new bike need to know options

[bmwrusso]

First let me say hello. my name is mike russo I live in the buffalo, ny area and was just gifted a bmw R75/5 as a wedding gift.

from what the previous owner told me it is a R75/5 with a R100 frame and extended swingarm. has the stock drum brake spoke wheel on the rear.

The bike is pretty close to the style I want (cafe racer) and he started to do some upgrades to the bike I like BUT I wanted to know what my options are for the bike. I want to have dual discs up front with 17" aluminum cast wheel and rear disc brake setup with aluminum cast wheel..

He put a late model GSXR front end on the bike with standard forks, clip-ons dual disc brakes and wheel. I like the way it looks and can easily modify the stem to the correct size the get the correct bearing.

my question is what are my options for rear wheels that match? can i get something late model that will work? or am i resigned to the R100 style wheels for this bike? The rear wheel it does not have to be the exact same 3 spoke wheel but something similiar would be great. also what do I need for a rear disc brake set-up. FYI I am a mechanic with access to a welder, mill and lathe and the skills to operate all of them to fabricate any parts or modify existing ones to make this work.

If I am stuck using the stock stuff off of a r100 or similiar that is fine as well but I woudl like to start gathering the parts to make the repair as i am really excited to start working on the bike.

Hello again and thanks for your help.

[nealart]

Congratulations on your new bike! Oh, and the marraige too.

Have you looked at Lester wheels?

I think they only have drum in the rear, but that drum brake works better than the rear disk ever did anyway.

[bmwrusso]

I am completely new to BMW motorcycles. I have a bmw car but i have only owned japanese bikes so far so any info would be appreiated and links to info are the best.

thanks for the wedding congrats, only a few months away.

[nealart]

Can you post a photo of the bike?

[DARRYL CAINEY]

First let me say hello. my name is mike russo I live in the buffalo, ny area and was just gifted a bmw R75/5 as a wedding gift.

from what the previous owner told me it is a R75/5 with a R100 frame and extended swingarm. has the stock drum brake spoke wheel on the rear.

The bike is pretty close to the style I want (cafe racer) and he started to do some upgrades to the bike I like BUT I wanted to know what my options are for the bike. I want to have dual discs up front with 17" aluminum cast wheel and rear disc brake setup with aluminum cast wheel..

He put a late model GSXR front end on the bike with standard forks, clip-ons dual disc brakes and wheel. I like the way it looks and can easily modify the stem to the correct size the get the correct bearing.

my question is what are my options for rear wheels that match? can i get something late model that will work? or am i resigned to the R100 style wheels for this bike? The rear wheel it does not have to be the exact same 3 spoke wheel but something similiar would be great. also what do I need for a rear disc brake set-up. FYI I am a mechanic with access to a welder, mill and lathe and the skills to operate all of them to fabricate any parts or modify existing ones to make this work.

If I am stuck using the stock stuff off of a r100 or similiar that is fine as well but I woudl like to start gathering the parts to make the repair as i am really excited to start working on the bike.

Hello again and thanks for your help.

Hello;
Your best bet for parts for your Airhead is the Beemer Barn in Middleport NY
716-735-3458 John Kasperek is the owner and is an expert when it comes to these old bikes! He is located about 30 miles East of Lewiston NY off Route 104.

Darryl

[bmwrusso]

thank you darryl.

is there any late model wheel that will fit this bike? I am looking at possible getting a newer style 17" wheel for the rear of the bike to match the 17" front i already have. preferrable in a 4.5" width or greater if ti will fit. I can make modification the the bike but not looking to redesign anything.

If not i will likely change everything out so that the front ans rear are near stock.

[bmwrusso]

here are the pictures of the bike. You can see the front is off a late model bike (gsxr) i just want to either get a rear that wil kind of match it like a 3 spoke off a r850 or k75 or similiar. or scrap the front end and go back to stock. as it is the front wheel is already a 3.5" so the rear tire will likely be smaller if I am not careful or change a few things around.

are there any other late model wheels that will work that are 4.5" or wider? liek i said i can change the swing arm, do some welding and fabrication but not looking ot have to redesign the entire bike for a rear wheel. if it is not pretty close to bolt on I am not likely interested.

[bmwrusso]

other side. as you can see from the background I am used to modern sport bikes but always wanted a cafe racer. I like the ease of 17" wheels and the selection of tires for them as well. unless there are great options for the 19" front and 18" rear wheels on these bikes in stock form?

[nealart]

Here is what the Lester wheels look like:

[DARRYL CAINEY]

There is no 17" BMW wheel that will fit your bike!

You will have clearance issues if you try to put too large a wheel on the back.

Stock wheel sizes are 18 rear and 19 front!

The BMW mag wheels that will fit are called snowflakes.

You have to have a wheel that fits the spline on the rear drive!

Darryl

[nealart]

Here is a /5

[nealart]

In white...

[bmwrusso]

ok snowflakes it is. will be selling the front end stuff soon then. just wanted to go with something different.

[AnnapolisAirhead]

Here is what the Lester wheels look like:

...having trouble finding the Lester wheels...what was the question? :boldpurpl

Purdy, reeeeal purdy (bike).

ok snowflakes it is. will be selling the front end stuff soon then. just wanted to go with something different.

Even with the Snowflake, you'll have problems with a tire too wide. It's already a bundle of joy wrestling a stock sized wheel out. Tends to get hung up on the left side of the swingarm and the brake drum to the right (whether Lesters or Snowflakes), in my experience. then again, sounds like you could weld up something yourself.

With the Lesters painted, and that bright red bike in the pic, sure sheds ye ole BMW staid look--if you are into non-stock.

Please, keep us posted with pics and progress. Sounds like a fun project.
:beer

[ducatipaso]

um, why not have a set of oem wires relaced with 17" hoops?

[nealart]

Mismatched wheels remind me of the Munch Mammot.

Although the reasoning there was a stronger wheel was needed at the rear to handle the power and not fall apart.

R.I.P. Dave Manthey.

[PAGoldsby]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/DzlBenz/Motorcycles/IMG_0238.jpg

[bmwrusso]

um, why not have a set of oem wires relaced with 17" hoops?

I never thought of that. i know my motard wheels are 17" so that would be a great option. what size widths can you get them in? i want to go with a dual front brake set up. do they have dual front brake wire wheels? What do you figure it would cost to have something like this done front and rear?