BMW motorcycle tool kits and tire patch kits

This page is about toolkits and other contents of the toolbox for the BMW motorcycle models R26, R27, R50, R60, R69, R50/2, R60/2, R50S, R69S, R50/US, R60/US, R69US, R50/5, R60/5, R75/5, R50/6, R60/6, R75/6, R90/6, R90S, R60/7, R75/7, R80/7, R100/7, R100S, R100RS, R80GS, and R80ST.
BMW has provided the best tool kit in the entire motorcycle industry.  The BMW tool roll has enough tools to do all maintenance procedures that an owner with an average mechanical background would need.  The tools are very strong and short enough to fit into a cloth or plastic fabric roll that fits in the small tool box or tray provided.  At least three companies have made the tools and all are good.  They aren’t Snap-On quality finish, but will last as long.  One of the companies is Hazet.
The BMW tool kits were changed to go with the needs of the various models.  Since few changes were made from one year to another, the tools are the same or similar from various years.  I have seen a “new” model that failed to have some new tool in the kit that was actually needed.  It would take BMW some time to get the tools caught up, same as the owner’s manuals.  Don’t let this mislead you to think that your tool kit wasn’t the one provided.  There is no way to tell.  Here are a few pictures.

R80GS and R80ST

A new tool kit

This is a brand new BMW tool kit purchased recently from a BMW dealer.  It isn’t quite the same as one from 30 years ago.  It can be purchased for about $90.  Photo courtesy of Albion Baucom

It might be good to include a list of the tools that come with the toolkits.  Here’s what the Huggett “original toolkit ” (BMW part number 71 11 0 005 317) includes:
1.  Open-end wrench 8 x 10 SW
2.  Open-end wrench 9 x 11 SW
3.  Open-end wrench 12 x 14 SW
4.  Open-end wrench 14 x 17 SW
5.  Open-end wrench 19 x 22 SW
6.  Ring open-end 36 x 41 SW
7.  Ring open-end 17 x 27 SW
8.  Socket wrench 14 x 19 SW
9.  Socket wrench 21 x 22 SW
10.  Tommy bar
11.  Ring nut spanner
12.  Pliers
13.  Tire lever
14.  Tire lever
15.  Screw driver (large)
16.  Screw driver (small)
17.  Feeler gauge
18.  Carburetor spanner

Here are the tools laid out in about the same order as the current tool kit above.  One of the tools isn’t BMW, but a replacement.  It has two 17 mm wrenches to remove the shock.  The feeler gauges on the far left are original and in all kits from the mid 50s to late 70s or later.  The tire irons on the right are original and will work well for tires of that era.  I haven’t tried them on a later stiff wall tire.  If you have no tools for a kit and would have to buy them retail, you are better off with the current BMW tool kit.  The tools are short and will fit in the space provided.  A standard 22 mm wrench is too long to fit and also so long that owners can easily over tighten the axle nuts with it.

This shows another example of a tool kit that is still available and the grease rag.   Photo by Allan Atherton

The same BMW motorcycle tools laid out on the rag.  The tool on the lower right is a screwdriver made from wire.  I have no idea where that came from.  I can say that of all of the /2 BMWs that I have owned, maybe 75-100, none had that tool.  They did have a normal looking small plastic slot screwdriver.  On the upper right is a 5 part feeler gauge.  They all had only 4 parts; (.15mm).006,” (.2mm) .008″ for valves, (.4mm) .016″ for points and (.6mm) .025″ for plugs.

Hello Duane,

Attached is the photo of the factory tool kit.  All Heyco where appropriate and looks virtually unused.

Size of tool roll: 24″ x 12″.  Weight: 5 Pounds and 7 ounces

Contents:

BMW hand wipe rag
24mm single open ended spanner (oes)
7 x 8mm double oes
10 x 11 “
12 x 13 “
14 x 17 “
17 x 19 “
10 x 12 double ended flat ring spanner
19 x 22 “
1/4″ Ratchet, short extension, and four sockets – 6,10,12, and 13mm. 
22 x 24mm tubular box spanner and Tommy bar
4 x Allen keys – 3,5,6 and 8mm
BMW tool for top fork nuts and swing arm bearing nuts
BMW pin spanner/top bearing nut adjuster tool
2 X tyre levers
Tyre pressure gauge
Tip Top tube repair kit
1 x Combination pliers
1 x wire cutters (side cutters)
1 x Flat needle file
1 x set feeler gauges including the distance gauge for the undertank master cylinder
1 x screwdriver handle with three bits (one flat and two sizes of posidrive)
1 x electrical test screwdriver (with neon bulb)
1 x wire lead with crocodile clip and plug for circuit testing.

In all about 37 pieces.  You may have seen this kit before.  If so, is there anything missing? If not, can you suggest anything to add to it? The only thing I can think of is a 4mm Allen key and a 8mm socket.
You are welcome to use this kit and the description of contents on your site or post it on the forum if you feel it’s appropriate.

Regards

Steve Hennessey

 Other items in the tool box

A very nice grease rag was included, the fabric of which was soft, fluffy and embroidered with “BMW” across it.  These were provided in a couple of colors over the years, but the most common was red on unbleached cotton.  In 1972 the factory assembly line was using a similar rag that was mostly red on unbleached cotton.

You can see a figure 8 on the left of BMW and what looks like a key on the right side.

The BMW motorcycle tire patch kit

A tire patch kit in a metal box was standard and at least two types were used.  This metal box was oval shaped and had a top that just snapped on and off.  They tended to get rusted on and then get tossed out.  It was generally yellow on a black background.  A couple of different brands were used.  In about 72 the metal boxes were replaced with a blue/green plastic one.

                     

                     

One of the later (71-72) tire patch kits provided for on the road repairs.  The plastic box didn’t rust like the earlier metal one.  The contents are assorted patches, glue, a “scratcher” and directions. 

BMW motorcycle toolbox paper work

One or two pieces of paper work, such as a battery warranty, were included.  Again, the photos are by Allan Atherton.  By now I owe him big time, I better pick a fight with him before I see him or I will have to pay.

                                              

                         Front of the BMW motorcycle warranty        Back of the BMW motorcycle warranty

BMW /5 motorcycle cover for the owner’s manual

This shows the front of a /5, /6 and /7 (I think) owner’s manual protective plastic cover.  It is 7″ X 9″ (17.7 X 22.8 cm) in size.  The top part is clear and you can read my R27 manual through it.  The proper manuals are a bit larger though.  I don’t have one to show.

The super BMW motorcycle tool kit

A larger and more comprehensive tool kit has been available from BMW since the late 70s.  If someone would email me a .jpg of it, I would add it and give credit.  The two below are from the parts book and were donated by John R, known as “J” to us.

 

Additional information on BMW motorcycle tools

Tools needed to add to the original toolkit

Marco Hyman, /2 List, 10 Feb.  2002
The new fasteners (from about 1964) use a 13 mm instead of a 14 mm.  The original kit did not include a 13 wrench or socket.  As I don’t show my bike, I wanted my toolkit to be useful (if not correct).  It contains (* marks those items from the “stock” toolkit):  
Box wrench 10 x 11 SW
Box wrench 12 x 13 SW
Open-end wrench 7/32 x 1/4 (horn and points)
* Open-end wrench 8 x 10 SW
* Open-end wrench 9 x 11 SW
* Open-end wrench 12 x 14 SW
Open-end wrench 13 x 17
* Open-end wrench 19 x 22 SW
* Ring open-end 36 x 41 SW
* Ring open-end 17 x 27 SW
* Screw driver (large)
Screw driver (small)
Socket 10 mm
Socket 13 mm
Socket 14 mm
Socket 19 mm
Socket (sparkplug)
* Carburetor spanner (useless)
* Tommy bar
* Pliers
Pin wrench/Open-end 24 SW
* 2 tire irons
3/8 drive sliding T handle
6″ “wobbly” extension
* Feeler gauges
Magneto/Generator rotor puller
8 mm hex key
6 mm hex key