BMW motorcycle owners, Check in here Options

[scotty b]

I keep seeing more and more BMW bike guys here. I think we all need to check into one thread for posterity.

My 78 R65 cafe conversion. As purchased and as is. Trying to get it finished by spring (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) ....again.......... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[r3dplanet]

Here's my 1971 R75/5. I've been through a complete disassembly / reassembly with this bike. Rebuilt motor, 5-speed gearbox, electronic ignition, HD springs, rebuilt saddle, repainted, rebuilt gauge cluster, etc. It's weird to think that for a year it existed, then it didn't exist as a whole, and then it did. Very existential. The bike has 227,000 miles on it. This bike is easily the best, most dependable vehicle I've ever owned.

It's exactly the same month and year as my 914. August 1971.

[brant]

Here's my 1971 R75/5. I've been through a complete disassembly / reassembly with this bike. Rebuilt motor, 5-speed gearbox, electronic ignition, HD springs, rebuilt saddle, repainted, rebuilt gauge cluster, etc. It's weird to think that for a year it existed, then it didn't exist as a whole, and then it did. Very existential. The bike has 227,000 miles on it. This bike is easily the best, most dependable vehicle I've ever owned.

It's exactly the same month and year as my 914. August 1971.

wow..
awesome job!
did you do most of the work yourself?
nice nice job

do you have any recommendations for part sources?
I need to start tearing mine down in the next few weeks
brant

[Coy]

Here's my 1971 R75/5. I've been through a complete disassembly / reassembly with this bike. Rebuilt motor, 5-speed gearbox, electronic ignition, HD springs, rebuilt saddle, repainted, rebuilt gauge cluster, etc. It's weird to think that for a year it existed, then it didn't exist as a whole, and then it did. Very existential. The bike has 227,000 miles on it. This bike is easily the best, most dependable vehicle I've ever owned.

It's exactly the same month and year as my 914. August 1971.

wow..
awesome job!
did you do most of the work yourself?
nice nice job

do you have any recommendations for part sources?
I need to start tearing mine down in the next few weeks
brant

Very nice job! I've had really good luck with Bob's BMW.

[r3dplanet]

Thanks, guys!

I did most of the labor by myself, and it was a great learning process. I'm lucky that here in Portland Steve Prokop, arguably the best BMW mechanic on the West Coast and amazing human being lives just outside of town. Also, Jeff Truhn is right around the corner and he specializes in BMW restoration. He hooked me up with and rebuilt my five speed gear box. I've owned the bike since 2000. At first I just repaired the bike as necessary, but at some point I decided to just tear it all down and go for it. Most of the parts came from Eurotech, Rocky Point Cycle, Motobins UK, and Siebenrock. A few came from Bob's BMW, but I've had a little difficulty with them. I still like them, though. There is also a BMW dealer in town, and they've been a decent source of parts also. The only work I couldn't do was the machining for the engine rebuild, but I found a great machinist and developed a relationship with him and now I bring him all my projects.

The most important source of knowledge was the Yahoo group called slash 5 united (/5 united). Amazing knowledge base, all technical, no assholes, no trolls.

Probably the only real difference I would have made the next time around is to have the frame powder coated instead of painted. I know that's a holy argument, and I thought about it a great deal before having it done. In retrospect, I would have done powder coating hands down.

Anyway, one of the reasons I bought the BMW is because there are so many parts available and the amazing knowledge and character of the technical support groups. Plus, now that I've gone all the way through the adventure I can help others.

I'll admit that when I bought the bike it would help me meet women, but just like my 914 all its done is help me meet middle aged white guys. Sigh.

Here's my 1971 R75/5. I've been through a complete disassembly / reassembly with this bike. Rebuilt motor, 5-speed gearbox, electronic ignition, HD springs, rebuilt saddle, repainted, rebuilt gauge cluster, etc. It's weird to think that for a year it existed, then it didn't exist as a whole, and then it did. Very existential. The bike has 227,000 miles on it. This bike is easily the best, most dependable vehicle I've ever owned.

It's exactly the same month and year as my 914. August 1971.

wow..
awesome job!
did you do most of the work yourself?
nice nice job

do you have any recommendations for part sources?
I need to start tearing mine down in the next few weeks
brant

Very nice job! I've had really good luck with Bob's BMW.