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Project
Bikes
We know this page occasionally gets stale, but there's a reason. Bob's
generally so busy that he simply works at acquiring future project
bikes 8 months of the year and sets them aside. Then in early to mid
fall Bob will spend several days re-inspecting, photographing, documenting
and writing up a fresh batch for all you do-it-yourselfers to drool
over. Well, that time is fast approaching and Bob says he'll be doing
just that after he returns at the end of October from a Scouting Tour
with Edelweiss Bike Travel in Japan. So stay tuned and be one of the
first to inspect the next batch of 8-12 Project grade BMW's! To
see project bikes that have sold the past year, click here.
If you're the type who doesn't mind getting his hands dirty, our Project
Bikes are a great value. Put a little sweat equity into one of these
pre-owned "diamonds in the rough" and you'll not only earn
a nice return on your investment, you'll get a great ride too! Click
here to learn more about project bikes.
Updated April 22, 2008
TUNE BACK IN
OVER THE NEXT 11 MONTHS AND WATCH THIS SLIGHTLY WRECKED 1999
BMW R1200C BECOME A VERY COOL CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE AS A JOINT PROJECT
OF BOB'S BMW AND DIRTY HANDS CHOPPERS! Click on images below
to enlarge. To see Dirty
Hands Choppers progress, click HERE!
1994
BMW K75RT – SOLD!
Metallic Red
Stock #
6229628
Wow, is there a lot of potential here on this project bike! While it does need some work it is also loaded with value so pay attention to the list of needs and decide if you are the kind of do-it-yourselfer that can take it on and have some serious return for your sweat equity.
This machine has only 17,505 original miles and the paint is in fairly good shape overall but has some nicks and dings—especially on the mirrors and the upper right side of the fairing; none prevent one from riding the bike anywhere. There are also signs the battery once leaked on the right side of the gearbox case. We do not see any indication the bike was ever wrecked, so the minor nicks and dings all are a result of a driveway related tip over. We have identified some small leaks on the forks, rear brake master cylinder, oil pump (very common), and by the final drive. Many of these issues may simply be related to the fact that the last owner just did not ride it very much in the ten years he owned it—only 10,000 miles to be exact.
It starts right up and runs and rides OK. The rear shocks may not pass inspection due to a very slight residue of oil. Some exercise may make this cease similar to the forks, but we would suggest working this into your plan of attack as both may be real honest-to-gosh seal leaks. Because of the rear master cylinder condition (poor and leaking) and that it appears it has original front brake pads that need to be replaced it did not pass the Maryland State Inspection road test; but it does shift and all that just fine.
On the positive side it came to us with the Factory BMW Tool Kit, BMW Owner’s Manual, Haynes Repair Manual, lots of keys, an oil filter wrench and a new BMW Air Filter to get you started on the service needs. The bike has fair tires but a very nice aftermarket Windscreen with Adjustable Air Vent, Side-Mounted Air Wings, BMW Comfort Seat, BMW Cylinder Guards, Dual Optional BMW Gauges, ABS Brakes, the BMW 22 Liter Trunk and the latest version of the BMW Integral Saddle Bags that use full size keys. It has BMW Heated Grips that appear to work fine and Original BMW 4-Way Flashers that don’t, at least right now. The luggage alone is worth $1,000 but we bought it right and so can you so don’t wait too long to call or stop by and see this one!
Offered at a very reasonable $ 3,395–SOLD!!
1982 BMW R65 RT
Blue
Stock #6386462
Now here’s a bike you’ve never seen before and while we don’t know when the complete BMW RT fairing package was installed it does appear to be an original BMW paint and pinstripe job with factory RT decal. It may have been a European edition but the gauges are US so even we are not 100% sure of the machines history. A clean title of course.
Regardless, there is plenty of value here and a potentially good ride. Heck it could even be a parts bike to turn your standard 1974 to 1995 BMW into a full blown RT model. The odometer shows 52, 595 miles and we suspect it’s accurate and original. No tool kit or owners manual are included but is has two ignition keys.
What we do know is this: there are minor cosmetic issues everywhere except on the fairing, which for the most part is fairly clean and complete with a serviceable screen and mirrors. It has a Reynolds backrest attached to a stock BMW luggage rack and BMW saddlebag mounts but no bags are included. The wheels look fine and the front brake disc looks like a new aftermarket installation but the tires are no good. It has a bunch of assorted oil leaks but it does start up and ran, or at least when it arrived.
We don’t know the age of the battery but it’s remained on a trickle charger since it arrived. The gearbox is making some noise but it does run and shift through the gears—we suspect the bearings. Again on the bright side the exhaust system looks to be in very good condition and while the gas tank is not paint matched it is clean inside and out. Mostly we see a bike that fell on hard times and did not see much loving care the last few years of it’s prior life---so it’s now your turn to care for it.
Beyond all that we don’t have anymore history to share. Like we said there’s a lot one could do no matter what direction that you go in and a complete RT fairing set is worth a few thousand bucks all by itself, so we’ve price this one accordingly. Don’t wait too long as Bob said this one gets rolled out for our Annual Flea market on Saturday April 5, 2008.
Priced to sell fast at only $2,295.
1974 BMW R90S
Silver Smoke
Stock #950325
We just don’t get enough R90S’s to fill demand regardless of their condition so if you’re reading this and have one for sale please call Bob; otherwise read on as there is ton’s of potential in this nice, partially original and low mileage 1974 example; it only has 27,000 showing and we believe this to be accurate. Paint was recently redone and while not a concours job it does look very nice. Most else is fairly original and that is usually a big plus when considering taking on a project on any kind.
This bike starts, runs, shifts and rides fine although the carburetors could use some attention—maybe just a light cleaning and adjustment or a full rebuild will allow the bike to perform better. Now that we have rebuilt the front master cylinder and adjusted the calipers it also stops fine. There is plenty of small stuff to be addressed by the new owner: the front turn signal switch will kill the fuse sometimes, the starter switch is in need of replacement as there is an auxiliary one hidden up front, most of the rubber is old, the suspension is tired (we have a repro set available any day) and it certainly could use a good cleaning.
But again on the very positive side of this offering the serial numbers are correct and all match and the bike does not appear to have been crashed or neglected or abused. Rims look good as do the brake discs, the fairing is not full of cracks like most and it has the right long stem black mirrors. The original BMW R90S handlebars, chrome gas cap and hard to find Motometer clock and voltmeter gauges are right, clean and seem to function fine. The speedometer is good as is the tachometer but one needle does need to be replaced.
We’d like to tell you that it came to us with the tool kit, owners manual, rag, tire repair kit and all the original keys but it did not. Sorry; but we can sell you most of those items separately should your desire be to make it 100% perfect in the end. We will include a Clymer repair manual to get you started and we have original parts books and service manuals on hand as well as every part you might require.
Restore it completely or just do some of the light mechanical and electrical work required, maybe throw on a fresh set of tires even though they are very serviceable still and you could ride it to the BMWMOA National Rally in Gillette, Wyoming this July!
What ever you decide we think it’s fairly priced at $5,795.
1970
BMW R75/5
Stock #972122
We just don't get /5 series machines often enough to come close to meeting the demand and while this one is not perfect it has lots of potential. This 1970 R75/5 came to us without much history so we worked overtime to provide the following details. It is straight, the numbers are all correct and the Maryland title is clear. From what we can tell the odometer appears accurate; if so it has about 73,700 original miles and is ever so common the tachometer has spun its needle and needs to be rebuilt.
The paint on every surface appears original as well. The seat is original and in decent shape all over including the pan, trim and handles. It has original BMW mufflers that appear to be a recent upgrade and look perfect. The center stand is missing but it has a nice Brown side stand. No tools, books or keys aside from the black knob in the ignition but it has the original tool tray and a spare used starter-signal switch with harness. The signals are missing the side reflectors that would have come with a 1970. It has the correct tail light with center reflector. Everything inside the headlight looks clean. The valve covers also appear to be brand new BMW.
As is common the kick starter mechanism is a bit sticky so there is probably some gear wear on the segment gear, but it still works as does the electric start. The rims and spokes are fairly clean but the rear wheel does have a small flat spot. The headlight has a very small abrasion underneath and along a 1.5 inch area adjacent to the chrome trim ring but it all fits together cleanly; the ring appears to be fresh. The bike starts up and runs but has about 30% leak down so a new owner may want to do a ring replacement and cylinder hone or perform a valve lap-in to tighten up for full power. The transmission goes through all the gears on the road but does have a noise that is probably bearing related.
The state of tune is fair but we’re sure that a full tune up and carb rebuild will make it run better. The BMW rear shocks are original; one adjustor is broken but they’re not visually leaking. The fork springs are not collapsed but we don't know how old they are. The BMW 2-piece cylinder guards are originally for a /6-/7 series but fit and work on all 1970-84 machines. It has a clean pair of black handlebar mirrors. Tires are serviceable but older. Brakes work fine on both ends. The inside of the large, very desirable 6.3 gallon tank is clean, the cap is undamaged but there are two small dents along the top right edge about silver dollar size; original tank medallions are in perfect shape! One could address the mechanical issues and never touch the cosmetic and enjoy a fun, fair looking R75/5 for many years or go to the next step and repaint it over the winter to have a real show piece on top of a healthy ride it anywhere BMW classic.
Offered at $2,695
1974 BMW R90/6 – FORMER PROJECT BIKE - NOW A USED BIKE FOR SALE!
Bol d'or Red
stock number 950325
We’ve been saying this for a year. This classic un-molested machine was originally purchased as a project for Bob—he just did not have the time.
Over the past year no less than 50 people called, emailed and came to look at this bike; a few left deposits only to run into financial issues. It was crazy as with all that interest it should have been on the road last year.
Bob selected to leave the original project description and images up so you can see that text. Now it has become everything we said it would and more and you could own it without any effort---so read about what we’ve done! To read full description of the 1974 BMW R90/6, click HERE.
Sold
here new in January of 1998 (no it wasn't Pierce Brosnan) this
R1200C features ABS brakes this is a one owner bike that has
been reliable and fun transportation since new. It has a long
service history here and we just installed a fresh set of Metzler
ME880 tires, installed a new screen, new front master cylinder,
rear trans seal, output slave cylinder, replaced the rear shock
with a low mileage stock shock, and changed the oil. That might
sound like gobbledegook to some but it means we went through
the bike and addressed and needs. The chrome rims have the usual
pitting but cleaned up nice. We also re-dyed the blue leather
seats and it comes with the leather covered BMW hard bags keyed
to match the ignition. It passed Maryland State Inspection. $4,295
SOLD!
1983 BMW R80ST
OK
all you project bike enthusiasts, we know we ask you to look
through the dirt and dull surfaces we haven't cleaned to see
the shine that you yourself will add after completing any of
our projects but this photo (taken by Bob) was just too irritable
to pass up. Taken the day it arrived when it was snowing and
the shop was closed. It then sat inside for quite a while until
the seller decided what they were going to replace it with.
We now have the title and he another BMW to enjoy.
So what's under that snow?
A relatively unmolested but truly neglected 1983 BMW R80ST.
The R80ST is a bit of a rare beast as only 5963 were produced
worldwide in 1982, 83 and 84. It has about 65,000 miles according
to the seller who claimed to be the 2nd or 3rd owner having
acquired it some years back. The engine turns over and the carbs
are dry but there is residue in the float bowls. He states that
it was running around the time the tag expired in 2005. The
odometer shows 7900 miles but this is a replacement unit. There
is NO IGNITION SWITCH or key (we may find a key to fit). The
tires are crappy but the wheels, rims and spokes look like they
should shine up very well as there's no visible rust, dings
or scratches. There is fresh fuel and only one tiny ding in
the tank FWIW and the gas cap is clean. The front disc looks
like you'll be putting a new one on before taking it on the
road but the master cylinder feels strong and the fluid is not
too dirty. There is no evidence of crash or accident damage
other than a few minor scratches on one valve cover. There is
rust. It's on a lot of hardware, around the axles, the fork
caps and even on the upper sections of the tubes. There's some
on the carb tops and a little on the rear shock. The exhaust
collector (under the trans) shows the usual surface rust but
the muffler looks great. You'll have to decide if this becomes
a bright and shiny R80ST when you're done or just a solid rider
with some cosmetic issues you've acquired.
Now for a bunch of just positive stuff: Included are the original
BMW tool kit, tool tray and tire pump plus a factory parts catalog
that sells for about $90 and is NLA; a handy reference. The
factory 2 piece cylinder guards are attached and have the optional
BMW side stand too. There is a very decent set of BMW touring
cases (small left & large right) that are included (were
not outside when parked) as are the factory bag mounts and luggage
rack which do have some rust. One lock on the left bag is failing
but as a further bonus the left and right painted side covers
with original decals and the black muffler cover all were removed
before the exposure damage occurred and they are in really good
condition. It's the civilized and paved road version of the
R80GS!
Is this one for you? Can you visualize the value from the description
and the lonely snow covered image that is literally hiding most
of what you want to see? Are you up to the task? You could stay
tuned for more photos taken on the next sunny day or you could
contact Bob immediately to just tell him that you've got $1795
burning a hole in your wallet and want to claim it before someone
else does. SOLD!