Yamaha XS850G User manual

XS850G OWNER’S MANUAL
1ST PRINTING, JULY 1979
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED,
BY YAMAHA MOTOR COMPANY
LIMITED, JAPAN
PRINTED IN JAPAN
P/N LIT-l 1626-01-79

PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY
BEFORE OPERATING THIS MOTORCYCLE.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPERATE THIS MOTORCYCLE UNTIL
YOU HAVE ATTAINED A SATISFACTORY KNOWLEDGE OF ITS
CONTROLS AND OPERATING FEATURES AND HAVE BEEN
TRAINED IN SAFE AND PROPER RIDING TECHNIQUES.
REGULAR INSPECTIONS AND CAREFUL MAINTENANCE ARE
REQUIRED IN ADDITION TO RIDING SKILL IN ORDER TO
ENJOY THE CAPABILITIES AND RELIABILITY OF THIS MOTOR-
CYCLE SAFELY.
Particularly important information is distinguished in this manual by the fol-
lowing notations:
NOTE:
CAUTION:
WARNING:
A NOTE provides key information to make procedures
easier or clearer.
A CAUTION indicates special procedures that must be fol-
lowed to avoid damage to the motorcycle.
A WARNING indicates special procedures that must be fol-
lowed to avoid injury to a motorcycle operator or person in-
specting or repairing the motorcycle.

NOTE:
This manual should be considered a permanent part of this motorcycle and
should remain with it even if the motorcycle is subsequently sold.
-SAFETY WARNINGS:
1,
Traffic regulations vary from state to state. Study the regulations
in your state before riding this motorcycle.
2. This motorcycle is designed for on-road use only. It is not suita-
ble for off-road use.
3. GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE:
*
Always turn off the engine when refuelling.
* Take care not to spill any gasoline on the engine or exhaust
pipe(s)/muffler(s) when refuelling.
*
Never refuel while smoking or in the vicinity of an open flame.
4. If you should swallow some gasoline, or inhale a lot of gasoline
vapor, or allow some gasoline to get in your eye(s), see your
doctor immediately. If any gasoline spills on your skin or cloth-
ing, immediately wash it with soap and water and change your
clothes.

5.
*
*
6.
7.
6.
Always turn off the engine before leaving the motorcycle unat-
tended and do not forget to remove the ignition key. When park-
ing the motorcycle, note the following:
The engine and exhaust
pipe(s)/muffler(s) may be hot. Park the
motorcycle in a place where pedestrians or children are not like-
ly to touch the motorcycle.
Do not park the motorcycle on a slope or soft ground; the motor-
cycle may overturn.
When transporting the motorcycle in another vehicle, be sure it
is kept upright and that the fuel petcock(s) is turned to the “ON”
or “RES” position (for vacuum
type)/“OFF” position (for manual
type). If it should lean over, gasoline may leak out of the car-
bretor or fuel tank.
Never start your engine or let it run for any length of time in a
closed area. The exhaust fumes are poisonous and may cause
loss of consciousness and death within a short time. Always
operate your motorcycle in en area with adequate ventilation.
Always wear a helmet, gloves, trousers (tapered around the cuff
and ankle so they do not flap), and a brightly colored jacket.

INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the
Yamaha
XS850G. This model represents the
product of many years of Yamaha experience
in the production of fine sporting. touring,
and pacesetting racing machines. You can
now appreciate the high degree of crafts-
manship and reliability that have made
Yamaha a leader in these fields.
This manual will provide the owner with a
good basic understanding of the operation
and basic maintenance of this vehicle. If you
have any questions regarding the operation
or maintenance of your motorcycle. please
consult your Yamaha dealer.
-NOTICE:
Some data in this manual may become
outdated due to improvements made to
this model in the future. If there is any
question concerning this manual, con-
sult your nearby Yamaha dealer.
This Yamaha Motorcycle in its design and
manufacture fully complies with the emis-
sions standards for clean air applicable at
the date of manufacture. Yamaha has met
these standards without
reducing the
motorcycle’s performance or economy of
operation. To maintain these high standards.
it is important that you and your dealer pay
close attention to
the
recommended
maintenance schedules and operating in-
structions contained within this manual.
SERVICE DEPT.
INTERNATIONAL DIVISION
YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD.

CONTENTS
LOCATION OF THE “CAUTION AND
SPECIFICATION LABELS” ,.,.,....................... 1
DESCRIPTION ..,,,...........................................~ 2
MACHINE IDENTIFICATION 3
CONTROL FUNCTIONS4
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ..,,...................... 15
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT
RIDING POINTS 24
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
MINOR REPAIR .,.......,,,,,,.,..,.,.,...................... 30
CLEANING AND STORAGE .,....................... 72
MISCELLANEOUS 75
SPECIFICATIONS 77
WARRANTY INFORMATION 80
MAINTENANCE RECORD 81
WIRING DIAGRAM 83

RIGHT SIDE DESCRIPTION
INSTRUMENTS
LEFT SIDE

MACHINE
IDENTIFICATION
Frame serial number
The frame serial number is stamped into the
right side of the steering head pipe.
Engine serial number
The engine serial number is stamped into the
elevated part of the right rear section of the
engine.
NOTE:
The first three digits of these numbers are for
model identification; the remaining digits are
the unit production number. These identifica-
tion numbers are used to register Your
motorcycle with the licensing authority in
your state as well as with the manufacturer.
Keep a record of these numbers for reference
when ordering parts from Your Yamaha deal-
er. In case of theft, the authorities will need
these numbers and Your model name for
identification.