R75/7 or R90/6

[mane]

Hi Guys,

I keep searching for a nice (to restore) airhead and this time I've got the following options:

'77 R75/7 - $2,500.00 (Milage unknown)
'74 R90/6 - $2,500.00 (ODO 16,000 KM, could be broken?!)

Which one is more desirable, from a collectors view? or should I keep looking?

Thanks for your time!
Mane

p.s. This airhead thing is very addictive! :D

[Braddog]

would be the R90/6. My $.02.

[kbasa]

The R75/7 was produced for only 6 months before it got replaced by the R80. They're somewhat unusual.

Not only that, Tina and I dated on one, so I carry kind of a soft spot for them.

[srb]

For collecting purposes I agree with KBasa, however, airheads are meant to be driven, not showpieces. The R90/6 is widely regarded as the best all-around airhead, this is evidenced by the fact that the R90/6 outsold the vaunted R90S.

[jgr451]

Man thats a tough one.If the comparo was betwen the r100/7 and the R90/6 it would be easier...I would go for the R90.

[mane]

And what you think about the prices of each model? Is that a good deal?

Thank you very much for your comments, I really apriciate it!

[R75_7]

I'm very partial to the R75/7. Kbasa is right they only produced them for six months. I believe the guy at Eurotech told me there were only 1500 in the U.S. They were considered a gateway motorcycle for the R80. Which had lower compression and were used for the police force. Especially if you've got a bigger oilhead. Because then you won't need to worry about growing out of the 750cc motor to soon. It'll be more like your cool cruiser. I love mine but I'm looking to add another, (bigger), motorcycle to my garage. That's what I paid for mine but I think I paid too much. I guess it depends on the condition of the bike. Well I hope I didn't bore you with my opinion.
Thanks,
Michael

[DrCurve]

No question here. Spring for the R75/7. The 74 R90/6 was (is) one of the worst airheads ever made and never in airhead history were so many up dates made as those from the 74 900 units to the 75 900 units that followed. Easily the worst handling of all the airheads ever made because the 14mm axle could not handle the 900 engine. Too many reason to list why not to get the 74 900.

The 1977 R75/7 is on the other hand, one of the best early airheads ever made and is rare as well. No brainer here. Best,

[James.A]

Although I've never owned a /7, I think R75/5 or /6 are the best all around motorcycles ever made.

[kbasa]

Originally posted by woodnsteel
Although I've never owned a /7, I think R75/5 or /6 are the best all around motorcycles ever made.

They're astonishingly smooth.

[splinelube]

In my opinion the 74/6 was a nice bike but as posted earlier the /7 is a stronger bike. I do not get "all heated up" over a particular models rarity and its supposed increase in value because of the production numbers but I have a 78 / 7 and a 76 /6 and I can state that the /7 beefier frame is noticably stronger than the 76/6. Also, I cannot say if the 74/6 frame is the same as the 76/6 frame, there may e a difference in the two as well.

[dlearl476]

If you want "desirable, from a collector's point of view", don't get either. Get a /5 or a R69S. If you want a great bike, get the /7.
I don't think $2500 is a bad price for a bike in GOOD, RUNNING order, regardless of mileage. OTOH, if it needs work, keep looking.

[James.A]

I helped a friend rehabilitate a long neglected R75/6 earlier this spring. He paid $1000 and spent another $1000. He now has a very serviceable used bike. I would also comment that it could have easily been worse. I donated parts from my parts buckets. If a person were planning to undertake a restoration, you should know before starting that you will have way more money sunk in it than you will ever get back. I think $2500 is a fair price for a running bike that hasn't been flogged like a borrowed mule. For a true restoration, I would try to find a non-running bike that has not been in a fire and the motor is not locked up.

[barryg]

DR. Curve the 74 R90S has all the features as the 74 R90/6; does that make it the worst bike BMW ever built ,not the 74 R90/6. The S had 6 more HP than the standard /6. All those bad features had to be more pronounced on the S. Barry

[James.A]

The fact of the matter regarding the 1974 model year is that it represents a significant transition in the airhead evolution. It is a transitional model with the more refinements added in 1975. '74's have the 5 speed kickers but also have the /5 hand controls on early models. The LWB was introduced in late 1972 on /5's. Hand controls with a kill switch didn't appear until at least early 1975. Early /6's(all models) had a key on the side of the headlight and NO kill switch. Early 5 speed kickers had a transmission flaw with a detent spring, allowing the transmission to lock into a low gear. By the '75 model year, the kicker was gone. '74 was the first year of the big headlight with the "Honda 750" instrument cluster. With respect to suspension, my opinion is that the single disc is a side-ways move from the big drum on the /5's. The R90s had pumper carbs(Del'orto) and dual front discs and a different seat with a cowl which carries over to the /7's. The 1974 model change represents a step forward, but I still have to base my preference on the 750 motor, which to me, is the perfect air cooled boxer.

[smitty]

hi, i don't have that dillema, i've got an r75/7 with a r90 top end, while i like the fact that its somewhat rare, i also just plain love it, by the way does any one know how i could tell what model the jugs came from originally? the first owner put them on, just curious, oh thanks to everyone that offered advice on my fuel or air problem . it wasn't a tank venting problem, unfortunatly, but my mechanic is coming to get the bike, ride it the 45 miles back to his shop and get to the bottom of it. i'll keep you posted...

[James.A]

There is an engineering change that eliminates cylinder base gaskets in favor of "O" rings. Most likely your top end is from a 1976 model.