Torque Specifications for the /5 motorcycles

Warning: The following page requires further review. Don't assume anything is accurate. Use at your own risk!

The main reason for a spec on tightness is to prevent over tightening, not under tightening. In the case of multiple fasteners on one part, it is also to prevent warping.

Carefully check for the torque on the part that you are tightening or loosening. Some of the after market books have not always gotten it correct. Use common sense and double check it. [1]

The following are "R" model common torque values adapted from technical data published 12/89 by BMW North America, Inc. and (potentially) current as of 2013. These values have been annotated as a collaborative effort of the 5united community.

The following Key is designed to help indicate the accuracy of these torque values

	Values are believed to be accurate
	Values are believed to be somewhat accurate but there is mild disagreement within the community.
	Values are believed to not be accurate. There is strong disagreement within the community. You'll want to do your homework on this one.
	Careful! Easily stripped by overtorquing.

Engine

Component	Foot Pounds	Newton Meters	Stages	Notes	Comments
Engine to Frame	52	72
Conrod Bolts	36	50
Threaded Carb Intake	36	50		Use Red Loctite
Cylinder Head Nuts	10 / 18 / 25	15 / 25 / 35	3 / 10, 18, 25	Lightly oiled bolts	Cylinder studs have had a variety of torque settings published, some in error. The true story, as in a BMW bulletin, is that the torque for ALL models at these studs should be 25 +- 2 footpounds, and the target is 25, NOT 27, and definitely not 29-31, as in the old /5 manual days. If your torque wrench is quite accurate, you may be able to use 27 or 28. Snowbum [3]
Valve Adjustment Nuts	14	20
Oil Drain Plug	22	30		Renew washer	Book values have been variously from 20-25. I tend to use the low side of spec for this pan drain bolt. Snowbum [2]
Oil Filter Cover Plate Bolts	7
Hoses to Oil Cooler Thermostat	14	20		Use 4 new crush washers
Oil Pickup Bolts	7	10		Use locktite blue
Oil Pump Cover	7	10
Oil Sump to Engine Housing	7 (78-81 inch lb.)	10		Gasket letter side up. Do NOT overtorque	I suggest less, perhaps 5.5-6 (ft lb), carefully tighten in a staggered cross-pattern, starting at the center ones, and do it very evenly. NO GOO! Put the lettered side UP Snowbum [2]
Exhaust Finned Nuts	144	200		Use anti-seize on spigot	There is NO GOOD REASON to have these nuts so tight. I don't know how tight I put them, but I suspect it is not over 90 foot-pounds. I never do them with a torque wrench, I always do it by feel, a decent grunt, using a proper finned wrench, and NOT too darn tight. Snowbum [2]

Timing Chain Cover to Engine Housing

Component	Foot Pounds	Newton Meters
Nut	5	7
Bolt	7	10
Camshaft Support Bearing	17	24
Oil Pressure Switch	18	25

Engine Electrics

	Component	Foot Pounds	Newton Meters	Stages	Notes	Comments
	Spark Plugs	14	20			Careful! Easily stripped by overtorquing.
	Alternator Rotor to Crankshaft	18	25

Clutch

	Component	Foot Pounds	Newton Meters	Stages	Notes	Comments
	Clutch Housing to Crankshaft (Flywheel)	72	100
	Clutch Cover Bolts	14	20

Transmission

Component	Foot Pounds	Newton Meters	Notes	Comments
Oil Drain Plug	19	26	Renew washer	14-18.5 foot-pounds [2]
Oil Filter Plug	23	31	Renew washer	20-22 foot-pounds [2]
Transmission to Engine	24	33
Transmission Cover	6	8	Use new gasket
Output Flange to Output Shaft	160	220	Clean and no oil
Gearshift Bracket to Housing	17	24
Driveshaft to Output Flange	25	35	Only use short bolts and no washers

Front Forks

Component	Foot Pounds	Newton Meters	Comments
Fork Brace	21	29
Upper Fork Sprint Cap	77	107
Fork Oil Filler Plug Bolt	6	9
Fork Oil Drain Plug Bolt	5	6
Steering Cap Nut	77	107	80-95 foot-pounds [2]
Lower Fork Clamp Bolt	21	29
Slotted Nut (Steering Pivot Bearing)	No Free Play	Max of 0.5
Handlebar Pinch Bolts	15	22

Front Axle

	Component	Foot Pounds	Newton Meters	Stages	Notes	Comments
	Axle Clamp Bolts	10	15
	Axle Nut	33	45

Rear Axle

	Component	Foot Pounds	Newton Meters	Stages	Notes	Comments
	Axle Clamp Bolts	10	15
	Axle Nut	33	45

Swing Arm

Component	Foot Pounds	Newton Meters	Notes
Oil Drain Plug	10	15	Renew washer
Oil Fill Plug	10	14	Renew washer
Pin Bolt	7	10	Use pointed top to grease here
Pin Bolt Lock Nut	72	100	Use a thin sided 27MM socket

Rear Wheel Drive

Component	Foot Pounds	Newton Meters	Notes	Comments
Oil Drain Plug	18	25	Renew washer
Oil Fill Plug	7	10	Renew washer
Oil Level Inspection Plug	5	8	Renew washer	Oil inspection plug is better to be left alone as it is easily stripped by overtorquing
Rear Drive Housing to Swing Arm	34	47
Housing Cover Bolt / Nut	10	15
Shock Absorber Nut / Bolt	25	35
Bevel Gear Nut	106	147
Threaded Ring Nut	75	105

Brake

	Component	Foot Pounds	Newton Meters	Stages	Notes	Comments
	Brake Disc to Wheel	21	29

Frame

Component	Foot Pounds	Newton Meters	Notes
Rear Sub Frame Bolts	18	25
Centerstand Bolts	24	35	Use blue loctite
Sidestand Bolt	20	29
Engine to Frame	52	72
Shock Frame Nut / Bolt	25	25

Ready Reference

Proper torque on the BMW motorcycle, by Duane Ausherman
Torque values for various fasteners on the various models of BMW Airhead Motorcycles, by Snowbum
Torque specifications, using torque wrenches; calibration checks;..... problems, by Snowbum

Thanks

Special thanks to Brian Mehosky and Duane Ausherman for getting this started, and J Wilson for providing torque details.