Looking at an R90S

wolds · Post by **wolds** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 6:25 pm

I have an opportunity to purchase a friend of mines 76 R90S. He is the original owner and the bike has 38000 miles on it. Mechanically the bike is in good condition and other than caliper rebuild, fluid change and tires it's good to go. Paint is original and is marginal. I have attached a few pictures for reference. Does anyone have a sense of what would be a fair price for the bike? Any advise would be appreciated.

wolds · Post by **wolds** » Mon Mar 20, 2017 8:53 am

Any input would be appreciated, Thanks.

ChrisOBrien · Post by **ChrisOBrien** » Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:16 am

Prices on these seem to vary quite a bit based on region of the country/world...I have seen recent examples on the West Coast (Seattle to San Diego) with asking prices from $4k to $10k for a runner with high mileage but original equipment, fair paint, etc. Not sure if that bracket of prices is helpful...

wolds · Post by **wolds** » Mon Mar 20, 2017 10:43 am

thanks Chris. The seller and I talked about the asking price range and he is in the 5-8K range. I think we can find some middle ground on the bike. Bike has a lot going for it mechanically but as you can see from the pictures the paint is average at best. I believe I can restore the shine but any imperfections in the paint will remain. An option would be to repaint but I would like to preserve the original paint if possible. Not in the pictures are the original Krauser bags which are in decent shape.

khittner · Post by **khittner** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 10:22 am

It looks like a very nice original bike, and will likely machine polish and wax out quite well. The scratches on the tank wouldn't be enough to prompt me to repaint it; they're honest wear on a 41-year old bike. If you can get it for something in that price range, and you want a real-deal 90S, get it. If you're planning to use the Krauser bags, I'd budget for a new set of bag mounts with the legs that attach to the rear footpeg flanges; the bag mounts presently on it reportedly will tend to crack the rear sub-frame if the bags are robustly loaded.

wolds · Post by **wolds** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 2:56 pm

Thanks Khittner. I'm going to negotiate a price tonight. We've known each other for a long time and I know we can arrive at a price we can both live with. Called Holt BMW about maybe getting the striping redone. I think if I can bring the shine up and get it striped it would present very nice. I've know this bike since 1979 and have lusted over it for years.

Slash2 · Post by **Slash2** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 5:34 pm

Not to be another stickler out here for originality, and I know that they always look nicer in photos, but that is one very nice looking and appropriately aged motorcycle and I think I'd regret touching it cosmetically aside from a good buff, wax and polish. The paint on these bikes is, to borrow the adjective of another member, "finicky" and that's part of the history. Before I started scheduling work on a bike I hadn't yet purchased, I think I'd let her enjoy her new home a while, and perhaps a season of riding before I started fiddling with the cosmetics.

But hey, that's just me.

wolds · Post by **wolds** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 7:12 pm

thanks for all the comments and suggestions. Slash2 makes an excellent point about cosmetic changes and I will take it slow. Warren

lauffer6996 · Post by **lauffer6996** » Tue Mar 28, 2017 4:30 pm

IMHO that is an 8K bike all day long!

RickR90s · Post by **RickR90s** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 10:33 am

I think the beauty of the show, American Pickers (amongst all the other trash reality shows), is that they've shown that patina on old machinery is desirable.
As others have pointed out, I too would clean it up and take a year getting to know it. You may decide to leave the cosmetics alone and focus on the mechanics.
One thing for sure, a good running R90s can still eat up the miles and perform way beyond most rider's abilities.

As a bonus, you can just grab a beer and go out in the garage and look at it as art. The bike has an amazing amount of history and a fiercely loyal following.

Peter Egan, one of my favorites had this to say.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/09/23/bm ... peter-egan

Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners

Looking at an R90S

Looking at an R90S

could use some feedback

Prices on these seem to vary

thanks Chris. The seller and

It looks like a very nice

Thanks Khittner. I'm going

Not to be another stickler

thanks for all the comments

IMHO that is an 8K bike all

R90s