1976 BMW R-Series

4991036

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1976 BMW R90s VIN 4991036 I am selling my restored 1976 BMW R90s because I have 3 R90S's and need space! Introduction In 1976, BMW produced a great R90s; the most advanced of the three years it was imported into the U.S. It is a strong and reliable machine that has excellent road manners. And it was delivered with iconic good looks. The R90s I present to you in this auction is a nearly completely stock, intact R90s that has had its mechanicals and cosmetics freshened. It performs today like it did in 1976. My philosophy with any restoration is to keep the machine as factory stock and correct as possible, with very few if any modifications to the mechanicals or cosmetics. One can modify the mechanicals with improvements to enhance power, performance and drivability well beyond the manufacturers’ original design. One can also modify the cosmetics and change the look and character of the machine. I went down neither of those paths. Where ever possible, the bikes original, correctly functioning parts were cleaned up and left intact, unless safety or cosmetics dictated otherwise. Where parts were needed, only OEM BMW original parts were used, purchased either from MAX BMW or BMW Escondido Motorcycles in SoCal. This R90s came from a dry climate, good storage and has original bones. Just about every nut, bolt and component on this bike was touched to bring back either the original factory finish or it was re-plated. When that was not possible, an OEM replacement fastener or other part was purchased new from BMW. In the photos presented, I have tried to capture this R90s in various positions and light to reveal the true beauty of this iconic and magnificent machine. Brief R90s History June 1976 marked the end of BMW R90s production worldwide. This particular motorcycle was produced in May 1976, making it one of the last U.S. spec R90s motorcycles imported. A mere 1,260 U.S. spec R90s’s were produced in 1976. This extremely low production number, coupled with the R90s’s Super Bike heritage from Reg Pridmore’s 1976 AMA Daytona Super Bike Championship, and the “Savior of BMW’s motorcycle division” status owed to the efforts of Bob Lutz and Hans Muth, makes this a historically significant and appreciating classic, sought by the savvy collector."To me, the R90s is arguably one of the most significant motorcycles ever made. It may be egotistical to say this, but I believe I am the founding father of the idea behind the R90s. The S made BMW motorcycles respectable again! Not only outside the company, with magazines, and with buyers, but within the company too. It proved to BMW it could compete and make money in the bike business, and the money the R90s made helped pave the way for future motorcycles, many of which are iconic themselves. What followed the R90s was a willingness on the part of upper management to invest in the motorcycle business, and that allowed machines like the R100RS, and the GS's, and the K- and R series bikes to come later. Suddenly, after the S-model took off, there was more adventuresome spirit within the company, and more boldness. We see that to this very day, and it all came from the R90s." - Bob Lutz, former BMW marketing executive, in Motorcyclist Magazine article, December 2014 issue, entitled "The Savior". “This is the fascinating story of the motorcycle that changed BMW’s image in the motorcycle world. The R90s was the most significant model BMW produced after the war, winning fans both at the superbike races and in the showroom.” – Author Ian Falloon - BMW R90S The 1976 R90s is regarded as the best of the three model years by virtue of a number of engine and chassis improvements over 1975 and 1974. These improvements are nicely detailed in Ian Falloon’s book and worth the read. “In the author’s opinion the improvements for 1976 resulted in the quintessential version of the R90s series.” – Author Ian Falloon - BMW R90S R90s Serial 4991036 VIN 4991036 is fully triple matching. Factory stamped numbers on engine case, frame and frame tag (frame tags were re-located by BMW from the front-center of the fork tube to right side of the frame around Jan – Feb 1976). 4991036 was found by John Herron (JHBMW) in an airplane hangar, in a dry climate, abandoned and untouched for almost 25 years. I purchased the bike from John in March 2014. There was considerable weather and age-related patina, but almost no rust or corrosion. The bike was very original with the exception of a few period-performance improvements such as the billet aluminum upper fork brace, which I chose to leave on the motorcycle because its installation required slight trimming headlight mounting ears. The following is a listing of what was done to restore this unique R90s back to its glory: Mechanicals The engine was freshened. When I purchased the motorcycle, all mechanical work had already been completed by JHBMW. According to John: All mechanicals were inspected and checked, lubed, replaced or repaired and adjusted as necessary. Fresh top end, replaced one new rocker arm and shaft, good cleanup cylinder heads, cylinder hone, new piston rings. All gaskets and seals were replaced, including the oil pan, cylinder head, valve covers, push rods tubes, etc. The bike has no oil leaks. Rear wheel final drive splines were in good condition and indicated no abuse. Splines were cleaned and lubed. New spark plugs and points installed, the valves adjusted and the engine timing set. The 38 mm Dellorto carburetors were rebuilt using all new parts, gaskets etc as needed. New throttle cables were installed. The throttle response of the bike through the entire rev band is excellent. (The curved throttle cable guides on the Dellorto’s have been retro-fitted to the straight nipples at some point as per BMW bulletin. The curved nipples caused excessive throttle cable stickiness and breakage). This R90s runs very strong like it should. It fires right up on cold choke, is off choke right away and does not have a grumpy idle even a few blocks away. It idles smooth and the transition off line is smooth and effortless. The clutch is smooth and transmission shifts property. The bike runs smooth, quiet and feels excellent overall. Paint Painting and hand pin stripping were completed by Rob Miller of Rob Miller Customs in San Diego. You can find Rob Miller Customs on the Internet or (619) 889-6607. Rob is an award-winning painter of custom motorcycles and autos. He specializes in highly detailed airbrush work, which made him an excellent choice for this project. Just for fun, I included a couple of photos of 4991036 next to another 1976 Silver Smoke R90s I own, which was also produced in May of 1976, and still sports its original factory paint. The smoke fade margins into the silver varied from R90s to R90s and makes each bike unique. To remain true to this R90s’s unique identity, Rob photographed each original painted part and faithfully reproduced the location of the smoke margins on the newly painted pieces. It is said that no two R90s were painted exactly the same, so why would one want to deviate from the original margins given the opportunity to re-create them? The original tire pressure label on the rear fender was in terrific shape, perfect really, and was carefully masked off to preserve it during the painting process. The tire pressure label is now under the clear. The surviving original pin striping enabled us to: 1) Color match; 2) copy the original width; and 3) re-create the pin stripes actual location. Rob created paperboard templates of the original pin line locations. The tank and seat pan were pin striped individually using these templates, but were not on the frame at the time of pin striping. As you would expect from the original pin line positioning, the new pin stripes on the tank and seat pan lined up quite nicely with each other after they were assembled onto the bike. Again, we were fortunate to have a nice original R90s to work with to enable us to bring this unique R90s back to life. The “900cc” stickers were ordered from BMW and similar to the pin stripes, are under the clear for longevity. The paint presentation on this R90s is drop dead gorgeous and the colors, fade and margins nicely re-create how the bike was delivered from BMW. Frame Original R90s frames were painted gloss black. For durability purposes, I chose gloss black powder coating. The frame, sub-frame, swing arm, headlight mounting brackets, center stand and battery tray were powder coated gloss black. The frame and sub-frame were perfectly straight and had no extra holes anywhere. Body / Chassis / Trim In no particular order: Upper and lower steering bearings and races were purchased from BMW and installed correctly. Swing arm bearings and races were in great shape. The inside of the gas tank has a pristine original factory-applied red coating. No corrosion at all inside. Gas cap is NOS original as original cap had pitting. As far as I can tell, the fuel taps are original Karcoma’s and do not leak. All aluminum parts are original to the bike by virtue of their casting dates (forks, engine casings, front rotors, heads, valve covers etc.) Seat has a small vinyl repair up near chrome grab rail area and is visible in one of the photos. The 3 BMW Roundels are the correct and very expensive enamel versions ordered from MAX BMW ($50 each). New OEM BMW hand grips (square type) were installed. Has original BMW / BUMM R90s mirrors. Tires are new tubed Continental GOs. The bike comes with its original tool trays, complete original tool kit, original working tire pump, owner’s manual and a shop rag. The ignition key works all locks. Electrical All wire harnesses were in excellent condition with no modifications, splices or the like and were re-used. The original Bosch coils and spark plug wire leads are still present and functioning as they should, as are the original 1K Ohm BERU plug caps. All relays are functioning originals and were left in place. The left and right side hand controls worked just fine, but the lettering on them was completely worn / faded off, so new controls were purchased from BMW and installed. Everything electrical on the bike functions as it should. Wheels Front and rear wheel hubs were rebuilt by a Master Technician at BMW Escondido Motorcycles using new BMW bearings and races with the correct shims. Because the bike came from such a friendly environment, the spokes are still the gorgeous chrome plated originals, not stainless steel replacements. Wheels spin true and the rim surfaces were reconditioned by hand to their original luster. They are in excellent condition. Front End Front forks received a complete disassembly and rebuild by a Master Technician at BMW Escondido Motorcycles. The ORIGINAL 4/76-dated ATS front brake lines were on the bike when I took possession and were not leaking, but due to safety concerns I replaced them with braded stainless steel over Teflon brake lines that have a black outer PVC coating to help with cosmetics and prevent marring the paint. Front rotors are dated originals and show very little wear. Brakes calipers were rebuilt with new seal kits and new organic pads were installed. Rear End Rear shocks are the bike’s originals and they are firm and function as they should. Rear drum brake linings were within spec, as was the interior brake hub. The rear drum brake works as good as any airhead. The drive shaft was removed prior to swing arm powder coating. The U-joint is in excellent condition. Swing arm bearings were correctly pre-loaded and the swing arm was correctly spaced and torqued during installation. Exhaust System The exhaust headers and mufflers are the BMW originals. There are several small scuffs, dings and blemishes in the mufflers…the exhaust system is certainly far from perfect, but not bad enough to warrant replacement. The chrome is mostly nice and shiny. The exhaust note is deep like it should be without funny noises. Summary This is an excellent restoration of an R90s, certainly among the best that I have seen so far, and importantly, as true as possible to this unique R90s’s bones and factory originality. The motorcycle runs strong without any issues that I have noted in the nearly 170 miles that I have driven it. It drives and handles terrific. The reason I am selling is because I own three R90s’s, and one late model BMW bike, in addition to two classic cars, and my garage is just too tight to move around in comfortably to perform even routine maintenance on any of the vehicles. It was always my intention to sell this bike after I restored it, but I enjoy looking at the bike so much it has been difficult to let her go up till now....so interpret that as this is not a fire sale auction! Nicely restored R90s’s such as this one come up for sale occasionally and prices seem to vary. Only you can decide of what level of quality in an R90s you want to own and commensurately, what price you are willing to pay. If you desire a show piece R90s with meticulous attention to originality then this BMW R90s is for you. The reserve is set at a level that covers my costs into the bike (but obviously not my time), but is well below the sales of other comparable high-end R90s’s. It's my belief that this will sell in excess of the reserve price. If you feel it’s worth what other high-end R90s’s have sold for, please bid. I have every confidence that the new owner will be proud to drive and display this example of BMW History and will receive compliments everywhere the bike is taken, just as I have. Feel free to call or email me with any questions or comments on this R90s. I also have lots of additional pictures, and if there is a shot you are looking for, please ask. Ebay only allows for 24 photos.A $500 non-refundable deposit is required within 24 hours of auction close. The buyer is responsible for shipping arrangements, but I have used different carriers in the past and can help with recommendations if needed. I can accommodate a couple of weeks of storage at no charge, so long as the bike has been paid for in full. Thanks for looking and bidding! Mark 858.775.0359