Seeking 76' R90/6 info

[Godfather]

Going to look at a 1976 R 90/6 tomorrow 28,000 miles. Been sitting for 4 1/2 yrs since the guy passed. He was in the middle of restoration, His son is selling it and does not know much about it. It had the tank and fenders repainted, new wheels and tires, but beyond that he does not know anything about it.

I assume carbs need rebuilding, fuel lines, brake lines, intake tubes, battery will need replacing. It needs headlight and front signals.

He said his father was riding it shortly before he started to work on it, so it was in good running condition.

I know basically nothing about airheads. Any idea of it's value, or what to check for? Your help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

[sumran]

To much to tell and too little data to get to the answers you want. Find some local airheads and take them with you. In great running condition it is worth less than $3,000. It will take lots of work and parts to get it to that point. Parts are available but not cheap.

If you are willing and able to do the work as a hobby, the ending might be happy (depending on condition). If you have to pay for labor, you will lose money.

If it all works out you may enjoy insanity for years to come.:laugh

[rpeckham136133]

I have a '76 slash 6, and the bikes are simple, repairable, ruggedly built. Carbs are easily enough re-done as necessary. If that is the actual mileage, that would be a great candidate for rejuvenation... the 90/6 has a reputation for being one of the best airheads ever built.

Painted parts are nice, if everything else looks good (not abused, etc), the chances are good that it is quite do-able. If you have to pay someone to do every little thing to the bike, you might be better off buying a running bike, otherwise, go for it!


Value? Hard to say, depending on how much of it is "in boxes".... I am comfortable with working on the bikes, so I am willing to take a lot for granted, but you might not be. I paid $500 for an intact, non-running 60/6 bike that most would have shied away from, but feel I got a fair deal given what I found inside. I paid $1500 for an '81 R100 bike that had not been run for a couple of months, and appeared to have been run hard when it ran, but am happy with what I got there, too.... so..... ??

What are they asking $$ ??

[Godfather]

THEY ARE ASKING $2300 OR OFFER. THE PICS LOOK REAL NICE, BUT THATS ONLY PICS. he said his dad was riding it right befor he started work on it, then got sick and passed away. I will know more tonight. I will be doing the work myself.
Thanks

[Rod Sheridan]

I'm riding my second R90/6 now, first one was destroyed at 298,000 miles in a rear ender.

It took me a year to find a replacement, now I'm riding my second one.

I hate these "what's it worth?" questions.

In good condition, 3 to 4K.

Otherwise, it's up to you, are you going to count the pennies or enjoy the relationship?

If penny counting, run away, if you're going to ride it and own it for a while, go ahead.

regards, Rod.

[Godfather]

Well we looked at it..."rough" to put it nicely. I know nothing about airheads, so here goes. It will need Carbs rebuilt, gas shut offs rebuilt, fuel lines and filters, tank may need relining, forks compress smoothly but do not rebound as quickly as I think they should. The ignition key is broken off in the seat lock so it needs a new ignition switch, tires are 0 miles but 4 1/2 years old, no front brakes? the lever pulls all the way to the h-bar but no movement of the pads or any pressure felt at the lever. Is this a cable actuated hydraulic brake since there is a cable at the lever? Battery is shot, Bike has the usual oxidation of all aluminum. No rust or pitting of the chrome...surprise.

I put it on the c-stand and shifted it into 1st gear, rolled the wheel fore and aft, there is about 2" of lash at the rear tire. I pulled back and forth on both wheels fron the side at the 6 and 12:00 position and the wheel bearings feel tight. No oil leaks, but a minimal seepage on the right side around the trans (I think). I put it in 2nd gear and rolled the bike with clutch pulled, released the clutch and did get the engine to turn over through a couple of compression strokes. There are new HAGON chrome and black shocks on the rear. The original headlight and signals are gone. It has krausers in VERY GOOD condition and a Vetter fairing. The repaint is good but far from show room. The frame has many scratches and there are many parts at the lower end of the bike ie; brake rod, both stands that need blasting and paint.

He said his dad rode it from WI to MI, then started the resto, got sick and passed. I am hoping the engine and trans are good.

All in all this seems to be a good start for a project, but far from his asking price of $2300. I will make a low offer and see where it goes.

A couple questions...
Is this electric start only?
Solid state ignition or points?
Am I crazy? Wait, don't answer that one.

Thanks,
Mike

[rpeckham136133]

A couple of answers:

Yep. Unless you count a bump-start as well....

Original ignition would have been points, condenser, and a couple of old 6v coils in series. Simple, effective. But, could have been "upgraded" somewhere over the years.

Crazy? hmmmmm.... let's just say that the first step is admitting......

[535is]

I think you're gonna buy it. :laugh

[JJ Cerilli]

If you buy any bike that "has been sitting" for 4-5 years, it will need "sorting" and some TLC, yes?;) - which always involves parts / money.

If you don't want to deal with all this, then, spend the extra money up front and buy one that is a"turn-key" example - one that is already sorted, and needs nothing.

Plenty of examples of these on "The Flea Market" - including some nice R/90's!:german

For example: http://www.bmwmoa.org/flea/detail.php?siteid=18344&catid=1

Scroll through and check out the other R/90's there.

Good luck and keep us posted!

JJC

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi, if it doesn't have a kickstart lever it's electric only. (This isn't a smart answer, the kick start was an option so it depends upon what your bike has).

Points or electronic ignition? It left the factory with points, present condition unknown.

Are you crazy..........Yes..............However we've all been crazier.......Rod.

[Godfather]

He did not accept my offer. I calculated what the bike needs in parts and explained it to him. I added that the MOA forum is a wealth of knowledge and that there are good running bikes for sale there that need nothing for the same price he is asking. His reply was that those guys on forums usually don't know what they are talking about. He said he turned down $1500 "cuz its worth a lot more n' that.":bottle

BTW...I offered $400

I will keep looking, there is no rush.

Thanks for all of the advice and help.

[JJ Cerilli]

QUOTE: ".....those guys on forums usually don't know what they are talking about."

Nice....

I wonder what the average BMW riding / owning / buying / selling different models / wrenching / experience is for the average MOA member?

[Bigrider]

Well, $400 is pretty low. If all the parts were there, and everyting looked presentaable, ie, lack of rust, lack of oil/dirt and other indicators of misuse, an offer over $1,200.00 would be in order.

Dave H
San Antonio, Tx

[kwb210]

Well, $400 is pretty low. If all the parts were there, and everyting looked presentaable, ie, lack of rust, lack of oil/dirt and other indicators of misuse, an offer over $1,200.00 would be in order.

Dave H
San Antonio, Tx

Yeah, 1,200 would still be a great buy, regardless you will have to invest a bit more. Hey, that's just the way is sems to go, but then you KNOW what you have. A pretty good feeling.
I always start w/ a low ball offer, sometimes they accept it, and make it VERY polite, never burning a bridge, so easy that if they turn me down odds are that i am the one they will call back when they decide they really do want to sell the item.
Keep us posted!
kurt
1977 R100/7

[DOINTHETON]

Well we looked at it..."rough" to put it nicely. I know nothing about airheads, so here goes. It will need Carbs rebuilt, gas shut offs rebuilt, fuel lines and filters, tank may need relining, forks compress smoothly but do not rebound as quickly as I think they should. The ignition key is broken off in the seat lock so it needs a new ignition switch, tires are 0 miles but 4 1/2 years old, no front brakes? the lever pulls all the way to the h-bar but no movement of the pads or any pressure felt at the lever. Is this a cable actuated hydraulic brake since there is a cable at the lever? Battery is shot, Bike has the usual oxidation of all aluminum. No rust or pitting of the chrome...surprise.

No oil leaks, but a minimal seepage on the right side around the trans (I think). The original headlight and signals are gone. It has krausers in VERY GOOD condition and a Vetter fairing. The repaint is good but far from show room. The frame has many scratches and there are many parts at the lower end of the bike ie; brake rod, both stands that need blasting and paint.

He said his dad rode it from WI to MI, then started the resto, got sick and passed. I am hoping the engine and trans are good.

All in all this seems to be a good start for a project, but far from his asking price of $2300. Thanks,
Mike

if the seller admits to it sitting 4+ years, figure its been longer.i don't think your $400.00 was a low ball offer. more realistic than what the seller is asking based on the described condition.

it's not running, missing some very expensive oem parts, crappy re-paint, all that corrosion on the bottom is either the effects of riding it on winter chemical covered roads, or storage in a shed/garage/barn with a dirt or gravel floor.
gas tank rough, carbs, petcocks-ditto. caliper/master cylinder service/rebuild/replacement, battery, headlight ring, lens, maybe bucket? i think you could avoid the ignition issue right now and get by with a key. tires (i wouldn't ride on the four year old ones very long).
even if your handy and plan on doing the majority of the work yourself, you'll spend some serious dough and time to get it running, then you'll find out what else it needs (fork rebuild, steering stem/swingarm bearing, engine and tranny seals/gaskets, electrical issues, etc. this is all before you get into any cosmetic reconditioning.

over $400.00-$750.00, i'd pass on it. been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

[mymindsok]

If you were intending to end up with a ridable bike, your offer was reasonable and sane.

It really dosnt make much difference what the bike is available as "parts" because the cost of restoring a trashed BMW Airhead usually costs several thousand dollars (Ask me how I know!)

Keep looking. Finding a running bike that in reasonable cosmetic shape will save you a lot of long nights, worrying, money and ultimately, heartbreak.