Like a Sunday in T.J. - Advice on a BMW 1973 R75/5

[Seahawk]

Looking at this bike as a weekend ride, country roads, etc.

New tires, valves adjusted, carbs redone. Weak repaint. $3500 is the asking price.

Opinions?

[Seahawk]

I know it's not original, etc., but I want to ride it for a bit, not obsess. Ran rough. I can handle the cosmetic stuff but I'll need help with brakes, etc.

[VaSteve]

Brakes are drums and should be simple to work on. A clymer manual will get you far. If that's the one in Va, there is a shop less than 10 miles away that could spiff it up for you before you head home. I think its a decent price.

[Chocaholic]

Agree. Get it dialed in and it could be a keeper.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Brakes are drums and should be simple to work on. A clymer manual will get you far. If that's the one in Va, there is a shop less than 10 miles away that could spiff it up for you before you head home. I think its a decent price.

My sense as well. This is the one in Manassas you told me about.

This was in the corner

[on2wheels52]

In my state that would get an antique tag, one time fee of $7.50.
Liability insurance about $30/year.
I have a similar vintage Honda I ride once a month. It costs so little to keep it I can't afford to sell it.
Jim

[Dan J]

I have a 77 R100S which is a great bike but I sure like/ride my 04 R1150R a lot more
The old bikes are great but fuel injection and brakes that work are wonderful things
I paid 5k for my 77 ( it was fully restored) and 4k for my 04 with 12k miles
You might want to ride both before you decide

[dafischer]

What's the story on the CSI?

[Hard-Deck]

How many miles brother, I cannot read the odo?

[daepp]

It's cheap but it ain't free...

[LakeCleElum]

Toaster tank models are getting valuable....That's a good price....

I just went thru the carbs for a friend on a '74 he bought. He's into over $5K and doesn't have it running yet......

[porsche4life]

Paul... I think you should buy both of them! That CSI would be cool restored!

[nostatic]

it's cheap but it isn't free...

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by dafischer

What's the story on the CSI?

It is also for sale...he apparently has a Euro spec motor that is available and period correct for the car. Way too much work for me at this time. PM me if you want the contact information.

Originally Posted by Snapper33

How many miles brother, I cannot read the odo?

53k and change. The mech at the shop (owner is selling the bike) said he thinks that is true mileage based on how the valves looked when they were adjusted.

I'm going to do the Ebay comparison and we'll see!

There was also a early 2002 there, sadly not for sale...I didn't even take a pic because I didn't want to torture myself.

[FLYGEEZER]

Nice airhead ! Go for it.

[scottmandue]

That is only EXACTLY what I want for a commuter bike.

Sadly no time/money/space for any more project for me.

Don't know if joeseka is around anymore but he had a few toasters and knew a lot about them.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

---snip---

There was also a early 2002 there, sadly not for sale...I didn't even take a pic because I didn't want to torture myself.

It that it (the 2002) in the reflection? Sweet cars!



FWIW, I endorse purchase of any (or all) of said Bavarian Motor Works machines.

Good luck, Pablo!

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Baz

It that it (the 2002) in the reflection? Sweet cars!

Wow, Baz...good eye!

[speeder]

I've owned a couple of R75/5s, they are beautiful machines and built to last about 300 years. You just have to be ok with the old tech, like drum brakes and a 4-speed trans that sucks on the highway. The /6 models were a big improvement in road performance but also a big step backwards in looks, with (modern at the time) gauges and big plastic turn signals, etc.

The prices have crept up to where $3500 seems about right for a nice rider that does not have any real red flag issues or needs, it should also run well and not have a bunch of stories. I'm a little concerned that it "runs rough" after a qualified mechanic has adjusted the valves and carbs. It should purr like a kitten. Those bikes are about as simple as it gets in the world of motorcycles. If they have good compression and carbs are not mucked-up, it should idle and rev really smoothly.

I wish that I had snapped some pics of the nice one I had in the mid-'90s, that was before the digital camera age when everyone took hundreds of pictures of their machinery, (including me now). I paid $1300 for it outside of Minneapolis and it was in close to showroom condition with low miles. It had a big, goofy fairing on it that I removed to reveal a show quality bike. I sold it for double what I paid later, arghhh...

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Wow, Baz...good eye!

There is also a door from the 2002 in the BG of the first pic.