R90/6 impressions and questions

[bluecycle3]

picked up a 74 R90/6 about 3 weeks ago and would like to give my impressions of the bike and ask a few questions.


First a little history of the bike. When i got the bike it had been sitting under a tarp for around 7 years so there were a few issues like leaking petcocks and float bowls, needed new tires, etc..


I took care of the tires and tried to deal with the petcocks and carbs the best i could for the time being, but the main thing i wanted to do was ride the bike and see what leaked and what didnt. changed out the fluids and started to commute on the bike and have taken a few 100+ rides on it.

This is my impression of the bike so far, good power for my type of riding, just a old tractor just like i thought. I think the carbs need a little sorting and i have purchased a rebuild kit. It goes down the highway at 75 or 80 just fine but is very fun on the back roads as well, but im no racer i just like to cover miles in a relatively brisk manner which this bike will do.


The suspension is decent but not modern by any standards, my only concern is the forks seem to be sacked out, is there a cheap fix for this?

The bike came with bags and a windshield and at first i didnt care for the looks of either but they are starting to grow on me. I cant figure out what kind they are and if i can figure out how to post a pic i will and welcome any help as to what they are.

I guess my big question is can this old bike still be used for touring? I would like to take a couple of 1k plus trips this summer and would like to take this bike but im a little unsure if its up to it. I would like to hear any tips or tricks for helping me make these trips without failures or surprises.

Last but not least what is the market value of this bike? It has 29k on it and is in good working order with the exception of a missing tach needle, really needs a good cleaning but its all there. My local dealer has offered me 2.5k for it as a trade in on a more modern bike, is that close to the top value for the bike on the open market or could i get more?

Thanks Greg

[bluecycle3]

more pics of bags

[bluecycle3]

one more pic

[manicmechanic]

You'd be surprised by the number of "antiques" that show up at rallies. I wish I could help you out about the bags and fairing. It appears from your pix that all your bike needs is some TLC and a good bath. Take the time to do a good service on it. Don't forget the spline lube. Points and condenser, too. Then your bike should be as reliable as any other, just older. Keep the valves in spec. Perhaps this coming winter you might consider pulling the heads and getting the lead-free valves and seats, if they haven't already been installed. Other than that, just routine maintenance. There may be some things that may not really need to be done, but if it'll make you feel better, then go for it. Congrats on the acquisition!

[The_Veg]

I get the impression that this is your first Airhead (as carburetted BMWs are called). Check out www.boxerworks.com and also the Airheads Beemer Club (dunno their URL). Also read Snowbum's articles, which are on the web. Boxerworks is a great forum with plenty of experienced folk who are happy to help you, as well as a great sense of humour. They even have their own rallies twice a year in Oklahoma (having one next month in fact).

Best of luck and keep us posted!

[pmdave]

Looks like a nice bike.

The fairing appears to be a Wixom "Ranger". Lots of riders installed the Wixom, since BMWs didn't have fairings in the early 1970s.

The bags have me puzzled. The might be Buco, but there were many different aftermarket saddlebag suppliers. Frankly, they have great shape, fit the bike snugly for a narrow overall width, and appear to be in good condition. If they are fiberglass, you an keep them going forever.

Yes, follow the above advice about consulting the different airhead sites. The old 1970s-1980s airheads are solid bikes that are relatively easy to work on, and seldom leave you stranded.

The typical airhead faults are well known, and the fixes are available. If you intend to tour long distances with the bike, there are some upgrades you'll appreciate, including an upgraded electrical charging system, late model valves and seats, and late style rear main seal. Do lube the clutch splines and rear drive splines. Consider greasing and adjusting steering head, wheel, and swingarm bearings.

Mostly, take things apart, clean and inspect. Overhaul the carbs, consider replacing the cables.

pmdave :wave

[rocketman]

Front end work is really fairly simple and there's prob. someone in your area who could help if needed. Only special tool needed I can think of is the one used to guide the inner fork legs into the sliders and compress the sealing ring(?). Rebuild is not expensive asuming there are not bent parts. Progressive spring will give the bike much better handling though a little stiffer than stock, and you might want to consider the checking/replacing rear shocks a well. As for touring, a 900 centainly has plenty of power, I go all over on my 78 R100 plus use it as my daily commuter year-round and have for the past 5+ years, so yes it will tour very nicely.

As for price 2500-3500 seems to be the going rate for /6's, in my area anyway(DC burbs) 3500 being one in tip-top shape both machanically and cosmetic so 2500 for a trade-in seems fair, but hang on to it for a while, it may well grow on you. I was offered around 2000 for my 78 once on trade-in and its no beauty! Enjoy.

Enjoy.

RM :D

[bluecycle3]

Where is a good place to get the progressive front springs? Anyone tried to put mikuni's on a airhead? Any windscreen suggestions? Thanks again greg

[RevWillie]

Hey, I noticed in the pictures that your R90/6 has a "T" kickstarter lever! It must be a option because as I remember, the kickstarter was no longer a standard item starting with the /6's. I know that my old /5 sure did need that kickstarter!

Nice looking bike, enjoy :thumb

[TheSlashFiveTourer]

Where is a good place to get the progressive front springs? Anyone tried to put mikuni's on a airhead? Any windscreen suggestions? Thanks again greg

Greg:- Try these folks (http://www.clearviewshields.com) at ClearView Shields in Colorado. They were a big help to me a couple of times in replacing the windscreens on my Vetter WindJammer fairing. They have a "custom" section on their webpage and could possibly fabricate a new screen for you if you provide them with measurements.

I would suggest you send them the FIRST photo from your original post above - showing the fairing with the five bolt holes - so they can identify the fairing manufacturer (a Wixom 'Ranger' as per pmdave??) and supply you with the correct windscreen. Nice folks, there. Give 'em a try. Let us know how you made out, please. It would be interesting to see the revamped /6 at Lima in July. :wave

[airhead6]

AWSOME!

I purchased a 74 about 3 years ago and have slowly rebuilt the bike back to its orginal form. Given some tlc this bike will last you forever. It is easy to work on and the parts are not too expensive.

most of the bike is identical to the slash 5 of its time. 1974 was the last year for the kick starter. It will turn the motor over and works well for setting the gap on the valves however it doesn't have the umph to start her up.

Mine has 77,000 miles and has been completely stripped down to the frame and rebuilt using as many orginal parts as I could. The rest I bought from capitalcycle.com as real oem parts. I have a plexafairing 3 because I do not like fairings but want the wind protection. All this said I have been offered 3,500 to 4,000 for the bike on a trade-in. Everyone that has ever had this bike has told me at one point "I wish I would have never gotten rid of it". I think I will take there advise...

See you in OHIO. My wife and I have an embroidery business and do custom embroidery images of all bmws models - for shirts, caps, exctra. We will be in a booth in the vendor building. Hopefully I will ride my bike and she will drive the van :brow

Gmac
Airhead Custom Embroidery

[twins4life]

Where is a good place to get the progressive front springs? Anyone tried to put mikuni's on a airhead? Any windscreen suggestions? Thanks again greg


I tried that on my R90/6, in a word DONT!!! I ended up back with the CV Bings, the Mikunis gave more tope end but over all, it was a bad idea.

[rocketman]

AWSOME!

I purchased a 74 about 3 years ago and have slowly rebuilt the bike back to its orginal form. Given some tlc this bike will last you forever. It is easy to work on and the parts are not too expensive.

most of the bike is identical to the slash 5 of its time. 1974 was the last year for the kick starter. It will turn the motor over and works well for setting the gap on the valves however it doesn't have the umph to start her up.



That was for the American models I've seen ones in Europe that had kickers up to 1980 (/7).
Just last week I saw a rather unusual beast, a 77 R75/7! Seems they only made 750's for one year in the /7 line then dropped it. Interesting.

RM

[bikerfish1100]

if you can find out about the status of the detent spring in the transmission, that would be a good thing. the spring was one of the few known mechanical weak points - it had a tendency to snap at around 30K. it's a $1.00 part (plus a fair chunk of labor) if replaced in one piece, but could cost you hundreds if it grenades inside the trans.
the 900 was a real solid engine, and can easily be used as a touring mount. brakes, electrics and suspension are not up to 2000+ stds, but that's no reason to be scared of it. they were all cutting edge stuff - 30 years ago.

[barryg]

I believe the bags are Enduros that fit /5s and /6s. That was the same company that made the original teardrop bags that are popular on /2s.

[BIG AL]

I just turned over 250,000 miles on my R90 a few weeks ago, and yes, they're great for touring. I'd not hesitate to take mine from our home in California to any place on the continent. As far as maintenance goes, the recommendations for the Airheads and for Snowbum's website (you'll find the address in technical resources of the Airheads' site) are right on the money. Occasionally Airhead members get together for tech days, where parts, service, knowlege, and beer flow freely. Lotsa fun. There is an Airheads mailing list at www.micapeak.com that you can subscribe to that gives a lot of info on a day-to-day basis. Again, good stuff. Good luck, and welcome to the addiction that has no cure!! Al Hiscox