MotoService Log
No photo of this model in the library yet.

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

Raleigh · Two-stroke single, premix, chain drive

Supermatic RM5 (50 cc)

Library entry covers 1960-1964

20 factory 65 guideline

Published source

Raleigh Moped Models RM4 and RM5 Riding and Maintenance Instruction Book, Periodic Maintenance pp.19-24 (Moped Army library)

Factory owner's handbook. Covers Raleigh RM4 Automatic and RM5 Supermatic moped riding and maintenance instruction book.

85 items for a 1961 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
Hand lever, cable
Final drive
Chain
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

1961 Raleigh Supermatic RM5 (50 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

3 items
  • Check lights, horn, brake light switches
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline
  • Check tire pressures
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline
  • Lubricate drive chain
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Lube warm, ideally at the end of the riding day so it soaks in overnight. Sooner after rain.

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 1,000 km

1 item
  • Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

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

5 items
  • Sparking plug (clean, set gap 0.016 to 0.018 in)
    Engine
    Factory

    Factory: Every 500 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

  • Carburetor air filter (clean)
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Factory: Every 500 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

  • Automatic clutch and variable transmission pulley, RM5 (grease, one stroke)
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Factory: Every 500 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

  • Variable transmission pulley balls, RM5 (lubricate with thick SAE 50 oil)
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Factory: Every 500 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

  • Freewheel, working joints, moving parts and exposed control cables (oil)
    Wheels and tires
    Factory

    Factory: Every 500 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

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 1,600 km

3 items
  • Carburetor fuel filter (clean)
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Factory: Every 1,000 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

  • Speedometer drive gearbox (grease, one stroke)
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Factory: Every 1,000 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

  • Chains (remove, clean, lubricate and re-adjust)
    Final drive
    Factory

    Factory: Every 1,000 miles. Replace when 23 pitches measure 11 5/8 in. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

Every 2,500 km or 6 months

2 items
  • 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.

  • Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)
    Final drive
    Guideline

    Non O-ring chains on old machines: remove, clean, soak in hot chain grease or lube, refit with the master link clip closed end leading.

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
  • Replace spark plugs (two-stroke)
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 4,800 km

5 items
  • Decarbonize and clean exhaust system
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Factory: Every 3,000 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

  • Contact breaker points (check, clean and adjust 0.016 to 0.018 in)
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Factory: Every 3,000 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

  • Brake operating cams and spindles (clean and grease sparingly)
    Brakes
    Factory

    Factory: Every 3,000 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

  • Wheel hubs (clean out and repack bearings with grease)
    Wheels and tires
    Factory

    Factory: Every 3,000 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

  • Speedometer drive inner cable (remove and grease sparingly)
    Controls and cables
    Factory

    Factory: Every 3,000 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

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
  • Check / set ignition timing
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Change gearbox oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Check chain guard, chain oiler (if fitted), rear chain case
    Final drive
    Guideline
  • Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)
    Final drive
    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

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 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 9,700 km

2 items
  • Sparking plug (replace)
    Engine
    Factory

    Factory: Every 6,000 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

  • Full decarbonization of engine and exhaust system
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Factory: Every 6,000 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

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 16,000 km

1 item
  • Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)
    Final drive
    Guideline

Every 19,300 km

1 item
  • Steering head bearings (dismantle, clean, repack with grease)
    Front end
    Factory

    Factory: Every 12,000 miles. Each service includes the shorter-interval services

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 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

4 items
  • Bottom bracket axle nipple, left side (grease)
    Engine
    Factory

    Factory: Weekly

  • Chain tension, both chains (check)
    Final drive
    Factory

    Factory: Weekly

  • All controls including brakes (check, lubricate or adjust)
    Brakes
    Factory

    Factory: Weekly

  • Tire pressures (check)
    Wheels and tires
    Factory

    Factory: Weekly

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