Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners

If you are used to riding modern bikes of normal size, or even large vintage bikes (Harley), the Earles bikes will feel tiny. I'm 5' 8" and 165 and they feel small, but perfectly proportional to me. But I also ride a GL1800 and Honda CBXs. At 6' 4", I'd think I was on a Honda Mini-Trail. D...

The first clue that something didn't get addressed during the recommissioning is that it did not start in one or two kicks. Another story of work claimed to have been done, paid for, then disappointment. You'll need to sort it yourself, most likely. Guys here will help you get it figured out.

Dave

New rear bearing carriers will be tight, requiring more heat than you might think to drop the crank into. Had to heat my R69 case to about 325 to get it to go. That's pretty hot, in case you have any doubt.

Dave

viewtopic.php?p=80906#p80906. This was Vech's take on piston/cylinder clearance. And he did a bunch of them.

Dave

I've broken in two of these after total rebuilds. An R50 and an R69. I had to be very careful with the R50 as my machinist bored 1st over to only 2 1/2 thou clearance. It really should have been 3 thou. I have 3500 miles on it now and run it fairly hard, with no issues. It is one of the quietest vin...

If it does not start in one or two kicks when hot, hold the throttle wide open - DO NOT tickle it.

Dave

You are right on the money at $15K. If you are doing a lot of the work yourself, that'll get you there in good shape. But I suspect you will enjoy riding it a bit too!

Dave

Differential timing is not that hard to overcome - just sayin'.

Dave

This is my '55 and what I was referring to. I have the correct no-branded seat, but it was not quite good enough for the restoration. Sorry, if you click on the picture, it will display correctly.

Dave

R68 has it correct for the '55s. If you got a solo seat on a '55 from the factory (not B&S), which would be bikes for the rest of the world, you got the no-logo seat with the spring instead of the rubber block.

Dave