Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners

Why would I keep going through condensers. I have a 1969 R60/2 and about every 200-300 miles I burn out a condenser. The bike idles well after it warms up, runs well at speed other than some hesitation and popping every so often. The popping gets worse the the engine dies and I can’t start it until ...

Looks really good, enjoy the rides

My R100/7 originally had them but I wasn’t crazy about the look so I removed them.
I got tired of always having to clean the rubber off the pipes so on they went again.
I’d rather get used to the look than burn boots.

Anthony

I used permatex ultra gray sealant on both sides of the aluminum cylinder base gasket, works great.
The head bolts should be re tourqued at 100 miles after replacing the gaskets.
Valve clearance should be checked if you get some movement on the head bolts.

Now that I resolved the condenser problem time to go back and check all the settings (timing, points, carbs etc.) but as of now I The bike starts on 2-3 kicks and runs smooth For sure going to carry some spare condensers, I have 4 on order. On to the next thing, enjoying the bike! Thanks guys, Anthony

After 3 coils, 4 condensers, new piston rings (I had low compression) valve adjustments, noumorous timing adjustments and point gap adjustments, Oh, and don’t forget new spark plugs. I spoke to Vech today, He said it seems like I took all the right steps and it could only be the condenser. He had a ...

The brown/black wire disconnected, fresh coil and condenser (just to start with fresh parts) The bike started and restarted 3 times then nothing. The next step I think will be the rotating magnet, it is so strange that I keep losing the spark. When I do get the bike running it runs great and idles p...

Well when I got the magneto back with a new condenser I was able to get the bike started but then it was hard to restart especially when hot. Then I came to realize one cylinder had low compression so I pulled the cylinders apart and changed all the piston rings and adjusted the valves. Then after r...

Sounds a bit like my story. My first street bikes were a 1969 R60/2 and a 1977 R100/7
The experience with the bikes and the help from this forum is priceless.
Enjoy the bike, looks great!

John, That is great advice, I am surprised there is none of the test methods you mentioned in circulation. I have sent the complete magneto assembly to Benchmark Works for testing. I am anxious to test the components when I get them back, just for general knowledge. Such a simple electrical system w...