MotoService Log
BMW R26 / R27 (single)
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BMW · BMW Earles-fork /2 era (R26/R27, R50-R69S 1955-1969)

R26 / R27 (single)

Library entry covers 1956-1966

18 factory 51 guideline

Published source

BMW R 27 Instruction Manual, 1966 (BMW AG), Lubrication and Inspections and Maintenance pp.10-11, 27-30

Factory owner's handbook. Covers 1966 R 27 instruction manual (BMW), intervals in miles and km stated in the text.

69 items for a 1961 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
Mesh screens / strainers only
Valve gear
Overhead valve, pushrods, adjustable tappets
Ignition
Battery and coil with contact points
Charging
DC generator with regulator
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
Separate gearbox oil
Clutch control
Hand lever, cable
Final drive
Shaft
Front suspension
Leading link / Earles fork
Rear suspension
Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake
Drum (or band / stirrup)
Rear brake
Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels
Spoked, tubed
Sidecar
No sidecar
Maintenance schedule

1961 BMW R26 / R27 (single)

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
  • Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Old machines shake things loose: exhaust nuts, mudguard stays, footrests, tank mounts, battery strap.

On the road: every 1,600 km

1 item
  • Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

Every 1,600 km or 6 months

4 items
  • Adjust front drum brake
    Brakes
    Guideline
  • Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage
    Brakes
    Guideline
  • Check spoke tension and wheel true
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline
  • Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Every 2,000 km

1 item
  • Check final drive for leaks and bearing play
    Final drive
    Factory

    Manual: Final (bevel) drive oil level: check. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30: first at 300 mi

Every 2,500 km or 6 months

1 item
  • Clean oil strainers / mesh screens
    Engine
    Guideline

    Often done with every oil change on old machines.

Every 2,500 km or 12 months

1 item
  • Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline

Every 3,000 km or 12 months

1 item
  • Grease leading link pivots, check bushes and shocks
    Front end
    Guideline

Every 3,000 km

3 items
  • Change engine oil
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Engine oil: drain and refill. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30: drain hot after the first 300, 750 and 2,000 mi, then every 2,000 mi

  • Grease swingarm pivot
    Rear suspension and frame
    Factory

    Manual: Swinging arm bearings (front and rear): grease. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30: hand grease gun only

  • Lubricate control cables and lever pivots
    Controls and cables
    Factory

    Manual: Brake linkages, foot brake and clutch pedals, mudguard hinge, kickstand: oil. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30: a few drops of engine oil

Every 5,000 km or 12 months

11 items
  • Check engine mounting bolts and plates
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Check throttle cable(s) free play and return
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Check / set ignition timing
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Oil / check generator bearings (where an oiler is fitted)
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)
    Front end
    Guideline
  • Check steering head bearing adjustment
    Front end
    Guideline
  • Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Grease and check center / side stand and springs
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Check wheel bearings for play
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Every 6,000 km

6 items
  • Check and adjust valve clearances
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Cylinder head bolts torque check; valve clearances: adjust. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30: engine cold

  • Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Spark plug: check and regap. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30

  • Clean / inspect air filter
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Air filter element: tap and blow out. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30: more often when dusty; no compressed air

  • Synchronize carburetors
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Carburetor: remove, dismantle and clean, reset idle. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30

  • Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Contact breaker points: check, dress, gap 0.4 mm. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30

  • Check gearbox oil level
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Transmission oil level: check. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30: first at 930 mi

Every 6,500 km or 12 months

1 item
  • Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums
    Brakes
    Guideline

Every 8,000 km or 2 years

1 item
  • Check cylinder head bolt torque
    Engine
    Guideline

    Air-cooled iron and alloy engines can lose head bolt tension; follow your manual's sequence and whether it is done hot or cold.

Every 9,500 km or 12 months

6 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
  • Inspect generator brushes and commutator
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Check swingarm bushes for play
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping
    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 9,500 km or 2 years

3 items
  • Check engine breather and oil return
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Lubricate and check automatic advance unit
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Repack / replace wheel bearings
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

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

Every 12,000 km

3 items
  • Replace air filter element
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Air filter element: replace. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30

  • Change gearbox oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Transmission oil: drain and refill. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30

  • Change final drive (rear drive) oil
    Final drive
    Factory

    Manual: Final (bevel) drive oil: change. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30

Every 16,000 km or 2 years

1 item
  • Compression test (or leak-down)
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 16,000 km or 3 years

1 item
  • Repack / replace steering head bearings
    Front end
    Guideline

    Many old machines use loose balls in cups and cones. Taper roller conversions are common.

Every 18,000 km

1 item
  • Replace spark plugs
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Spark plug: replace. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30: after a maximum of 11,000 mi

Every 19,500 km or 3 years

1 item
  • Replace points and condenser
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

Every 19,500 km or 4 years

1 item
  • Decarbonize head, grind / lap valves (top-end decoke)
    Engine
    Guideline

    Period practice. Leaded-era valve seats may need hardened seats for unleaded fuel.

Every 24,000 km or 5 years

1 item
  • Inspect clutch plates and springs
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline

Every 24,000 km

1 item
  • Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)
    Brakes
    Guideline

Every 32,000 km or 4 years

1 item
  • Lubricate drive shaft splines / check U-joint
    Final drive
    Guideline

Every 40,000 km or 6 years

1 item
  • Replace swingarm bushes / bearings
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline

Every 48,500 km

1 item
  • Clean crankshaft oil slingers (sludge traps)
    Engine
    Guideline

    The /2 engines have no oil filter; sludge collects in the slinger rings on the crankshaft.

Every 1 month

1 item
  • Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Battery electrolyte level: check. Factory: Instruction manual pp.10-11, 27-30: every 4 to 6 weeks

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

3 items
  • Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline

Every 4 years

1 item
  • Replace fuel lines
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.

Every 6 years

2 items
  • Replace inner tubes and rim tape with tires
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline
  • Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

No interval set

3 items
  • Idle adjustment
    Engine
    Factory

    Factory: As printed: re-adjustment of the idling run after refitting (after carburetor work)

  • Fuel shut-off tap: clean
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Factory: As printed: In case of troubles in fuel flow (partly garbled in the scan)

  • Throttle cable play: adjust to .02" with the knurled nut
    Controls and cables
    Factory

    Factory: As printed: no interval printed

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.

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Other 1961 BMW models

All 1961 BMW
BMW R50/2 / R60/2 / R50S / R69S
1960-1969
R50/2 / R60/2 / R50S / R69S
Aftermarket