New to me BMWs

Scout63

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Nov 24, 2016
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I took my old /5 BMW to work the other day and a very nice gentleman walked up to me at the market and asked if I was interested in buying more bikes. I went to his house and looked at them. They are a 1980 R100T with high unknown mileage and a 1983 R80RT with 72k miles. I felt a little bad offering $500 for the pair but he was not offended and wanted them gone. So now I own these with clear titles (in his name I checked his license):
New to me BMWs

New to me BMWs


The 100 has a leaky rear main seal and is missing a side cover. The 80 is complete and very clean. Both have stuck front brake levers and sticky throttles. Last registrations were in 2015.

I think I’m going to get the RT running and sell it. The 100 I really like and would make a great candidate for a full rebuild. I have a complete S fairing setup in the garage that would look great on it. I’ll hold on to the RT’s bags and racks for the 100 as I will let the RT go for very short money.

It was strange riding the /5 the other day after getting used to the Commando. It was very deliberate, slow shifting, smooth and quiet. I still love it, but it feels different now.

My very best to all. Ben
 
CRAP! I'd give you a grand for the '80 R100, but the last of my play money is going into the new shop/hangar.

What a smokin' deal!!!!
 
I often get accosted by passers by... but it never turns out like that for me...!
 
I think it’s the economy. Last weekend someone in the hardware store offered me a whitworth wrench he had at home after seeing my Norton in the lot (I know that sounds like offering a strange child candy). I rode over to his house and he had a pristine R1100 roadster and a gorgeous black 1988 K75C with bags under cover on a charger. He mentioned he wanted to sell the K bike and was asking $2,000, which I thought was a very good price. I was planning on picking it up when these two bikes came up Instead. I’ve always wanted a 750 K bike. I may go back next week if my cash situation improves.

Today I ultrasonically cleaned the R80 carbs, physically cleaned out the pilot jets with a #78 drill bit like I learned on this forum, and installed new fuel lines and in-line filters. I also cleaned and greased the throttle and oiled the throttle cables. One of the lower throttle cables was toast and frozen solid. I just happened to have a new oem cable in my airhead parts stash. Made up for skewering my thumb with the strands on the old one. So painful. Tomorrow I’ll flush the tank, change the crank oil and see if she starts.
 
You seem to be walking under a lucky star lately.
Congrats.....
 
So I got the 83 RT running with a carb cleaning, oil change and tank flush. I put it on eBay and then got a call from someone in my own town looking for an RT. I not only sold a bike but made a friend. I sold it for $1,200.00 which seemed like a fair price for everyone under the circumstances.

I took the money and bought this 1988 K75C, also in my town:

New to me BMWs


It has 16k miles and came with hard bags still in their shipping box, a new AGM battery, full tool kit, all manuals, the original invoice and all service records. Definitely needs a tank flush ( faint smell of varnish). I hope the injectors are not clogged. I love the look and hope that is has the enough soul since it seems like a perfect grocery shuttle.
 
Wish I lived in your town !!

Serious question: why the preference of the K series over the R series? I’ve ridden Rs of various distinction and have always quite liked them. But I’ve never ridden a K, they never held the same appeal.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Wish I lived in your town !!

Serious question: why the preference of the K series over the R series? I’ve ridden Rs of various distinction and have always quite liked them. But I’ve never ridden a K, they never held the same appeal.
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I’ll tell you when I get this K running and ride it. It looks like the injectors are clogged from sitting for several years. I just ordered injectors, plugs, air and oil filters. I’ve never owned a K but they’ve always held some small interest for me. The 75 doesn’t sound like a strong performer from what I read online but I really liked the way that this one looks. Probably not a long term ride for me but I am open to being convinced. I’m already finding that the systems are much more complicated than the airheads’.

I don’t know why so many bikes came up these past few weeks in this one small town of about 5,000 people. It may be that I ride old bikes year round and no one else does. It may be that we have an older retired washed-ashore population that is ready to get rid of bikes. Both contacts came up in store parking lots. I think that riding bikes that start conversations really is the key. I also believe that acquiring any particular motorcycle is less important than getting to know the owner and if possible helping him ( or her) keep, repair and enjoy their bike.
 
Oh and FE - I definitely prefer R bikes over pretty much anything other than my Norton. I ride my ‘71 /5 2-3 times a week and it is my go to winter bike.
 
Scout63 said:
Both contacts came up in store parking lots. I think that riding bikes that start conversations really is the key.
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Ahhh, I see where I’m going wrong now... you actually have to TALK to such people !?!
 
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