BMW R90S - The Airhead

[Mitch]

Frankly, you could have bought the bike based on an inspection of his garage alone. It sends out all the right signals

True. It was more workshop than garage and perfectly organised. The owner was really good about talking through all the routine maintenance; meticulous and practical. Very reassuring.

[Mitch]

How to make any machine go faster? You put a contra-rotating spring into the twistgrip to lessen the cable pull. But do warn other riders of your bike ...... A trick I learnt in my Vincent days

Great story Ian and good to hear you still have the R100RS, any pics? The Moto Guzzi Le Mans was also on my list

Will have a think about the throttle mod.. when I've put some miles on it!

[Mike]

Great find Mitch, looks a beautiful bike. Have fun, but wait for some decent weather though!

[Mitch]

Thanks Mike!

The R90S was technically advanced in 1974-6 with front disc brakes, adjustable rear suspension and adjustable steering damper.

[Mitch]

Mine has a few practical upgrades, repositioned brake master cylinder (to the bars from under the tank) stainless steel spokes, a deep oil sump and twin plug conversion with a few other tweaks...

[Mitch]

These bikes were designed to be self maintained and fixed at the roadside so the handbook is more workshop manual than how to adjust the clock. And BMW made sure the owner had a decent tool kit to work with



And a bicycle pump..



Another smart idea is the folding padlock that slots into a tube under the tank. Not secure by modern standards but neat..

[Mitch]

So it's not a Porsche but it is a Deutscher Klassiker with an air cooled boxer engine and I plan to use it regularly for local rides and a few longer road trips, maybe the Alps, and the original panniers will get proper use.



Despite the width of those horizontally opposed twin cylinders (the US nicknamed it The Airhead) the bike is pretty narrow and feels solid and manoeuvrable, light even with that low centre of gravity.

All this is new to me so I’m still learning about the bike and especially how to look after it, spannering was never my strong point but I’m interested and have time to find out. Happily, BMW Classic are like Porsche, all the bits are available… at a price.

And like early Porsche, there’s also a global community of enthusiasts. Good news.

[KS]

I can vouch for the fact that a pair of Krausers on the back of your Bee-em will allow it to fend off London traffic at will...

[jamie]

That is bloody gorgeous.

Have had a mad hankering for an early R80G/S for a few years now. My Triumph is mega, but for some reason...



God damn.

[KS]

I had use of an R80GS as a long-term test bike when they were first released. Loved it!

[yoda]

Great bike Nigel, love the little details. My son would approve (check out his ride ......)

[Mitch]

I can vouch for the fact that a pair of Krausers on the back of your Bee-em will allow it to fend off London traffic at will...

hehe... my motorcycling won't be a full contact sport KS but thanks for the tip!

[Mitch]

That is bloody gorgeous.

Cheers Jamie and that GS is epic.. find one as a nice little follow on project for when you've got time on your hands

In fact, the R80GS gets a mention in the blog Charles posted earlier http://blog.motolegends.com/why-i-love- ... /#more-330

[Mitch]

Great bike Nigel, love the little details. My son would approve (check out his ride ......)

Thanks Feroz, lovely pic & start 'em young, good plan. Cool bike, one of yours? What year?

[yoda]

1973 R75/5 ...... my son loves it!