Yamaha · Modern chain-drive motorcycle (2000-)

XV250 Virago / V-Star 250 / Route 66

Library entry covers 1988-2020

19 factory 32 guideline

Published source

Yamaha 2001 Virago 250 Owner's Manual pp.6-4 to 6-5, and 1998 Virago 250 Owner's Manual p.8-3 (Yamaha Motor Co.)

Factory owner's handbook. Covers Virago 250 owner's manuals, 1998 (emission chart) and 2001 (general chart), US, in mi, km and months.

Open the source

51 items for a 2014 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, screw/locknut adjusters
Ignition: Electronic (CDI / transistor / ECU)
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Single carburetor
Cooling: Air / oil cooled
Primary drive: Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil: Shares engine oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Chain
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Cast / alloy, tubeless
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

2014 Yamaha XV250 Virago / V-Star 250 / Route 66

On the road: every 200 mi

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 300 mi

3 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Lubricate drive chain

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Drive chain: check, adjust and lubricate. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: every 300 mi (500 km)

On the road: every 600 mi

1 item

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

2 items

Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Guideline
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 3,000 mi or 6 months

10 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: first at 600 mi (1,000 km)
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air filter (wet type): wash and oil. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: dealer item; more often in wet or dusty areas
Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Battery: check specific gravity and breather. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch: adjust free play. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: dealer item; first at 600 mi
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Sidestand switch: check. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: dealer item; first at 600 mi
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Swingarm pivot shaft: check and repack. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: dealer item; check at 600 mi
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Front fork: check operation and leakage. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: dealer item
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake system: adjust free play, check pads and shoes. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: dealer item; first at 600 mi
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheel bearings: check. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: dealer item
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Control and meter cables: lubricate. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: first at 600 mi; lever pivots, pedal shafts and sidestand pivot at the same interval

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

6 items

Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Guideline
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Guideline
Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)

Final drive

Guideline

Non O-ring chains on old machines: remove, clean, soak in hot chain grease or lube, refit with the master link clip closed end leading.
Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)

Final drive

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 3,100 mi or 6 months

3 items

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Valve clearance: check and adjust. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: dealer item; engine cold; first at 600 mi (1998 emission chart)
Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plug: check, gap and clean. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts
Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel hose and vacuum pipe: check. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: dealer item; idle speed and cable free play at the same interval

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

5 items

Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Oil filter: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: dealer item; first at 600 mi (1,000 km)
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 6,200 mi or 12 months

2 items

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Factory

Manual: Crankcase ventilation hose: check. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: dealer item; exhaust system checked every 3,100 mi
Replace spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plug: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: first at 6,900 mi (11,000 km)

Every 10,000 mi or 18 months

1 item

Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering bearings: repack. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: dealer item; check every 3,000 mi

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi or 3 years

1 item

Change fork oil

Front end

Guideline

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

Every 15,000 mi

1 item

Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 18,000 mi

1 item

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline

Every 20,000 mi or 4 years

2 items

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 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 30,000 mi 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 2 years

3 items

Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Guideline

Every 4 years

2 items

Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake hoses: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance charts: every four years or if cracked; master cylinder and caliper seals every two years
Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6 years

1 item

Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

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.