BMW Motorcycle grease gun/tools

by Duane Ausherman

1. Large push type grease tool. Suitable for use in a BMW workshop or the serious home shop.

2. Small push type grease tool. Fits in the /5 tool tray. Available at any chain saw shop.

3. Adapter for normal gun. Available at any auto parts store.

BMW motorcycle grease points

1. /2 rear swing arm

Here is where it is located

In 1965, BMW drilled a hole in the rear swing arm pivot bolt for adding lubrication. 1964 and older ones can be drilled. Remove the polished aluminum cap and you will see this on both sides of the /2 BMW motorcycle. Give it grease until you can see it squish out around the seal. I prefer to give it several pumps and have a lot of grease come out. Then I use a finger to wipe away the excess. That leaves at least thick layer of grease to protect it from water and dirt. After each ride in the rain, give it a couple of pumps. The disadvantage is that the grease will collect dirt and look nasty.

2. Lube the front swing arm of the Earles forks on /2 BMW motorcycles

One more way to get grease into the swing arm of the Earles forks is to remove the little funny one and install an American type. The threads are the same. The zerk is off center on the left side. Replace the BMW zerk when finished. Don't ride it with the American type still in place, as a minor accident could shove it's head through the engine cover. I do not like this method because eventually the threads will wear out.

The resistance for the grease is greatest to get to the right side. The grease tends to come out of the left side and not even get to the right side. Try wrapping a small diameter rope around the left side where the grease comes out. It is between the swing arm and the Earles down tube. That will increase the resistance enough to force the grease over to the right bearing.

3. Throttle lube

It is tempting to try to grease the throttle gears by removing this screw and using the cone shaped tip to pump grease into the throttle casting. Don't do it, it won't get the grease to the teeth. It will only pump grease into the throttle tube area, gum up the works and make a mess. One must remove the cap and add grease directly to the teeth. Read this procedure on the page about controls and cables.