If you like our site, please consider joining our club!
By joining you will help ensure that we can continue to provide this service
JOIN HERE!

Considering an R90S

The place to discuss the R 90 S as well as the R90S Worldnet archives!
bremoit
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:11 pm

Re: Considering an R90S

Post by bremoit »

Looks like nearly all the original and first year parts are still on the bike. Early voltmeter, angled throttle cable elbows on the carb top, among others. Nice to have tool kit, pump etc. This would indicate, to me, the bike has been looked after by caring owners in the past.

If you are looking for an unmolested, original condition bike, this appears to be a really good one.
Looks like brake lines were changes to stainless, which is good.
'
Were you able to obtain any maintenance/repair history?

This might help confirm the mileage? As noted, I'd be a bit skeptical of the odo reading without some other documentation to back it up. In my case the previous owner had the speedo repaired. No telling how long it was non op. Also, I've seen a number of 90s' with the speedo swapped out, as well.

I guess what I'm saying is don't be blinded by love with a 5K reading on the odo. It's not indicative of anything really as far as mechanical condition

That said, maybe neither here nor there for you as everything else appears very well looked after.


Every bike is different in what may/may not need attending to after putting some miles on it. As mentioned in my first post,
be prepared for some things to creep up that will need repair.

When I purchased mine, I made sure the frame/engine numbers matched, got as much history as I could, confirmed it was original paint and just went for it.

From everything on the outside, to the naked eye, this looks legit. It's the internals that are always the unknown.

In the end, if this is what you want, get it and enjoy. That's why we work and make money.

Cheers

User avatar
schrader7032
Posts: 9014
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
Location: San Antonio, TX
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 29 times

Re: Considering an R90S

Post by schrader7032 »

It does appear to be well cared for. The footpeg rubbers as well as the brake pedal dimples seem to be brand new...might be representative of a low mileage bike. The petcocks are replacements. I'm wondering if the shocks are original...they look like it and are probably shot just from age.

Something I wondered about...I know there have been different configurations of the warning lights between the instruments. Different colored lights, locations, etc. But I don't really seeing "O" before...that must be neutral but what does it stand for?
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.

User avatar
srankin
Posts: 1054
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:45 pm
Location: Spencerport, NY USA
Been thanked: 14 times

Re: Considering an R90S

Post by srankin »

The white rings on the tach and speedometer would lead me believe they are the originals for the bike as the first year S had them. The white face volt and clock I think look like the correct units.

As to O, some German will have to perhaps explain how Neutral is O? I have seen it on some bikes of the years, Not many. I can't remember if the R90S I had was marked O as well, teflon memory. St.
Owner of a 84, R80RT and 78, R100RS

User avatar
Slash2
Posts: 538
Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2015 10:22 am
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Considering an R90S

Post by Slash2 »

Great input from the group. Thanks all.

With regards to service history, the current owner has been more a custodian than an active owner/rider. The bike has seen less than 750 miles in the duration of his ownership which spans two decades. As I mentioned earlier, he just had the bike completely gone through by a vintage BMW specialist who performed a full fluid change, carb cleaning, etc. I need to ask if the transmission splines were cleaned.

It sounds like his account of the bike adds up and that it is a good candidate. The paint issues are somewhat detracting to me in that fixing them properly will require repainting and this isn’t like repainting a /2 fender. Original paint is important to me and so I’ll either have to just accept the damage or accept a repaint. I’m not thrilled about either.

The mileage, while nice is almost too low for me to be able to enjoy actually riding the bike without feeling at least somewhat guilty. A bike with 15k on the clock might be a better option as the price would reflect the higher mileage and I wouldn’t feel nearly as concerned pushing the odometer upwards.

As it sits, I’m not convinced it’s the best use of $15k. At $12-13k, I would feel more comfortable with the many unknowns. Shame it’s so far from home as seeing her in person would surely make the decision much simpler.

Decisions decisions.
Western Pennsylvanian - Airhead Extraordinaire

User avatar
schrader7032
Posts: 9014
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
Location: San Antonio, TX
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 29 times

Re: Considering an R90S

Post by schrader7032 »

I searched some images and see some with "Neutral" and some with "0". I wonder if it might be shorthand for gear zero. As in the shift pattern 1-down, 4-up...something like 1-0-2-3-4-5.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.

User avatar
Slash2
Posts: 538
Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2015 10:22 am
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Considering an R90S

Post by Slash2 »

Wonder what the chances are of finding an NOS front fender. Sounds like the seller has a few guys lined up to pay full price.
Western Pennsylvanian - Airhead Extraordinaire

User avatar
sblaylock
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Victoria, BC. Canada

Re: Considering an R90S

Post by sblaylock »

Just be careful with a NOS front fender. I seem to recall the 74 was unique, based on the fender brace being different. The original 74 fender brace, again, "should" have a large square hole in it. I believe the 75/76 has a different brace and different fender.
Scott.
Scott Blaylock
Stoney Peak BMW Service
Victoria, BC. Canada
BMW Classic and Vintage Motorcycle Service and Restoration
service@stoneypeak.com

User avatar
Slash2
Posts: 538
Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2015 10:22 am
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Considering an R90S

Post by Slash2 »

Well fellas I think I’m going to let this one go. With a guy on deck who’s willing to pay full price I realize there’s no room for negotiations and with the scraped fender, blemishes on the side covers and no krauser panniers, I think I can do better in finding an R90S to add to the stable.

The seller intends me get back with me if his buyer falls through, so who knows but I’m not counting on it.

At any rate, I really appreciate all the input and feedback. Will update this thread if the other deal falls through.

Thanks!

Chris
Western Pennsylvanian - Airhead Extraordinaire

User avatar
srankin
Posts: 1054
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:45 pm
Location: Spencerport, NY USA
Been thanked: 14 times

Re: Considering an R90S

Post by srankin »

One thing about other R90S bikes for sale. There are a lot of them out there for big bucks "restored".

One thing I have learned from hanging around an airhead repair shop is there are people who repair or restore bikes who should not.

A pretty perfect looking "restored" R90S may be a big can of snakes. I bought a supposedly low mile RS, a very pretty bike that turned out to be a soiled dove. After spending a couple of winters, repairing screwed up previous owner stuff, the bike is now a gem.

Despite the small flaws in the paint, you can't beat the mileage (if true) and from what I have seen of the pictures I tend to believe the mileage is accurate on this bike.

By the way, I "restored" an R90S one time, I never sold it, I could not honestly ask the cost I needed to recoup the money I had into the restoration. I am NOT a professional mechanic, so in all honesty I can't charge professional prices. That bike was parted out to build another bike I intended to keep. Sadly, that never worked out so both bikes are now at my friend's shop in his collection.

I guess it all depends on the intention of the owner, if he wants to ride, minor scrapes and dings don't prevent that. If he wants to show the bike, well, that is a whole other world and far from my cup of tea. I may be picky and like my bikes to look good but good looks don't make for a good ride all the time. St.
Owner of a 84, R80RT and 78, R100RS

AirheadTom
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2021 12:53 pm

Re: Considering an R90S

Post by AirheadTom »

Following on a comment from Chuck S: "...the addition of a later "shift kit" does help the early models shift a little better."

Is this shift kit a factory item with a P/N, or for a specific iteration of the 5-speed trans? My reason for asking, I've also decided the '74 S is an airhead worth having and bought a 100% rebuilder project early this year, showing just 5510 miles (105,510 based on service history). I have the trans being rebuilt this week, and would like to update it with BMW's improved componentry as long as it's apart.

Thanks for the tip; I'm planning a long resto process for this one.

Post Reply