MotoService Log
BMW R45 / R65
Example photo: Beatclub, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
BMW · BMW airhead (/5 /6 /7, R45-R100 1969-1995)

R45 / R65

Library entry covers 1978-1985

19 factory 50 guideline

Published source

BMW R45 / R65 Riders Handbook (BMW AG), Maintenance Schedule pp.55-57

Factory owner's handbook. Covers R45 / R65 / R65LS riders handbook (BMW), maintenance schedule in km and miles.

Open the source

69 items for a 1978 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 valve, pushrods, adjustable tappets
Ignition
Battery and coil with contact points
Charging
Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery
Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system
Two or more carburetors
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
Telescopic fork
Rear suspension
Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake
Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake
Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels
Spoked, tubed
Sidecar
No sidecar
Maintenance schedule

1978 BMW R45 / R65

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 1,000 mi

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

On the road: every 10,000 mi

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

    Manual: Engine mountings, stands, strut mountings, axles, carburetor and fork boot clips: tighten. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

3 items
  • Check gearbox oil level
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage
    Brakes
    Guideline
  • Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

1 item
  • Lubricate control cables and lever pivots
    Controls and cables
    Guideline

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 / inspect air filter
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Mesh or oiled foam: clean and re-oil. Paper: blow out or replace. Some very early machines have no filter at all.

  • Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)
    Front end
    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
  • Grease and check center / side stand and springs
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Check spoke tension and wheel true
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline
  • Check wheel bearings for play
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

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

Every 5,000 mi or 6 months

2 items
  • Change engine oil
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Engine oil and oil filter: change. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57: at every BMW Service and Inspection (every 5,000 mi); at least every 6 months, every 3 months or 2,000 mi for short trips or freezing weather

  • Replace oil filter
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Oil filter element: renew. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57: with every oil change

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 5,000 mi

3 items
  • Check and adjust valve clearances
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Cylinder head nuts: take up slack; valve clearances: adjust. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57

  • Synchronize carburetors
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Carburetors: clean float chambers, synchronize, adjust throttle cables. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57

  • Grease swingarm pivot
    Rear suspension and frame
    Factory

    Manual: Rear swinging arm bearing and clutch cable nipples: grease. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57

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
  • Check final drive for leaks and bearing play
    Final drive
    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

2 items
  • Check engine breather and oil return
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Lubricate and check automatic advance unit
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

Every 10,000 mi or 12 months

3 items
  • Change gearbox oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Gearbox oil: change. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57: at each Inspection; at least once a year

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

    Manual: Rear swinging arm and final drive oil: change. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57: at each Inspection; at least once a year

  • Change fork oil
    Front end
    Factory

    Manual: Telescopic fork oil: change. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57: at least once a year

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

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

Every 10,000 mi

8 items
  • Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Spark plugs: check condition. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57: at each Service (5,000, 15,000 mi)

  • Replace spark plugs
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Spark plugs: renew. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57: at each Inspection

  • Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Fuel tap mesh strainer: clean. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57

  • Replace air filter element
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Intake air cleaner element: renew. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57: every 5,000 mi in very dirty or dusty conditions

  • Check / set ignition timing
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Ignition timing: set. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57

  • Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Clutch operating clearance: check and adjust. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57

  • Check steering head bearing adjustment
    Front end
    Factory

    Manual: Steering bearing and swinging arm bearing play: check and adjust. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57: BMW recommends regreasing steering and wheel bearings every 20,000 mi in arduous use

  • Check brake pads and discs
    Brakes
    Factory

    Manual: Brakes: remove wheels, check brake components and wheel bearings. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57: handbrake free travel at the same interval

Every 12,000 mi or 3 years

1 item
  • Replace points and condenser
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

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

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 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 30,000 mi

1 item
  • Lubricate clutch / gearbox input splines
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline

Every 40,000 mi

1 item
  • Inspect timing chain and tensioner
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 1 month

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

    Manual: Battery acid level: check. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57: at least once a month; terminals cleaned and greased at each Inspection

Every 6 months

1 item
  • Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

Every 12 months

2 items
  • Replace brake fluid
    Brakes
    Factory

    Manual: Brake fluid: renew. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.55-57: after not more than 12 months; level and leaks checked at each Inspection

  • 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

3 items
  • Replace fuel lines
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.

  • Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber
    Brakes
    Guideline
  • Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)
    Brakes
    Guideline

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.

Keep up with this schedule on your phone

Add the bike in the app and this chart loads itself, ready to log against and edit.

Coming soon to Google Play

Other 1978 BMW models

All 1978 BMW
BMW R60/7 / R75/7 / R80/7 / R100/7 / R100S / R100RS / R100RT
1976-1984
R60/7 / R75/7 / R80/7 / R100/7 / R100S / R100RS / R100RT
Factory