BMW R26 / R27 (single) — Example photo: Palauenc05, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

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

R26 / R27 (single)

Library entry covers 1956-1966

15 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.

Open the source

66 items for a 1963 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

1963 BMW R26 / R27 (single)

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

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 500 mi

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 1,000 mi

1 item

Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 1,000 mi 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 1,250 mi

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 1,500 mi or 6 months

1 item

Clean oil strainers / mesh screens

Engine

Guideline

Often done with every oil change on old machines.

Every 1,500 mi or 12 months

1 item

Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Grease leading link pivots, check bushes and shocks

Front end

Guideline

Every 2,000 mi

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 3,000 mi 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 3,600 mi

1 item

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

Every 3,750 mi

3 items

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

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

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Guideline

Every 4,000 mi

2 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
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 5,000 mi 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 6,000 mi 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 6,000 mi 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 7,200 mi

1 item

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Factory

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

Every 7,500 mi

1 item

Change final drive (rear drive) oil

Final drive

Factory

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

Every 8,000 mi

1 item

Change gearbox oil

Primary and gearbox

Factory

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

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline

Every 10,000 mi 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 11,000 mi

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 12,000 mi or 3 years

1 item

Replace points and condenser

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi 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 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item

Inspect clutch plates and springs

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi

1 item

Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 20,000 mi or 4 years

1 item

Lubricate drive shaft splines / check U-joint

Final drive

Guideline

Every 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 30,000 mi

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

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 1963 BMW models

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1960-1969

R50/2 / R60/2 / R50S / R69S

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