Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners

What is the purpose of this setting. Figure 110 says it should be 10 to 11mm on my R50 it is way more than that I could set it to 10mm but it would take some bending of the contact to so. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks Ron

The purpose is a safety measure for the coils. If for some reason the spark energy can't get to the plugs, then the spark will jump to ground at this safety gap. Spark wants to find the easiest path to ground...normally the plugs. If the spark can't get to ground, then damage to the coil can happen.

Thanks for your quick response you’re the best. Make sense great German engineering.

Rather than bend the tabs, just relieve (cut back) the plug wire insulation a bit more and bring the wire core down to the appropriate gap, i.e. make the wires stick out a bit farther so they are closer to the tabs. Don't mess with the tabs.

therealkennyboy wrote: ↑

Sun May 28, 2023 2:36 pm

Rather than bend the tabs, just relieve (cut back) the plug wire insulation a bit more and bring the wire core down to the appropriate gap, i.e. make the wires stick out a bit farther so they are closer to the tabs. Don't mess with the tabs.

Agree 100%
I’ve “heard” of people breaking the tabs off.. I always adjust the spark plug wires to get my gap.

Great info that’s an awesome salutation to the proper adjustment. I didn’t pay much attention when I removed the wires but I didn’t want to bend the pointer that far. Again thanks to you guys. Ron