BMW · BMW airhead (/5 /6 /7, R45-R100 1969-1995)

R50/5 / R60/5 / R75/5

Library entry covers 1969-1973

21 factory 47 guideline

Published source

BMW /5 Owners Manual, Servicing section (transcription)

Factory owner's handbook. Covers 1969-1973.

Open the source

68 items for a 1969 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: Drum (or band / stirrup)
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1969 BMW R50/5 / R60/5 / R75/5

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

3 items

Adjust front drum brake

Brakes

Guideline
Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Guideline
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 1,500 mi or 12 months

1 item

Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 3,000 mi or 1 month

1 item

Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Battery service. Factory: At least monthly

Every 3,000 mi or 6 months

2 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil change and oil filter. Factory: Minor service; winter use every 1,500 mi or 3 months
Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil change and oil filter. Factory: Filter renewed with each oil change

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

8 items

Check engine mounting bolts and plates

Engine

Guideline
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Guideline
Synchronize carburetors

Fuel and air

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

Every 3,000 mi

10 items

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs.
Nuts and screws tightening

Engine

Factory

Factory: Every service
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Carburetor, throttle cables, fuel valve. Factory: Check at every service
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Intake air filter cleaning.
Check / set ignition timing

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Breaker contact gap, breaker felt, ignition timing.
Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Breaker contact gap, breaker felt, ignition timing.
Check gearbox oil level

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Transmission oil level.
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Head and wheel bearing clearance check.
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Head and wheel bearing clearance check.
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Brake/clutch levers and throttle grip grease. Factory: Every minor and major service

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

2 items

Replace spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

10 items

Drive shaft housing oil change

Engine

Factory

Factory: Level checked every 3,000 mi; change at major service, at least yearly
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
Change gearbox oil

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Transmission oil change. Factory: Major service, at least yearly
Change final drive (rear drive) oil

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Rear wheel drive oil change. Factory: Level checked every 3,000 mi; change at least yearly
Check final drive for leaks and bearing play

Final drive

Guideline
Change fork oil

Front end

Factory

Manual: Telescopic fork oil change. Factory: Major service, at least yearly
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 6,000 mi

4 items

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Cylinder head nuts and valve clearance. Factory: Major service only
Check cylinder head bolt torque

Engine

Factory

Manual: Cylinder head nuts and valve clearance. Factory: Major service only
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Rear swing arm bearing grease. Factory: Major service only
Check spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheel spokes. Factory: Major service only

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 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 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 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.

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 1969 BMW models

All 1969 BMW

1960-1969

R50/2 / R60/2 / R50S / R69S

Aftermarket

1967-1969

R50US / R60US / R69US (telescopic)

Factory