A kooky idea

[woodnsteel]

I've seen /2 conversions with airhead motors. I'm considering building a BMW that is backwards from that genre. I have an R90/6 motor, frame and title. I'm envisioning an Earles front end and fenders, a /5 headlight and wiring, and modifying the subframe to fit a Denfeld or Pagusa solo seat. Has anyone done this? Am I nuts? Partners? Donors?

[sgborgstrom]

Finding a good Earles front end might be problematic (and expensive) you'd also be going backwards in the braking department, as in disk to drum. There are companies out there who make leading-link front ends that will take wheel with a disk brake....$$$$$

The /5 headlight would be cool, IMHO they just look "slicker" than the dual pods of the later bikes. I've seen the solo seats on other late model airheads so it can't be all that big a deal to install one.

The /2 fanatics will be all over you for messing with their vision of perfection so don the nomex and have at it! (Don't forget to send pictures too)

Steve

[woodnsteel]

Thanks for the encouragement, Steve. I've been putting some thought into this. I need to get a front end with a wheel, and a /6 swingarm to mock-up the chassis. I am now considering making a rear sub-frame specificly for the project. That way I could use a hinged fender from a Harley. Maybe re-inforce the main frame for possible sidecar use. Probably use bar end signals.

[woodnsteel]

Thanks for the tip on the /5 headlight. I actually prefer drum brakes. Other options I am considering is using a 4 speed and a short ratio final drive to limit the top speed. I have a mildly tricked out R75/5 that might get the 5 speed kicker from the derelict R90/6.

[rocketman]

Are you nuts? Yes, most definitely! :D Can it be done, so Iv'e heard. Would you want to? Obviously you do! It would certainly be an interesting challenge though the only folks I've heard of that thought of putting an earles front end on a /5 (or 6) have looked at it for running a sidecar rig.
The steering would be feel heavier than a standard front end and that front end feels strange at first because when you stop the front end rises and when you accel it drops.

Definitely post pics if you do it though I'm all for the idea of doing something "just because"!

RM

[dbrick]

I have a /6 disk brake on the Earle's fork of my conversion. All I had to do was fabricate and attach a weldment for the caliper and then dink around with the axle and spacer. Oh yeah... and I installed an R80G/S brake hose I had laying around.Geezer mode on.

I added a disk brake to an Earles-forked R69S in the late 70s. An 18" Yamaha RD350 front wheel with single disk accepted the stock BMW axle; spacing was accomplished with a 3/4" pipe coupling, relieved (with a hacksaw and some filing) to fit tightly against the right-side arm.

I used the two-piston (single axis) caliper from the Yamaha, bolted to an inconspicious bracket which was welded to the underside of the left-side swing arm. Anti-dive retained!

The cable from the brake lever actuated a stock /6 master cylinder, mounted under the tank. A long stainless steel brake line from Earl's connected the MC to the caliper; it took a big loop, ziptied to the fork, to accomodate both turning and suspension movement.

The whole thing yielded *way* better braking than stock, and looked pretty good, IMO.

[/Geezer]

[woodnsteel]

I just returned from Mississippi with a derelict R60/2 with almost all the parts I need for the project. Unfortunately my unheated garage is not fit for cold weather tinkering. My current thinking is to fabricate a rear subframe to allow for a solo seat and to allow the rear fender to travel with the suspension much like the earles front end. I believe this would also require tabs welded on to the rear swingarm for attachment of fender braces. I'll post a picture of the chasis mock-up when available. Thanks to all for the encouragement/advice.

[sgborgstrom]

I can hear the purists screaming....

Me? I'm looking forward to the pictures.

Steve