MotoService Log
BMW R50 / R60 / R69 (early)
Example photo: Przemysław Jahr, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
BMW · BMW Earles-fork /2 era (R26/R27, R50-R69S 1955-1969)

R50 / R60 / R69 (early)

Library entry covers 1955-1960

22 factory 47 guideline

Published source

BMW R50 / R50S / R60 / R69S Instruction Manual (BMW AG), Lubrication and Maintenance Schedule pp.195-198

Factory owner's handbook. Covers R50/R50S/R60/R69S instruction manual (BMW, US edition), mileage schedule; same flat-twin service as the early R50/R60/R69.

Open the source

69 items for a 1955 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
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
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

1955 BMW R50 / R60 / R69 (early)

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 4,000 mi

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

    Manual: Wheel axles and all nuts and bolts: check tightness. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198

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 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: change. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198: Service A; first at 300 mi (500 km) and 1,000 mi; clean the magnetic drain plug on R50S and R69S

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

    Manual: Battery electrolyte: check. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198: more often if needed

  • Lubricate control cables and lever pivots
    Controls and cables
    Factory

    Manual: Brake linkages and clutch actuating lever: oil. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198: control cable play checked and twistgrip greased every 4,000 mi

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

9 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
  • 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 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 4,000 mi or 12 months

2 items
  • Replace spark plugs
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums
    Brakes
    Guideline

Every 4,000 mi

9 items
  • Check and adjust valve clearances
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Cylinder head bolts (25.3 ft-lb, cold) and valve clearances: check. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198: intake 0.006 in, exhaust 0.008 in; first at 1,000 mi

  • Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Spark plugs: check, gap 0.024 in (0.60 mm). Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198

  • Clean / inspect air filter
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Air intake filter: check and tap out. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198

  • Synchronize carburetors
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Carburetors and fuel tap screen: clean. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198

  • Check / set ignition timing
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Ignition timing: check. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198

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

    Manual: Contact breaker gap 0.016 in (0.40 mm): check; grease felt and governor. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198: Bosch grease

  • Check gearbox oil level
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Transmission oil level: check. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198

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

    Manual: Rear axle drive and drive shaft housing oil level: check. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198: drive shaft housing: drain, measure 150 cc and pour back

  • Check steering head bearing adjustment
    Front end
    Factory

    Manual: Steering, wheel bearings, front and rear swinging arm bearings: check play. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198

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

5 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 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
  • Magneto: clean slip ring and pickup brush, check HT lead
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

Every 8,000 mi

9 items
  • Clean oil strainers / mesh screens
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Oil pan and oil filter (strainer): remove and clean. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198: Service C, with the oil change; first at 1,000 mi

  • Replace air filter element
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Air intake filter: replace. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198

  • Inspect generator brushes and commutator
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Generator: clean carbon dust, check commutator and brushes. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198

  • Change gearbox oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Transmission oil: change. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198: first at 1,000 mi

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

    Manual: Rear axle drive oil: change. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198: drive shaft housing oil first changed at 1,000 mi

  • Grease swingarm pivot
    Rear suspension and frame
    Factory

    Manual: Front swingarm pivot bearings: repack; rear pivots: grease. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198: also repack the driveshaft-to-pinion coupling

  • Check brake pads and discs
    Brakes
    Factory

    Manual: Brakes: clean, check drums, shoes, linings and cams. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198

  • Check spoke tension and wheel true
    Wheels and tires
    Factory

    Manual: Wheel spokes and rims: check tension and true. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198: balance wheels on R50S and R69S

  • Repack / replace wheel bearings
    Wheels and tires
    Factory

    Manual: Wheel bearings: remove, clean and repack. Factory: Lubrication and maintenance schedule pp.195-198

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 25,000 mi 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 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 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.

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