1975 BMW R-Series

4981036

Clear

I purchased this iconic BMW R90S from the original CA owner in early 2014. At the time, I was restoring a 1976 Silver Smoke BMW R90S and the originality of this bike prompted me to call the owner to get some originality questions answered from my restoration project. When I learned that this 75 had the same serial sequence as my 76 (4981036 vs 4991036), I just had to buy the bike and I paid up for it. I completed the restoration of the 76 and 8 months later sold it. I have kept the 75 because it is really a once in a lifetime find. I currently have a 1976 Daytona Orange R90S that I am wrapping the restoration up on and I have another 1976 R90S in Silver Smoke to restore after that. I love restoring these old historic machines and I have tackled the 76 Daytona Orange restoration project in cramped quarters (see photo). With the 76 coming up, I prefer to restore it with more room to work in, so thinning the collection is preferred. But please do not interpret this as a "must sale". This is not your average R90S and the reserve price reflects this. With the introduction out of the way, you are looking at probably one of the finest examples of an unrestored, unmolested BMW R90S in the USA. Certainly it is among the top few examples to have come for sale here on Ebay in the past several years. The original owner was fanatical about keeping his possessions in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition, but thoroughly enjoyed riding them too. Everything works on this bike as it should. It runs, shifts and stops as it should. Engine and transmission are very smooth. I have put about 600 miles on the bike since I have owned it. I could probably pass this R90S off as a low mileage bike if I were an unscrupulous sort, which I am not. Remarkably it has about 70K miles on it, a true testimonial to the loving care this machine received by its single owner of 39 years before me. R90Ss of this quality come for sale only rarely and always command premium prices from discriminating buyers as they should. The pictures should speak for themselves, but please read the Condition Description.... (Being original, the R90S has some blemishes: Hallmark scratches on the front faring from a single non-moving tip over in the late 1970s per the original owner (see photo); common scratches on gas tank from seat removal (see photos); cracks in Plexiglas windscreen where plastic anchors attach windscreen to faring; small crack on lower rear fender from wheel removal to tire replacement (see photo); small notches installed in faring by original owner so mirrors didn't vibrate on faring (see photos); tire iron marks on wheel rims from tire changes; scratches to rear fender under seat from tire pump (see photo). 1975 sub-frames hold the tire pump against the fender with very little if any clearance. The design was revised sometime in 1976 so the pump holding bracket welded to the sub-frame kept the pump away from the rear fender). I will add the following commentary.The paint almost looks new except for a few nicks and scratches here and there. The clear coat is still very glossy. All paint work is factory original.The gloss black painted frame is factory original and looks new except for some nicks and scratches here and there. The frame was obviously included in the regular wax jobs by the original owner. He also stated he never rode the bike in the rain and never used a hose on the bike to wash it.Factory installed enamel badges look stunning.Pin striping signature of "4 R" or "4 12" appears under the front faring and seat cowl. I presume it is under the gas tank as well, but I have not removed the tank to see.The left and right hand controls still have most of their lettering; very rare for original controls.All gauges are functional including the clock. Clock has its original mechanical movement but gains about 5 minutes per month. There is a simple + / - adjustment on the clock, but it hasn't bothered me enough to get to it.Tasteful black Krauser engine guards were installed by original owner.Mechanical and periodic maintenance work is documented, but highlights include new push rod tube seals around 40K miles. According to the original owner, he elected to re-ring the pistons at that time since he was in there: not needed but good preventive maintenance.Luftmeister front brake lines were added.Locking gas cap was ordered at the time of purchase.Improved version (according to BMW) of the Karcoma fuel cocks were added by original owner. Original fuel cocks go with the sale.The "dangerous" factory side stand was missing when I purchased the bike, opting instead for the easy-to-use Browns side stand.Foot pegs were changed out front and rear to the newer, wider style (late 70's) that were more comfortable for driver and passenger. Original rear pegs go with the sale.Around 66k miles the odometer died (very common) and owner purchased a new speedometer unit, which now has 4k miles logged.Purchased new from Bill Robertson & Sons, Inc.: Honda of North Hollywood on May 29, 1975. Yes, the Bill Robertson Honda dealership also sold BMW and other brands. Original Purchase Order is included with sale. When is the last time you saw that included with a sale?All keys are present, including the ultra-rare gray folding key, spare ignition key and a pair of gas cap keys. The original black round key is included. The original shop rag, tire pump (not working), owners manual and tool kit is included. The tool kit itself is incredible. Original CA blue and gold license plate...a California R90S its entire life. Original owner lived and still lives in Chatsworth, CA, a dry desert-like climate north of Los Angeles.Inspection sticker still on the rear fender under the seat.I had the final drive re-sealed about a year ago at BMW Escondido Motorcycles.Original exhaust system is as near perfect as you will find for a vintage motorcycle. Part numbers on the Zeuna mufflers are 18 12 1 243 582 and 583 and stamped on the underside by the hanger bracket. These part numbers were exclusively used on CA-destined R90Ss in 1975. I received that fact from BMW. I don't know why, but the mufflers might be a tad quieter than the 031 and 032 mufflers. These mufflers are identified by three small dimples in a triangular pattern on the mufflers ends.Full Triple Matching Numbers goes without saying.Ebay pictures do not do this R90S justice. I encourage a live inspection by you or your representative, or you may call me at 858 775 0359 and I would be pleased to answer your questions. If you have any other particular photo angles you would like to see, either call me or send me an email. I have lots of good hi res photos. I am happy to work with your shipper. A $250 non-refundable security deposit is due within 48 hours of auction close! Thank you. You will be extraordinarily pleased to add this rare-condition BMW R90S to your collection. On Sep-22-15 at 12:03:14 PDT, seller added the following information: A question was asked and I forgot to click the box to post so I have pasted it and my response below.... Hi sorry to bother again , but I can not make out if the right forward side of the gas tank has a dent or if it is a light reflection. Hi, thanks for your question. Definitely not a dent. Each side of the tank in that area has a factory indentation. It's identical to my two other R90Ss. There is one very slight dent in the tank that I just now noticed when I went out to look to answer your question. It is just above the scratch on the side of the tank, but it's so slight it doesn't show up in the photo I provided. It's so slight you might notice it at all because I didn't. On Sep-22-15 at 12:13:24 PDT, seller added the following information: I wanted to note one other item I didn't catch when I listed this R90S for sale. These photos were taken about 6 months ago. There is zero change to the condition or mechanicals of the bike. This R90S is as gorgeous now as it was then! But in that time I did replace both throttle cables to the newer style that uses the straight nipple on top of the two DellOrto carbs. Both curved nipples and both cables that fit the curved nipple configuration will be included with the sale if you want to switch it back. I changed them out because the throttle grip twist tension was greater than my other two R90Ss with the curved nipple configuration. BMW had a bulletin many years ago asking dealers to remove the curved nipples because this tension could cause the cables to break. The old style cables are longer than the current style to fit the curved nipples and are no longer available from BMW. Hope this makes sense, but ask if it does not. Thank you.