Somebody edumacate me on old BMW bikes...

[Rick Lee]

Just came came from Maurice P's house, who showed me his to-die-for, white 71 R/75. I'm hooked and tomorrow will sign up for a rider's safety course. I had an ancient Herkules 80cc in Germany many years ago and never dropped it once or had any close calls. But I know these things can make organ donors out of people. Since my 993 is basically a maint. free car and my SC is gone, I really something to tinker with. Having just read Neil Peart's latest book on riding his BMW GS between every Rush concert in N. America and Europe, I am now in drooling mode. I want something relatively cheap and easy to work on and something that's modern enough to be as safe as a bike can be. BMW's only. Where to start?

[svandamme]

it take any BMW bike over any Harley

and i don't care who's sister is in a whorehouse

[911boost]

Having owned both a BMW GS and currently a Harley, they are so different it is tough to compare them. I think an old BMW would be cool at some point, just not anytime soon.

[VincentVega]

Talk to Steve, he just bought one.

[Rick Lee]

Steve V. in VA?

I'm not considering a Harley at all. Bimmer only.

[Hoots]

Try http://www.airheads.org/

[nostatic]

Ping Joe A.

[VaSteve]

Heh heh.

Rick you'll love tinkering on an old R bike. It's very similar in concept to a 911. The /5's are great looking bikes, I really wanted a toaster tank but they were more expensive than my budget. I ended up with an R65...it's a US market bike that came out in the early 80's.

I would check out www.bmwbmw.org. It's local and they have an active community...very similar to here. Lot of GS nuts, if that's your thing

FWIW, I got NOTHING out of airheads.org. I paid my dues and all they have is a lot of tech articles. No forums. I mentioned that I didn't feel connected and was told to join the mailing list. Well, so far it hasn't worked.

Pretty disappointing.

[Rick Lee]

Didn't notice the new bike in your signature. Photos? If I bring your case of Czechvar (sitting in my laundry room) to you soon, can I check out the bike?

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by Rick Lee
Didn't notice the new bike in your signature. Photos? If I bring your case of Czechvar (sitting in my laundry room) to you soon, can I check out the bike?

Sure! Here's a photo. Yes, it matches the Targa. It's easier to repaint and is on the list.

[sithot]

I've owned or ridden a bunch of bikes from every country save China and Russia. I don't care what anyone rides as long as they enjoy themselves as I'm not a bike or car snob for that matter.

My favorites are early BMW's. I've owned a couple of 90-S's and an Oil Head and would love to have a new GS but my outright, no-questions-asked favorite post /2 BMW is a 70-72 R75/5 SWB.
There's a link to some of my my junk at the bottom of the page.

I do have a 11 year old Harley Electra Glide but it'll be a cold day you-know-where before the dealer ever sees my shadow in the doorway again. They ARE snobs.

Good luck!

Tom
+ my original paint '69 R60/2 US

[VaSteve]

Sithot, that's a beauty! I thought all pre -/5's were black though.

What part of VA are you in?

[Rick Lee]

SOmeone save me from myself!

[sithot]

Originally posted by VaSteve
Sithot, that's a beauty! I thought all pre -/5's were black though.

What part of VA are you in?

Thanks.

Granda Red, a metallic dark Blue and Turf Green were done in a series of the last bunch of /2's that came to the US with the "US Front" (telescopics) just before the plant moved and /5 production started. They're pretty rare although I've had this one and an R69-S with the US front in the same color. I have a buddy who has it now with his Granada Red R69-S US.

BMW also did Dover White and there were a lot of other colors for various European police departments. There is even a really pretty "battleship" gray, believe it or not!

I split time between the Shenandoah Valley and Richmond. The Valley is better.

Best,

Tom

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Rick Lee
SOmeone save me from myself!

all I can say is:

all gear, all the time

[sithot]

Here is a photo of my very much customized 1972 R75 /5 SWB in the infield at Daytona in 1997. Taken during the vintage bike show. I even got trophy for my efforts! The bike is now somewhere out west and I have not a clue where.
It had a Heinrich Tank, a very rare Replica Exhaust Company steel fairing (hand hammered), police signals, valenced police front fender, Hepco and Becker bags and lots of other things I cannot remember.

Tom

[Rick Lee]

I think I like that toaster tank behind it more.

Looking around eBay, I'm surprised by how cheap some of the more modern bikes are. I want to be safe and wonder if modern braking is that important to have over the drum brakes on the old bikes.

[sithot]

A Fontana or Grimeca drum worked pretty well. The /5 brakes work well too if set up properly.

My R50-S has a Yamaha TD-2 Drum (ex-GP works bike) that I found a few years ago. It is nothing short of dropping anchor and the reason it was set up at 7/10ths for street riding. 10/10th's has seen "the unfamiliar" go over the bars.

The Heinrich tank is not for everyone but this bike sold for what amounts to roughly $10,000 in todays dollars.

Tom

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by Rick Lee
I think I like that toaster tank behind it more.

Looking around eBay, I'm surprised by how cheap some of the more modern bikes are. I want to be safe and wonder if modern braking is that important to have over the drum brakes on the old bikes.

I went down that thought route as well. I have been told that most bikes have way more brakes than they need. That being said, most riders don't know how/or just don't use them to capacity.

[Rot 911]

I love the looks of the old BMW's, but how are they for riding long distances? It is one thing to romanticize about taking one of these cross-country, but most of us aren't 21 anymore. On my VFR I am comfortable on multiple 400 mile days.