The comments above are good re: price. However, I would not hazard a guess until I saw, heard it run, and rode it a little.
I have had numerous R27s over the years. I thought and still think they are very attractive. I sold my last one a few years back. Now my only single is a 1954 R25/3, which is funky and neat, but does not compare in comfort or performance with an R27. The plungers do not compare to the R27's swing arms. Strictly an around town ride.
I would agree with that! That is my experience on my R25/2. Maybe things will change when Vech gets finished with it, but it's only for putting around.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
I recognized the designation for the truck. That's why I thought it would be fun to use it for a commuter. That's not serious, of course, but I had a friend who took something of similar size (it was one of those Vietnam-era amphibs) to a posh restaurant to see if the valet service would park it.
Jon Miller
'67 R69S
'13 F800GT
Altadena, California
When I get the R2 back from restoration (that should be soonish!) I am taking her to the Dragstrip (all 6 1/4 Horsepower) just so I can display the Timeslip with the bike.
My guess is that she does the 1/4 in the low-to-mid-Fifties.
Vince
1973 BMW R75/5 (LWB) "Griselda" (stock looking but with logical/practical improvements), 1971 Norton Commando "Commando Bizarro" (a truly strange custom project), 1936 BMW R2 "Ediltrudis" (stock, currently out getting a pro restoration). www.vinceandersononline.com
When I get the R2 back from restoration (that should be soonish!) I am taking her to the Dragstrip (all 6 1/4 Horsepower) just so I can display the Timeslip with the bike.
My guess is that she does the 1/4 in the low-to-mid-Fifties.
Vince
Wow! My R25/3 pumps out a thrilling 13 HP! Wish I could join you at the dragstrip! Maybe it would go under 29.9 seconds!
And then there is the land speed record set recently on an R25/3 -- over 72 MPH!
The new records were achieved on a 1954 BMW R25/3 that was built by Richard Sheckler. May had set a record at Maxton this past June on board the little single of 67.19933 mph in the P/VP-250/4 (Production frame and engine / Vintage Pushrod - 250cc / 4 stroke) class. The vintage class is limited to vehicles constructed in 1955 or earlier, and for the P/P classes, the vehicle can not be modified in any way.
I live in the Washington, DC area and drove it into the district this spring once to pick up salvaged building materials. That was painful! Police were notified prior to my arrival so that they would not consider me a hostile!!
It was cool to say that I had done it. I wish someone had followed and filmed it though.
Not sure that I would drive near any monuments or anywhere near the White House! I'm brave but not stupid!
OK .. it took me a little while to order the correct battery, gather the parts, etc. Good news is that IT RUNS!!! and it sounds beautiful, solid and smooth.
Posted it for sale in a few places .. starting a bit high but since runs so nicely now, I think it should do well. I will let you know what the final price is that she brings!
Seems like you got some good advice from the members here and then priced the bike in your ad for more than double. Of course, I guess you never know who may turn up and grossly overspend on an old BMW single, a marginally functional bike on today's roadways. I've bought and sold a lot of older bikes over the years and have been doing some vehicle sales work for a couple of motorcycle dealerships here near Boulder, Colorado this summer. Just my 2 cents, but there is certainly some benefit to pricing your bike wisely and realistically. There are only a certain number of buyers out there for these bikes and most of them trolling the vintage classifieds have done their homework. Serious buyers and sellers don't want to waste time. If you're pricing is in the stratosphere, it's probably not even worth an inquiry from most potential buyers. Also, in my experience, the vintage club guys are the last ones who will over pay, as they are the bargain hunters, and they will wear you away on price by trying to convince you that restoration costs are expensive (which is very true on these bikes). As a potential buyer, your ad screams of someone who doesn't really want to sell. If I were to make a realistic offer to start the negotiations at about $5000, I would stand the chance of insulting you so I wouldn't even inquire, as we are miles apart on price. You started this thread asking for some advice on selling an interesting old BMW that has been in your family for a long time. If you really want to sell it, cast your emotions aside and put it out for $8000 and don't turn your nose up at offers around $6000. In any event, good luck. Maybe you'll get to prove me wrong when you write us all back letting us know that you scored $14K for an unrestored R27 with an unknown mechanical history. Cheers!
1964 BMW R60/2, 2010 Harley-Davidson Road King Police, 2006 Kawasaki ZX-14
The only cheap thing on a BMW is sitting on the seat, holding the handlebars!
Vince
1973 BMW R75/5 (LWB) "Griselda" (stock looking but with logical/practical improvements), 1971 Norton Commando "Commando Bizarro" (a truly strange custom project), 1936 BMW R2 "Ediltrudis" (stock, currently out getting a pro restoration). www.vinceandersononline.com
