Thinking about an airhead...thoughts?

[Baz]

Here's a nice '71 R75/5 on eBay....located in Pa.......I love the white paint color....

BMW R Series | eBay

[fingpilot]

I am the only honest seller on Craigslist.

[speeder]

Told you I'd seen it on eBay. I never forget a bike.

Every scam of this type on earth has one common element; the price is too good to be true. In your case, it may have been incidental if you don't actually know the market for this model but it's still present as a factor. It would be like an early 911 coupe, complete and in highly restorable condition for $20k. Something is fishy right there.

The true market for that model is in the teens for a decent original or restored bike and up to $20k for a mint original. Here is a nice restored bike that will fetch mid-teens:

BMW R Series | eBay

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

Just on principle alone I'd drive the 7 hours to hit him in the nuts with a tire iron...if he's really there.

Well, we think alike. I did a search of his phone number and found an ad from some time ago for a bicycle. It looked like a legit ad under the name of Gail Dodd. When I left my vm it was a woman's voice on the phone, so, who knows?

I e-mailed him to let him know my son and I hooked up the trailer and are heading to Owensboro with cash in hand. No response. A couple hours later, I e-mailed him that we're rolling through Chattanooga and should be there around 4pm. Told him I was able to trace the address to the Dodd's and will head there, but hoping to hear from him.

Of course, I'm at home and doubt he'll give a hoot, but it makes me feel better to at least make him wonder.

Denis...good eye on the ebay ad! Admittedly, I had no idea what a real-world price was for an R90S when I inquired. Did a quick search and discovered it was a low price. His unwillingness to talk on the phone was a big red flag. The rest is history. In fact, tracing the phone number, showed an earlier ad (also a scam), for a 69 Triumph Bonnie as I recall. Copied text and pics also. What a slimeball.

Will simply limit my search to locals. No hurry and time is on my side I suppose.

[VaSteve]

Wow...IBMWR isn't exactly CL for traffic. Hard to believe a person would set up a scam there.

[jwasbury]

My friend is selling this 1992 R100R with 10k miles (asking 9.5k obo). Pretty well like new and almost the last of the airheads, has BMW hard bags. Can connect you with him if interested.

[speeder]

[VaSteve]

Mine should be back up once they approve the ad.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

My friend is selling this 1992 R100R with 10k miles (asking 9.5k obo). Pretty well like new and almost the last of the airheads, has BMW hard bags. Can connect you with him if interested.

That looks nice but 2x my price range.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Mine should be back up once they approve the ad.

Where are you advertising? Can you send pics and info? Email is feinstein5@comcast.net.

There's a 73 toaster for sale locally I might check out too.

Thanks again.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Wow...IBMWR isn't exactly CL for traffic. Hard to believe a person would set up a scam there.

I notified them and they pulled his ad down. Interesting that he tried the same scam for a 69 Bonnie also on a specialty website. Good idea for the scammer.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by peteremsley

and while your wallet is open:

https://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/5603888731.html

That is a beautiful Daytona Orange R90S and priced about right. Your money is safe in one of these, as long as you buy quality. It's on my hit list.

[Chocaholic]

Trying to arrange to have a look at this bike tomorrow. Here in Atlanta. Any thoughts on toasters? 1973 BMW r75 /5 LWB Toaster

[Rot 911]

That is a good price on a decent bike. I'd pay that if it looks anything like the pictures.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

That is a good price on a decent bike. I'd pay that if it looks anything like the pictures.

That's good to know...thanks Rot.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Trying to arrange to have a look at this bike tomorrow. Here in Atlanta. Any thoughts on toasters? 1973 BMW r75 /5 LWB Toaster

My original search was for a toaster. I love that look. Good price as well.


Mine is on IBMWR. 1980 R65. Buy the Toaster though...its nicer

[sugarwood]

The single best scam prevention is asking the seller to take a specific type of photo that can not be copied from the internet. For example, asking seller to write "Hello SugarWood" on a paper, and photograph it alongside the hood emblem or next to the interior stereo. If seller does not respond, you just dodged a bullet.

[Chocaholic]

Hey Denis,

Came across this R90S on the I-BMW site. Hopefully you can see the ad without being a member. This is primarily a K-bike forum, but a nice S recently popped up. A bit out of my reach money-wise and on the wrong coast...

1976 BMW R90S 28,985 miles excellent condition - I-BMW Classifieds

Don't recall where you're located, but if you're in CA, it might be worth a look...

[speeder]

That looks like a really nice bike. I'd go look if it was down here but appears to be in NorCal. There is quite a difference in value between a '74 R90S, (most valuable), and a '75 or '76, even though the newer bike might arguably be better in terms of technical improvements BMW was constantly doing. Same w an R100S, great bike but quite a bit less valuable. It has to do with production numbers and cool details that were eliminated over the years. '74 is a one year bike.

For these reasons, an R100S, ('77-'84), would be a much better bike for you. You get a mint example for $5k where that price gets you an absolute toilet R90S. It's like a $40k 3.2 Carrera vs. a $40k early 911, if that makes sense.

[Yorkie]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Trying to arrange to have a look at this bike tomorrow. Here in Atlanta. Any thoughts on toasters? 1973 BMW r75 /5 LWB Toaster

I have had a couple of Toasters and my only complaints would be a super clunky transmission and weak front brake. You can put in a later 5 speed tranny with not too much effort and careful set-up of the front brake will improve matters (I set mine up on a lathe) but really you just need to ride them like a late '60s bike and not like a modern bike. As long as your expectations are appropriate you will enjoy a Toaster.