MotoService Log
BMW R51/2 / R51/3 / R67 / R68
Example photo: Stahlkocher, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
BMW · BMW post-war plunger models (R24-R25/3, R51/2-R68 1948-1955)

R51/2 / R51/3 / R67 / R68

Library entry covers 1950-1956

1 factory 66 guideline

Published source

BMW R25 Instandsetzungsanleitung, appended 1954 Kundendienst bulletin (R25/3, R51/3, R67/2, R68)

Factory factory bulletin. Covers 1954 models R51/3, R67/2, R68.

Open the source

67 items for a 1950 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
Telescopic fork
Rear suspension
Plunger
Front brake
Drum (or band / stirrup)
Rear brake
Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels
Spoked, tubed
Sidecar
No sidecar
Maintenance schedule

1950 BMW R51/2 / R51/3 / R67 / R68

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 800 km or 6 months

1 item
  • Grease plunger rear suspension, check springs and bushes
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline

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
  • Check gearbox oil level
    Primary and gearbox
    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 2,500 km or 6 months

3 items
  • Change engine oil
    Engine
    Guideline

    Pre-1970 machines: many owners run non-detergent or classic-spec oil with no filter, so short intervals matter. Dry sump: drain the tank and the crankcase/sump, flush the tank and clean the feed and return screens.

  • Clean oil strainers / mesh screens
    Engine
    Guideline

    Often done with every oil change on old machines.

  • 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.

Every 2,500 km or 12 months

1 item
  • Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline

Every 4,000 km or 12 months

1 item
  • Check and adjust valve clearances
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 5,000 km or 12 months

15 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
  • Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt
    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
  • Change gearbox oil
    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
  • Check wheel bearings for play
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

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 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
  • Change fork oil
    Front end
    Guideline

    Some early telescopic forks are grease filled or use very small oil quantities. Check your manual.

Every 10,000 km

1 item
  • Repack / replace wheel bearings
    Wheels and tires
    Factory

    Manual: Radlager reinigen und neu fetten. Factory: Needle and double angular bearings, 180C drop-point grease. p.78

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 19,500 km 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 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 48,500 km

1 item
  • Clean crankshaft oil slingers (sludge traps)
    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 1950 BMW models

All 1950 BMW
BMW R23 / R24 / R25 / R25/2 / R25/3
1948-1956
R23 / R24 / R25 / R25/2 / R25/3
Factory