1 bike is never enough, new to me 71 BMW R75/5

[bomber737]

I have been away for quite a while and I finally got home. I found this bike on CL the first day it was listed and mad a deal on it on the spot. So now I am the proud owner of a 1971 BMW R75/5. This bike looks to be a nice complete barn find. It has been sitting for the last 20 years but is in such good shape I think it will just get a re-conditioning of all the rubber parts and back on the road it goes. I do have the headlight lense and I will probably get rid of the seat back and the funky fairing. I think it is a 60's era Avon. Not my taste but I would bet it would look great on a Triumph or Norton.

[GS1150Pilot]

Such cool bikes. I love Airheads.

[Rob S.]

I like it a lot. And the front drum brake? Shouts, "Classic motorcycle!"

If I were king, it would be free to register. You're doing the world a favor by putting it on the road.

Please keep us updated with plenty of pics.

[bomber737]

I certainly will take a bunch of pictures. First thing thats going to happen is the rear end is coming of and I will be replacing the rear main seal and lubing the drive splines. The bike has 33000 miles on it. The thing I like the best is the spedo and tach are in the headlight bucket but the tach needle is broken. So off to a guy on the ADV forum to get rebuilt. Of course the tires are crap but I am hoping the spokes are all good and tensioned properly. The guy who i got it from cleaned the dust off the tank and polished it up so I think it will stay as is. It polished up very nicely.

[Charlie G]

Nice find! There was a nice white 1972 in town last year for sale. I was tempted.

[Nessism]

Super cool old bike. BMW got it right! Love the knee pads on the tank.

[ron bayless]

walnecks restore an r 90 s.They dynoed it at only 47 hp.I was surprised, I thought much more than that and your 750 I wonder.And people have toured on them for years.

[Nessism]

walnecks restore an r 90 s.They dynoed it at only 47 hp.I was surprised, I thought much more than that and your 750 I wonder.And people have toured on them for years.

One of my first cars had 69 hp, and it weighed about 2300 lbs.

[bomber737]

It's all about gearing. Back in the late 60's. Bridgestone raced a 50 cc bike that went over 100 and revved out at 16000 rpm. I know this is not a performance bike but it really doesn't take much hp to overcome the friction of the engine and wheels once your up to speed. I just won't get there in 3 sec. Heck, modern 103 cu in harleys aren't making more than that with fuel injection .

[ron bayless]

It's all about gearing. Back in the late 60's. Bridgestone reached a 50 cc bike that went over 100 and reed out at 16000 rpm. I know this is not a performance bike but it really doesn't take much hp to overcome the friction of the engine and wheels once your up to speed. I just won't get there in 3 sec. Heck, modern 103 cu in harleys aren't making more than that with fuel injection .

So true.I once owned a 900 pound ultra.62 hp.I also owned a 64 vw.40 hp.

[bomber737]

Should have put a vw bus engine in it and got er up to 50hp. I had a friend in highschool who did that and his bug flew. Had great a/c as well with all the holes in the floor boards.

[Grimly]

walnecks restore an r 90 s.They dynoed it at only 47 hp.I was surprised, I thought much more than that and your 750 I wonder.And people have toured on them for years.

It requires 30hp to push an unfaired bike along at 100mph. 47 is plenty.

[subforry]

Nice, I want one, especially a 1971 because I was born that year.

[RichDesmond]

Very nice find, congrats!! Love the older airheads.

[wymple]

Nice, I want one, especially a 1971 because I was born that year.

Kids