Show us a picture of your 1st BMW

[Reverse]

Same here. I've already put more miles on this bike than all of my previous 4 bikes combined

 

[PaulM]

My first BMW was a 1955 R50, in 1955. I don't have a picture of that bike. After that a pause for family, baby, etc. Then a few Japanese bikes. After that, a 1972 R75/5:

After that a unbroken string of BMW bikes. The current bike, 2005 R1200GS:

 

[angysdad]

1986 R65 bought used in 1990. I put on 100,000km on this bike that was too small for me. I loved it! When I sold it in 1994, I pulled over three times on my way to deliver it. I kept asking myself, 'Do you really want to sell it?'
It was (apparently) the only black 1986 R65 imported into Canada.

<a href="http://s878.photobucket.com/albums/ab345/angysdad/?action=view&current=86R65.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab345/angysdad/86R65.jpg" border="0" alt="86r65"></a>

 

[dhgeyer]

1991 K75SA, purchased in 2003. Here it is in Northern Pennsylvania, just off I-81 at a travel stop, on my 2004 New Orleans trip. I traded it a couple of years later. Half a dozen bikes hence, I'm on a 2009 R1200R.

 

[PHMARVIN]

Hi, All,
I am photographically challenged, so no pictures. In early 1977, after I had wrecked my '72 Dunstall-Norton 810 MkII, I was bitching so much to a friend that he finally told me that RB Johnson (in Chalybeate Springs, NC) had a leftover R90/6 and I ought to buy it. I did. It was black with white pinstripes and the large tank. Shortly after, it had an "S" fairing and instruments. Later, while in Europe, it acquired the second disc brake and a set of Krauser bags. Since then, I've had an additional 6 airheads and 7 K-bikes. The FIRST BMW I had, though, was a 1970 2002. Later I had a '69 2002, a '73 Bavaria and a '78 530i.

 

[Bullett]

My first BMW, a 1959 R26. Me and the bike circa 1974 at my first rally in Brady, Texas.

 

[ANDYVH]

Here's my first BMW, a 76 R100RS, serial #414, that I bought in 89 with 14,000 miles on it. Now has over 61,000. Next to it my current ride, a 94 R1100RS, bought in Oct 94 with 3,000 miles on it. Now has just over 152,000. I plan to ride the 94 to at least 200,000 miles.

The 76 will always be with me. I brought it home to Appleton WI from Marshall, MI in the cab of Pierce Javelin fire truck. I worked for Pierce at the time as a chassis engineer, and was doing test driving of the fire truck on the track at the Eaton Axle plant near Marshall. I found the 76 RS at a used car dealer in Marshall, bought it and brought it home.

 

[JavaD]

Another GS rider

1st BMW was 2007 R1200GS. After test riding F800ST, K1200S, this is the one that felt like it was made for me.

Screaming Eagle H-D was the boss's present to himself after 6 months in Iraq, actually, he had it bought before he left, delivered while gone, picked up by us and it is nice. Honda CRF was friend's 1st bike, tried real hard to get to buy the F650GS, instead he settled for a KLR as a 2nd!

 

[Rapid_Roy]

I bought it from my brother for long term no interest payments in 1979?.
1955 R50 and I still have it today.

 

[lmo1131]

What a sweetie. And it looks well ridden too.

I bought it from my brother for long term no interest payments in 1979?.

Nothing down, and nothing a month ... until it's paid for?

You guys till talkin?

 

[Rapid_Roy]

What a sweetie. And it looks well ridden too.



Nothing down, and nothing a month ... until it's paid for?

You guys till talkin?

Yes. I paid it off within a year, or two.
Although, at 1k, I did steal it from him.

 

[globalrider]

1990 BMW R100 GS.

I bought it new back then and I still own it. Its still in the same shape as well. I would never consider parting with it.

 

[SeabeckS]

Okay, not as interesting as some of the other first Beemer's, but I sure loved this bike. Loved it so much, I made sure it had a good home to go to after I bought an 11S. This 1150R was a very good all-rounder. Hi Yo Silver, away!!!

 

[squiffynimrod]

86 R80RT purchased in Nov. 85 with wife on one of our trips.

So if I read this correctly your bike came with a wife?

 

[aircap]

I just bought mine in June. This photo was taken the day I rode it home...from 200 miles away. Pulled into the drive and my roommate shot this. Have been on it almost every single day since. Love it!

 

[mneblett]

I just bought mine in June. This photo was taken the day I rode it home...from 200 miles away. Pulled into the drive and my roommate shot this. Have been on it almost every single day since. Love it!

Cool! Nice looking bike

Now go put the right valve cover on the right head, and return the left cover to its original home on the left

 

[aircap]

Now go put the right valve cover on the right head, and return the left cover to its original home on the left

How can you tell the difference?

 

[35634]

The machined lines should be more or less horizontal. The covers fit if they're on the wrong side, but the lines run uphill. Or downhill in Australia.

 

[mneblett]

How can you tell the difference?

On the square valve covers, the unpainted lines are at a slight angle to the centerline of the valve cover -- that is so when installed, the lines appear roughly parallel to the ground (compensating for the slight angle of the engine as it sits in the frame).

Also, at some point BMW started casting in a small "L" and "R" in the cover at the shallow valley at top center, at the edge next to the head. I can't remember if the no-markings covers were a '77-only thing, or they started after the '78 introduction of the R80/7.

If you need, I'd be happy to post a pic of the "L"

HTH!

 

[aircap]

You know, I noticed the lines weren't parallel to the ground, but didn't pay it much mind. And I just adjusted the valves last week, too! Next time...LOL