Opinions wanted on this '76 BMW R75/6

Rot 911 · 10-24-2010, 10:26 AM

1976 BMW R75/6 with 47,000 miles. Very close to original condition, along with some very nice extras. Mikuni carb conversion (also have original type Bing carbs), BMW cafe fairing, ride off centerstand, original type continental tires, extra windshield, Krauser saddlebags and chrome mounts. This bike has been meticulously maintained and babied by myself since 1978. I have always taken great pride in the appearance and mechanical condition of my motorcycles. This has been my favorite over the years, however it is time for someone else to enjoy it now. This will be a great investment for any motorcycle enthusiast. $5000 obo. Serious inquiries only, please call:

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

Looks great. Love the air cooled boxers.

I like blue, too.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Anal previous owners are a good thing. Don't know that it is an "investment" as I don't think that was a particularly rare or desirable model, but as above, I dig air cooled boxers.

Rot 911 · 10-24-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

Anal previous owners are a good thing. Don't know that it is an "investment" as I don't think that was a particularly rare or desirable model, but as above, I dig air cooled boxers.

Agreed that it would not be an "investment." And he is asking about $1000 over similar 75/6's. But the "anal" owner is also what caught my attention. More likely to have kept things up.

javadog · 10-24-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rot 911

But the "anal" owner is also what caught my attention. More likely to have kept things up.

Maybe. Hopefully. But, not guaranteed. I know a lot of people that are obsessed with taking care of their prize toy but a lot of them are "tinkerers without talent." They mean well but they can screw up a lot of things.

It's definitely worth a closer look, in person. Nice color and some nice options.

JR

HardDrive · 10-24-2010, 06:35 PM

Worth a look. Beautiful bike. Seems a bit $$$ high, but then again most bikes one comes across have some wear and tear.When I shop for bikes/cars, I don't shop on price. I look for 'the guy'. I want to buy from a fanatic.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

For that money you should be able to find a concourse toaster tank version.

Gogar · 10-24-2010, 08:26 PM

I agree that it's a fine bike but for the same money and a little patience you could dip a little earlier into the '70s and get a cooler look. I don't know anything about the mechanical changes, however.

Rot 911 · 10-25-2010, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gogar

I agree that it's a fine bike but for the same money and a little patience you could dip a little earlier into the '70s and get a cooler look. I don't know anything about the mechanical changes, however.

Jeremy, I agree that I could go earlier and get the "cooler" look, but the /6 series had some changes that make it a better long distance cruiser, particularly going from the 4 speed to the 5 speed transmission and going to a disk brake in the front. The price is definitely high, but the seller in an e-mail has now told me he is "motivated."

Rick, I know many people like the look of the toaster tank, but that is not a deal breaker for me. I agree, for $5K I should be able to get a concourse bike. I have no intentions of paying that for the bike. The seller will have to get past his emotions for the bike and be more realistic in price.

I really like the color and the fact the guy has owned it for 32 years.

jhynesrockmtn · 10-25-2010, 06:15 AM

I love the look with the fairing, disc brake, fairing, really nice. I don't know much about them but am re-reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance now and would love to add something similar to the garage at some point.

I just bought an older Saab from a friend. Paid above market for sure but knew what I was getting and the care it has gotten. Looks like a few year old car and drives like it too and it will be 20 soon. Not saying to pay above market but if you find something that's been loved and cared for correctly it is worth a premium in my book.

Rot 911 · 10-25-2010, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

I love the look with the fairing, disc brake, fairing, really nice. I don't know much about them but am re-reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance now and would love to add something similar to the garage at some point.

Pirsig and his son rode a much smaller bike a 1964 CB77 Superhawk. Hard to believe people used to ride two up, across the country, with all the camping gear, on such small bikes.

Rot 911 · 10-25-2010, 06:26 AM

And for all of you "Zen" fans, I encourage you to get this book: Zen and Now: On the Trail of Robert Pirsig and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Mark Richardson. About the book: "Forty years ago, Robert M. Pirsig, his son, Chris, and two friends rode their motorcycles from Minneapolis to California on a journey made famous by Pirsig’s best-selling Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (1974). “Pirsig pilgrims” and “Zen riders” have been following the Pirsig trail every since, and now journalist Richardson takes his shot, laptop lashed to Suzuki. His travelogue is dull, mesmerizing, and provocative, just like a long road trip. There’s plenty of motorcycle maintenance, an accounting of what has remained the same on the route and what has changed, and the intriguing discovery of the journey Pirsig’s book has taken, reaching the unlikeliest of readers. Richardson meets folks who appear in Pirsig’s book and their descendants and presents an incisive portrait of the reclusive guru, a difficult man of uncommon intelligence who has weathered mental illness and his son’s murder. Richardson is companionable, but he is no deep thinker. His chronicle lacks historical context and metaphysical understanding, yet, like a well-maintained motorcycle, it carries you forward into shadow and sunlight."

He even has a cool website:Mark Richardson | Zen & Now: On the Trail of Robert Pirsig and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

If you like that body style and vintage, then I'd be more concerned with that than the length of time it was owned by one guy. Bottom line is it's a very old bike, but it's not complicated at all to work on and they are relatively common. I probably see one per week on the road around here. You will end up wrenching on it pretty often, depending on how much you ride it. I see these on the local Craigslist all the time and almost all of them are in running condition but not restored or were a restoration project that just didn't get finished. Buying a one-owner, meticulously cared-for old Beemer is not exactly the same as buying a 911 or F-car 308 where you can get upside down immediately when addressing deferred maint. The bike will be easy to maintain and it's pretty overpriced.

Rot 911 · 10-25-2010, 03:41 PM

I talked to the owner whose idea of "maintenance" was to leave the bike in the basement for the last 3 years with the old oil in it! No oil change prior to storage. Couldn't tell me when any of the fluids were changed. No records. No receipts. He also has no explanation as to why all the /7 parts are on the bike. Says the previous owner (for all of the first two years) must have done it. Thanks for the help! I did not get a good feeling from this guy. He also said there was no way he would go below $4K. I think I am going to pass on it.