BMW 1973 K75/5

Is it worth considering as a reasonably reliable bike? Looks in good
nick, but then, what would I know apart form that it's polished. ;-)

 

BMW didn't bring out the K75 until '84, so I reckon it's dodgy...

 

platypus proposed

Could it be an R75/5 and it was advertised wrongly?

 

If it's an R75/5 then they're (a) nice bikes and (b) rather collectable
as well.

In decent nick they're certainly "reasonably reliable" and capable of
rather huge mileages.

Downsides are that some parts are getting harder to find, namely
gearbox parts and a few other parts that are unique to these bikes.
They've got a four-speed box that is adequate for touring but you can
replace it with the later five-speeder if it blows up.

US models tend to have the smaller tank with chrome sideplates, the
larger Euro-spec tank is worth having if you do a lot of
longer-distance riding but IMHO the US-spec tank looks nicer. Euro-spec
handlebars are worth having as the US-spec ones make you sit bolt
upright in the breeze which gets somewhat tiring during a long trip.

The drum brakes are OK and better than the almost unfixable ATE
calipers on the earlier disc-brake models.

Just keep in mind that they only have a five digit odometer and
probably have been around the clock a couple of times by now.

 

I'd agree there - R60/6 here and it still goes, despite my attentions. Mind,
the valve guides are getting a bit iffy.

There are specialist spares supplies, such as MotorWorks, DiFazio
motorcycles, and others, too.

Mine has Jota bars on it... which create lots of strain on the wrists at
speeds under about 50. 's quite comfy at 70+.

properly set up, the TLS drum is pretty good. 's not in the same class as
modern discs, but then again, it was better then everyone else's drum brake
when they introduced it on the R69S, according to a Motor Cycle road test I
read once.

 

Timo Geusch proposed

Well it's that one:

http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/0/5/81157105.htm

And I think it looks rather nice.

 

It does indeed.

--

jeremy
'01 Triumph Sprint ST in green
_______________________________________
jeremy0505 at gmail.com

 

interesting fairing on it. Not sure I like that TBH - they look nicest IMHO
without bodywork.

Mind, I'm biased.:

damn. I was going to chuck in a link to mine, but I see that I've not
bothered to upload the files to the new webspace... angon a minute... aha. I
did upload 'em:

http://www.roman-road.co.uk/austin/boxer

hmmm. it looks cleaner then than now. Also, the chrome is not that good on
the exhausts any more.

 

Doesn't look like a K75 to me. I reckon they're trying to fit you up with
one of them old air-cooled ones.

 

That fairing needs to be taken out the back, shot and buried under 5ft
of concrete.

That aside, it's got the Euro-spec tank (which is good), it's got the
sidepanel(s) - check that it's got the other one, too, as they tend to
go walkies - and it looks like it's generally in pretty decent
condition.

If it were for sale over here for that kind of dosh I'd be camping
outside the bloke's house, but I'm not too sure of US prices.

 

-cut-

Just order 'em from the BMW factory in Germany.
No prob.

Aragorn_DK

--
=================
www.welles.dk
www.bmwmc.dk
www.furnituretiger.dk
=================

 

Timo Geusch proposed

Ta, I actually found out that a bloke who lives two houses down the
street is a classic BMW enthusiast. He offered me advice too, and will
probably be more knowledgable of the prices over here. Rides a nice
R1000CC and a R80RS, in addition to his beautifully restored Norton
Atlas. Just had a longer chat with him and he comes across as a
thoroughly good bloke.

 

That doesn't help if they aren't available there any more, which was
kinda my point...

AFAIK most if not all of the gearbox parts still are, but there are
some parts for /5s that definitely are not available any more, like
R50/5 speedos.

 

The Atlas was the one noted for "disappearing handlebars", which referred to
the considerable vibes of the pre-isospastic mounted engine - at certain
revs the bars vibrate like unto a vibrating thing.

 

-cut-

K.
Hmm, try http://www.wuedo.de, or http://www.motorworks.co.uk/rd/home.php,
maybe asking around at http://www.airheads.org/ might bring up something
useful.
Good hunting.

Aragorn_DK

--
=================
www.welles.dk
www.bmwmc.dk
www.furnituretiger.dk
=================

 

Hi again.
I *knew* I had a useful link lying around.
http://www.ulismotorradladen.de/
Seems like he's got some spare parts for the old beemers, and it never hurts
to mail and ask.
There's also http://www.motobins.co.uk/.

Aragorn_DK

--
=================
www.welles.dk
www.bmwmc.dk
www.furnituretiger.dk
=================

 

http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/2/3/79269023.htm
******
OK Borg, I'm weakening

'Hog

 

Those panniers.

Hmm.

 

Bidding on that CB500/4 then? Me not, possibly found something here.

'Hog

 

I'd love it, but no. The money is needed elsewhere.