I can’t believe I did it again . . .

[McLovin]

I’ve ridden street motorcycles since I was 16. Mostly pleasure, but did commute daily for several years (looking back, those were great times).

But after selling my last one a few years ago (Ducati Supersport) I swore including publicly here on this very forum, that I’d never get another. My last one, I simply never rode anymore - I had completely lost the desire for years.

That softened in the last year or so, as I started to casually peruse ads again.

But I figured it would never happen, because there was only 1 bike I was interested, and the criteria so specific that it would be impossible.

To wit:

1973 BMW R75/5
“Toaster” tank
Long wheel base version (only made in second half of 73)
Monza Blue
Stock and original
Euro low rise bars
Excellent ready to go condition (I’ve restored plenty of cars and bikes, not now)
Riding distance (no problem shipping, too tough these days).
Reasonable (not BaT) pricing

So yeah, highly unlikely. I set CL and BaT alerts, checked the usual sources regularly, but was very ok with the reality that it wasn’t going to happen.

So, I’m out of town at a friend’s place, check Craigslist and there’s a Monza Blue ‘73 a few minutes away. Not a lot of pics or info in the ad.

Ah what the heck I’ll go check it out.

I pull up to his garage and what do I see?

1973 Monza Blue R75/5 LWB Toaster tank, all stock, Euro low rise bars, in incredible original (including original paint) condition. 30 year owner that knows how to take care of a bike. Exactly what I envisioned in every way. Unbelievable!

This will be a keeper, I can’t see ever selling it. Even if I only ride it occasionally, I don’t see any reason to sell. It’s garage art to me, and with no coolant or brake fluid, these are easy to store. But I think I’ll ride it for a long time. I realized that every bike I’ve owned before this was a sport bike, with riding positions ranging from moderately uncomfortable to really really uncomfortable. I’ve aged out of that. This old BMW is a different ballgame and so pleasant to ride.

So, I’m back in the saddle. I think once riding is really in your blood, it’s hard to ever cure.

[masraum]

WTF, all of that talk and not a single pic of the bike?

Nice, enjoy! There are some things that even if I got too old and decrepit, I could see keeping just to look at. It sounds like this is one of those for you.

[stevej37]

What's a 'toaster' tank?

[911boost]

[McLovin]

Not the actual bike, but it looks like that.

The Toaster tank and the 73 are interesting to me.

By the early 70s Japanese bikes had really started to catch on in the US market.

BMWs had traditionally been “any color you want as long as it’s black,” with not too much chrome and big boxy gas tanks.

To counter the Japanese, in the early 70s BMW introduced some bright colors (the blue above, green, red and some others) and added more chrome bits.

But the most controversial and boldest (for a conservative company like BMW at the time) was the nicknamed Toaster tank (because with the chrome panels it looks like a toaster). Smaller and sleeker than previous tanks, it also had the big chrome panel you see. It was for the most part poorly received. Both for its looks, and it’s reduced capacity. Many were swapped out for traditional tanks on the showroom floor. It only lasted a year or so before it was discontinued.

It’s become desirable by many now, I think because of the story and historical anomaly, but also maybe the looks? (I like look better than the standard tank).

[stevej37]

^^^ Yeah...I like it. It gives a 'slim' look to it.

[Eric Hahl]

Very cool machine. Enjoy!

[McLovin]

1970 version in standard black and tank

[Steve F]

Nice! One of my favorites!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by McLovin

Not the actual bike, but it looks like that.

The Toaster tank and the 73 are interesting to me.

By the early 70s Japanese bikes had really started to catch on in the US market.

BMWs had traditionally been “any color you want as long as it’s black,” with not too much chrome and big boxy gas tanks.

To counter the Japanese, in the early 70s BMW introduced some bright colors (the blue above, green, red and some others) and added more chrome bits.

But the most controversial and boldest (for a conservative company like BMW at the time) was the nicknamed Toaster tank (because with the chrome panels it looks like a toaster). Smaller and sleeker than previous tanks, it also had the big chrome panel you see. It was for the most part poorly received. Both for its looks, and it’s reduced capacity. Many were swapped out for traditional tanks on the showroom floor. It only lasted a year or so before it was discontinued.

It’s become desirable by many now, I think because of the story and historical anomaly, but also maybe the looks? (I like look better than the standard tank).

Very cool, good looking bike!

[Seahawk]

That is fantastic.

I had one for many years. Truth be told, I am a lot more comfortable on the dirt.



Both gone.

[Rick Lee]

Those toaster tank bikes and old 2002s are the two vehicles that often make me temporarily lose all sense of financial good judgment and start figuring out how to hide it from my wife.

[McLovin]

Seahawk: I love the dirt too. Hard to beat a lightweight 2 stroke. Just don’t have much access these days.

Rick: Haha. Luckily there’s only a few things left like that for me. The R75 being one. Maybe the last one.

I was thinking about 1973. I’m thinking that was the peak of the automobile. So many greats in 72/73, that were gone or changed beyond recognition within a few years. Was there a better year than this?

BMW 2002tii, 3.0CSi and CSL
911RS (and 2.4 T E S)
Ferrari Dino, Daytona
Maserati Bora
240z
E Type

[herr_oberst]

Damn. I'm not a bike guy; I was, but that was decades ago. I had no idea those existed. Those are unbelievably awesome in that way only the Germans do awesome. I wouldn't be able to decide what color to get. Red? Blue? I'll bet the black version is spectacular, too.

[gumby]

Welcome to the BMW Airhead world, Here are a few helpful club and workshop links

https://vintagebmw.org/
https://www.boxer2valve.com/video-tutorials.html
http://www.airheads.org/

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by McLovin

Seahawk: I love the dirt too. Hard to beat a lightweight 2 stroke. Just don’t have much access these days.

I am about to have my second hip replaced in a few weeks, so I don’t have the access either

I drove the Red bike for years on rural roads around here. Unlike my father and many other here, I never felt comfortable on a motorcycle in traffic. Weird.

Fly off small ships in big seas in the middle of the night? I’m good.

I love the look and the era. Enjoy.

[Tobra]

Not comfortable driving a motorcycle on the street, okay with landing a helicopter on a tiny little flight deck in foul weather, pitching side to side, going up and down.

That is weird.

I am not good with either one, so I am twice as weird, or would it be half as weird?

[herr_oberst]

I bet if the military had trained Seahawk on how to ride and they also trained everyone else around him on how to engage with a rider he'd probably feel a little better about being on the street.

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by gumby

Welcome to the BMW Airhead world, Here are a few helpful club and workshop links

https://vintagebmw.org/
https://www.boxer2valve.com/video-tutorials.html
http://www.airheads.org/

I will second these three recommendations! And this is coming from an airhead addict. My 1983 R65LS and 1965 R60/2. As you can see, I’m not afraid to ride these bikes anywhere.

[epbrown]

I like the white, though this one near me seems a bit confused:


I was actually looking for one of these when I bought my '75 Moto Guzzi. Had one in Indiana lined up and the seller flaked on me. What do they go for on BAT? I see them all the time going for $4-5k locally, though the white one pictured is asking $10k.