Page 65 of 132

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 dipstick
1.
Top up the engine oil until the
level reaches mark A.
Check the engine oil level
( 61)
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.
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Page 66 of 132

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 brake-pad
thickness, front brakesMake 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 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: Below the
wheel axle, between wheel and fork tube toward the brake cal-
iper.
Brake-pad wear limit,
front
min 1 mm (Friction pad only,
without backing plate)
The wear indicators
(grooves) must be clearly
visible.
If the wear indicating marks are
no longer clearly visible: Have the brake pads replaced
by a specialist workshop,
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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 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 rear brake
pads 1from behind to
ascertain their thickness.
Brake-pad wear limit, rear
min 1 mm (Friction pad only,
without backing plate)
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.
865zMaintenance
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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 reservoir 1.
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 reservoir 1.
Wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level
in the reservoir to sink.
866zMaintenance
Page 69 of 132
Brake fluid level, rear
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.
CoolantChecking coolant levelMake sure the ground is level
and firm and hold the motor-
cycle upright.
Read off the coolant level on
scale 1on the coolant expan-
sion tank. Coolant, specified level
between MIN and MAX
marks on the expansion tank
If the coolant level is too low: Top up the coolant.
If the coolant level is too high: Seek the advice of a specialist
workshop, preferably an author-
ised BMW Motorrad dealer.
867zMaintenance
Page 70 of 132
Topping up coolantPull cover of radiator cap1for-
ward to remove.
Open cap of the expansion
tank for coolant 2. Top up the coolant to the spe-
cified level.
Close the cap of the expansion
tank for coolant.
Seat the cover of the radiator
cap in holders
3. In this pro-
cess, guide the top edge of the
cover behind the bottom edge
of centre trim panel 4.
ClutchChecking clutch-lever
playPull the clutch lever until resist-
ance is perceptible.
Measure clutch-lever play A.
Clutch-lever play
2...3 mm (Engine cold)
Clutch-lever play is out of toler-
ance: Adjust clutch-lever play ( 69)
868zMaintenance
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Adjusting clutch-lever
playPush back boot1.
Slacken locknut 2.
Set clutch-lever play to spe-
cification by turning adjusting
screw 3.
Turning clockwise: increases
play.
Turning counter-clockwise: re-
duces play.
Check the clutch-lever play
( 68)
Tighten locknut 2.
Pull boot 1back over the ad-
justing screw.
TyresMeasuring tread depth of
tyresMake sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand.
Measure the tyre tread depth
in the main tread grooves with
wear marks.
Tyres have wear indicators
integrated into the main
tread grooves. The tyre is worn
out when the tyre tread has worn
down to the level of the marks.
The locations of the marks are
indicated on the edge of the tyre,
e.g. by the letters TI, TWI or by
an arrow.
If the tyre tread no longer com-
plies with the minimum legally
required tread depth:
Replace tyre.
RimsChecking rimsMake sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand.
Visually inspect the rims for
defects.
Have damaged rims checked
and, if necessary, replaced by a
specialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.ChainLubricating chainSwitch the ignition off and se-
lect neutral.
Dirt, dust and inadequate
lubrication will result in ac-
celerated wear and significantly
shorten the drive chain's useful
life.
Clean and lubricate the drive
chain at regular intervals.
869zMaintenance
Page 72 of 132
Clean the drive chain with a
suitable cleaning product, dry it
and apply chain lubricant.
Wipe off excess lubricant.Checking chain tensionMake sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand.
Use a screwdriver to push the
chain up and down and meas-
ure differenceA. Chain deflection
25...30 mm (Motorcycle sup-
ported on its side stand)
30...35 mm (Rear suspen-
sion extended)
If measured value is outside per-
mitted tolerance: Adjust the chain tension
( 70)
Adjusting chain tensionMake sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand. Slacken quick-release axle
nut
1.
Slacken locknuts 2on left and
right by turning them counter-
clockwise.
Use adjusting screws 3on left
and right to adjust chain ten-
sion.
Turning screws clockwise: re-
duces chain tension.
Turning screws counter-clock-
wise: increases chain tension.
Check the chain tension
( 70)
870zMaintenance