Another rescue project '74 75/6

[henzilla]

Russ , Kurt...yest they are pretty swept back. Look like the ones on our R69, but a tad beefier.
And the tank had some rusty scratches below them...I found out why when I tried to lift tank the other day and added to them The edges were so sharp it only took one little bump to further damage the paint...dangit!

I think they were so the bars cleared the Windjammer and will be coming off as well.

[crazydrummerdude]

I have the same barbacks free to anyone who wants them.

My R75 came with them and the tank is not only scratched, but pretty nicely dented on top where some bone-head slammed it into them. Not me, btw.

[beemerus]

"I think they were so the bars cleared the Windjammer and will be coming off as well."

Well at least you won't need longer cables-shorter ones maybe if they kink.

[henzilla]

Well, short update as I have been doing the holiday thing with out of town guests and remodeling Helen's laundry room/garage...her "gift" this year...as will be her riding the /6 soon.
Taking a break from all the bikes gave me a fresh perspective as well...it's back to a fun project again.


Almost ready to light her up after a long slumber...all fluids changed with no ugly surprises. The oilpan had minimal sludge and the gear lube throughout came out fresh looking for being there for 30+ years since last known service ...a pleasant surprise! Even the brake fluid looked better than some Oilheads I have done lately. The front m/c under the tank looks OK and no leaks...didn't want to touch it yet other than flushing.

I found a huge clump of mud dobber nests on top of starter which hampered removing that cover as well...bet they have been there awhile! The air element was really stuck to the left housing....took some talking to get it off w/out breaking the housing

Am going to see what a test ride brings out and address those findings. Have new tires and tubes,wb grease, and the brakes look great for 20K.At least the rolling /stopping thing looks ready.

Installed a gel battery and got a pretty spark on the plugs. New fuel lines w/filters also bring peace of mind. The tank still reeks of stale fuel even after being aired out for over a month. Hopefully a tank or two of fresh fuel will take care of that. I hate that smell almost as much as burnt gear lube...

Still trying to find a set of stock bar clamps and may ride out to pick some up Friday and a tail light lens that has been on back order for awhile to take it to be inspected and TX plated. Any other source for a tail light lens other than a BMW dealer?

I took the headlight off yesterday and removed all the Scotch-Locks from the Windjammer harness add on. It looks better w/out all those connectors. Will reinstall the front indicators in the next session. The stalks were not chopped like I thought and the original wiring is tucked inside them. All grounds and connections look good so far at all major points.

Helen still wants me to replace the aged roundels... I wanted to leave them be for now

My bigger project is still the 69S we got from the same guy on the adjacent lift...figuring out logistics to get the shortblock to Vech SOON! The /6 was still just a bonus find in that deal.

[20774]

Any other source for a tail light lens other than a BMW dealer?

I'd check with Mickey at Airhead Salvage. There are a couple of other used parts places like Re-psycle and maybe Bob's BMW.

[henzilla]

I'd check with Mickey at Airhead Salvage.

I left him a voicemail about the bar clamps...was going to ride out today to see what he has....nice being close! The two dealers(one east coast) said the lens had to come from their vintage supplier and had no ETA.

[henzilla]

Got everything ready, ( including a fire extinguisher ) after a ride out to Martindale Cycle Works to pick up the bar clamps today. Came home and set the bars in place, went over my checklist...again. Added some fresh fuel, checked for leaks...again, and hit the starter....It fired up on first try! Purred at idle like it has been ridden every day lately
A little skip at 3K, will ride it and tweak that after a good running.
I know this is what was supposed to happen...but still happy it went smoothly for her first start in quite some time.

I am pretty stoked at this point and prepared to roll off the lift for a spin around the compound. I looked behind the lift and across the way where one of Helen's bikes was parked and laughed at the debris field of carbon,dirt,and rust that spewed out of the mufflers...mostly on the floor...a LOT on her bike Luckily for me she was not there to see that happen.

So, after cleaning up my mess, I rode it in large circles around our drives for about ten minutes and checked things out. Will gear up and venture around the neighborhood tomorrow to see what a shakedown brings out. I just need to remember to not try any GSA moves with those skinny tires! I have no plates or safety inspection sticker, so need to stay off the highway until I can ride it into town when the DMV opens after Christmas break. Still need to transfer the front signals off the Windjammer back onto the bike before the inspection, but no biggie. Oh yeah, the speedo IS working so I am confident it only has 20K as thought...sweet!

[henzilla]

Have been on several rides, a little further each time. I did a 200 mile loop this past Saturday and all seems well. Bike seems tight and responsive throughout all ranges...just doesn't stop well! It sure purrs on the 65/70MPH two lanes around here. Passed a few under the limit Cruisers and a R1 with a skill-less rider...all good The look on the faces of what had passed them was priceless.
P1260156-L.jpg

I have adjusted the front brakes a few times and have not replaced the front pads yet, they are sitting here however. It spins freely one day, drags a day later, then will free up again. I need to get the O ring for the adjuster pin before I pull it....thinking it's a possible issue.

I still have a hard lever and with adjusters all the way in at lever and master cylinder cannot get any clearance at the master cylinder under the tank.
The manual says you should be able to get a feeler gauge in there...not happening!

The grandson replaced the MC and front hose in 2002 when he ran it for 2000 miles before re-parking it. The records had a gap and I finally found that 2002 Santa Cruz receipt for a battery, oil change kit and brake parts.He said he used it a few times while stationed in CA.

I have bled it several times. Guess I just need to pull the pads and start at square one again. Also noticed in parts fiche the header says clutch/brake cable with the short or long option for bars...are the two the same? Cannot find a separate listing for a brake cable. I thought he had also changed that cable and maybe put a shorter one on, but the receipt doesn't reflect that.

Oh yeah, still confident from all the records I was the one to roll over to 21K...just a baby still!

[stanley83]

Also noticed in parts fiche the header says clutch/brake cable with the short or long option for bars...are the two the same? Cannot find a separate listing for a brake cable. I thought he had also changed that cable and maybe put a shorter one on, but the receipt doesn't reflect that.

The short cables are for the Euro bars. It looks like you've got the USA bars which need the long cables. When I switched from the USA to Euro bars, I kept the long cables for a while, but switched to the short ones for a neater routing.

[henzilla]

Thanks Justin,
I knew there were short/long versions, just could not locate part number for front brake to master cylinder cable...finally found it in the front brake hose pic in the fiche. Two versions for euro/US bars.

I think maybe the original cable was broken and repaired as there is no slack to be had. May have happened prior to MC replacement by the grandson...he's a big fella and maybe the original MC was frozen when he squeezed the lever!

[henzilla]

Got the 3K on the bike since I got her running in order to do a "what needs attention now". As noted before, this bike isn't high mileage...just some old brittle parts on her.

Have a few minor oil trails which was expected after it's long slumber. Re-torqued heads ( I believe the first time) and adjusted some really tight valves. Spent a bit of fun time removing old gaskets from the valve covers...one of my favorite pasttimes...NOT.

Pulled front cover to find a nice puddle of oil in the points well. Looks like both the front seals are weeping so that's on the list of parts on the way. Also more time scraping gaskets and popping out old stiff seals.

One side is leaking on the pushrod seals, but that can wait a bit longer as it's minor...maybe wait until the other side starts leaking

Pulled the tranny this afternoon to find dry splines as also expected with some hard shifting going on. Hard to tell right now if the rear main is weeping...but I think it is with oil in vicinity. Since I am this far, the clutch comes out and a new seal as well.

Went ahead and ordered a set of OEM knockoff mufflers as well as the originals are starting to show lots of holes popping thru the chrome.

Helen saw the bike in pieces and said I must be keeping it...You Bet!

[gch71]

If your ever get close to Houston say Katy area give me a buzz and stop by, got one running 74"/6 and a 76"/6 project I'm squirling parts for to start real soon.
Glenn
Pm me and I'll give u my details and exact location if interested....my door is open most of the time for my fellow airheads!!