BMW R75 (Ngc)

[BSABEN]

Friend from work has a 1971 r75 he is ready to sell. His dad was the second owner. All original but hasn't been on the road for at least a decade. Any thoughts on what I should look for and what I'm getting in to?
Any idea on a fair price?

[Lannis]

Friend from work has a 1971 r75 he is ready to sell. His dad was the second owner. All original but hasn't been on the road for at least a decade. Any thoughts on what I should look for and what I'm getting in to?
Any idea on a fair price?

Same service items as on a Guzzi Ambassador (except for no chrome bores).   Will need tires for sure even if the old ones LOOK good.   Battery even if the old one holds a charge.   

Sounds like fun.

$2,000?

Lannis

[Cam3512]

We need a photo to help you out.  Great bikes.

[Dimples]

I've restored two R75/5's. A few good photos would help in answering your questions.

Better yet-- you should join the /5 forum:

http://5united.org

[tazio]

recessed valve seats..

[leafman60]

I had the babe shown below for many years.  Sold it a few months ago.  It was one of the most rewarding BMW's I've had. Lots of character and was great fun to ride. I rode mine regularly.

These are simple machines that are easy to service or restore.

The "toaster tank" with chrome tank sides that was introduced in 1972 was not offered very long and commands a substantial market premium.

In mid '73 BMW substantially lengthened the wheelbase to provide better stability when loaded for touring but none of the /5's handles as quickly as the original "short wheelbase" bikes of 1970-72.

Check the ads on ebay and go to IBMW Riders website and check the airhead classifieds. A friend of mine recently sold a daily-rider /5 for about $2500.




.

[lomax]

$2,000?

Yes that is about what you will spend on it AFTER you get it home.

The R75 is one of my favorites. Depending on mileage it will possibly have recessing valves. It will for sure need all fluids changed and clutch splines lubed. Probably carb work and steering head bearings cleaned and repacked. All rubber items may need to be replaced if it has sat for a long time.

Toasters are very sought after as well as ones with the large Heinrich tanks.

Have fun and enjoy smelling the roses when riding again. ;-T

Marc

[Lannis]

Yes that is about what you will spend on it AFTER you get it home.


Marc

I agree, but how much do you think it will take to GET it from the owner?

[dee g]

I bought a 71 R75/5 (SWB) from a friend who can no longer ride.  He was original owner, and bought it when he owned the BMW dealer in Merced, CA.  Its in the middle of being restored.  I work on it when I have time.  Neat bike, can't wait to get it finished.

[lomax]

I agree, but how much do you think it will take to GET it from the owner?

Very hard question to answer. NADA shows all the way from $1600 to $6000 and KBB shows $4600 but neither of those really mean anything.

It all depends on your local demand and condition of the bike. Do you have any pictures?  :PICS!:

About 5 years ago I sold this 1972 for $2500 and it was in good shape and a good runner. Not cosmetically perfect but it had no issues. Today it would probably bring around $3200 to $3500. I have seen them locally for silly prices these days so it is just what the market will bear.



Does the seller have an asking price?  How much are you willing to pay?

Considering the current day values and guessing how much you will need to put into the bike, I would wildly guess $1500 would be a decent price. But that is a wild ass guess.

Marc

[leafman60]

I agree, but how much do you think it will take to GET it from the owner?

That is very hard to guess.  I'm around a lot of BMW people. A friend owns a dealership (also Guzzi) and another friend is the general manager. They get stuff for nothing all the time. Anybody with an old BMW they wanna get rid of stops in there to see if they can unload it. They've bought at least one old airhead for $300 in the last year or so and another for about $500. Both were totally fixable and one is being ridden.

Another good friend and former BMW fanatic had two nice, rideable airheads, an R75/5 (toaster) and an R90/6 along with a storage trailer full of engines, body parts, seats and other paraphernalia. He offered it all to me for $5000. I turned it down because I already have more things to say grace over than I need.

The dealer ended up with it all.  He turned around and sold the toaster for about $5000.

As I said earlier, go here and take a look-

http://marketplace.ibmwr.org/ads/rabs


As with anything, price depends on condition and motivation/knowledge of the sellers and buyers.
 

[Dimples]

For fun and perspective, I meticulously restored this ($600. non-runner) 1973 toaster in 2009 and sold it for $4500. on ebay when the surplus was blown. Three white Cravens and rack included along with original sales receipts-- I was the second owner. It was the third R75/5 LWB bike (and last) I have owned. I regret not keeping the white body parts. But things were looking dark in those days.

[jas67]

Beautiful!    :drool

[Cam3512]

Beautiful!    :drool

 :+1

Spectacular white toaster with those Cravens!

[steven c]

 I restored a 72 R60/5 back in the mid 90's. Fun bike to ride, great back road bike and would cruise all day on the highway, wouldn't mine having another.