BMW Isetta Instruction Manual
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BMW Isetta Instruction Manual

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  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    The contents of this document were taken from the original owners manual (Instruction Manual) that my father was given when he purchased his Isetta in 1957. This book and car has remained in our family since that time. It is somewhat “used” and is showing its age.

  • Page 4: Operations / Introduction

    Excellent road holding and a brake system of surprising efficiency ensure a maximum of riding safety. BMW service stations are organized in the form of a wide net of BMW agencies and are always at your service. All shops displaying the BMW sign, shown on the door of your Isetta will gladly service and repair your BMW vehicle.
  • Page 5 50 continually run the engine at its possible m.p.h.-mark. maximum speed. The Isetta motor is of the high efficiency type. It therefore only depends You can also somewhat exceed the 50 m.p.h. on you to run it as reasonably as to obtain a mark when driving downhill for short periods.

  • Page 6: Technical Charts

    2023 Needle position Idling jet Pilot air screw opened 1 1/2 to 2 turns 1 1/2 to 2 turns Starter jet Transmission: BMW four forward speed and reverse gearbox Gear ratios: Overall gear ratios: 10.05 23.21 5.17 12.14 3.54 8.17 2.70...
  • Page 7 Over 2000 After the 12.4 24.8 37.2 46.6 *) breaking-in period miles *) Isetta with 300 cc engine 50 mph Max. speeds for short jumps, (for inst. To overtake another vehicle). 14 mph 40 mph 28 mph 53 mph...

  • Page 10: Police And Service Station Information

    For police and customs authorities Serial plate: Inside at the right in front of the seat (figure 2 No. 1) Chassis number: On front cross member of frame, below the right-hand door corner figure 2, No. 2) Engine number: On engine housing, beside the ignition coil (figure 3) For filling stations and workshops Fuel tank:...

  • Page 11: Driving Controls And Run-In

    You have already learnt at the driving school how to handle a vehicle. Therefore we think it unnecessary to repeat all of it. With your BMW Isetta you have acquired a vehicle which accommodates all these controls in a convenient arrangement that makes their handling a pleasure.
  • Page 12 (2000 miles) and after the first 3000 kilometers. The running-in speeds are also shown on the transfer picture fixed to the windshield of your Isetta. When observing these speed limits you will in any case avoid to over-reving your engine.
  • Page 13 Wheel changing does not involve any troubles. First of all secure in any case the Isetta to prevent rolling-off and tilting from the car jack. To change a front wheel, apply the hand brake, and to remove one of the rear wheels, secure both front wheels by wooden blocks or stones.
  • Page 14 It must be said that the driving manner influences fuel consumption considerably. The BMW engine is quite economical and you will profit by this advantage provided that you use accelerator and brake pedal in a careful manner.

  • Page 15: Care Of Coachwork

    The washing of the varnished areas should therefore be done when cold, never wash or polish the Isetta in the direct rays of sun or while the body is still hot from having been exposed to sunshine. Apply an even spray of clear water on the exterior finish until dirt is soaked off.
  • Page 16 The finish is well treated when water being poured upon it is repelled in beads. The product "BMW Hard-gloss Polish" is applied with a soft polishing cloth or polishing cotton, in small quantities upon the completely dry finish, doing only a small area at a time. Next...

  • Page 17: Technical Maintenance

    Technical maintenance While you only need some enthusiasm and the necessary time to keep your Isetta looking smart and to clean it, the technical maintenance requires some special know- ledge. Therefore the following jobs should only be carried out by yourself, if they can be done well.
  • Page 18 Each of the new front suspension units features three grease nipples and one oil filler plug. The grease nipples serve to lubricate top and bottom bearings of each steering knuckle king pin and the central bearing of the brake plate (figure 33). The grease gun should be applied to them every 1000 miles at Service A (give the central brake plate bearing only one or two...
  • Page 19 For the greasing best use a trade-mark lubricating grease, which should always be stored in its well-closed container in order to prevent the ingress of dust and dirt. After removal of the seat (see page 16 figure 29) the battery is accessible for checking and maintenance.
  • Page 20 These Bowden cables should also be checked from time to time and lubricated, if necessary. These jobs, however, are best done by a BMW Service Station. They should be performed at intervals of about once a year, i.e. every 7500 miles, as indicated in the...
  • Page 21 ball bearing grease into the bearings. Under no circumstances fill the dust cap completely and replace because such a procedure may inject grease into the brake linings (figure 45). For the detailed indication of the prescribed maintenance jobs corresponding service periods see attached Maintenance Survey (page...
  • Page 22 It is convenient to buy a small bulb container in order to carry a set of bulbs within the toolkit. However, please remember, to buy 12-volt bulbs, since the motocoupe BMW-lsetta has a 12 Volt circuit.
  • Page 23 Minor inspections and adjustments Among the BMW-lsetta owners who have possessed a motorcycle or a scooter there are many whose technical knowledge allows them to do the minor repairs by themselves. Therefore we included in this instruction manual a number of repair jobs which might be undertaken by those drivers who - besides their technical knowledge —...
  • Page 24 Valve clearance should be 0.10-0.15 mm (.004-.006")for Intake, and (0.10-0.20mm) (.004-.008") for exhaust, with the engine cold. The adjustment and re-adjustment of the valves requires two 12mm spanners. First slacken the locknut (figure 58) then turn the adjusting screw as required until the correct amount of play is felt with the feeler-gauge inserted between rocker arm and valve stem end (figure 59).

  • Page 25: Ignition Adjustments

    Ignition The resetting of ignition timing requires a 12V test lamp, a contact gauge (0.4mm = .016") and a screw driver. To perform the setting proceed as follows: 1. Withdraw sparkplug connector, unscrew sparking plug and remove cover from blower wheel as well as cover plate and rubber covering from the ventilating housing.

  • Page 26: Carburetor

    Carburetor On diagnosing faults, a lot of troubles, e.g. insufficient performance or high consumption, which are really due to the vehicle or to the driver, are usually attributed to the carburetor. But the carburetor cannot be blamed indeed if the consumption, for instance, seems to be too high.

  • Page 27: Clutch, Chain And Brakes

    Clutch The free movement at the clutch pedal pad should be about 12 to 15mm (.48" to .6"). The readjustment of clutch pedal clearance takes place on the clutch actuating lever at the transmission case, and is - like the chain adjustment —...
  • Page 28 Brakes The foot brake is of the hydraulic type and operates on all four wheels, because the two rear wheels are mounted on a rigid axle. The maintenance of brake includes checking the brake fluid level. The brake master cylinder with the fluid reservoir is situated below the seat bench and is accessible through simply unscrewing the bakelite filler plug.

  • Page 29: Maintenance Schedule

    1. Oil change in engine after the first 1500km (1000 miles) remove oil sump, clean it and wash the oil filter. 2. Greasing: The BMW Company, whose policy is one of a) steering knuckle king pins, 3 nipples continuous improvement, reserves the right to at each side...

  • Page 30: Lubrication Chart

    Lubrication Chart...
  • Page 31 Lubrication and maintenance chart Jobs to be performed The numerals correspond with the lubrication point indications and the illustrations of the lubrication chart on the margin. 1. Pedal shaft - Lubricating grease 2. Universal joint, steering - Lubricating grease 3. Steering arm shaft —...

  • Page 35: Export Lights

    Headlights. Each headlight incorporates a "Sealed Beam" reflector unit. To replace a unit remove the securing screw at the bottom of the headlight rim, pull the lens and reflector unit headlight housing disconnect the triple pole connector (Figure 47). Then, after careful withdrawal of the wire fasteners, the sealed beam reflector can be removed from the headlight (Figure 48).
  • Page 36 No. 89/12 V-6 cp can be removed in the above described manner (Figure 53). The all-round glass paneling of the BMW Isetta U.S. Model features a windshield of laminated glass and side and rear windows of toughened safety glass.

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