Looking for advice on which direction I should go with a new purchase.

[janniss]

Looking for advice on what I should do about a 1973 R90/6 i have acquired. The dilemma is that is kind of a frankenstein, in that it has parts from all over the spectrum. Currently it has a 1976 R/60/6 engine on the '73 frame, and I would like to find another R90/6 engine (my dream would be a R90/6 with a serial number/manufactured in October of 1973). Overall I would like it to be a cafe racer style, so the complete/accurate restoration is not really an issue. Is it worth the effort to find a R90/6 engine or should I just enjoy the bike that I have?

Just so you know, I'm willing to hear any arguments on why I wouldn't spend the time with a complete restoration.

Here is the bike: http://web.mac.com/jamesa

I'm going to be updating the content this weekend. Didn't have time this week. But, it will give you an idea of Betty.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Jim

[sgborgstrom]

Assuming what you have runs, I think that while waiting for the "right" engine to come along, you should get started on the restoration/rebuild process. Don't spend time making the current R60 motor pretty if the plan is to swap it out later. It looks like most of the changes you want to make won't affect the engine anyway...get going while you have a full charge of enthusiasm.

[janniss]

I was told that it ran fine, but it has been sitting for 10 years. From what I can tell it appears to be the truth.

Good point on limiting what I do to the engine. Thanks

[MurphyPeoples]

Jim - I really like your "Ugly Betty". I'm one for taking a bike and while making it into "Beautiful Betty" .. don't restore her to the point of being a Trailer Queen. Clean her up, get her painted the way you want, and ride the devil out of her! Once you've got her on the road looking good, running good, and stoping good (wish mine would), THEN I'd start hunting for the 90/6 engine.

I think it'd be cool to be a Junior Matthew Parkhouse and have and extra engine (or ten) laying around the basement. :thumb

Keep us posted!
Murphy

[Markst1]

Jim,
I am not sure what the original bike was. The front brake looks drum-like from the pics. If so then I doubt that the bike was a /6 but probably a /5. If so then it couldn't have been a 900cc as this wasn't made in the /5 line. Hard to tell from the pics that you posted, but that's what I would guess.
Theo Marks
'74 R75/6
'01 1150GS

[benway]

I think you might have a 74 year bike, manufactured in 73

take the vin from the frame and run it through here [also, what does the engine vin at the dipstick give you?]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do?vin=&kind=M&arch=1

also afaik, the 74 90/6 wouldve had a solid front disc, not a drum. [but the 60/6 had a drum]

and you have 60/6 slide carbs

[and you have /7 covers and they are on "upside" down]

but if it was a 74, i think it would have aluminum turn signal housings. a kick starter and /5 switches.

it might well be that what you have is a 60/6 with a big tank? or a 90/6 frame and everything else 60/6?

if you want to "upgrade" to 900c, I think you can just get new jugs/pistons/carbs etc, but that might not be such a great idea with just a front drum brake.

and if you spend the money, you will never see it back.

if I wanted a cafe bike, then I would use this bike as is.

hope that helps

[bobh41]

Just so you know, I'm willing to hear any arguments on why I wouldn't spend the time with a complete restoration.



IMHO:

You can't restore something you don't have. Your description is of an assemblage of mismatched Airhead pieces. This is not technically restorable.

You might end up with an interesting cafe-racer "something" but if you stay on course it will never be a recognizable model of BMW.

A serious restoration on an original intact bike could cost as much as $10K, but if you did that you would have a salable ten-thousand dollar motorcycle and a significant enthusiast market. It is unlikely that you could create a bike out of this collection of bits and pieces from which you could recover your investment.

You will spend a huge amount of your valuable time in study and research that will not yield a very meaningful knowledge base - at least in terms of "BMW Motorcycle". I mean trying to hammer, bend, squeeze and cut pieces "to fit" is a fairly frustrating and time consuming process. Again, in my opinion, it isn't worth it . Sure, they do that on T.V. but do you have a big, ugly, mean Poppa to beat you up daily? :fight

My recommendation - ride the bike, enjoy it for what it is, figure out if you even like it. Also start doing a lot of reading - there's a lot of public info on BMW bikes. You should learn a little something about them before you undertake such a significant task.

Just my opinion - what you invited from me. Good luck and be sure to have fun, whatever you do.

[Na Cl K9]

Overall I would like it to be a cafe racer style
Jim... personalizing a BMW takes four separate processes. There is the visualization part, the gathering part, the build part and the riding part. What you now have is a vision of what you want (the bike at the end of the internet link you posted). You also have begun the process of gathering parts for the bike you want to build. The BMW motorcycle you have in mind is just a collection of parts you gather over a period of time some of which are present in the bike you now have. Engine aside, you don’t really have much left to find. Make a checklist of the major components you have, need and want and when everything is checked off and 'in stock' you can start the build part.

If you really want an R90/6 engine, get one from 1976. Remember that making it go fast means you need to make it stop too. You can finish the “Look” you want with the R60/6 engine and enjoy riding the bike you visualized until the engine you want shows up. Also remember that parts you don’t need or want can be sold to create cash for those you do. Pay more for better quality newer parts and you will be rewarded with trouble free service.

To illustrate the point, beginning with an 83 R100 motor and transmission, the bike in the photo is a collection of specific parts most of which have less than 25K on them. The vision was to use stock parts to make a lightweight race-replica or “café” motorcycle and make it handle and perform for around town or short country jaunts. The gathering process took 3 years and netted among other things, a NOS set of controls and switches a perfect Denfield solo seat and a really nice set of almost brand new wire wheels (with two disc’s). Total build time when all the check marks were in place was about three days following frame mods and paint work.

[janniss]

Thanks everyone for the great advice and help. After a weekend of thought I think I will stick with what I have and enjoy a good ride. Maybe keep my eyes/mind open for another that I can work on long-term like Paul mentioned.

What did I get myself into?! (lots of questions to follow)

Thanks again. Jim

[rkasal]

Some people believe that the ultimate selling price or value of a car or motorcycle is the single most important requirement in considering restoration. I say the satisfaction of a job well done and the finished product is more important.

I'm also a Saab owner and I've known people to spend many multiples of the final value of an old Saab to restore it. The cars are beautiful when they are completed, the owners are happy, and that is what is important if money is available.

My opinion is spend what it takes to make the bike nice, be patient, and you will be happy.

Regards,



Randy Kasal

[osbornk]

The cheapest way to own a nice restored bike or car is to buy one already restored. However, you don't get the satisfaction of bring an old relic back to life. That is priceless.