Search for a summer project

[He Man]

Okay, the old thread will be dead since new bikes come along and im not eying any specific.... heres a good one, but im afraid no title = no way to register it. I always loved the old school BMWs! anyone think i should jump on it? were the engines reliable then?
 
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/mcy/1205172680.html

[Popeye the Sailor]

That could be really hot.


Old BMW's were notoriously reliable. One doesn't buy odd looking bikes for no reason. I'd lay money with an oil change, plugs, and fresh gas, it would start right up.

[He Man]

what about the whole title thing? id have to find a spare frame to title it... shouldnt be a problem right?

how were these things on gas?

are parts easy to find/cheap?

do you think its worht $500?

[He Man]

make the beast with two backs, I FORGOT TO TAKE THE NUMBER DOWN THE LISTING EXPIRED. any of you guys might have it in ur cache?

edit; PHEW! thank you google.

1972 bmw r75/5 needs restoration no title i have the vin# to prove it was never stolen engine ran fine when parked 2 years ago. call me 501 593 8315 ...
newyork.craigslist.org/brk/mcy/1205172680.html - Similar -

got lucky that they cut of just after the number.

[Bun-bun]

You shouldn't need to buy a frame. The DMV can do a title search, and provide you with a title.
It's a royal pain in the ass, and takes a while, and costs a bit, but you will end up with a clear title, and the knowledge that no one can come and claim that it was their stolen bike.

[yamifixer]

THE /5 beamers are great bikes and run forever. The parts aren't cheap but if you have a Ducati you are used to it. They have a few electrical issues but not Lucas bad. buy it and have a good time with it.

and we want pictures.

[ducatiz]

That could be really hot.


Old BMW's were notoriously reliable. One doesn't buy odd looking bikes for no reason. I'd lay money with an oil change, plugs, and fresh gas, it would start right up.

except when they weren't

if you have a blown magneto on any old R bike, then you better hock the kids to get it rebuilt, or God forbid a blown crank. 

i had the magneto on mine rebuilt, wasn't cheap.  plenty of parts gone, but it is from 1951, what can you do?

[He Man]

time travel?

the 72s didnt have kick starts did they? i woudlnt even be able to tell if the engine was siezed or not. im still waiting a return call to go see it.

[ducatiz]

time travel?

the 72s didnt have kick starts did they? i woudlnt even be able to tell if the engine was siezed or not. im still waiting a return call to go see it.

most of the 72s i know of did.

easiest way to tell if hte engine is siezed on a non-kickstart engine is to put it in 2nd gear and roll it.  the gearbox will turn the engine.  loosen the spark plugs to make it easy to turn (or remove them)

i don't think they started deleting the kickstarters until around 79 or 80

[dbran1949]

much better deal than the honda 450

[He Man]

you obviously havent seen the bike.

the bike is $500, the seat has been eaten away by weather and the guages are IZ_ from acid rain.

the tank is a bit odd. if these things come with removable side tank panels then this bike definately doesntt have them. still no word from the seller

well, i called him again, his mail box if full so i doubt he actually listens to them. further more, it never rings, just goes straight to voice mail. Im going to try and text him, but thats it. i dont think theres much more i can do.

[Langanobob]

i dont think theres much more i can do.

I'm thinking that's probably a good thing.  It just looks to me like that bike needs too much time and money and your time and money could be better spent on another project.  Unless you really have a strong feeling for that particular bike in which case logic doesn't matter.

[He Man]

since i cant find that BMW anywhere at all, even if i go as far as 300 miles

this thing popped up

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/1221444022.html


lauramonster was kind enough to give me a hand on finding a title for it!

750s were popular enough to get parts for no?

i think i may of hyped myself too much for that BMW R75/5 ive seen an r60 in person and damn did thye look good.

[Langanobob]

The "iconic" Honda looks like a lot better starting point than that rotten old Beemer.  What exactly would be involved in getting it re-titled in NY?  That seems like the only real issue, bringing in an out-of-state untitled bike and trying to get it all legal.

[ducatiz]

The "iconic" Honda looks like a lot better starting point than that rotten old Beemer.  What exactly would be involved in getting it re-titled in NY?  That seems like the only real issue, bringing in an out-of-state untitled bike and trying to get it all legal.

it's not crazy hard, it is just $$$.  for certain aged vehicles, you'll get a title bond, swear that it was bought legally, and a few other gyrations.  you transfer it to the title company, they do some background searches to make sure it's not stolen, and after a few months, you get a title.

i got a quote on a bike a while back -- $800.  really have to decide if that is worth it for you.  I think that is the going rate +/- a few hundred.