'70 BMW R75/5 on BaT

[JJ]

I love these vintage airhead Beemers...a good solid motorcycle overall, IMHO...and I have owned and ridden several in my time...

[oldbike54]

 Kind of a "bitsa" .

 Dusty

[JJ]

Kind of a "bitsa" .

 Dusty

Yes...but a kinda of nice "Bitsa", IMHO.   I like the lines, and the simplicity of the overall look...

[oldbike54]

Yes...but a kinda of nice "Bitsa", IMHO.   I like the lines, and the simplicity of the overall look...

 Nice work no doubt , but if that engine is a first generation 1,000 with the big carbs and higher compression than later versions , the /5 brakes and running gear will be overwhelmed . Heck , the SWB frame and drum brakes were a bit iffy with the original 750 engine .

 Dusty

[Scout63]

I have a ‘71 R75 with all of the usual upgrades.





It’s a workhorse and the go-to bike for hauling groceries and easy gravel road plonking. It rarely gets a second look like the Norton, but is so relaxing to ride.  I’m a believer in 750cc as the best displacement for these bikes.  The later larger airheads were designed to deal with the extra crankcase pressure and frame stresses.  A short wheelbase early /5 wouldn’t be my first choice for the 1000 cc kit.

The bike on BaT seems stuck in the middle between a very nice stock bike and a traditional cafe custom.  It has a lot of great /5 parts and is very clean and nicely put together.  I’ll go out on a limb though and say it won’t get the money a correct original bike would.  I hope it does though. I’d love to see the airheads get the attention the /2’s are getting right now.

[ozarquebus]

 My non running 1970 87,000 mile R75/5 SWB with extra salvage engine and tranny brought $2900 in 2019.

[JJ]

Good for the SELLER on this one!  (Geeeezz!!!)

Who ever thought these old Beemers would bring this kind of coin!!

[Scout63]

My non running 1970 87,000 mile R75/5 SWB with extra salvage engine and tranny brought $2900 in 2019.

That sounds about right John. Add about $4,000 in parts and paint, ignore the labor and it will be a solid $6,000 bike.  I tried to sell a numbers matching repainted frame and freshly rebuilt R60/5 motor with title on eBay about three years ago and the bidding topped at $300.00.  They are still sitting in the garage.

[Scout63]

Good for the SELLER on this one!  (Geeeezz!!!)

Who ever thought these old Beemers would bring this kind of coin!!

Rising tide

[ohiorider]

I'm not sure what it is ......... the flat twin doesn't have the 'soul' of the big block Guzzi (IMO.)  I believe 'soul' might be described as sounding like a smallblock Chevy V8, which is a very good thing.  Even so, there is that 'something' about these old airheads.  The old gal I've included on this post has been with me since I purchased new in March 1991 from Andy Pelc BMW in Canton, MI.  First two pics were  taken at a campground outside of MidOhio, in 1991.  The bike was new.  And I was younger by 30 years!  Third pic was taken about a year ago in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, close to home.  Great old bike!

[Scout63]

I'm not sure what it is ......... the flat twin doesn't have the 'soul' of the big block Guzzi (IMO.)  I believe 'soul' might be described as sounding like a smallblock Chevy V8, which is a very good thing.  Even so, there is that 'something' about these old airheads.  The old gal I've included on this post has been with me since I purchased new in March 1991 from Andy Pelc BMW in Canton, MI.  First two pics were  taken at a campground outside of MidOhio, in 1991.  The bike was new.  And I was younger by 30 years!  Third pic was taken about a year ago in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, close to home.  Great old bike!

Now that’s an airhead.

[jguzzi]

I agree with the interest in the airheads.  I have had mine since new in 1978.  It is the only new bike I have ever bought and it was stolen twice and I recovered it, once with a baseball bat.  I would not part with it and it is still in good shape.  The fairing and bags are Luftmeister and came with the bike from the importer and dealer.

[ohiorider]

I agree with the interest in the airheads.  I have had mine since new in 1978.  It is the only new bike I have ever bought and it was stolen twice and I recovered it, once with a baseball bat.  I would not part with it and it is still in good shape.  The fairing and bags are Luftmeister and came with the bike from the importer and dealer.

Beautiful!

Bob

[jguzzi]

The /2s are often quite expensive now, and the /5s have certainly appreciated.  A 60/5 or 75/5 in NC in good original shape might sell for $5500-7000.  The /6s and /7s are appreciating but not as expensive (yet).  Much like this board and club, there is a loyal airhead following.

[JJ]

The /2s are often quite expensive now, and the /5s have certainly appreciated.  A 60/5 or 75/5 in NC in good original shape might sell for $5500-7000.  The /6s and /7s are appreciating but not as expensive (yet).  Much like this board and club, there is a loyal airhead following.

Yes...and the legendary R90S goes for $$$ big bucks $$$ these days as well!  Beautiful Beemer!!

[Moparnut72]

It is my understanding that the /5 engines were designed mainly as a 750. The cranks were balanced for that particular engine size and used in all of the other sizes. Thus the 750 was the smoothest of the bunch. I bought the very first R75/5 in Denver. I put almost 100,000 miles on it. It served me very well but I traded up to a R90/6 mainly for the five speed trans, disc brake, a little more power and more response due to a lighter flywheel. It was a very smooth bike, the least vibration of any bike I have ever owned. However I don't desire another Airhead, my V7lll fills that slot very nicely.
kk

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I've had several dalliances with BMWs. My brother and I went halves on a well-worn, high miles, non-running '78 R100RS once, we never did anything with it and sold it at a profit.

Then there was the package deal my brother bought for me out in Oceanside, CA back around '03 - a V7 Sport and R75/5 both for $2k. I pulled all of the accessories off the BMW, got it running and sold it for $1000 to my buddy Leo. I rode that one about 20 miles and found it pleasant to ride. If I didn't already have an Ambassador (or two) at the time, I might still have it.

More recently, I've been tempted by my friend Paul's '83 R100RS "60th Anniversary" which has been remodeled into an "S". It could be mine for $2k. Might sell one of the Guzzis and buy it.









 

[Scout63]

I like them all up to the hiatus with the exception of the RT’s.  I’ve owned a couple and could not get used to the fairing.  That’s just me though.  I bought a nice complete 38k mile red ‘77 spoke wheel R100S with freshly painted bodywork last summer for $1000.00, but only because I had to take it to get my v50.  I really want to strip it into a fire road bike with a small tank, TKC80’s, 38PHMs and flowed heads, but it is too complete and nice.  I also have a rat ‘80 R100T with unknown mileage that should be used for the project, but it has the snowflake wheels.  Choices...

[ohiorider]

Charlie,

If you decide not to purchase the RS converted to an S, let me know.  On the surface, it looks like a nice ride that is cosmetically in good shape.  At my age, I need another motorcycle like the proverbial hole in the head.  Of course I'd want to bug you about the mechanicals and any long term service records. 

Don't mind me ................... ...... I'm simply taken with the airheads from this era.  I had friends in Pittsburgh that owned RS and CS models in the mid 1980s.  And its been a long winter of staring out the office window at snow snow snow!  It's just a thought as winter continues!

Bob

[Scout63]

I've had several dalliances with BMWs. My brother and I went halves on a well-worn, high miles, non-running '78 R100RS once, we never did anything with it and sold it at a profit.

Then there was the package deal my brother bought for me out in Oceanside, CA back around '03 - a V7 Sport and R75/5 both for $2k. I pulled all of the accessories off the BMW, got it running and sold it for $1000 to my buddy Leo. I rode that one about 20 miles and found it pleasant to ride. If I didn't already have an Ambassador (or two) at the time, I might still have it.

More recently, I've been tempted by my friend Paul's '83 R100RS "60th Anniversary" which has been remodeled into an "S". It could be mine for $2k. Might sell one of the Guzzis and buy it.









 

That would be a great way to round out your collection Charlie. It’s a smart looking bike.

[JJ]

This is my old 1978 BMW R100RS "Motorsport Edition" (1 of 200 made), which I sported around NORCAL back in the day.  ** SOLD ** around 2012 for $8,995...Wonder what it would bring on BaT today - ????




houchin blood bank

[Scout63]

This is my old 1978 BMW R100RS "Motorsport Edition" (1 of 200 made), which I sported around NORCAL back in the day.  ** SOLD ** around 2012 for $8,995...Wonder what it would bring on BaT today - ????




houchin blood bank

That would be the ideal BaT candidate JJ.  I still think that /7s haven’t started to climb, but the Motorsport would get a lot of attention.

[jguzzi]

Charlie, That is quite a good deal if the mechanics are in decent shape and I imagine they are.  I just replaced my leaking pushrod tube seals which is a know failure item but it took them over 40 years to begin weeping....also I had to restore my master cylinder which had become rusty and fluid was seeping out....the M/C is under the tank which also offers a chance to check relays, etc.  Love the white version and the S fairing.

JJ you had one of the most desirable airheads in my opinion...the motorsport was rare and pricey...so cool.

Airheads are a nice complement to the same era Guzzis to have in the garage.  I am also partial to the Guzzi SP line which were worthy competitors to the R100RS bikes of the era.  I feel lucky to have grown up during this era to have experienced them....also lucky now too because there are so many great motorcycle choices.  I rode an Enfield Continental GT 650 recently and was very impressed for the price of the new ones.

[JJ]

One of my favorite photos (taken by me...) from March 2009, taken in NORCAL.   You know, this bike sat in the window of San Jose BMW for two years.  The previous owner passed away, sadly.  It had more than $11,000 (documented) in performance upgrades (engine / suspension / etc.) from CC Products, (aka San Jose BMW).  I suppose in retrospect, I should have kept it, but "OH WELL" - no looking back and no regrets.  I had a lot of fun with it for about 5 years...