fletchlives
New member
Hi everyone. I've been eyeing airheads for some time now (the bikes, not the blondes) and the R90/6 has been on my short list of bikes. One came available locally and along with my binge-researching I figured you folks could help me out with bike basics. (yes I've also been searching the forum(s) and other sites for info). I own two Guzzis (a newer V7 and an '84 V65sp), am capable of doing my own work up to a point and am a quick learner past that comfort zone, which is part of the fun of ownership for me. I test ride motorcycles and scooters at a local shop (both new bikes and service bikes) so I've ridden a crazy range of different makes and models, old and new....but I don't have much experience with BMWs, airheads in particular.
The R90/6 I'm looking at is a '74 and is in good shape. Cosmetics are great, new tires, new fluids (all), most original bits there. Other notes:
-Starts right up and settles into easy idle immediately.
-The dual choke lever is missing so the current owner manually chokes each carb if need be, though it didn't require choke on its cold start the other day. I would want to buy two new choke cable and a new lever (or I've seen the "rigged" choke pulls as well).
-Carbs (Bing) looked very clean, though upon shutoff the right carb dropped gas from the bowl for a few seconds. It surprised me when i saw the drip, though the owner was unconcerned, saying it happens only sometimes if the petcock isn't shut off or it's on its side stand after shutoff...and I've read a few people online saying the same thing. It seemed excessive to me though and I'd bet a float/o-ring type fix would erase it?
-One directional doesn't work. Could be bulb though I'm guessing wiring.
-Odometer is broken at about 87k. I've read this is common and possibly not a crazy hard fix.
-It does still have the kick start, but obviously is well over the fabled 1974 30k or so gearbox eruption. I was told a previous owner disassembled and went through "everything", making a few changes (wiring, dual plugs, etc) but I can't be sure if he did any transmission changes...even just detent spring. If it still has the kick does that ALWAYS mean it still has the original '74 bits inside?
-Dual plug heads as I mentioned (and btw if someone could give me an elementary explanation of how this worked for R90s I'd love it)
-single disc up front...yeah not great
-doesn't seem to "clunk" through gears as I've read people mention. Seemed smoother than I expected.
So that's it off the top of my head. Any thoughts people could ad to my comments, or just general airhead things I may not realize would be appreciated. I know price ranges for these are all over the map, especially on Ebay, so I'm not so hung up on that.
The R90/6 I'm looking at is a '74 and is in good shape. Cosmetics are great, new tires, new fluids (all), most original bits there. Other notes:
-Starts right up and settles into easy idle immediately.
-The dual choke lever is missing so the current owner manually chokes each carb if need be, though it didn't require choke on its cold start the other day. I would want to buy two new choke cable and a new lever (or I've seen the "rigged" choke pulls as well).
-Carbs (Bing) looked very clean, though upon shutoff the right carb dropped gas from the bowl for a few seconds. It surprised me when i saw the drip, though the owner was unconcerned, saying it happens only sometimes if the petcock isn't shut off or it's on its side stand after shutoff...and I've read a few people online saying the same thing. It seemed excessive to me though and I'd bet a float/o-ring type fix would erase it?
-One directional doesn't work. Could be bulb though I'm guessing wiring.
-Odometer is broken at about 87k. I've read this is common and possibly not a crazy hard fix.
-It does still have the kick start, but obviously is well over the fabled 1974 30k or so gearbox eruption. I was told a previous owner disassembled and went through "everything", making a few changes (wiring, dual plugs, etc) but I can't be sure if he did any transmission changes...even just detent spring. If it still has the kick does that ALWAYS mean it still has the original '74 bits inside?
-Dual plug heads as I mentioned (and btw if someone could give me an elementary explanation of how this worked for R90s I'd love it)
-single disc up front...yeah not great
-doesn't seem to "clunk" through gears as I've read people mention. Seemed smoother than I expected.
So that's it off the top of my head. Any thoughts people could ad to my comments, or just general airhead things I may not realize would be appreciated. I know price ranges for these are all over the map, especially on Ebay, so I'm not so hung up on that.
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