New to BMWs and this forum,..Hello from Maine!!

Hello everyone. I have joined several BMW airhead groups on Facebook but that doesn't seem to be the best way to get, or track the responses to, my technical questions so here I am.

Let me start by saying I know nearly nothing about BMW motorcycles especially the old airheads BUT, I have been working on, and riding motorcycles since I was 15 or so. I have owned many Jap bikes through the years. I've had dirt bikes, enduro bikes, on/off road bikes, motocross bikes, and street bikes. I have restored some bikes through the years. My most recent restoration was a 1971 Honda CB350K1 that I restored a few years ago then sold. My daily rider right now is a 1976 Yamaha RD200 Two stroke street bike.

I recently bought my first BMW.
I have always been interested in owning weird or non-average vehicles and gadgets. I have a friend that has been in to BMW motorcycles for years and he told me I should get a BMW motorcycle. I started looking at BMW bikes and decided what I wanted. I REALLY wanted an R69 but they are too rare and expensive. I really have a love for the 1950s to 1974 motorcycles no matter which brand. So I narrowed it down to the R/5, R/6, and R/7 models. I am love spoke rims so that left R/5 and R/6 (correct me if I am wrong) I love the old school large headlight buckets with the instruments mounted IN the headlight shell. I also love the old looks of drum brakes so that left the R/5.
For so many motorcycle manufactures it seems like 1965 to 1972 were their best bikes. Big changes in handling and power but still had the old Post war look. Very basic with only the necessary electrics and safeties.

So I ended up buying a 1971 R75/5 with 39724 miles on it for $2350.00 cash in Lebanon NH.

Welcome to the family.

Welcome to the forum and BMWs! You picked a nice bike...good steady bike. Is it ready to ride or will you have to "bond" with it? When you get a change, drop in a picture of your new ride.

Welcome Neighbor!

Good story there Bill! I really did get a chuckle out of the Facebook slash Airhead correlation. Those guys, and myself... sit around campfires, tech days, and the MOA Rally in the nice sofas n chairs pouring over the endless stories Airhead refinement! You'll certainly fit in just fine my friend.
Welcome to the party and join us in Iowa this July won't you.

"travel'n" john

in response

Hello guys,

This bike will be completely restored. It will be over time because I don't have much time or money to work on it. I may make it custom, like a mild cafe style but if I do I won't chop anything or do anything that prevent me from converting back to stock if I want to.
Right now the bike is all apart with the engine out. I will be doing a restoration thread.

Supercool_Bill said:

Hello everyone. I have joined several BMW airhead groups on Facebook but that doesn't seem to be the best way to get, or track the responses to, my technical questions so here I am.

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Welcome to the forum!
Right off you have discovered the difference between the MOA Forum and Facebook
There is a lot of Airhead owners here. You will soon be good to go.
Gary

Welcome Bill. I would encourage you to join the Airheads Beemer Club, www.airheads.org This forum is the best for airhead info on the web, and the ABC is the best resource for airhead info in the real world.