1971 R75/5 Partial Restoration

[kingcowie]

Emblems have come up well.

[skychs]

Emblems have come up well.

Thank you. Considering how they looked when I received the bike I agree.

[skychs]

Today was a long but successful day. I was able to install the engine, transmission, sub frame, front end and swing arm. Well, the swing arm is in place but not attached. I even installed some of the electrical system. For effect I attached the rebuilt engine emblems to see how they looked and I like it. Everything seems to be coming together so I will continue tomorrow.

[skychs]

More progress today. I was able to get the bike up off the lift and on to some wheels. I guess you can now call it a rolling chassis. Anyway, the front end is in place. The "roll off" center stand is in. The wheels are on. I was even able to install the infamous seat lock. Too bad there is no key. I also installed the BMW ID plate on the neck of the frame. I guess its official again.

[jimmiejag]

Very thorough work and excellent documentation. An interesting project.
We are not going into as complete a job on my 71 R75/5 and our pace, as a pair of Geezers, is much slower. We call my hobby garage "The New Geezer Garage."

[srankin]

You might be able to have a lock smith make a key for your seat lock, of course the time to check would be before the lock is in place.

I could be wrong, as I am not a lock smith but figured I would comment. The bike is looking very good.

I am moving much slower on my restoration job at present. I have ordered some parts and am waiting for them to come in. The original parts were fine, they just didn't look so nice anymore. LOL. St.

[jwonder]

Great restoration story!!!!

[skychs]

More progress. Final drive and swing arm are officially installed. Waiting until the last second to attach the drive shaft. New tires are on the way.

[skychs]

Yesterday I started going over the electrical wiring harness. It had a couple areas to address but overall it was in good shape. I was able to thread it through the rear subframe and then worked my way forward. Right when things were going well the tires arrived. . I had to install the rear tire and new/used hubcap. What a difference.

For fun I was able to set an old /6 white tank on the bike to see what its going to look like.

[skychs]

Today I finished mounting, balanceing and installing the new tires on the bike. I also installed the new/used hubcaps on the wheels. Not perfect but certainly much better than the originals. The wheel bearings felt fine so I just cleaned and repacked them. The rest of the day I polished the wheels then gathered and started cleaning all the little parts sitting in the box. Boring. Oh .... I also cleaned and rebuilt the petcocks.

Without the tank, fenders, headlight bucket and ears there really isn't much I can do now. Hopefully they will be in the shop sometime next week.