BMW R5 / R6 — Example photo: Gadfium, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

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BMW · Pushrod four-stroke twin, wet sump, separate gearbox oil, shaft drive

R5 / R6

Library entry covers 1936-1937

16 factory 59 guideline

Published source

BMW R 5 Instruction Book (English, BMW AG Munich)

Factory owner's handbook. Covers 1936-1937.

75 items for a 1937 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: None (no filter)
Valve gear: Overhead valve, pushrods, adjustable tappets
Ignition: Magneto (incl. magdyno, flywheel magneto)
Charging: DC generator with regulator
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: Rigid (hardtail)
Front brake: Drum (or band / stirrup)
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1937 BMW R5 / R6

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 400 km

1 item

Engine oil level: examine and replenish

Engine

Factory

Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): regularly every 250 mls (400 km) (p.13)

Every 1,000 km

2 items

Check gearbox oil level

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Check gearbox and rear drive oil level. Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): oil level checked regularly every 600 mls (1000 km) and replenished until it runs over at the filler orifice (p.14)
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Front and rear hub grease nipples: lubricate. Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): at least every 600 mls (1000 km) (p.14)

Every 1,500 km

1 item

Valve gear oil under cylinder head cap: check and replenish

Engine

Factory

Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): should be checked every 950 mls (1500 km) and replenished if needful (p.20)

Every 1,600 km or 1 month

1 item

Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Wet-cell batteries on old machines need regular topping up, more in hot weather.

Every 1,600 km or 6 months

7 items

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate manual advance / retard control and cable

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
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
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Guideline

Every 1,600 km or 12 months

1 item

Grease saddle pivot, check saddle springs / seat post

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 2,000 km

1 item

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil: drain and replace. Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): after the running-in period the oil must be drained every 1200 mls (2000 km); during running-in every 300 mls (500 km) (p.13)

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

Change gearbox oil

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 5,000 km or 12 months

13 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
Synchronize carburetors

Fuel and air

Guideline
Check / set ignition timing

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check generator drive belt or chain

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
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

Every 5,000 km

2 items

Generator brushes and collector: check

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): regularly after every 3000 mls (5000 km) (p.18)
Cables: check for wear (especially at the handlebars and battery cable)

Controls and cables

Factory

Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): regularly every 3000 mls (5000 km); replace damaged cables (p.19)

Every 6,500 km or 12 months

2 items

Replace spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
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 8,000 km

1 item

Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Clean / adjust contact breaker points. Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): regularly after about 8000 km the contact breaker points should be cleaned or adjusted, if required (p.18)

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
Change final drive (rear drive) oil

Final drive

Guideline
Check final drive for leaks and bearing play

Final drive

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

4 items

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate and check automatic advance unit

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Magneto: clean slip ring and pickup brush, check HT lead

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 13,000 km or 3 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 km

1 item

Gearbox and rear drive casing oil: drain completely and replace

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): after the running-in period and then regularly every 9500 mls (15 000 km) (p.14)

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 19,500 km or 3 years

1 item

Replace points and condenser

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 20,000 km

1 item

Generator ball bearing grease and contact breaker cam lubricating felt: replace

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): about every 12 000 mls (20 000 km) or at a general overhaul, preferably by a Bosch representative (p.14)

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 10 years

1 item

Magneto overhaul / re-magnetize, replace capacitor

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Weak spark when hot is the classic symptom. Old capacitors fail with age, not miles.

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

2 items

General overhaul of motor cycle and engine; front wheel fork thrust bearing: fresh grease

Front end

Factory

Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): recommended at least once a year (p.14)
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

5 items

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Valve clearance: check (cold engine, 0.004 in / 0.1 mm). Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): must be checked from time to time (p.20)
Carburetor jets, float chamber and needle: clean

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): from time to time, especially in the beginning (p.15)
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Carburetor air filters: clean with gas and oil. Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): from time to time (p.16)
Change fork oil

Front end

Factory

Manual: Front wheel fork oil: supplement. Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): no particular lubrication needed; oil that has spilled out must be supplemented from time to time (p.13)
Brakes and clutch wire: supervise and adjust

Brakes

Factory

Factory: BMW R 5 Instruction Book, II. Maintenance pp.13-20 (ManualsLib viewer pp.16-23, read from the page images): regular supervision; check the clutch wire when adjusting the brakes (p.15)

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.