Munich Motorcycles

Disclaimer

NOTE: We have published this information in good faith. Munich Motorcycles can accept no responsibility for any damage or injury incurred as a result of following any of these procedures.

Rear Wheel Drive Splines

Regularly clean & lubricate with high quality graphite grease. This will reduce wear to both parts of the splines. Recoat lightly every time the wheel is removed. Grease is far less expensive than repairing the crown wheel & splines.

Ignition Advance Units

Bobweights become worn and stick. Springs on bobweights lose tension causing revs to stay high. Cam on advance unit wears causing double images leading to difficulty in adjusting ignition timing. Pinking heard at low speed ... sound familiar? Springs can be replaced; a new (very expensive) unit can be fitted. An alternative is to replace the whole unit with an electronic ignition unit. There is less moving parts and the electronic control allows for more controlled ignition timing. (When lubricating advance retard unit, ONLY use light engine oils, not a penetrating oil which will evaporate with heat**)

Dripping Carburettors

Float needles should be replaced every 10 years or as a matter of course if they are leaking. It\'s also worthwhile removing and checking the weight of the float as they can sometimes become \'fuel logged\' which reduces performance. Be careful not to bend the floats out of shape. If they touch the sides of the float bowl they could jam. Fitting in-line fuel filters stops debris from the fuel tank reaching the float bowl/float needle and reduces the risk of the needle jamming.

Wheel Bearings

One of the most neglected parts of your motorcycle - especially on the older R Series with tapered roller wheel bearings. Bearings on these models should be greased and checked every 15,000 kms (or at least once a year!) It is mainly the outside bearing which becomes affected by water, grit etc. Even though the hub protects the inside bearing, it still requires maintenance. Also remember to check for damage to seals and replace regularly. If you are fitting new bearings on pre \'85 Boxers, remember the bearings have to be shimmed correctly. Other models require less maintenance but you should always check for play or noise.

Tyre Wear

Many handling problems are caused by incorrect tyre pressure and wear. Riding your BMW with under inflated tyres can cause uneven wear on the tyre. Consult your owners\' handbook for correct tyre pressures and monitor wear on tyre treads.

Steering Bearings

Strange handling problems? Lift the front wheel off the floor so there is no weight on the front end. Look for notches as you turn steering slowly from side to side. Replacing the bearings is not a quick, five minute job. Some models require special tools. As we have said before, if in doubt - don\'t do it! Take it to the experts.

Too tight: can lead to a strange, wallowing feeling - especially at low speed.
Too loose: can create a high-speed weave at around 80km per hour. Incorrect fitting of steering bearings can make riding very dangerous.

Battery Charging

If you are using the BMW power socket to recharge the battery, the manufacturers recommended charge rate is NO MORE than 4 amps. Also remember that batteries give off explosive gases -so no naked flames or lights in the vicinity! It is ok to connect a battery charger without first disconnecting the battery. However, it is advisable to connect the charger before swithing on the mains power.

Master Cylinder Leaks (K16v and R4v)

Those of you who own bikes will be aware of the problems a leaking Master Cylinder can cause. Regular checking and frequent replacement of brake fluid may help reduce the possibility and frequency of this occurring. Keep a close watch after changing brake fluid, as this is the time leaking most often occurs. This problem is most noticeable on K16v and R4v models. Brake fluid is highly corrosive. Always use a new, unopened bottle as brake fluid attracts moisture and this is what causes corrosion in the cylinder. Be very careful when changing the fluid. Spills onto paintwork can be very expensive!

Fork Seals Fail Regularly

If your fork seals tend to leak and regularly leave a puddle under your bike, it means you have a problem. Check for dents, scratches, chips, bends or pitting. Fitting fork gaiters may help extend the life of your fork seals. If the problem persists - consult an expert!

Low Voltage on the voltmeter

If your charge system is operating correctly but your voltmeter is reading low, check the voltage with a good quality multimeter (set on volts) between positive & negative on the battery. Slowly increase revs to compare voltmeter on your motorcycle with the one connected to the battery. By 3000RPM, it should be reading approx 13.8 volts.

BMW R Single Ignition Coils (Twin Output) 2v 1981-1992

If you find the bike is hard to start or will not start after being washed or riding in the rain - basically any time it gets wet - you need to check the ignition coil for cracks. (The coil is located under the front RHS of the tank.) This part tends to crack or fail with regular monotony, making it one of the most unreliable parts of a 2v Boxer.

Even if there are no visible cracks, the coil should be replaced as soon as possible or it will let you down at the most inconvenient time. The new style coils appear to be made of much sterner stuff and you are less likely to experience this problem after replacement.

So how do you know if the coil is an old one or a new style?

Check the number on the coil. If the number is 0.221.500.200 (Bosch) and has a grey case replace it! The new (Bosch) coil number is 0.221.500.203. This coil has a black case & red H-T lead outlets

Replacing Brake Fluids (Not EVO Brakes)

Once again, this should be part of your regular maintenance. Brake fluids should be changed once a year (minimum) to keep them at optimum, safe, working levels.
Brake fluid attracts water and if left for prolonged periods of time without being replaced, can cause expensive damage to your master cylinder & brake lines. Always use DOT 4 brake fluid from an unopened (new) container.
**Remember to cover any exposed paint work before changing the fluid as brake fluid will mark and/or strip paintwork.**

Fitting Centre/Side Stand Springs

(Otherwise known as \'How to remove the skin from your knuckles in one easy movement\')
A trick learned early in the trade is to use a bootlace or piece of strong, thin cord to pull the spring onto the spring mount.
For added leverage and easier manipulation, you could attach the ends of the bootlace or cord to a small handle and use it to pull down.

BMW Oil Filter Replacement

Replacing engine & oil filters on a regular basis can help reduce engine wear. Before starting, check which gaskets, seals and/or O rings are required. Not replacing these or only replacing some of them is a waste of time, effort and money, and it could lead to reduced oil pressure a ultimately engine damage.

If you\'re going to do the job - DO IT PROPERLY. A new engine is far more expensive than an oil filter replacement.

Safety First

BMW Motorcycles are renowned for their reliability and performance. Whether new or pre loved, like us, they need regular care & attention. You cannot expect your bike to continue performing at peak levels if it only receives the minimum amount of maintenance. Many necessary tasks are not included in manuals. Climate and road conditions can affect the frequency of service and upkeep required to keep your BMW in safe riding order. There are some tasks which require a Technician\'s skill, particular knowledge or special tools.

However, what is necessary for general maintenance is a reasonable mechanical knowledge, a comprehensive manual (e.g.Haynes or Clymer), patience and caution. Safety when working on your BMW is paramount. The risks involved can be as diverse as having the motorcycle fall on top of you, to setting the workshop on fire! Not to mention the possible consequences of poor workmanship, which could result in an accident when riding - at any speed.

Before attempting any maintenance task ensure you disconnect the battery before removing parts, have the correct tools, a sound knowledge of what is involved and a clean, uncluttered work area - free of children, animals & other distractions. Remember to keep your machine secured at all times and if in doubt, ask someone who knows, because your life - and others - could be at risk.
IF IN DOUBT, DON\'T DO IT!!

BMW K & R Rear Paralever Bearings

Checking the bearings on your BMW Motorcycle should form part of your regular maintenance routine. This is quite a quick & simple check to carry out.

1. Place the bike on the centre stand - ensuring the rear wheel is off the ground.
2. Remove any luggage that might obscure your view of the rear wheel & diff./swinging arm.
3. Firmly grasp the swinging arm with your right hand & the rear wheel with your left hand (try to ensure your hands are level with the swinging arm - imaging quarter past nine on a clock)
4. Check if there is any movement of the diff. to swinging arm by gently pushing away & pulling the rear wheel away and towards you.

THERE SHOULD BE NO MOVEMENT.
If there is movement, it is a sure sign that the bearings need to be replaced. This is also a good time to check and replace pivots.

BMW K 2v and BMW R 2v post 1985 (Not RT/RS) Ignition Cut Out

There you are, on your BMW motorcycle, riding, enjoying the scenery and suddenly the instrument lights go out and everything \'dies\'. You turn the ignition switch \'off & then on\' and everything seems to return to normal ...
Then it happens again - hopefully not when you\'re leaning the BMW bike over or leaning into a big right-hand bend! You turn the ignition switch \'off & then on\' ... it worked the last time, didn\'t it? Everything seems normal. But it\'s not!
Obviously there is a problem with the ignition switch not keeping complete contact inside the switch. This is VERY DANGEROUS.

You should immediately replace the faulty switch.
To stop this reoccurring, use just one or two keys and avoid using a big key ring as the weight seems to cause increased wear to the switch internals.
**Police bikes tend to be more prone to this problem due to the frequency of switching ON/OFF**

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