Classic BMW drivers have a strong preference for originality. When Theo Terwel restored his BMW R68, the highlight of the search for original parts was the discovery of the original key for the lid of the tank compartment. Those are the details that appreciate a classic BMW for the pure enthusiasts / connoisseurs of the brand.
Beating numbers
But the least you can expect from an acceptable BMW classic is that the frame, block and box numbers correspond. We once saw someone with a face contorted in horror standing up next to a beautiful R90S. “You can throw that thing away! The gearbox number is incorrect!”
It fits and it works
In the past, when people thought a bit more flexible, it was completely good – especially for the more pragmatic thinking sidecar drivers – to mount an R75/5 to R100 block in an 'old' Vollschwingen bicycle section. That went smoothly and gave a lot more leeway in terms of performance than the 30 hp of an R60. An R75/5 finally delivered 50 DIN hp.
If you look at the case from the pure fun angle, then the price difference between such a BMW hybrid and a purebred copy is very significant.
Value is relative
And the 'value' of even freer interpretations than the assembly of a more recent block often makes those creations quite cheap. The nice thing about this is that many of those machines can in fact simply be rebuilt to 'original' because BMW cherishes its heritage and can therefore still supply a lot of parts. That the (fitting) quality is not always optimal is because BMW has let the accountant do the talking. And the accountant has decided that in a number of cases the 'outsourcing' of production has gone to low-wage countries.
Choppers and customs…
In the margins of the BMW existence are the boxers that are 'chopped' or 'customised'. In that corner you usually come to the 'you can't argue with taste' approach. It is sometimes also clear that such a conversion has been done with the hand on the cut and technical skills that are actually unworthy of a noble brand such as BMW.
Those kinds of motorcycles are currently showing up with some regularity
And often they are old, dusty things or forgotten projects. We found the BMW in the front photo at the Nijmegen Motor Shop and it is a good example of the things we just talked about.
A real BMW enthusiast will probably get flakes between his fingers. But as an image of the era, the BMW (And what kind of BMW it once was?) is a real classic. And something like that keeps you off the street for a winter.
That's what Die other Pascal pretty much says.
You're right!!
Although I am personally not a fan of 'tupperware' motorcycles because I invariably get stuck in a fairing due to my fairly long stilts and that you also have to disassemble the fairing parts for the least or the slightest thing if you have to tinker with the mechanics, I still respect the original cockpit motors highly! If someone has to completely mutilate such a sleek creation in order to smurf a cafe racer, it seems that someone simply scored the wrong bike after all.
As not a friend of fairing engines, I regularly see an 82er type R100RT driving. Then I watch him respectfully until he happily grunts out of sight and continues on his way. My day is kind of fine!
What will true enthusiasts abhor than today's bun-bearded BMW hybrids..
Horribly lillike cafedingests are manufactured from beautiful full tubs R80/100's and tubs are dumped en masse..
While barbered bearded man wriggles his bun under the helmet to drive past the terrace, the enthusiast sits on the terrace involuntarily ruminating on his freshly eaten lunch at the sight of the castrated old bivalve.
To each his own of course and he/she/neuter can rebuild the bike as it pleases.
Although I have brought my 'Blauwtje' a little bit from the original motor, the outward appearances have not been damaged in any way. Why too? After all, that's why I once fell head over heels for the R45. When I see the photos accompanying this article, and see that a chopper rear fender with a makeshift seat has been smurfed on, I don't really enjoy that.
But again, to each his own of course. If the technical state moves towards risky, then I think a limit has been crossed. For example, ramping things up nicely but failing to set up the associated braking and suspension. I do get some hives from time to time.
My R1150 also shifted like a kind of tractor when bought second hand. Hooking, 'scratchy' shifting, not wanting to downshift properly, etc. Some research showed that the clutch was not released properly. Being able to lubricate the diaphragm spring pivot points from the outside worked great. Filling the box with a really superior hypoid oil instead of synthetic multgrade stuff also helped a lot. Now it shifts like a charm again.
How much influence oil can have. First, the naturally rotten is useful if there is enough of it. But what you say is also very true. Since I came across the unique Willibrordus van der Weide, I have been mixing Yellow Miracle Oil with all the oil I throw in anywhere. Which is good. Also for Willibrordus
Well dolf. After 4 hours a first comment, what does that say about the article. That readers don't know what to think of this? If it has two wheels, drives and brakes well, it is a motorcycle. Has the eternal 2cylinder finally been made into a 4cylinder, it is genius. You could also buy a 25 year old GWing. You get another 2cylinder free extra as a bonus. Shifts even better 😜🤓. By the way mn 81 4cylinder GWing shifts like a tractor 😢
It really just depends on whether you're having fun, right? And give another his pleasure. Guzzies and Russian free-range animals typically have heel/toe shift pedals. And that is fantastic who sometimes steps on the clogs on the moped out of convenience. By the way, clogs are occupational health and safety footwear