Page 65 of 138
Maintenance
Maintenance
Notes................................ 64
Toolkit . . ............................. 64
Engine oil............................ 65
Brake system ........................ 67
Brake pads . . ........................ 68
Brake fluid........................... 69
Coolant . ............................. 71
Clutch . . ............................. 72
Tyres................................ 73
Rims................................. 73
Chain................................ 73
Wheels . ............................. 75
BMW Motorrad auxiliary stand....... 81
BMW Motorrad front-wheel
stand................................ 82Fuses . . .............................. 84
Bulbs . . .............................. 86
Air filter .............................. 92
Jump starting ........................ 95
Battery . .............................. 96
Number-plate carrier............... 100
863zMaintenance
Page 66 of 138

NotesThe Maintenance chapter de-
scribes straightforward proced-
ures for checking and replacing
certain wear parts.
Special tightening torques are lis-
ted as applicable. The tightening
torques for the threaded fasten-
ers on your motorcycle are listed
in the section entitled "Technical
data".
You will find information on more
extensive maintenance and re-
pair work in the Repair Manual
on DVD/CD-ROM (RepROM) for
your motorcycle, which is avail-
able from your authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
Some of the work calls for spe-
cial tools and a thorough know-
ledge of motorcycles. If you
are in doubt consult a specialist
workshop, preferably your author-
ised BMW Motorrad dealer.
ToolkitStandard on-board toolkit1 Fuse puller
Replacing fuses
2 Open-ended spanner, w/f
8/10
Adjusting chain tension
3 Open-ended spanner, w/f
19
Adjusting mirror arm
4 Open-ended spanner, w/f
19
Adjusting mirror arm5 Screwdriver handle
Holder for screwdriver blade9
6 3 mm Allen key
Replacing headlight bulb
7 4 mm Allen key
Removing and installing body
panels
8 6 mm Allen key
Adjusting headlight beam throw
9 Screwdriver blade
Star-head and flat-tip blade
Adjusting rear suspension
damping
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10 Screwdriver, small
Replacing turn indicator bulbsOn-board toolkit service
kitYour authorised BMW Motor-
rad 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 un-
dertaking work of this nature in
the Repair Manual on the CD or
DVD also obtainable from your
authorised BMW Motorrad deal-
er.1 Extending tool holder
Adapters to accommodate all
tools
Removing and installing spark
plugs
2 1/4" bits
Star-head
Plain-tip
Adapter, 1/4" hex to 1/4"square
2x hexagon socket wrench in-
sert
Allen keys, 3 mm, 4 mm and
6mm3 Ring spanner, w/f 26
Removing and installing wheels
4 Electric torch
LED bulb
5 3x socket
Adjusting chain tension
6 Adapter
Adapter for 1/4" bits
9x12 mm and 3/8" swivel ad-
apters
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.
The oil level varies with the
temperature of the oil. The
higher the temperature, the high-
er the level of oil in the sump.
865zMaintenance
Page 68 of 138
Checking the oil level with the
engine cold or after no more than
a short ride will lead to misinter-
pretation; 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.
Allow the engine to idle until
the fan starts up, then allow it
to idle one minute longer.
Make sure the ground is level
and firm and hold the motor-
cycle upright.
Switch off the engine.
Wipe the area around the oil
filler neck clean.Remove oil dipstick1by turn-
ing it counter-clockwise.
Wipe the oil off MIN-MAX part
of dipstick2with a clean, dry
cloth.Turn the oil dipstick clockwise
to install.
Remove the oil dipstick and
check the oil level.
Engine oil, specified level
Engine oil, 15W-40
Between MIN and MAX
marks
If the oil level is below the MIN
mark:
Top up the engine oil ( 67)
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If the oil level is above the MAX
mark:
Have the oil level corrected by
a specialist workshop, prefer-
ably an authorised BMW Mo-
torrad dealer.Topping up engine oil
Damage to the engine
can result if it is operated
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.Remove oil dipstick1.
Top up the engine oil until the
level reaches markA.
Check the engine oil level
( 65)
Install the oil dipstick.
Brake systemDependability of the brake
systemA fully functional brake system is
a basic requirement for the road
safety of your motorcycle.
Do not ride the motorcycle if you
have any doubts about the de-
pendability of the brake system.
Under these circumstances have
the brake system checked by a
specialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.
Incorrect working practices
endanger the reliability of
the brakes.
Have all work on the brake sys-
tem performed by a specialist
workshop, preferably an author-
ised BMW Motorrad dealer.
867zMaintenance
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Checking operation of
brakesPull the handbrake lever.
The pressure point must be
clearly perceptible.
Press the footbrake lever.
The pressure point must be
clearly perceptible.
If pressure points are not clearly
perceptible:
Have the brakes checked by a
specialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.
Brake padsChecking front brake pad
thickness
Brake pads worn past
the minimum permissible
brake-pad thickness can cause
a reduction in braking efficiency
and under certain circumstances
they can cause damage to the
brake system.
In order to ensure the dependab-
ility of the brake system, do not
permit the brake pads to wear
past the minimum permissible
brake-pad thickness.Visually inspect the brake pads
to ascertain their thickness.
Viewing direction: Between
wheel and fork tube toward the
brake caliper.
Brake-pad wear limit,
front
min 1 mm (Friction pad only,
without backing plate)
The wear indicators
(grooves) must be clearly
visible.
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If the wear indicating marks are
no longer clearly visible:
Have the brake pads replaced
by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.Checking rear brake pad
thicknessMake sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand.
Brake pads worn past
the minimum permissible
brake-pad thickness can cause
a reduction in braking efficiencyand under certain circumstances
they can cause damage to the
brake system.
In order to ensure the dependab-
ility of the brake system, do not
permit the brake pads to wear
past the minimum permissible
brake-pad thickness.
Visually inspect rear brake
pads1from behind to
ascertain their thickness.
Brake-pad wear limit, rear
min 1 mm (Friction pad only,
without backing plate)Brake-pad wear limit, rear
The wear indicators must be
clearly visible.
If the wear indicating marks are
no longer visible:
Have the brake pads replaced
by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
Brake fluidChecking brake-fluid
level, front brakesMake sure the ground is level
and firm and hold the motor-
cycle upright.
Move the handlebars to the
straight-ahead position.
869zMaintenance
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A low fluid level in the
brake reservoir can allow air
to penetrate the brake system.
This significantly reduces braking
efficiency.
Check the brake-fluid level at
regular intervals.
Check the brake fluid level in
front reservoir1.
Wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level
in the reservoir to sink.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 be-
low the permitted level:
Have the defect rectified as
quickly as possible by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.
Checking brake-fluid
level, rear brakes
A low fluid level in the
brake reservoir can allow air
to penetrate the brake system.
This significantly reduces braking
efficiency.
Check the brake-fluid level at
regular intervals.
Check the brake fluid level in
rear reservoir1.
Wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level
in the reservoir to sink.
870zMaintenance