No photo of this model in the library yet.

Have this bike? Send a photo or the manual's service chart

NSU · Two-stroke single, premix, shaft drive

Prima D (146 cc)

Library entry covers 1956-1960

17 factory 61 guideline

Published source

NSU Prima Instruction Book 1957, Routine Lubrication and Inspection pp.48-60 (Moped Army library)

Factory owner's handbook. Covers NSU Prima instruction book 1957 (Prima D, 146 cc two-stroke).

78 items for a 1959 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: Two-stroke
Engine lubrication: Two-stroke premix (oil in fuel)
Oil filtration: None (no filter)
Valve gear: None (two-stroke porting)
Ignition: Magneto (incl. magdyno, flywheel magneto)
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Single carburetor
Cooling: Air / oil cooled
Primary drive: Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil: Separate gearbox oil
Clutch control: Automatic or semi-automatic
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

1959 NSU Prima D (146 cc)

On the road: every 200 km

1 item

Check two-stroke oil tank / carry premix oil

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Running a two-stroke out of oil seizes it. Injection bikes: check the tank. Premix: carry oil and a measure.

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 970 km

3 items

Cover plate, starter side (grease)

Engine

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 600 miles
Air filter (wash in gas, dip in thin oil)

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 600 miles. Clean more often if desirable, if necessary each time the tank is filled
Choke and tickler control cable (oil and grease)

Controls and cables

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 600 miles

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

8 items

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
Check gearbox oil level

Primary and gearbox

Guideline
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

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 1,930 km

5 items

Engine-to-frame bolts (inspect and retighten)

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 1,200 miles. By service agent
Front wheel springing (grease)

Wheels and tires

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 1,200 miles
Rear wheel springing (grease)

Wheels and tires

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 1,200 miles
Control cables (oil and grease)

Controls and cables

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 1,200 miles
Levers and joints (oil and grease)

Controls and cables

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 1,200 miles

Every 2,500 km or 6 months

1 item

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 3,000 km or 12 months

1 item

Replace spark plugs (two-stroke)

Engine

Guideline

Every 3,860 km

4 items

Gearbox oil (change, warm)

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 2,400 miles. Also change after the first 300 miles
Front wheel hub (grease)

Wheels and tires

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 2,400 miles
Rear wheel swinging arm (grease)

Wheels and tires

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 2,400 miles
Rear wheel transmission (grease)

Wheels and tires

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 2,400 miles. Top up 50 g grease and replace with 140 g fresh grease on alternate 2,400-mile occasions; dealer work

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
Check / set ignition timing

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Adjust automatic / semi-automatic clutch

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 5,000 km or 2 years

1 item

Decarbonize exhaust ports, pipes and baffles

Engine

Guideline

Two-strokes coke up the exhaust port and muffler baffles; power falls off gradually.

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

7 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
Change final drive (rear drive) oil

Final drive

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 9,500 km or 2 years

4 items

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.
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 9,660 km

3 items

Gear-change and throttle twist grips (grease)

Engine

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 6,000 miles
Contact breaker lubricating pad (grease)

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 6,000 miles
Steering-head bearings (check play, adjust)

Front end

Factory

Factory: Routine lubrication and inspection chart (every 600 to 4,800 miles, plus every 6,000 miles): every 6,000 miles. Pack with grease on overhaul

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 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 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

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

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

No interval set

2 items

Nuts and bolts (check tightness)

Engine

Factory

Factory: After the first 300 miles and 600 miles
Decarbonize cylinder and exhaust system

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: When engine power drops off; NSU dealer advised

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.