Old beaters. Post a pic!

New shiny bikes are nice! So are carefully restored "oldies". I love both of these categories. However, old beaters, well maintained and roadworthy, have their own intrinsic value. I happened upon an old R90S last summer that was parked at a cafe with out of state tags. It had a patina of age and not a little surface rust. Upon further inspection I noticed newish tires and an oil tight engine. The machine had a look of well used but not "used up" readiness. I wish I could have spoken with the owner who was no doubt inside the "greasy spoon" attending to his apetite. Alas, I was in a hurry and could not find him for a talk. Does anyone have an old beater they can post here? I know they are out there. I am posting my 'ol 78 , which if not quite not a "beater" is not as prestine as it appears in this photo. Really love those well used, but well maintained bikes!

I'm moving this to Airheads since it better belongs there rather than in the "How do I?" section which is for questions on using the website.

deilenberger said:

I'm moving this to Airheads since it better belongs there rather than .....

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Wow, that is harsh! What makes you think that "Old beaters" belongs in Airheads? Have you never seen a flying brick with the plastic ripped off and rusty mufflers?
Just kidding, I took this out of context on purpose.
Actually I might be a little defensive because everything that I have is an old beater, but then again, I don't have to worry about leaving the keys in the ignition.
This is my most beater, an R75/6 painted purple and canary yellow with a /7 tank and R65 seat and MAC 2 into 1 header.

Which now looks like this:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24593939@N06/3225729331/" title="2009-01-23 001 by kstoo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3225729331_b9723dbb02_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="2009-01-23 001" /></a>

Potential or potentially a parts bike?

Does this have potential or potentially a parts bike?
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24593939@N06/3226613110/" title="2008-10-10 R100-7 1978 027 by kstoo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/3226613110_08aff40b44_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="2008-10-10 R100-7 1978 027" /></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24593939@N06/3226617270/" title="2008-10-10 R100-7 1978 040 by kstoo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3226617270_a90d5ee832_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="2008-10-10 R100-7 1978 040" /></a>

From here I would say "potential."

Here's mine.

Doesn't look too pretty, but always has new rubber, fresh brake fluid and pads and tuned.

nealart said:

From here I would say "potential."

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Time and Money =

nealart said:

Here's mine.

Doesn't look too pretty, but always has new rubber, fresh brake fluid and pads and tuned.

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She is a whole lot prettier than when I didn't buy it!! You have done a really good job rescueing this one. Keep on!

nealart said:

Here's mine.

Doesn't look too pretty, but always has new rubber, fresh brake fluid and pads and tuned.

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Is that a leash that I see? Do you have to keep it on a leash? That is just not right; you need to develop a better relationship with your steed.

Wrong site.

deilenberger said:

I'm moving this to Airheads since it better belongs there rather than in the "How do I?" section which is for questions on using the website.

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Thanks for moving this post. I wasn't sure where to post it, as I was thinking of all BMW bikes (K bikes, oilheads, airheads, whatever). Still, love these photos of old and unrestored airheads! I have a real love of daily riders in less than perfect condition; sometimes a lot less.

Keeping 'er Tuned

nealart said:

Here's mine.

Doesn't look too pretty, but always has new rubber, fresh brake fluid and pads and tuned.

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Hey nealart!

That's a nice enough machine, no doubt. HOWEVER...

It looks like a real bitch to ride with:

1. No twist throttle.

2. No rear suspension.

Hey, at least you keep her tuned!

Hey, I sure do like your artwork!

Yeah, that photo is from when I first got her and she needed to be leashed and hobbled.

Now she is unleashed and has new progressive shocks and new throttle among other things.

My '82 R100RS the day I picked it up in Vancouver, BC. Had lots of miles on her but had good maintaince record from PO...132,000 miles.
I was out visiting our youngest daughter in Whistler ...saw it...phoned the wife...you know the rest of the story...blah, blah, blah. Then I told her I was riding home...another 4500 kms or so....she was not too happy, but, you know the rest of the story...blah, blah...
Never missed a beat and it was a hell of a ride. Phoned the wife, "runs great honey"...you know the rest of the story by now...




Once home the wife took one look and .... well sho loved it! Sexy red did it I guess!

Winter work has begun:
Replaced rear drive with "low mileage" one from eBay
Replaced rear drive dog
Heads have to be redone - exhaust valve seat recession - I knew it would have to be done - my 82 RT needed it as well - rings and pistons still in remarkable shape
Spline lubes done
Wiring issues fixed
New voltage regulator
Clean up

AND a new, sexy, Ducti Red paint job! Pieces all sanded, repaired and primed, waiting for the paint!

Enough said, she's a beater yes, but all mine are...the fun is keeping them going!

Well, back to flea bay, the wife ...well you know the rest of the story...

Beater RS Thread!!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24593939@N06/3005200371/" title="2008-09-26 002 by kstoo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/3005200371_fc9946f660_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="2008-09-26 002" /></a>

Beater RS Thread Indeed!

kstoo said:

Beater RS Thread!!

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I can dig it!

Beaters???? I think I like the term well loved/used better.

88bmwJeff said:

Beaters???? I think I like the term well loved/used better.

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Yeah, nobody has posted a true rat-bike yet.

swb r75/5

i think it qualifies as a beater.
matching numbers w/ 126k.

<a href="http://myspace.com/spacedan"><img src="http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4481/dscf3520sg2.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a><br/>

Gotta like it

They just keep going and going and going and going

1986 R100RT