAMAHA YZF-R3 2018 Repair Manual

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-16
6
EAU69760
Tires
Tires are the only contact between the
vehicle and the road. Safety in all con-
ditions of riding depends on a relatively
small area of road contact. Therefore, it
is essential to maintain the tires in good
condition at all times and replace them
at the appropriate time with the speci-
fied tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted
before each ride.
WARNING
EWA10504
Operation of this vehicle with im-
proper tire pressure may cause se-
vere injury or d eath from loss of
control.  The tire air pressure must be
checked and a djuste d on col d
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the am bient
temperature).
 The tire air pressure must be
a d juste d in accor dance with the
ri din g speed and with the total
wei ght of ri der, passen ger, car-
g o, an d accessories approve d
for this mo del.
WARNING
EWA10512
Never overloa d 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.
Tire air pressure (measure d on col d
tires): 1 person: Front:
200 kPa (2.00 kgf/cm2, 29 psi)
Rear: 250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm2, 36 psi)
2 persons: Front:200 kPa (2.00 kgf/cm2, 29 psi)
Rear: 250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm2, 36 psi)
Maximum loa d*:
160 kg (353 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, cargo and accessories
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depth
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-17
6
TIP
The 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 dge an d experience to do so.
 Ride at mo derate spee ds after
chan gin g a tire since the tire
surface must first be “ broken
in” for it to develop 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
ageing. 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.
Minimum tire trea d d epth (front an d
rear): 1.6 mm (0.06 in)
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
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-18
6
EAU21963
Cast wheels
To 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.
EAU62663
Adjustin g the clutch lever free
play
Measure the clutch lever free play as
shown.
Periodically check the clutch lever free
play and, if necessary, adjust it as fol-
lows.
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).
TIP
If 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.
1. Clutch lever free play adjusting bolt
2. Locknut
3. Clutch lever free play
Clutch lever free play:10.0–15.0 mm (0.39–0.59 in)
321
(a)
(b)
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-19
6 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.
TIP
Fit the projections on the cowling into
the slots as shown.
9. Tighten the locknut at the clutchlever.
1. Right side cowling
2. Bolt
1. Locknut
2. Clutch lever free play adjusting nut
2
1
2
2
2
(b)
(a)
1
1. Slot
2. Projection
3. Right side cowling
3
1
22
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-20
6
EAU37914
Checkin g the brake lever free
play
There 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 brake
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 an d an acci-
d ent.
EAU36505
Brake li ght switches
The brake light should come on just
before braking takes effect. The brake
light is activated by switches connect-
ed to the brake lever and brake pedal.
Since the brake light switches are
components of the anti-lock brake sys-
tem, they should only be serviced by a
Yamaha dealer.
1. No brake lever free play
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-21
6
EAU22393
Checkin g the front an d rear
b rake pa ds
The front and rear brake pads must be
checked for wear at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
EAU22432Front brake pa ds
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.
EAU36721Rear 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.
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
1 1
1. Brake pad wear indicator groove
11
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-22
6
EAU40262
Checkin g the brake flui d level
Before 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
Rear 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 brake sys-
tem, re ducing 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 specifie d 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 refilling . 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 d amage painte d
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 mark
1. Minimum level mark
Specified b rake flui d:
DOT 4
1
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-23
6
EAU22734
Chan gin g the brake flui d
Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid every 2 years. In addition,
have the seals of the master cylinders
and brake calipers, as well as the brake
hoses replaced at the intervals listed
below or sooner if they are damaged or
leaking.
 Brake seals: every 2 years
 Brake hoses: every 4 years
EAU22762
Drive chain slack
The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU2277GTo check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on the side- stand.
TIP
When checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, there should be no weight
on the motorcycle.
2. Shift the transmission into theneutral position.
3. Measure the drive chain slack as shown.
4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect, adjust it as follows. NOTICE: Im-
proper drive chain slack will
overloa d the en gine as well as
other vital parts of the motorcy-
cle an d can lead to chain slip-
pa ge or breakag e. If the d rive
chain slack is more than , the
chain can d amage the frame,
swin garm, an d other parts. To
1. Drive chain slack
Drive chain slack:
35.0–45.0 mm (1.38–1.77 in)
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-24
6
prevent this from occurrin
g,
keep the d rive chain slack with-
in the specifie d limits.
[ECA17791]
EAU62983
To adjust the d rive 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.
2. To tighten the drive chain, turn the drive chain slack adjusting nut on
each side of the swingarm in di-
rection (a). To loosen the drive
chain, turn the adjusting nut on
each side of the swingarm in di-
rection (b), and then push the rear
wheel forward.
TIP
Using 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
1
2
1. Drive chain slack adjusting nut
1. Alignment marks
2. Drive chain puller
Ti ghtenin g torques:
Axle nut:
57 N·m (5.7 kgf·m, 42 lb·ft)
Locknut: 16 N·m (1.6 kgf·m, 12 lb·ft)
1(a)
(b)
1
2
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-25
6
EAU23026
Cleanin g an d lu bricatin g the
d rive chain
The 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 lubricated
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-ring s, 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 bles
The 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 cab le 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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