Choose Your Tech Tip Category from this list: Select a Tech topic to view 00 Maintenance and General Notes 11 Engine 12 Engine-Electrical 13 Carbs/Injection 16 Fuel Tank and Lines 17 Cooling System 18 Exhaust 21 Clutch 23 Transmission 26 Driveshaft 31 Front Fork 32 Handlebar and Cables 33 Final Drive 34 Brakes 35 Pedal Assembly 36 Wheels 46 Frame/Bags/Bodywork 51 Paint, Locks and Mirrors 52 Seat 61 Chassis Electrics 62 Instruments 63 Lighting 65 Radio/Intercom 71 Tools

00 — Maintenance and General Notes

• Special Allen Bolts
• BMW Recommends Castrol

Special Allen Bolts

Q: What's that hole in the middle of my Allen bolt?

A: That is called a piloted Allen. They are typically used in applications that require a shallow head, and as a result they are shallow and easy to strip.

This is the correct tool to use on a piloted Allen bolt. Although we have these special little tools at the BeemerShop, most people don't have these lying around in their toolbox. Be very careful when using standard Allen wrenches on these bolts.

BMW Recommends Castrol

Q: Why does it say "BMW recommends Castrol" in BMW owner's manuals, service check lists, etc., yet BMW puts Spectro and Valvoline products into their oil bottles for sale here in the US?

A: Here in the US, BMW's non-synthetic engine oil is made by Spectro, and their synthetic engine oil is made by Valvoline. I last spoke to a Spectro rep sometime back in 2002 and was told that they used to market two non-synthetic products, one formulated for BMW exclusively. He told me that they now only produce the BMW product and also bottle it as their Spectro 4 product (not Golden Spectro). According to a BMW product bulletin, the BMW synthetic engine oil is produced by the racing division of Valvoline.

The BMW literature such as the owner's manuals and service check sheets are produced in Germany, then sent to England for translation for the US market. The BMW factory in Germany officially recommends European Castrol products, (in fact new BMW motorcycles leave the factory with a Castrol 20W20 break-in oil) and that is why the US literature states "BMW recommends Castrol". US automotive Castrol oils such as Castrol GTX and Syntec are NOT approved for use in a BMW motorcycle. Automotive oils such as Castrol GTX have an API rating of SL, which have lower levels of anti-wear and antacid additives and are therefore not recommended. BMW produced a service bulletin stating that using an SJ or SL rated oil will void your engine warranty. Only use oils that are rated SG or SH which have more acceptable levels of beneficial additives.

Some of the European Castrol products such as Actevo, Grand Prix and R4 to name a few, are imported into the US but don't seem to get much publicity here. I stock the SG rated US produced Spectro/BMW engine oil as well as the official factory recommended European Castrol Actevo products.

ADDENDUM: Since this was originally written BMW has changed its gear oil source to Spectro Oils of America.

Further ADDENDUM: Since this was originally written, BMW sources all of its oil from Spectro oils of America.

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