What are Airheads worth these days?

[mymindsok]

...and I would like nothing more than to ride an R75/6 or an R80. They are so simple, yet so elegant.
But...I neither possess the skills nor the tools required. Nor do I have that kind of time to leave my practice and become a "professional" wrench.
The one common thread that all the airhead owners have is that they are serious DIY'ers. They have the time and the skills.
Therefore, I will own an airhead after I sell my practice, and I have the time.
Hey, "woodnsteel", can I buy one of your bikes?

That kind of thinking is simply.... Unproductive.

My whole point for the last few posts, is that BMW Airheads are some of the best bikes in the world for providing "The Motorcycling Experience" at surprisingly reasonable costs. They also have the side benefits of being readily available, reliable, parts are still in production and some of them appear to be appreciating in value.

If I can make a suggestion... Join the Airheads Beemer Club, attend a few Barley Therapy sessions, meet some of the guys in your area and get to know the bikes a bit better. Once you've become something of an insider, you'll have plenty of new friends, who'll be more than willing to help you find a good bike and as a matter of fact, the latest Airhead Newsletter arrived a few days ago and there are several nice sounding bikes being offered for reasonable prices, only a phone call away.

Another good place to search is at any of the well attended BMW rallies. Bike prices will tend to be higher but if I had some real $$$$ and wanted a nice bike, thats one of the places where I'd look.

The only thing that is keeping you from realizing your dream is you!

Snip.... there is a guy in this area who will charge (and get) 5 - 6 grand to make one like it from the same parts I built this one from for only $1,250.00.

Ok s09rwmb....

So who's the guy in Dallas/FW building cafe/stripper Airheads and selling them for $6000? Seriously... I need to know!

At that rate, I could take a pile of parts off my bikes, dump the stripped parts on Ebay, paint the frames red, sell the bikes and then put nearly the entire selling price in my pocket! Any costs of conversion (And more than frequently the cost of buying the darned bike!) would easily be paid for by the parts sales.

Also... The last statistics that I read were admittedly about a decade ago but at that time BMW reported that, while the production numbers look low today, BMW was for several years during the Airhead era, the largest manufacturer of bikes in the entire world. Add in the fact that it is estimated that 50% of all of the BMW bikes ever produced are still on the road and you have what appears to be a lot of Airheads out there rolling around.

The other side of the coin is that every Airhead that gets broken up and sold via Ebay is one less Airhead. Really... Sooner or later the numbers are gonna catchup with us but by then I likely won't care or won't be able to.

By-the-way....

I like your bike!

How do you ride it with no brakes?

 

[keelerb]

Nice 95 R100RT for sale on Boston CL - $8500!

Run, don't walk!

 

[mikeb921]

Nice 95 R100RT for sale on Boston CL - $8500!

Run, don't walk!

If you are following that bike, let us know what it actually sells for.

Ride Safe
Mike

 

[AnnapolisAirhead]

The answer is obvious. Airheads are worth their weight in gold!!!!Kevin

yahooooo then, I am rich...and my cohorts who have (are) MAD (Multiple Airhead Disorder) are simply the Vanderbilt's of bikers.

If an Airhead is worth their weight in gold, lemme see,
....according to http://www.goldprice.org/

• Today's (Mar 1, 2010) price of gold is $1,115.47 / ounce.
• There a 16 ounces in a pound, so that works out to $17,847.52 per pound
• My '83 R100RT weighs (gasp) 525 lbs. according to http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/specpages/R100RT.htm
• So 525 lbs at $17,847.52/lbs puts my bike value at $9,369,948.00 or thereabouts.
• Hah, and I thought that Motorsport in the Flea Market at $17k was a bit high

If you really want to experience the Airhead vibe, there is no better time than the present. AIRHEAD PRICES CAN ONLY GO UP FROM NOW ON.
....
Lately I've had an itch for a 600 toaster and I have no more garage space, so something has to go.

If James is right and Airhead prices will only go up from this point onwards, even one bike is a helluva a retirement plan then. At these values, I'll chip in to help ya build a bigger barn James, but I sold my R60/5 SWB Toaster...dang, you would have been a fine home for it.

 

[na cl k9]

Ok s09rwmb....
So who's the guy in Dallas/FW building cafe/stripper Airheads and selling them for $6000? Seriously... I need to know!

By-the-way....I like your bike! How do you ride it with no brakes?

Brakes? I didn't know??? (-: Never use them....

Perry's motorcycles and sidecars will put together a stellar example of a mid 70's airhead motorcycle and have it looking nice as new...or custom as you want. People I have talked to who have had him do the work put the final price in the 5 - 7 range if you don't have a bike. If you bring a bike in it can run 4 - 6 depending on how extensive the rebuild is. This is a pro who has a large facility and people to keep busy. Although no longer a BMW dealer his operation fits nicely into the Cottage industry profile. He has a serious customer base from having been in business here for many years too. His customers are the kind with a desire to recapture their youth and have the money to do so. Or, on the other hand they just want a nice old airhead in their garage to park next to the 09 Adventure and putt around on weekends.

I am completely rebuilding the brakes on this bike and have the controls off for re-finishing. New cables are in place and the tank is clean so it needs a battery, gas, brakes and controls to put it back on the road. It's getting there. I replaced the original wire spoke wheels with the Lester's and I like the look better. That was what the photo was about. I wanted to step back and look at what I have created so far. I have a lot of projects going. This has always been one of my favorite bikes. Its pretty much stock too...just a collection of parts. I like that white S of yours too. Very nice workmanship. I bet if Perry built a bike like that it would sell for 6 -7K.
Seriously...

Here is how the little s began its life...

 

[milo]

Just looking on the flea market, and other listings of Airheads, I don't see any bargains. Here's a local search in CycleTrader.
http://www.cycletrader.com/find/sea...cycle/Make-BMW/Year-1971,1984/Sort-Year:DESC/

 

[yankeeone]

Hi,
I recently bought an 86r80rt with 16.000 miles on it for $1000.00 The bike had been out side with tarp cover for two years , and not run for five years before that.

I spent 1500.00 in parts to get it going again and did all my own work. I had a great time with the exception of the strip, clean, and seal the tank, I had to leave my clothes out side before my wife would let me in! any way I felt both the seller and I got a good deal and I am having fun riding it, what a different machine than the K bikes.

 

[mymindsok]

Just looking on the flea market, and other listings of Airheads, I don't see any bargains. Here's a local search in CycleTrader.
http://www.cycletrader.com/find/sea...cycle/Make-BMW/Year-1971,1984/Sort-Year:DESC/

No offense but in my opinion, if you're looking for good deals in Cycle Trader Magazine, you're barking up the wrong tree.

I compare that to trying to buy a classic car through Hemmings Motor News. Most of the stuff in that magazine is priced pie-in-the-sky high, because the cars arent really for sale but the bottom line is,If you want a really good deal on an old bike, you can't sit on your ass and read about em. You're going to have to go out and get involved.

Talk to people in you neighborhood and around town. Tell everyone (And I mean everyone!) you meet that you're into old bikes and you're looking for one. Ask em if they know anyone with an 'old bike' stashed away. Be friendly and go back every year or so and check again.

If you get a tip, (Any tip!) go knock on doors and see what happens.

Make up a cheap business card, hand em out and ask folks to call you if they hear about something. If you're really serious, offer them a reward. $100 cash will open a lot of mouths!

Use one of the nation-wide CL readers, to see whats being offered in other states. Every so often theres a good deal on there and if it's not too far away....

Join a club and get to know some of the good amateur wrenches. Motorcycle guys are always looking for stuff, so someone else might find something for you!

I guess what I'm say is: Vintage Motorcycling and Vintage Motorcycle Building are social activities. If you want to participate (Without spending a lot of cash.), you're forced to get off the couch and go meet some new people, make friends and then take part in the giving, trading, buying, selling and gifting ("Gifting" ain't "Giving"!) that goes on.

And yes, I have a few killer bike buying techniques that I don't share with anyone but the bottom line is, (As my father would say!) : "Go wear out some shoe leather."

PS: BMWs too expensive? If you check around, there are also some killer deals lurking in other marques. Honda 90's, 160's, and 350's are available almost everywhere right now, free or dirt cheap and they're very easy to work on. You can buy running bikes for $350 and they're totally collectible!

 

[mymindsok]

Brakes? I didn't know??? (-: Never use them....

I replaced the original wire spoke wheels with the Lester's and I like the look better. That was what the photo was about. I wanted to step back and look at what I have created so far. I like that white S of yours too. Very nice workmanship. I bet if Perry built a bike like that it would sell for 6 -7K.
Seriously...

It's funny how things go...

Your "Little s" is exactly what I started out to build but I had collected so many nice parts that it kinda turned into Frankensteins Brother. I guess the bike has a mind of it's own! Maybe next time. Sigh...

I went with the Lester's 'cause I got a killer deal on em from a guy who was restoring his R90S and it was cheaper than building or buying decent wires and they were one more period farkle to show off. I guess I'm a complete farkle whore.

Have you noticed the difference in your bikes handling? The cast wheels really slow transitions down on mine. This Spring I'll bolt in the new engine, add the rear sets and the bike'll be done, done, done. I can't wait.

Heres my bike with a the solo seat on its first outing. I ditched the seat because It wouldn't let me scooch back when I wanted to.

PS: The color is actually the one-year-only "Cream" that BMW used on the cruisers.

 

[na cl k9]

It's funny how things go...

Your "Little s" is exactly what I started out to build but I had collected so many nice parts that it kinda turned into Frankensteins Brother. I guess the bike has a mind of it's own! Maybe next time. Sigh...

I went with the Lester's 'cause I got a killer deal on em from a guy who was restoring his R90S and it was cheaper than building or buying decent wires and they were one more period farkle to show off. I guess I'm a complete farkle whore.

Have you noticed the difference in your bikes handling? The cast wheels really slow transitions down on mine. This Spring I'll bolt in the new engine, add the rear sets and the bike'll be done, done, done. I can't wait.

Heres my bike with a the solo seat on its first outing. I ditched the seat because It wouldn't let me scooch back when I wanted to.

Your comment about wearing out some shoe leather is good advice. One must be out there looking every moment to find the deals. Keep cash in your pocket and tie-downs in your truck and talk to everyone.

The "little s" is number 16. I have been after a specific ride and look for many years. I get one done and someone always tries to talk me out of it. This one I have hung on to. I will be curious how it handles with the Lester's too. An earlier iteration of this bike had gray MORRIS wheels on it. I rode on LesterÔÇÖs years ago on a long wheel base BMW and really liked them. The bike felt like it was on a rail. Without tires mounted, Lester wheels disc front and drum rear weigh almost exactly the same at 14.4 lbs each. BMW spoke disc front weighs 9 lbs and the rear 13.4 lbs. There will be more inertia to overcome from the heavier wheels so I imagine I will notice the difference you mention with this bike in particular.

I was looking at the color on your S and thought it might be "Dover" white but now I do see the original 1200C color. That is such a sweet ship. Definitely NOT a Franken-Beemer.. Interesting how we both got started going in the same direction. The airheads can be a collection of parts with a REAL personality cant they.

Still, this thread was about prices for airheads and to me, its value more than price these days. I look at a BMW and see a final drive with 100K left in it. A cylinder head with the valves still high up in the seats. Brake pedals that still have all the little pyramids front to back. Each bike tells a story of how it was cared for and ridden. If the value is still there in the parts Ill buy it and make a good ride out of it one way or anotherlike the Little s.

 

[From MARS]

yahooooo then, I am rich...and my cohorts who have (are) MAD (Multiple Airhead Disorder) are simply the Vanderbilt's of bikers.

If an Airhead is worth their weight in gold, lemme see,
....according to http://www.goldprice.org/

• Today's (Mar 1, 2010) price of gold is $1,115.47 / ounce.
• There a 16 ounces in a pound, so that works out to $17,847.52 per pound
• My '83 R100RT weighs (gasp) 525 lbs. according to http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/specpages/R100RT.htm
• So 525 lbs at $17,847.52/lbs puts my bike value at $9,369,948.00 or thereabouts.
• Hah, and I thought that Motorsport in the Flea Market at $17k was a bit high

If James is right and Airhead prices will only go up from this point onwards, even one bike is a helluva a retirement plan then. At these values, I'll chip in to help ya build a bigger barn James, but I sold my R60/5 SWB Toaster...dang, you would have been a fine home for it.

Makes me wish the PD was heavier!
Tom

 

[keelerb]

If you are following that bike, let us know what it actually sells for.

Ride Safe
Mike

No way to do that that I know of - with CL, at some point the listing simply won't be there anymore, either because the bike sold or for some other reason. But no way to find out if it did sell, and if so, for how much.

 

[mymindsok]

Your comment about wearing out some shoe leather is good advice. One must be out there looking every moment to find the deals. Keep cash in your pocket and tie-downs in your truck and talk to everyone.

The "little s" is number 16. I have been after a specific ride and look for many years. I get one done and someone always tries to talk me out of it. This one I have hung on to. I will be curious how it handles with the Lester's too. An earlier iteration of this bike had gray MORRIS wheels on it. (OMG!!!!) I rode on Lester’s years ago on a long wheel base BMW and really liked them. The bike felt like it was on a rail. Without tires mounted, Lester wheels disc front and drum rear weigh almost exactly the same at 14.4 lbs each. BMW spoke disc front weighs 9 lbs and the rear 13.4 lbs. There will be more inertia to overcome from the heavier wheels so I imagine I will notice the difference you mention with this bike in particular.

I was looking at the color on your S and thought it might be "Dover" white but now I do see the original 1200C color. That is such a sweet ship. Definitely NOT a Franken-Beemer.. Interesting how we both got started going in the same direction. The airheads can be a collection of parts with a REAL personality cant they.

Still, this thread was about prices for airheads and to me, it’s value more than price these days. I look at a BMW and see a final drive with 100K left in it. A cylinder head with the valves still high up in the seats. Brake pedals that still have all the little pyramids front to back. Each bike tells a story of how it was cared for and ridden. If the value is still there in the parts I’ll buy it and make a good ride out of it one way or another…like the “Little s”.

What?

You have a pile of Morris wheels sitting around? And exactly where do you live? I want Morris Mags!!! Really I do, I do, I dooo!!!

Really, really.... You have Morris wheels and you're running Lester's? Whats up with that?

 

[na cl k9]

What?

You have a "pile" of Morris wheels sitting around? And exactly where do you live? I want Morris Mags!!! Really I do, I do, I dooo!!!

Really, really.... You have Morris wheels and you're running Lester's? Whats up with that?

The ones I had (past tense) went from one bike to another for years and finally someone offered me a lot of money for them plus the beautiful set of BMW spoke wheels you saw on the second photo. I'm not married to this stuff.

Morris wheels are a period accessory that would up the anti on any bike that is for sale. Personally, I like the BMW Snowflakes and wire spoke wheel sets because they can be serviced easily and they are available. Availability drives a lot of my decisions.

I saw a set come up not too long ago on the IBMWR list or it might have even been the flea market here for close to 500.00. Back in 76 when I saw the first ads for them the aluminum version was going for $1600.00 a set with Grimeka rear hydraulic brake.

 

[robsryder]

The last time (4 years ago) I participated in one of these "why are airheads getting so expensive?" discussions I ended up buying a very nice bike. However, I'll say upfront that I'm not looking to buy anything. (I've just made a hole in my garage for a nice K75S!).

The prior discussion was on the AirList and I was trying to help the OP by giving him a very lo-ball offer for his bike (as a bit of a joke). Instead, another fellow sent me an e-mail and a picture of a nice R75/5 for the same lo-ball price. I thought he was having one off on me. Nope, he was serious - so I have a nice R75/5. But, as I said, I'm not lookin' now...

I have purchased a couple of nice airheads from my local BMW dealer at what I considered favorable prices. How, you ask? Well I envision the scenario playing out like this...

A guy has an airhead that perhaps hasn't been ridden in a while. He decides that he wants to get it "fixed up" to ride. He isn't too mechanically inclined so he takes the bike to the local BMW shop. They look at the bike, make a list of the stuff needed, and then figure $95 per hour labor costs (2010 dollars). When presented with the cost estimate (which can run to multiple thousands of dollars), the bike's owner, who has been looking at the new bikes, asks about trade-in. The owner is likely told some fairly low "book value", maybe the NADA "trade-in" guide is produced to show that the bike has low value.

The bike owner is thinking at this point that a new bike would sure be nice and reliable. So, he trades in his old airhead for some new bike. The airhead sits on the floor for a bit (maybe a very short bit - I've been lucky and gotten there about an hour after the trade-in).

The dealership doesn't really want to have to put a lot of labor into the bike to get it into selling shape, so they offer it to me (or someone like me) on an "as is" basis. A small profit is added to the low trade-in price and I've bought another project bike.

Here is an R60/6 that I bought about 14 years back, after I went all through it -

About 8 years ago I bought my 77 R100RS this way. When I agreed to the purchase, neither the dealer or I knew if the bike would run (yes, it was that good of a price!). Turns out the bike started right up and I rode it the 7 miles home.

Two years later I'd been entirely through the bike and now have a nice bike (which is insured for a good deal more than I paid for the bike).

My last "newish" airhead - purchased 17 years ago -

 

[na cl k9]

The last time (4 years ago) I participated in one of these "why are airheads getting so expensive?" discussions I ended up buying a very nice bike. However, I'll say upfront that I'm not looking to buy anything. (I've just made a hole in my garage for a nice K75S!).

What were the conclusions if any regarding prices for airhead BMW motorcycles four years ago?

 

[mymindsok]

Yeah,

And how much did you pay for the cheap-o bikes?

 

[mymindsok]

Well, this morning I checked out the results of the big Daytona bike auction and guess what I found?

Lot # 61A
1974 BMW R90/S

1974 BMW R90/S. Excellent condition. Just serviced!

This bike sold for $4500

Would you want this bike in your garage?

 

[mymindsok]

Heres another one that sold at the BAtor auction. This time it's an early 70 R75/5 in #1 (Mint/Showroom) condition. This one sold for $3100

Another beautiful, very collectable/ridable Beemer for a nice price!

 

[mymindsok]

Now...

Please excuse my adding another post to the thread but in the previous posts I wanted to show some current examples of Classic Airheads that have sold for far less than it would take to restore a similar bike.

Both of these bikes were sold at the Bator Auction down in Daytona last month and represent what might be a starting point for valuing bikes for sale in local markets. Keep in mind that shipping for any of these bikes to most locations in the states, would probably cost $500 to $600 and there are auctions all over the country, all year long!

Auction Prices set overall values. Then it's up to you to add in factors like availability in your market, condition, resale value, condition, installed options, condition, etc, etc.

I gotta go!