Yamaha V-Max (VMX1200) — Example photo: uri gal, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

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Yamaha · Shim-adjusted overhead-cam four-stroke, wet sump, gearbox shares engine oil, shaft drive

V-Max (VMX1200)

Library entry covers 1985-2007

36 factory 31 guideline

Published source

Yamaha 1998 VMAX Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor Co.), Periodic Maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7

Factory owner's handbook. Covers 1998 VMAX owner's manual (US), chart in km, mi and months.

67 items for a 1985 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)

Engine cycle: Four-stroke
Engine lubrication: Wet sump (oil in crankcase)
Oil filtration: Replaceable cartridge or spin-on filter
Valve gear: Overhead cam, shim adjusted (incl. desmo)
Ignition: Electronic (CDI / transistor / ECU)
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Two or more carburetors
Cooling: Liquid cooled
Primary drive: Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil: Shares engine oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Shaft
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Disc, hydraulic
Wheels: Cast / alloy, tubeless
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1985 Yamaha V-Max (VMX1200)

On the road: every 300 km

1 item

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

On the road: every 500 km

2 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 800 km

1 item

Check coolant level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 1,600 km or 6 months

1 item

Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 5,000 km or 12 months

4 items

Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Guideline
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Guideline
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Guideline
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 6,000 km or 6 months

19 items

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Factory

Manual: Crankcase ventilation hose: check. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item; exhaust system checked for leaks at the same interval
Exhaust system: Check for leakage. Retighten if necessary. Replace gaskets if necessary.

Engine

Factory

Factory: As printed: ○ at 7,000 km (4,400 mi) or 7 months, 13,000 km (8,200 mi) or 13 months, 19,000 km (12,000 mi) or 19 months, 25,000 km (15,800 mi) or 25 months, 31,000 km (19,600 mi) or 31 months
Inspect coolant hoses and clamps

Engine

Factory

Manual: Cooling system hoses: check. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item
Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs: check, gap and clean. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air filter: clean. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item; replace if necessary
Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel hose and vacuum pipe: check. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item
Synchronize carburetors

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Carburetor synchronization: adjust. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item; first at 600 mi; idle speed and cable free play every 3,800 mi
Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Battery: check specific gravity and breather. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item
Replace hydraulic clutch fluid

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch: check operation and fluid leakage. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item; first at 600 mi
Brake pedal and shift pedal shaft: Lubricate. Apply chain lube lightly.

Final drive

Factory

Factory: As printed: ○ at 7,000 km (4,400 mi) or 7 months, 13,000 km (8,200 mi) or 13 months, 19,000 km (12,000 mi) or 19 months, 25,000 km (15,800 mi) or 25 months, 31,000 km (19,600 mi) or 31 months
Brake/clutch lever pivot shaft: Apply chain lube lightly.

Final drive

Factory

Factory: As printed: ○ at 7,000 km (4,400 mi) or 7 months, 13,000 km (8,200 mi) or 13 months, 19,000 km (12,000 mi) or 19 months, 25,000 km (15,800 mi) or 25 months, 31,000 km (19,600 mi) or 31 months
Steering bearings: Check bearing assembly for looseness.

Front end

Factory

Factory: As printed: ○ at 7,000, 13,000, 19,000 and 31,000 km (Repack at 25,000 km)
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Center and side stand pivots: check and lubricate. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Front fork: check operation and leakage. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item
Sidestand switch: Check and clean or replace if necessary.

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Factory: As printed: ○ at INITIAL 1,000 km (600 mi) or 1 month and at 7,000 km (4,400 mi) or 7 months, 13,000 km (8,200 mi) or 13 months, 19,000 km (12,000 mi) or 19 months, 25,000 km (15,800 mi) or 25 months, 31,000 km (19,600 mi) or 31 months
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake system: adjust free play, check pads. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item; first at 600 mi
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheel bearings: check. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item
Idle speed: Check and adjust engine idle speed. Adjust cable free play.

Controls and cables

Factory

Factory: As printed: ○ at 7,000 km (4,400 mi) or 7 months, 13,000 km (8,200 mi) or 13 months, 19,000 km (12,000 mi) or 19 months, 25,000 km (15,800 mi) or 25 months, 31,000 km (19,600 mi) or 31 months
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Control and meter cables: lubricate. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: first at 600 mi; brake and clutch lever pivots, brake and shift pedal shafts at the same interval

Every 6,500 km or 12 months

1 item

Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 9,500 km or 12 months

4 items

Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets

Fuel and air

Guideline

Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.
Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Guideline

A dry speedo cable whips the needle and eventually kills the instrument.

Every 12,000 km or 12 months

5 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: first at 600 mi (1,000 km)
Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Oil filter: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: first at 600 mi (1,000 km)
Replace spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: first at 8,200 mi (13,000 km)
Check final drive for leaks and bearing play

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Final gear oil: check. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7
Evaporative emission control system** (For California): Check control system for damage. Replace if necessary.

Controls and cables

Factory

Factory: As printed: ○ at 19,000 km (12,000 mi) or 19 months and 31,000 km (19,600 mi) or 31 months

Every 13,000 km or 2 years

1 item

Check valve clearances (shim adjusted)

Engine

Guideline

Every 16,000 km or 2 years

2 items

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline
Change fork oil

Front end

Guideline

Some early telescopic forks are grease filled or use very small oil quantities. Check your manual.

Every 19,500 km or 2 years

1 item

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Guideline

Every 24,000 km or 2 years

3 items

Change final drive (rear drive) oil

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Final gear oil: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: first at 600 mi (1,000 km); SAE 80 API GL-4 hypoid gear oil
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering bearings: repack. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item; check every 3,800 mi
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Swingarm pivot bearing: repack. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item; check every 7,600 mi

Every 30,000 km

1 item

Replace fuel filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel filter: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item; first at 19,600 mi (31,000 km)

Every 32,000 km or 4 years

3 items

Lubricate drive shaft splines / check U-joint

Final drive

Guideline
Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Guideline

Many old machines use loose balls in cups and cones. Taper roller conversions are common.
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 40,000 km or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 42,000 km or 42 months

1 item

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Valve clearance: check and adjust. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: dealer item; engine cold

Every 48,500 km or 6 years

1 item

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Guideline

Every 6 months

1 item

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item

Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance

Controls and cables

Guideline

Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

5 items

Replace coolant

Engine

Factory

Manual: Coolant: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance pp.5-3 to 5-7: every 24 months
Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Brake fluid replacement: Replace the oil seals on the inner parts of the master cylinder and caliper cylinder every two years.

Brakes

Factory

Factory: As printed: every two years
Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Guideline

Every 4 years

3 items

Brake fluid replacement: Replace the brake hoses every four years or if cracked or damaged.

Brakes

Factory

Factory: As printed: every four years or if cracked or damaged
Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Guideline
Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6 years

1 item

Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

No interval set

4 items

The air filter needs more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: As printed: NOTE, no interval
Swingarm pivot bearing: Check bearing assembly for looseness.

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Factory: As printed: ○ at 13,000 km (8,200 mi) or 13 months (Repack at 25,000 km)
Brake fluid replacement: Check the brake fluid level regularly and fill as required.

Brakes

Factory

Factory: As printed: NOTE, as required
Brake fluid replacement: When disassembling the master cylinder or caliper cylinder, always replace the brake fluid.

Brakes

Factory

Factory: As printed: NOTE, no interval

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.