1974 BMW R-Series

4937497

Clear

The BMW airhead twins had a long and venerable history of solid and reliable performance. If picture tells a story the R90S was a major step away from how this engine was presented and the pictures here do not show that sports model. This bike was produced mid 1974 with the desirable 5 speed kickstart gearbox. Those familiar with this engine design and its many attributes will recognise the value of that facility and this bike rolls freely, albeit that the front tire refuses to hold any air. Whether the bike turns over is another matter and it might be that more than diesel down the bores will resolve any possible difficulty in that respect. She has been sitting for a long long time first in a barn in Tennessee where it was first 'found' and then sold on the basis that it was all there and that it was too good to part out. It was then transported to be included in a container load of bikes being sent down under but whilst it had once been registered in TN whether a title ever issued was uncertain and without a title the US Customs would not approval the export of the bike. There is NO TITLE available but a bill of sale should be with the bike from the 2014 vendor and obviously assistance will be given to the successful bidder who takes up this challenge. The bike arrived at Schumacher Cargo Logistics a little of four years ago and has languished in their warehouse ever since. It is assumed that what was on the bike when barn pictured and otherwise in transit may have found its way into the cardboard box shown with the bike on arrival in new Jersey. Someone started to do something on the bike at sometime and hopefully anything then removed or otherwise taken off is in the large cardboard box and which should be with the bike, both possibly now being covered by a further layer of dust. Those who understand this classic design will recognise that this is a project bike but hopefully not with a view to salvage its parts. The gearbox would be worth $500 as a starting point but with time and application there seems to be no reason why the bike could not resurrected. The chrome hi-riser addition might be dispensed with but if originality were not absolutely sought, then the R series makes a very useful foundation for a cafe racer often of more attractive styling than the factory upgrade; cf https://www.designboom.com/technology/bmw-r90-6-cafe-racer-custom-motorcycle-by-renard-03-16-2017/ I repeat that the photos here do not show the factory cafe racer model but to carve a cafe racer you have to start with solid wood and that might just be what is available here. The airhead parallel twins were once common and every day due to their intrinsic reliability and whilst the smaller units were lacking in performance, the factory understandably developed its own period cafe racer from a very solid design. It may not be often that one can take a stock model and use it as a base to build a custom that will draw more attention than the period renowned factory special but that could be quite available here. Whilst enough airheads have been already broken to ensure that any parts not available from the box can be acquired, it would be unfortunate some four decades on to see this parted out. The starting price does not reflect the sum of its parts but it would be hoped that some will see that this bike merits more than just resurrection.