Page 89 of 163
Maintenance
General instructions . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Toolkit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Brake system, general . . . . . . . . . 91
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Front-wheel stand . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Rear-wheel stand . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Jump start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
787zMaintenance
Page 90 of 163

General instructionsThe 'Maintenance' chapter
describes work involving the
replacement of wear parts
that can be performed with
minimum effort.
Special tightening torques are
listed as applicable.
If you are interested in inform-
ation on more extensive work,
we recommend the repair
manual on CD-ROM which
applies to your particular mo-
torcycle. You can obtain a
copy from your authorised
BMW Motorrad dealer.
Some of the work calls for
special tools and a thorough
knowledge of motorcycles.
If you are in doubt consult a
specialist workshop, prefer-
ably your authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
ToolkitStandard on-board
toolkit1 Screwdriver with
reversible bladeRemoving and installing turn
indicator glass
Disconnecting leads from
battery terminals
2Torx wrench, T25 Removing and installing
body panels
Removing and installing bat-
tery retainer 3 Screwdriver, small
Removing and installing turn
indicator glass
On-board toolkit service
kitYour authorised BMW Mo-
torrad dealer can provide the
on-board toolkit service kit
that you will need if you are
considering undertaking more
extensive work.
You will find information
on undertaking work of
this nature in the Repair
Manual on the CD-ROM
also obtainable from your
authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.
788zMaintenance
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1 extending tool holderAdapters to accommodate
all tools
2 1/4" bits 5x Torx bits
2x cross-head bits
1x plain screwdriver bit
3 3/8" adapter for socket-
head screws, w/f 22 Removing and installing
front wheel
4 Electric torch LED bulb 5 Set of spanners
3x open-ended spanners,
various sizes
6 Bit adapter Adapter for 1/4" bits
9x12 mm and 3/8" swivel
adapters
Engine oilChecking engine oil level
The engine can seize if
the oil level is low, and
this can lead to accidents.
Always make sure that the oil
level is correct.
Oil can collect in the
sump if the motorcycle
is out of use for an extended
period of time; this oil has to
be pumped into the oil tank
before the level is read. The
engine oil must be at oper-
ating temperature to do this.
Checking the oil level with the engine cold or after no more
than a short ride will lead to
misinterpretation; this in turn,
means that the engine will be
operated with the incorrect
quantity of oil.
In order to ensure that the en-
gine oil level is read correctly,
check the oil level only after a
lengthy trip.
The oil level varies with
the temperature of the
oil. The higher the temperat-
ure the higher the oil level in
the oil tank. Check the engine
oil level immediately after a
lengthy journey.
Make sure the engine is at
operating temperature and
hold the motorcycle upright.
with OA Centre stand:
Check that the engine is
at operating temperature,
make sure the ground is
level and firm and place
789zMaintenance
Page 92 of 163
the motorcycle on its centre
stand.
Allow the engine to idle for
one minute.
Switch off the ignition.
Check the oil level in oil-
level indicator1. Engine oil, specified
level
Between MIN and MAX
marks
If the oil level is below the
MIN mark: Top up the engine oil.
If the oil level is above the
MAX mark: Drain off the engine oil.
Top up the engine oilMake sure the ground is
level and firm and place the
motorcycle on its stand.
Removing the seat ( 53)
Damage to the engine
can result if it is oper-
ated without enough oil, but
the same also applies if the oil
level is too high.
Always make sure that the oil
level is correct.
Wipe the area around the
filler neck clean.
790zMaintenance
Page 93 of 163

Remove oil filler cap1by
turning it counter-clockwise.
Top up the engine oil to the
specified level.
Install cap of oil filler neck 1
and turn it clockwise to
close.
Installing the seat ( 54)Draining engine oilRemoving the seat ( 53) Squeeze the retainer of
transparent tube
2together
on left and right and pull the
tube up and out of the oil
tank.
Pull the transparent tube
down out of the frame and
drain the engine oil into a
suitable container until the
level is to specification.
Insert the transparent tube
into the oil tank and engage
the retainer.
Store or dispose of the ex-
cess engine oil in an envir-
onmentally compatible man-
ner. Installing the seat ( 54)
Brake system, generalReliabilityA fully functional brake sys-
tem is a basic requirement for
the road safety of your motor-
cycle.
Do not ride the motorcycle if
you have any doubts about
the dependability of the brake
system.
Under these circumstances
have the brake system
checked by a specialist
workshop, preferably an
authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.
Incorrect working prac-
tices endanger the reli-
ability of the brakes.
Have all work on the brake
system performed by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
791zMaintenance
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an authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.Check operation of the
brakesPull the handbrake lever.
The pressure point must be
clearly perceptible.
Press the footbrake lever.
The pressure point must be
clearly perceptible.Brake padsChecking brake-pad
thickness, front brakes
Brake pads worn past
the minimum permissible
thickness can cause a reduc-
tion in braking efficiency and
under certain circumstances
they can cause damage to
the brake system.
In order to ensure the de-
pendability of the brake sys-
tem, do not permit the brake pads to wear past the minim-
um permissible thickness.
Make sure the ground is
level and firm and place the
motorcycle on its stand.
Visually inspect the left and
right brake pads to ascer-
tain their thickness. Viewing
direction: Between wheel
and front fork toward the
brake caliper. Brake-pad thickness,
front
The wear indicators on
the brake pads must be
clearly visible.
If the wear indicating mark is
no longer clearly visible: Have the brake pads re-
placed by a specialist work-
shop, preferably an author-
ised BMW Motorrad dealer.
792zMaintenance
Page 95 of 163
Checking brake pad
thickness, rear brakes
Brake pads worn past
the minimum permissible
thickness can cause a reduc-
tion in braking efficiency and
under certain circumstances
they can cause damage to
the brake system.
In order to ensure the de-
pendability of the brake sys-
tem, do not permit the brake
pads to wear past the minim-
um permissible thickness.
Make sure the ground is
level and firm and place the
motorcycle on its stand. Visually inspect the brake
pads from the right to as-
certain their thickness.
Rear brake pads, ma-
terial thickness
Wear limit
1 mm (Friction pad only,
without backing plate)
Make sure that the brake
disc is not visible through
the bore in the inboard
brake block.
If the brake disc is visible: Have the brake pads re-
placed by a specialist work-
shop, preferably an author-
ised BMW Motorrad dealer.
793zMaintenance
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Brake fluidCheck the brake-fluid
level, front brakes
A low fluid level in the
brake reservoir can al-
low air to penetrate the brake
system. This significantly re-
duces braking efficiency.
Check the brake-fluid level at
regular intervals.
Make sure the ground is
level and firm and hold the
motorcycle upright.
Move the handlebars to the
straight-ahead position.
with OA Centre stand:
Make sure the ground is
level and firm and place
the motorcycle on its centre
stand.
Move the handlebars to the
straight-ahead position. Check the brake fluid level
in brake fluid reservoir
1.
The brake fluid level in
the brake fluid reser-
voir drops as the brake pads
wear. Brake fluid level, front
DOT4 brake fluid
Do not permit the brake
fluid level to drop below
the MIN mark. (Brake-
fluid reservoir horizontal)
If the brake fluid level drops
below the permitted level: Have the defect rectified
as quickly as possible by a
specialist workshop, prefer-
ably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
794zMaintenance