Servicing the r65

[pcarrick]

Should I get the Clymer manual to do the basic maintainence on my new r65 or the Haynes book? I do have the owners manual.

[montmil]

I have both the Haynes and Clymer manuals, plus the R65 owners manual which is available for download in the FAQs section.

And there's always the Snowbum for assistance: http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/

Note that the current recommendation for valve lash is: Inlet - 0.004" and Exhaust - 0.008". That's a bit looser than original specs but does help dissipate heat from the exhaust valve/seat area. You'll notice a bit of "BMW Music" when starting up a cold engine. Just sing along.

Do a spline lube on the trans input and the final drive. Honda Moly 60 grease is popular with many Airhead owners.

Suggest you change all fluids, including brake fluid, so you'll have a maintenance bench mark established for future service.

The two-part "bendy" oil filter is a bit easier to install and is less prone to collapse. Check the air filter and replace if it needs it or just to feel good about it. Many owners fit a fuel filter just downstream of the petcock. I get mine at the lawn mower repair shop... cheap-o.

Ice down your favorite adult beverage and enjoy a pleasant afternoon fettling your new BMW.

Others may chime in with their recommendations...

Monte

[Barry]

I have a Haynes which is quite good and a useful read but I can't say I refer to it for a basic annual service. For basic maintenance excluding spline lube you can get by with the excellent owners manual with perhaps one exception and that is the torque settings. Be very careful tightening the spark plugs and various oil filler/drain plugs which are in particular known to strip if overtightened. Be careful with any steel fastener in an alloy thread really. I use lower torques values than indicated in the BMW or Haynes manuals. Typically I deduct 20%.

You might find the official BMW service sheet handy as a check list of what needs to be done and a record. Most things on the list are straight forward enough.

[Dave 2]

I have been using the Clymer but it has some gaps in it's content. This forum as you can tell from Monte and Barry's response is very good at helping to fill in the gaps....now I have to go look up fettling [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif] Have fun,D2

[Barry]

Fettling originally meant to remove casting flashes that is to tidy up up the casting. So it is now used with a meaning "to fix something up".

Anything that is in "fine fettle" is in good order.

[Dave 2]

Thank you Barry 8-)

[Mike V]

I also have a Clymers that I refer to primarily for it's graphics and schematics.  Even then there are inaccuracies and errors.  I often try to imagine the difficulty and challenge of putting a complete repair manual together for our bikes.  Gotta be a tough job.  Any repair I'm not familiar with I always refer to this Forum or the Airhead LIST as confirmation.  The combined experience and knowledge here is much appreciated and a welcome fact.  Not to mention how civil the members are here. Even the factory manuals have errors in torque settings and unit conversions.  I spent a lot of time creating my own Torque Chart with values blessed and approved by the Guru's.  

Always take notes and keep a notebook with records to refer to.  Make corrections in your manuals when it is known and confirmed.  If you're ever not sure ... ask.  My opinion of this Forum is better than any manual out there.  A good time to thank everyone for their shared help.

[Bob_Roller]

As has been mentioned, the manuals are a guide, not a bible, even the BMW shop manual is wrong on occasion .

If in doubt, stop and ask questions, on average you'll get a fairly quick response on this site, unless it's around the holidays, etc...

If you can't get an answer here, there's always Boxerworks, an immense amount of knowledge of airhead BMW bikes on that site, also a lot of attitudes, just beware you may need a 'thick skin' for some of the responses you may get there .