2003 BMW MOTORRAD F 650 GS DAKAR Rider's Manual (in English)

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23
Safety check
2
Checklist
For this reason, check the
details in the following sections
before you start the journey:
– Fuel level
– Clutch-lever play
–Brake pressure
– Brake fluid levels (front and rear)
– Operation of the ABS warning
light
–Drive chain
– Shock-absorber setting and
spring preload
– Wheel rim and tyre condition,
spokes, tread depth and tyre
pressures
–Loading
– Coolant level
–Lights – Check regularly (every time
you stop for fuel), on the basis
of the following section:
– Engine oil level
(every second stop for fuel)
– Brake pads
If you encounter any problems
or difficulties, please contact
your BMW motorcycle dealer.
He will provide the necessary
advice and assistance.
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24
Safety check
2
Engine oil
Checking oil level
e Attention:
The red warning light
p (b7)
for engine oil pressure indicates
that the oil pump is delivering
very little oil or none at all: do
not regard this light as an oil
level indicator. Oil pressure
builds up after1-2 seconds and
the warning light goes out – the
red engine oil pressure warning
light
p should remain off when
the engine is running. Check
the oil level regularly, each time
you stop for fuel (or every sec-
ond time at the latest).
The oil level might be low if the
motorcycle has not been in use
for an extended period of time.
Under these circumstances top
up the oil level only after meas-
uring the oil level in accordance
with the instructions.
Always check engine oil level
with the engine at its regular op-
erating temperature.
Checking the oil level when the
engine is cold, just after the en-
gine has been run briefly or
when it is not properly warm will
falsify the reading, and could
lead to the engine being operat-
ed with the wrong quantity of oil
in the system.
L Note:
The oil temperature affects the
reading. The warmer the oil, the
higher the oil level in the sump.
Check the oil after a run, in or-
der to avoid overfilling.
 Hold the motorcycle upright – Make sure the ground is level and firm.
– Check the oil when the engine is at operating temperature
(after the motorcycle has
been ridden, or else allow the
engine to idle until the fan
switches on)
 Allow the engine to idle for at least 1 minute
 Switch off the engine
 Use the spark plug wrench to remove plug 1
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25
Safety check
2
e Attention:
To avoid damage to the engine:
– never exceed the maximum oil level.
– However, always keep the oil
level above the minimum
mark.
 Wipe off oil dipstick 2, using a
clean, lint-free cloth
 To check the oil level, reinsert plug 1 with oil dipstick 2 into
its bore, but do not engage
the threads  Check oil level against marks
on dipstick:
MAX Maximum level
MIN Minimum level
The difference is equivalent to
approx. 0.4 litre (approx. 0.7 Imp. pint)
 If necessary, add oil through
filler neck 3 until the level
reaches middle mark A
 Reinstall plug 1
 Repeat the warm-up proce- dure and recheck the oil level
as described above
1
Engine oil
MAX
A
MIN
BMW recommends Castrol
2
3
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26
Safety check
2
Refuelling
d Warning:
Fuel is flammable and explo-
sive. Do not smoke. Never
bring a naked flame near the
fuel tank.
Fuel expands when hot (for
instance if the fuel tank is in
the sun). For this reason, only
fill as far as the lower edge of
the filler neck.
e Attention:
Leaded fuel will destroy the cat-
alytic converter.
Do not run the fuel tank dry or
you may damage the engine or
catalytic converter.
Wipe off plastic parts immedi-
ately if they are wetted with fuel.
Fuel
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27
Safety check
2
 Place the motorcycle on the main (centre) or side stand
– Make sure the ground is level and firm.
 Open the fuel filler cap
Refuel
e Attention:
Always stop filling the fuel tank
when the refuelling nozzle auto-
matically shuts off the supply.
– Always use regular unleaded fuel to DIN 51607 or equiva-
lent standard, min. octane
number 91 (RON) or 81 (MON)
e Attention:
Always use the key to close the
fuel filler cap.
 Close the fuel filler cap
Capacity
– Total capacity: 17.3 litres (5.28 Imp. gal)
–A yellow warning light 1
comes on when there are
approximately 4 litres
(0.9 Imp. gal) of fuel left in the
tank
1 Fuel
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28
Safety check
2
13
6
54
A
Clutch-lever play
e Attention:
The clutch will be damaged if
you ride the motorcycle without
play at the clutch lever.
The scope of the BMW Inspec-
tion includes basic adjustment
of the clutch.
Checking:
 Pull the lever until resistance is perceptible
Measure play Specified value: B = 1…2 mm
(0.04...0.08 inch) Adjusting:
 Push back flexible gaiter
6
 Slacken locknut 4
 Turn adjusting screw 5 as
necessary
 Firmly retighten locknut 4
Recheck lever play
 Pull flexible gaiter 6 back into
position over locknut 4 and
adjusting screw 5
Clutch lever, adjustingTurn knob A to set the most
comfortable span:
–Setting 1: minimum span
–Setting 3: maximum span
Handlebar levers
B
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29
Safety check
2
Brake pressure, checking
d Warning:
To prevent air from entering
the brake circuit:
– do not turn the handlebars in the clamping blocks
– Do not turn the fitting on the
handlebar.
Sudden changes in the amount
of play at the lever or a spongy
feeling when it is applied may
indicate a fault in the hydraulic
system.
For this reason, check pres-
sure at the handbrake lever
and the brake pedal before
starting each journey.
d Warning:
Do not ride the motorcycle if
you have any doubts about
the safety of the brake sys-
tem.
Immediately seek the advice
of a specialist workshop,
preferably your authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
Handlebar levers
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30
Safety check
2
Work on the brake system
d Warning:
To ensure reliability have all
work on the brake systems
carried out by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Checking the brake sys-
tem
d Warning:
Sudden changes in play or
spongy action of the brake le-
ver indicate a fault in the
brake system.
Before riding off, therefore,
always check the resistance
of the front and rear brake le-
vers and test operation of the
brakes.
Do not ride the motorcycle if
you have any doubts about
the safety of the brake sys-
tem.
Immediately seek the advice
of a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
Brakes
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