Bearing radial play specifications

The table below shows the radial clearance specifications for all bearings used on the R24 – R69S models

List of bearings in the 1 & 2 cylinder engine, gearbox and final drive

  Click thumbnail to open the list. R24 – R27           R51/3 – R68           R50 – R69S            

Gearbox cam plate comparison

Comparison of the different gearbox cam plates used in the R24 – R27 and R50 – R69S models. For more information about the R50 – R69S shifting system, click following links: Smooth shifting R50 – R69S R50 – R69S Old and New style shifter mechanism  

Cleaning of rubber parts

Some rubber parts are still provided with a (wax) layer when shipped: a mold release agent. A cleaning solution with hot dish soap and water is enough to remove this layer. Use rubbing alcohol for stubborn stickiness. Although alcohol is an effective cleaner for most kinds of stickiness, you should only use this cleaning agent on rubber occasionally. Dampen a clean rag with alcohol and wipe at sticky areas until they are removed. Rinse the rubber with water afterwards. Exposing rubber too often or too long to alcohol may cause it to break down more quickly than normal.

Seal material property comparison

A “strenght & weakness” overview of the different seal materials available in the market.

Diagnosing clicking sounds as a worn carburetor slide – by Scottie’s Workshop

Very informative video! https://fb.watch/gQycYmmz_h/    

Spherical and cylindrical rollers for connecting rods

The BMW specification for the radial clearance of the conrod big end & crankpin is based on the use of slightly spherical rollers in some of the crankshafts. The use of spherical rollers prevents the rollers from “biting” when the crankshaft flexes at high RPM. Today the new FAG Dürkopp conrod sets are equipped with cylindrical rollers. This requires a slightly larger radial clearance to prevent the rollers from getting stuck when the crankshaft flexes at high RPM. Spherical rollers (used) are identified by the wear track in the center of the roller:                
Read more »

Valve adjustment problems – cylinder head sleeve height

If the valve adjusting screws have reached their end and there is still insufficient valve clearance, the cause may be (a combination of): the valves sit too deep in the valve seats the cylinder head sleeves have sunk deeper into the cylinder head over time. In our experience, the sleeves at the exhaust side sit usually deeper than at the intake side. Below an example of 2 R27 cylinder heads. The RHS sleeve at the intake side of cylinder head 1 has a height of 88.47 mm The LHS sleeve at the exhaust side of cylinder head 2 has a
Read more »

Repair of idle mix screw thread

This video shows the repair of the idle mix thread: a thin alu-bronze bush of M8 / M7 x 0.75 is installed in the carburettor, realizing a very wear-resistant and strong thread Click this image to watch the video on Youtube:  

Removing and reinstalling the drive shaft flange

The drive shaft flange has a press fit with the shaft. A workshop press is needed to press the flange off and onto the shaft. When removing the flange, standard press plates can be used to support the flange. However, to press the flange back on, the drive shaft collar must be supported. There are several ways to do this, but this tool works best for us. The tapered shape of the 2 halves and the ring ensures that the shaft is increasingly clamped during pressing. The edge of the hole between the 2 halves follows the radius of the
Read more »

Saddle Y-frames R25/2 – R27 and R51/2 – R68

  4 versions of the saddle Y-frames are available: P/N 52 51 7 002 164:   R51/2 – R68      with 8 mm holes for saddle bearing bolt 52 51 7 002 125.7 P/N 52 51 7 002 165:   R51/3 – R68      with 10 mm holes for silent block 52 51 7 002 141 P/N 52 51 7 002 115:   R25/2                 with 8 mm holes for saddle bearing bolt 52 51 7 002 125.7 P/N 52 51 7 002 116:   R25/3 – R27      with 10 mm holes for silent block 52
Read more »

Valve seat inserts (Dura-Bond)

Recommended press fitting for valve seat inserts in aluminum cylinder heads: OD insert 30 – 40 mm: 0.15 mm / 0.0059″ OD insert 40 – 50 mm: 0.18 mm / 0.0071″   Spindle speed for cutting a seat pocket in aluminum cylinder heads: 400 – 600 rpm It’s recommended NOT to freeze (f.i. with liquid nitrogen) the sintered valve seat inserts before installation. The valve seats are to be pressed in with a flat and square seat driver tool. The valve seat is inserted with the radius side down.   Source: DuraBond

Crankcase surface repair

By Michel Loos, The Netherlands The photos are self-explanatory. Steps:  filing  – sanding – pneumatic hammer – aluminum oxide blasting (Edelkorund) – glass bead blasting  

Instructions for Cylinder black (Einbrennlack)

Cylinder black with part nr. 09122 For temperatures up to 500 °C continuous use and up to 700 °C with impact load 200 ml is sufficient for 2 to 3 large cylinders. Ideal for spraying and painting engine cylinders, exhaust systems and other metal objects subject to high heat. Classic cylinder lacquer is initially thermoplastic; in other words although it is air-drying, it becomes sticky even with moderate heat, expands and hardens again when it cools down. This process is repeated as long as the polymerization temperature is not reached. The lacquer must be heated at least once to 150-180 °C to finally cure. After
Read more »

BING jets

BING jets are stamped with numbers, such as 35, 40 (idle jets) and 110, 115, 120 etc (main jets). One would expect that these numbers refer to the diameter of the jet bore, however this is not the case. This is confimed by the company BING in Germany. A few examples of main jets measured with a wire / jet gauge: BING 44-051 main jet 130 = gauge 120 (= 1.2 mm) main jet 125 = gauge 110 (= 1.1 mm) main jet 120 = gauge 105 (= 1.05 mm) main jet 110 = gauge 95 (=0.95 mm)            
Read more »

Carburetor reconditioning

With hardly any new carburetors being produced by BING for the < 1969 BMW mono and twin motorcycles, it’s getting increasingly important to be able to repair and recondition the used original carburetors. Luckily, special parts and tools are available nowadays to restore the carburetors to a good working condition. A. Idle mix screw: very often, the M7 x 0.75 mm screw thread in the carburetor housing is worn out. There are 2 good solutions to this problem. 1. drill the threaded hole to 7.2 mm – cut M8 x 0.75 mm screw thread – install the idle mix screw with
Read more »

Fuel tank repair

By Richard Sheckler, Wayne, Ohio. Spot welding of panels inside the tank for strength and to plug the rust holes. The tunnel is removed to get inside. The last step before reinstalling the tunnel is to weld the knee pad brackets in place. When the tunnel is TIG welded in place, the inside is sealed with fuel resistant epoxy.  

R24 crankcase repair

By Richard Sheckler –  Wayne, Ohio. An R24 brought back. Scroll down for Richard’s story.         I met Garfield Smith (Petrolia, Ontario) more than twenty years ago. He mentioned that he had an R24 BMW which was made during his birth year 1949. This was also an important year for BMW, because they were in serious financial straights after WWII with the shackles of the Allied Military Command mandate not to manufacture motorcycles that could be used for making war. In 1949, the restrictions were lifted partially, allowing German firms to build motorcycles up to but not
Read more »

Carburetors

Overview of carburetor nr’s and settings