1972 BMW R75/5 150,000 miles

I pulled over as soon as the clock flipped the 5. this is the second time the 5 was visible in that digit

Its been a good motorcycle.

wow, keep on rollin on Those gauges look good

THAT DOES IT!

I REALLY need to get my '72 R60/5 on the road...

That is a nice ride.
At around 4K/year and living to talk about it, is that all local?
In your area I suspect you are the exception in longevity.
Owned since new?
There is a '75 air head for sale in (local) Newport. I am tempted as bank deposits aren't returning much these days and a motorbike purchase seems like a better risk value wise, strange days.
Can you tell us what the upkeep has been like?

AntrimMan said:

That is a nice ride.
At around 4K/year and living to talk about it, is that all local?
In your area I suspect you are the exception in longevity.
Owned since new?
There is a '75 air head for sale in (local) Newport. I am tempted as bank deposits aren't returning much these days and a motorbike purchase seems like a better risk value wise, strange days.
Can you tell us what the upkeep has been like?

Click to expand...

I bought the bike in 2003 with just under 90,000 miles on it. It was being used as a saw horse in a backyard in berkeley. I did a "sympathy" restoration on it . and had been riding it solid since. Mind you i ride EVERYDAY of the YEAR, rain or shine, I have a daily round trip commute of about 80 miles, plus I use the bikes around town all I can (Im one of those people with a "cars suck" T-shirt) that will explain all of my high mileage bikes. My 1997 YZF1000 that i bought brand new, has 98,500 miles on it today, my 2004 R1 i bought new has 24,000 miles on it. The Norotn (which you all are familiar with ) already is approaching 2500 miles since it hit the road in July.
Last year I rebuilt the heads and put fresh rings on the BMW, last month I changed the timing chain and earlier this summer i rebuilt the transmission and replaced the clutch. Ill be doing the rear final drive in the next month...then the bike should be good for another 150,000.

My advice...if you can get a deal on a AirHead, get it...besides they look great parked next to a Norton.

grandpaul said:

THAT DOES IT!

I REALLY need to get my '72 R60/5 on the road...

Click to expand...

Yes, you must

I took a look see at the ad for the one for sale locally.
It's a '70 R50/5, no mention of mileage. Some things, like the seat, are not original.
Kinda high asking price IMO. It's priced at the excellent level and it's not in that category.
anyway, the missus can't see me riding two bikes at the same time. They just don't get it.
So it's just the Norty for now.

Hello,
So its kinda wierd. but almost in the exact spot my R75 hit 150k...My 1997 Thunderace hit 99,000 miles.
I am the original owner, bought new in November of 1996. I know its not quite a classic yet, and im showing 99,000 miles
because, honestly....I dont know if its going to make it to 100,000. Its been a fantastic motorcycle and its been through hell.
This is the bike I ride in the rain, wind snow or whatever. this is the bike I ride SFO to SEA to SFO in one weekend. But its really acting like
it wants to be rebuilt. 1997 YZF1000 Yamaha (aka Thunderace)
Again, Its been a fantastic motorcycle;

Nice! I wish i had a pic from when my 1974 R90/6 rolled over to all zeroes. It was right in front of a MAX BMW billboard. Those old Beemers can put on the miles.