Topic: R75/5 BMW...Thinking About It...

[Terry in Australia]

I love my R100RS, probably the best fairing ever put on a motorcycle, it's my favourite "cold/wet weather bike", as the fairing keeps me completely dry when riding at freeway speeds (you can actually watch the rain flowing around you, like the smoke in a wind tunnel test) and the cylinders keep your feet warm.

Not so good in an Aussie summer, but that's OK, I've got my "fair weather" bikes for warm dry days too. Cheers, Terry.

[Greggo]

Yes, I've seen that one Terry, and I like it!  Those snowflake wheels, and the fairing go together nicely.  How is it on gas mileage?  I've read the 100's are thirsty



The tank on this bike is unfortunately not a real Heinrich, but a fiberglass copy, so there goes an almost guaranteed $1K. The entire bodywork is fiberglass.  Hopefully the tank wouldn't require replacing...I'm trying real hard to be patient.  He wanted a couple weeks to think about letting it go, but that was only five days ago

[Stev-o]

Fiberglass + ethanol = problem. May have to line it if it's not already.

[simon#42]

there are some fibreglass Heinrich tanks as well , not as valuable as the alloy ones but still have some worth . dont worry about fuel mileage i get 50 out of the 750 and high 40's from the 1000 .
mind you our gallons are a bit bigger over here .
glad we haven't got that ethanol yet , its in europe though so its probably only a matter of time

[RAFster122s]

Fiberglass and polyester resin = problem
but the true epoxy resins aren't as easily affected. Lining the fiberglass tank isn't terrible and it is commonly done.
even still, the fiberglass tank would fetch more than $250-300 wouldn't it? Not that you would necessarily sell it.

Being fiberglass components it gives you options if you would want to go to another look like the parade tanks or otherwise. Clean them up before you strip it down so it looks nicer and you have photos showing the assembled components. It will bring better money if you decide to sell them. I think the current package as shown goes together well and with a fresh paint scheme that is colorful it would look much nicer. It is unique and shouldn't it fetch more than what a nice R75/5 would go for normally when in near equal condition?

The old BMW bikes are cool I think, if it is in good shape mechanically and had a good rebuild, then it would be worth buying and fixing up.  Just about any bike you can expect to spend 400-500 on new tires, bearings, filters, and other sundries.  Do your own paintwork and you have added another $250-400.

Patience grasshopper, just don't get too emotionally attached to this one yet.

Terry, nice bike.

[Greggo]

Not getting too attached to this one, but I'm liking the idea of a Beemer more and more.  I saw a stock R75/5 in rougher shape for the same price locally this morning, and almost picked up the phone, but it would need more work than the other one, and doesn't have the more valuable wheels/brakes.  Besides, if the better one doesn't happen, maybe I wasn't meant to have an eighth bike just yet



http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/3302619725.html

This is a classic bike. It was customized by the old owner of SF BMW in the 80's.
It will need some work to get back on the road. I laded it down and damaged the light that houses all the electrical.

[toytuff]

Logic does not work here Greggo.

tt

[Greggo]

Logic does not work here Greggo.

tt

Well, actually #8 will be at the shop next week.  My dad got a line on a 99% complete CB750 for $300 w/original pipes...OH YEAH!

[Stev-o]

Logic does not work here Greggo.

tt

Well, actually #8 will be at the shop next week.  My dad got a line on a 99% complete CB750 for $300 w/original pipes...OH YEAH!

$300 in Cali? unheard of!

[Terry in Australia]

Yes, I've seen that one Terry, and I like it!  Those snowflake wheels, and the fairing go together nicely.  How is it on gas mileage?  I've read the 100's are thirsty

Thanks mate, the first R100RS had wire wheels which I'd prefer, but I've only seen one used set on EBay and they weren't cheap.

I've only ridden mine a couple of times since I bought it in May, (we're just coming into spring here, but we haven't had a lot of nice weather yet) so I haven't gone on a long enough ride to calculate gas mileage etc, but from memory from when I had my previous R100RS, it wouldn't be any worse than my CB750.

I like that "rough" R75 too, and $1000 is cheap, I think I like it better than the one with the big tank. I think I need to come visit the US, with a trailer............

[toytuff]

Oh Lordy.

$300.00?

Shoot me.

tt

[Greggo]

Logic does not work here Greggo.

tt

Well, actually #8 will be at the shop next week.  My dad got a line on a 99% complete CB750 for $300 w/original pipes...OH YEAH!

$300 in Cali? unheard of!

My pop's had an auto shop in the same town for nearly 40 years, so he knows a few folks

[toytuff]

Well then find me a good CB 550 motor and ship it.

 

tt

[Greggo]

Well then find me a good CB 550 motor and ship it.

 

tt

Find?  I already have four (two good).  Not to mention the half a dozen 500/4 motors I have.  Then forget about the five 750/4 lumps in the locker...

[toytuff]

Second verse, same as the first.

tt

[RAFster122s]

Greggo, did the BMW R75 come live with you yet?

[Greggo]

Greggo, did the BMW R75 come live with you yet?

Nope, he didn't end up wanting to sell.

[Magilla]

White Beemers are rare.  A factory white BMW actually has a followig all its own.  I have a BMW friend that finally scored his first factory white one last year.  He was very happy to get it.

Most people that have owned one swear by them.  It is said that they ride great, handle great, go on forever and blah blah blah.  I have never know anyone that owned one that did not sings its praise.

Someday I will get may hands on a 1966.  It will be my first BMW and then I will be able to go on and on about it.  Until then my favorite bike will remain my 83 Harley FXR shovelhead.  Talk about uncommon; try to find a rubber mounted shovelhead.  One and one half year only and very hard to find.  It is the story of my first love lost.  I had it.  I loved it.  I sold it.  I regret it.  I miss it.  If it had a facebook page, I would stalk it.

[oldbob]

I had a 1966 R60/2 that I "go on and on about" but not in a good way. Yes, the pre-1970 BMWs look cool, but IMHO they are not suitable for sustained speeds over 60mph.

The /5s run well but they still have drum brakes. About 15 years ago as I was riding my R60/2 in rush-hour traffic, the driver ahead of me got on his brakes with some seriousness. So, I grabbed a handful of ... almost nothing. Fortunately, I was able to take the gap between lanes of stopped cars.

At the time, I also owned an RD400 which I rode more frequently. I had not mentally shifted to an entirely different interpretation of the term "brake."

If I were in the market for an older BMW, I would look for a /6 or newer. And even then, I would avoid the R60/6 which had drums and choke-less carbs. (I owned one for five years.)

Bob

[Spike]

Greggo, did the BMW R75 come live with you yet?

Nope, he didn't end up wanting to sell.

Too bad, I brought an R100 home last month...
had to dig it out of a guys garage though.  Only 10K original miles 

now lets see if I can keep my focus on the little Honda!