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This page is about the R50/5, R60/5 and R75/5 models.
This is to let you know about the parts that typically are known to fall off
of the /5. Some of the items apply to other models too. My list was
enlarged by many submissions of our rider friends sharing their experiences.
A "one of a kind" part falling off isn't considered typical and therefore is not
included.
1. Center stand bolts and springs. Both the original and
Reynolds hardware can fall off. Check the fasteners often to prevent this.
Check that the Reynold's Ride Off Stand springs don't "catch" on something when
it is raised and lowered.
2. Swing arm dust covers. They are kicked off accidentally
by passengers toes and sometimes riders heels. These can be glued into
place with a spot of glue in 2 or 3 places.
3. Headlight assembly. The refers to the
chrome rim/glass/reflector assembly. It
can be fastened at the bottom with a wire or electrical tie wrap.
4. Carb float bowl. These are also kicked off by the
riders. With this failure, you will be walking or riding on one cylinder.
The float bowl spring wire retainer can be safety wired so that it can't move.
5. Control wedge, sometimes called the
perch wedge. It falls out when the owner/mechanic removes the throttle
or clutch casting and doesn't know that it is there. It gets lost on the
floor. Often the person finds it and has no clue as to what it is or where
it goes.
6. Valve cover center nut and stud. The center stud that
has the fancy nut often strips its threads. They can be repaired with a
Helicoil or other thread repair device. This nut usually gets over
tightened. It only needs to be very slightly tight, just enough so that it
doesn't fall off. Falling off is far better than stripping out.
7. The pan bolts. These fall out for only one reason, they
were over tightened. That "idiot" wanted to make sure that the oil didn't
leak out, so he/she really leaned on them. I prefer to use a socket on a
screwdriver handle for tightening these up. When one of these falls out,
there goes your oil. Use your favorite thread repair.
8. Chrome battery side covers on the 72 and 73, plastic on later
models. These were held on with two rubber bands. They would break
and the cover would fall off on the road and usually get run over quickly.
There are several ways to prevent this. One can attach them by replacing
the rubber bands with tiny bungee cords, springs or they can be tie wrapped on.
The left one is captured by the grab handle, but the right one is free to
escape.
9. Clutch arm circlip on the /6. For the explanation,
click here
10. Engine badge. This is the long slender badge that is
glued onto each side of the engine, just under the starter cover and above the
cylinders of the /5 and later series. To prevent them from falling off,
check them yearly. Try to stick something under one edge and try to pull
it off gently. If it starts to come off, pull it off and reattach it with
good glue. If you don't try to pull it off often, then it will fall off
and now you must buy one and glue it on. Save the "buying" part. If
you aren't confident of fixing it, then leave them in your garage and ride
around with them missing. If one falls off, then you are now riding around
with it missing, really missing. A common adhesive to use
is a 3M product called
Super Weatherstrip Adhesive, or the slang is gorilla snot. It is nasty
stuff, so follow directions carefully.
11. Cruise control screw. They seem to just work their way
out from time to time. After all, gravity and vibration are working
together on this one. For a picture and more info,
click here.
12. Clutch lever bolt. This is the lever up at the
handlebar end of the cable. The nut can fall off and the bolt work
upwards. It is easy to notice that the lever feels funny. One should
use a Nylock nut. That is the type with the small plastic insert that acts
as a lock washer.
13. Battery strap. The rubber battery straps on all models
from the early 50s till they stopped using them in the early 70s would get old
and fall off. Replace when you can see them start to crack where they bend
over the edge of the battery.
14. Top mounting bolt for right-side shock absorber. A few
have had this one fall off, but I don't know why.
15. Seat rear hinge breaks off of the frame. This is due
to improper adjustment of the seat. For some partial information about
this, click here.
16. The terminal screws that hold wires into the posts on the
board inside the /2 and /5 headlight shell. They can come loose and even
fall out, but you will find them in the bottom of the shell.
17. Krauser bags. The early Krauser bags from about 74 to
82 often fell off. The hardware could seem totally secure, but the bag
would still fall off, usually on the freeway and in traffic. I know that
the early BMW bags were the same. Does anyone know if BMW ever solved this
problem? The most common fix was to wrap a strap around the bag and frame.
The straps that tied the bike down in the original shipping crate worked well
and were free.
Generous contributors are Duane Carr, Erik, William Wilson, George in
Toronto, Steve B, Dave Sweeny, davep, Lyman and Kurt Henry.
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