Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners

I am a little stuck on what steps I should do next. I am precisely this far along:



I kind of thought the "Building a Roller" chapter of the Barrington manual was going to keep going, but it was just for the front and rear fenders. There are very thorough chapters on reassembling all the remaining components (engine block, carburetors, wiring harnesses, etc), but I'm not certain what order I should be doing them in. Does it even matter?

I'm thrilled to be as far along as I am and my confidence is still really high, I just need an ordered To-Do list to get me to the finish line.

Thank you!

It looks like your ready to install an engine to me. With the transmission off have a buddy or two help you slide the engine in. Once the engine is in you can start on the electrical harness. I would also consider installing the handlebars for stability and moving the bike around.

I would also start at the bottom and work up. After putting the engine in alone, you'll need to do something to get the transmission in. One way that I've done it is to support the rear of the engine with a floor jack and remove the rear engine mount. Then rotate the aft of the engine up...probably enough to slip the engine mount bolt through but have it rest on top of the frame rail. This will give you sufficient room to angle the transmission in. Once that is bolted in, then slowly lower the engine-trans down to slip in the mount bolt and clear the forward part of the drive shaft. Get that done before you put on the exhaust header and muffler.

install engine 1st with front engine mount then tilt forward and install transmission next as shown in below pics

Tommy

Before you do anything else, toss a handlebar on it, even if its not the one you will use on the finished product. Sooner than later you will have to move that thing around and the heavier it gets the harder it will be.

Bill

Before you do anything else, toss a handlebar on it, even if its not the one you will use on the finished product. Sooner than later you will have to move that thing around and the heavier it gets the harder it will be.

Bill

Handlebars on and I'll start tackling the engine/transmission first. Thank you so much for the advice!!!

I think you'll find it much easier if you place the motorcycle on a platform at working height. If you don't have a motorcycle lift it is easy and fairly inexpensive to build one out of wood and place casters on it to allow you to move it easily. I just finished my 63 R50/2 and it rides wonderfully. Now I understand why enthusiasts love these bikes. Have fun with your project.

Agree with radebaugh7498. A lift will make life much easier. Harbor Freight has one that goes on sale occasionally for $300. Money well spent. Your knees, back and hips will thank you.