Several several years ago I stood in the NZ West Coast rain and listened to a riderless pre ‘70 Twin idling as sweet as an engine could possibly idle. I had never heard a Twin BMW idle as smooth as that one did. Was it because the flywheels were heavier than the post ‘69’s that I had been familiar with ? Or was it that the bike belonged to someone else and I was not personally involved as an owner ? I deduced it was just the sweetest thing I had ever heard idling. It also may have been that the bike was all by itself and the owner was not present for quite a few minutes. Well, these models were just a pipe dream for me, though I always wanted one more Twin before "The End". Near the top of the list of bikes is an R80 ST. Maybe that's a possibility since I never thought a pre '70 model was in the cards for me either. Stranger things have happened, just not to me.
Fast forward to a few years ago to an Open House at a BMW Dealers parking lot. I saw a few /2’s as I called them, as I didn't know that all 1955’s to1969’s were not all /2’s. I called to an older friend to walk with me over to listen to these older bikes leave. When we got near and stopped to watch and listen, my friend, who I only see once or twice a year at motorcycle events (but for 30 years), said “I have one of those”. My hand shot straight up in the air as I have done many times. It was a practiced reflex, as I wanted secure the next place in the buyers line. “How many in the line to buy your bike if you ever sell.” His reply was “ I won't be selling it as I have decided to will it to a friend “ Fair enough as I've often thought the same thing for my bikes. “Well, if you ever want to sell, give me a call,” Not one time in my life has that ever gotten any bike I've ever pined for. Not one.
Fast forward another year to a telephone call where a familiar voice says "Do you want to buy my motorcycle?" Before he finished I had said yes and had to say it again to make myself clear. "Oh, I cant believe this is happening. ", I thought to myself. He said "I haven't even told you how much I'm asking". Well, he tells me the details and the price, and I still can't believe I'm buying another Twin. I'm rapidly becoming "Tickled Pink"
Well, I bought the bike. It was a 1957 R60, Original Patina, Very good condition, 47,000 mi, it came with Enduro Bags and a box with a Wixom Handlebar Fairing, Wixom Top Box, Bread Loaf Pillion Pad, lots of spare parts, 2 plus Shop Manuals, a list of all the owners, Slingers done, Tank Creamed. Lots of maintenance records too ! I can only guess that he asked 35% to 40% of what it was really worth because he must have been looking for passion and a good home for his bike. And of course I can give it all that during my tenure.
Oh, and the reason he sold it was that his friend had come over after the last National Election and gotten drunk, insulted him and his wife.
The bikes owner said " I'm not leaving a damn thing to him."
6 months later as I get ready to prep the bike for its 5th owner (me), the Pink hasn't come off completely. Great way to end a good season this year.
Charlie
p.s. To the very helpful person at Petosky this summer at the Vintage Display. As soon as the snakes are gone from the shed, I will resume looking for that Earles front end.
Fast forward to a few years ago to an Open House at a BMW Dealers parking lot. I saw a few /2’s as I called them, as I didn't know that all 1955’s to1969’s were not all /2’s. I called to an older friend to walk with me over to listen to these older bikes leave. When we got near and stopped to watch and listen, my friend, who I only see once or twice a year at motorcycle events (but for 30 years), said “I have one of those”. My hand shot straight up in the air as I have done many times. It was a practiced reflex, as I wanted secure the next place in the buyers line. “How many in the line to buy your bike if you ever sell.” His reply was “ I won't be selling it as I have decided to will it to a friend “ Fair enough as I've often thought the same thing for my bikes. “Well, if you ever want to sell, give me a call,” Not one time in my life has that ever gotten any bike I've ever pined for. Not one.
Fast forward another year to a telephone call where a familiar voice says "Do you want to buy my motorcycle?" Before he finished I had said yes and had to say it again to make myself clear. "Oh, I cant believe this is happening. ", I thought to myself. He said "I haven't even told you how much I'm asking". Well, he tells me the details and the price, and I still can't believe I'm buying another Twin. I'm rapidly becoming "Tickled Pink"
Well, I bought the bike. It was a 1957 R60, Original Patina, Very good condition, 47,000 mi, it came with Enduro Bags and a box with a Wixom Handlebar Fairing, Wixom Top Box, Bread Loaf Pillion Pad, lots of spare parts, 2 plus Shop Manuals, a list of all the owners, Slingers done, Tank Creamed. Lots of maintenance records too ! I can only guess that he asked 35% to 40% of what it was really worth because he must have been looking for passion and a good home for his bike. And of course I can give it all that during my tenure.
Oh, and the reason he sold it was that his friend had come over after the last National Election and gotten drunk, insulted him and his wife.
The bikes owner said " I'm not leaving a damn thing to him."
6 months later as I get ready to prep the bike for its 5th owner (me), the Pink hasn't come off completely. Great way to end a good season this year.
Charlie
p.s. To the very helpful person at Petosky this summer at the Vintage Display. As soon as the snakes are gone from the shed, I will resume looking for that Earles front end.
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