2003 BMW MOTORRAD F 650 GS warning

1
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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1
31
Safety check
2
Brakes
Checking brake pads
d Warning:
Have the brake pads replaced
before they wear to the mini-
mum permissible thickness:
have the work performed by a
specialist workshop, prefera-
bly an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer. Brake pad wear depends on
your personal style of riding.
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32
Safety check
2
Brakes
Checking brake fluid levelGradual wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level in
the reservoir to drop.
d Warning:
If brake fluid level in the fluid
reservoirs for the front or rear
brakes has dropped below
the MIN mark (
b 33, 34) have
the brake system checked
without delay by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Changing the brake fluid
d Warning:
Brake fluid is exposed to
severe thermal loads, and
absorbs moisture from the
atmosphere.
Consequently, the brake fluid
must be changed regularly by
a specialist workshop, prefer-
ably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
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1
33
Safety check
2
Brakes
Checking front brake fluid
level
d Warning:
Never permit the brake fluid
level to drop below the mini-
mum level (MIN mark).
• Place motorcycle on main (centre) stand or hold it
upright
– Make sure the ground is
level and firm.  Move the handlebars to the
straight-ahead position
 Check brake fluid level at sight glass:
MIN Minimum level
Halfway up sight glass
L Note:
Gradual wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level in
the reservoir to drop.
MIN
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34
Safety check
2
Checking rear brake fluid
level
d Warning:
Never permit the brake fluid
level to drop below the MIN
mark on the brake fluid reser-
voir
 Place motorcycle on main (centre) stand or hold it verti-
cal
– Make sure the ground is
level and firm.  Check the brake fluid level:
MAX Maximum level
MIN Minimum level
L Note:
Gradual wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level in
the reservoir to drop.
Brakes
MAX
MIN
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1
35
Safety check
2
Adjusting shock absorber
d Warning:
If the suspension of your mo-
torcycle has been lowered,
the reduction in ground clear-
ance reduces the maximum
possible angle of lean for cor-
nering.
Lowering the suspension re-
duces spring travel. This might
result in a less comfortable
ride.
Consequently, before setting
off you should always adjust
suspension travel and damp-
ing to suit load (
b 38, 39) as
accurately as possible. • Adjust the shock absorber
with a screwdriver
Firm setting "H":
 Fully tighten adjusting screw 1
Basic setting:
 Back off adjusting screw 1
through
3/4 of a turn to one full
turn
Soft setting "S":
 Fully back off adjusting screw 1
Shock absorbers
1
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36
Safety check
2
Spring preload
Adjusting spring preload
d Warning:
If the suspension of your mo-
torcycle has been lowered,
the reduction in ground clear-
ance reduces the maximum
possible angle of lean for cor-
nering.
Lowering the suspension re-
duces spring travel. This might
result in a less comfortable
ride. Consequently, before
setting off you should always
adjust suspension travel and
damping to suit load (
b 38, 39)
as accurately as possible. Soft setting
(for light rider):
Turn knob 1 as far as it will go
counter-clockwise in the
direction indicated by the
" LOW " arrow
Basic setting (one-up):
From the soft setting, turn
knob 1 five clicks clockwise in
the direction indicated by the
" HIGH " arrow [Dakar: twenty
clicks]
Firm setting:
Turn knob 1 clockwise in the
direction indicated by the
" HIGH " arrow
1
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