OT- My New (to Me) BMW

[CoffeeGuy]

I wasn't looking for another bike when I stumbled across the listing on Craigslist. But for the asking price, and the fact that the model year is the same year I was born, I was compelled to go and take a look.
I dragged a friend who I ride with occasionally, who has a '74 R90/6, as I knew he would have better insight into any quirks or issues. I knew my impressions of the bike's performance would be skewed from only riding more modern, more powerful, better performing bikes.
Knowing the bike had 105,000 miles meant I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it was in excellent condition both mechanically and cosmetically. The PO rode it daily, commuting 45 miles each way to work. He really didn't seem to be much of a BMW brand enthusiast, although he was selling because he just bought a '92 K75. He didn't use the internet, or belong to the MOA- he just liked what he liked. Upon asking him about various maintenance issues, he replied, "I only fix it when it breaks." I was a little concerned, but he's a Machinist, and later proved to be pretty on top of things.
After my buddy and I each took it on a short ride, the deal was done.

I returned a week later to pick up the bike and several boxes of extras.

700 miles later, I'm glad I pulled the trigger.

Any wise (or even unwise) Airhead related advice is most welcome.

1976 r75/6

[signit98]

...Great bike and keep this in mind while riding "sporty"... with this bike, when the heads start dragging, OPEN the throttle... the bike will rise and give you more clearance.

If you do the opposite, especially when done abruptly... bad things can happen...

They are fairly bullet proof... I am looking at a 100 GS right now... might just pull the trigger.

[Dr. Curve]

Have fun, but be careful. The 1974 run of the 14-mm axle front ends was the shortest run of a design ever put on a recent history BMW motorcycle. The only produced it for about 7 months and then changed to the 17-mm axle. Remember, your bike can twitch slightly when corning hard and especially if your are braking, cornering, and on bumpy pavement at the same time. Great bike otherwise however, but just take a little extra care and don't push the bike too far.

[CoffeeGuy]

Originally Posted by Dr. Curve

Have fun, but be careful. The 1974 run of the 14-mm axle front ends was the shortest run of a design ever put on a recent history BMW motorcycle. The only produced it for about 7 months and then changed to the 17-mm axle. Remember, your bike can twitch slightly when corning hard and especially if your are braking, cornering, and on bumpy pavement at the same time. Great bike otherwise however, but just take a little extra care and don't push the bike too far.

Thanks.

It's a '76 though. I did notice a few more parts scraping when I took it on the first 'spirited' ride. Mostly the center stand...

I admit it took some time to get used to, but we really dig it. Much different than the r1100s.

[Dr. Curve]

Sorry........I thought your friends bike.....was your bike. Tell him about the 14 mm warning.

[jaytee]

I'm starting to get interested in these older bikes. Can anyone point me to a good model year history of the airheads?

[dee jones]

Fine machine!

I would find out if the steering head bearings have been replaced. If they have not I would atleast make sure they are in proper adjustment. High speed tank slappers are no fun.

njoy the new toy!

[Droptarotter]

Originally Posted by jaytee

I'm starting to get interested in these older bikes. Can anyone point me to a good model year history of the airheads?

Jaytee;

I like the 81-84 models......although some might say they are detuned from the 77-78 models.......these ones got the lighter flywheel and the Brembo brakes.
I still have my 82 R100S......it's a great bike.......

Cheers

[Dr. Curve]

A 1977 airhead, in some ways, is the best one ever made. IMHOOC. 1977 was the last of the "squish band" piston and head design and were the most powerful air-heads ever produced. The 1977 R100S was the first stock BMW ever to run the 1/4 mile in under 13 sec, and had a top speed of right at 130 out of the box. BMW set multiple world endurance speed records with it 77 RS units and finished, much to their disappointment, 2nd in the European Endurance Racing Series in 1977. The dark horse Laverda Jota barely nipped them by a few points for the title that year.

If I could find a one owner 1977 R100/7 with under 25000 miles on it........never down, always stored indoors, with the optional double disc set up.................I might would choose it as the best all-around airhead ever built.........thoughts??

[Deans BMW]

I stumbled across a '74 R75/6 a while back here in Pelican, jumped in my truck and immediately headed to East Texas to pick it up. 13,000 miles, now runs like a fine watch. Replaced all the cables, fuel lines, new fuel filters, air filter, rebuilt front forks, new Gators, rebuilt carbs, actually all minor stuff.

What a totally fun bike to ride.



You almost forget what a fantastic and complete tool kit they had.



The only things missing is the shop towel and the owners manual.



We have come a long way, but the difference only increases the pleasure of riding the beginning and the current of the modern BMW Motorcycle. The motor in this 750 is every bit as smooth as the K1600 6 cylinder.

[Bob Hancock]

those details Jim....probably never knew them, but I sure would like to find R100RS, Fahrgestell-Nr. 6180298, delivered 15 Feb 1977 by Zweirad-Schmitt in Bitburg, Germany. Probably the most excited I've ever been bringing a new bike home. It was lightly raining but only my elbows showed any wetting. Incredible fairing, wonderful bike.

[Bob Hancock]

Originally Posted by Deans BMW

Great pic there, Dean.

[Deans BMW]

Thanks Bob.

Curve, I could not agree with you more on the '07 R100S. loved that bike. We did a lot of interesting things with them. I even had one that was Turbo Charged by Matt Capri while he worked for Butler & Smith in Compton, Ca. I learned quickly all about out running your brakes. I seem to remember blowing the valve seats out of that bike. Chris some how kept it running though.

[dee jones]

Yes I have a 77 R100RS. Its been tricked out. San Jose fork brace and triple clamp, Del orto carbs, lightened flywheel, tricked out heads, koni rear shocks and a beefed up swingarm. Ive got over 100K on the bike and someday I will bring it out of retirement.

The R90S got me started into the BMW world and the 77R100RS sealed the deal. Many fond memories made on that machine.

[jaytee]

The first motorcycle I ever rode was my dad's 70-something R90/6 with a godawful looking fairing on the front. It might have been aftermarket?

So it sounds like the "cool" bike version of that bike would be the spendy R90Ss?

How reliable are these old airheads? Like, can they be acquired in nice-looking reliable trim for, say, 3000 wknd/beach/lunch miles a year?

Are there replacement parts still available for these mid-70's boxers?

[macfly]

Yes, I'm deep into the resto of a '74 R90S, almost every part on the bike is in BMW's microfische (?) here...

BMW Motorcycle Parts | OEM BMW Motorcycle Parts Online | Max BMW Motorcycle

[Droptarotter]

Originally Posted by jaytee

So it sounds like the "cool" bike version of that bike would be the spendy R90Ss?

How reliable are these old airheads? Like, can they be acquired in nice-looking reliable trim for, say, 3000 wknd/beach/lunch miles a year?

Are there replacement parts still available for these mid-70's boxers?

Yes!

[CoffeeGuy]

Yes. And I stumbled into mine for $1850.

[Deans BMW]

Originally Posted by CoffeeGuy

Yes. And I stumbled into mine for $1850.

You did great, nice looking bike, love the Krausers.

[CoffeeGuy]

Looking for more jealousy and envy. Tell me how well I did!