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Barrington Manual
- schrader7032
- Posts: 9057
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
- Location: San Antonio, TX
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Barrington Manual
It's supposed to be mailed in the next 4-6 weeks. It looks very good with plenty of details.
I'm also looking forward to mine.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
Barrington Manual
- schrader7032
- Posts: 9057
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
- Location: San Antonio, TX
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 36 times
Barrington Manual
I didn't look at the manual for a long time, just breezed through. My traveling companion was riding with the front brake shoes very near the rivets and there was some grooving going on (or had been going on) on his 60/2. I found a section in the manual on truing the drum. My friend decided to buy the manual at that point.
I'm sure the manual leads one through all of the various aspects of maintaining these bikes. I bet it has instructions on how to pull the crank for the slingers.
That said, there will be points where an expert is needed to ascertain the ramifications of some finding, etc. I'm no expert but this should move me further along in understanding my bike. I still have a phone and know where the experts are!
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
I've read the Barrington manual from cover to cover.
I was one who received an advanced copy of the Barrington manual. I offered to review the manual when I pre-ordered the book. I have done some technical writing and recently edited an aviation book for a friend, and was prepared to scan the Barrington manual for the usual pre-publication typos. Also, guessing that other reviewers would be experienced vintage BMW professionals like Vech, I offered to review the book from the perspective of a novice owner seeking a guide to “refreshing” a recently acquired 1966 R69S, recovered from years in a storage bin. I was surprised and delighted to receive an advance reader copy of the manual with instructions to mark it up at will.
After spending two weeks with the Barrington manual, here are my impressions.
The book is a remarkable piece of work. It is a restoration manual whose authors have many years of experience restoring vintage BMW motorbikes. The scope of the book covers every aspect of restoration, addressing each sub-project with logically laid out step by step instructions. It’s a real “how to” manual with writing clear enough that those of us who are left scratching our heads by the Clymer manual are delighted and relieved to find clear, detailed instructions with good quality photographs. Also, the book offers a wealth of “insider” tips and tricks–everything from something as simple as using red tape to flag a item that needs further work at a later time, to how to temper the metal tabs that hold the main switch board in place in the top of the headlight bucket, should you be facing the daunting task of bending those accursed little tabs without breaking one off.
It’s one thing to be a master vintage BMW motorcycle mechanic/restorer, and another to have the writing talent to put that expertise down on paper in clearly understandable prose. The true power of the book is that Dr. Betjemann, a retired physician, and his wife Barbara have done this in spades. They are masters of clear writing and careful attention to detail. The Barrington manual is no “coffee table” restoration guide that is heavy on history, with lots of photographs of difference models, and little detail on how to best get your hands dirty attacking a restoration or repair project. This is a nitty-gritty book that details how best to get the job done, and avoid the potentially costly mistakes we all fear.
So, what if you not into a full-on restoration project—the book still has much to offer. There are excellent sections on history, how to thoroughly evaluate a potential purchase, where to find parts and supplies, and other such useful information. Best of all, extensive attention is given to repairing and maintaining your vintage BMW--tires, brakes, routine service and tune-ups, even winterization and dewinterization are covered. At the back of the book are a series of useful charts that address /2 specifications ranging from tire pressure to Bing carburetor parts.
In sum, I consider the Barrington manual to be BOTH a landmark restoration guide and an excellent repair and service manual. The book when published is going to be a first class product with quality printing and clear photographs.
Finally, I do not personally know the authors and have paid for my copy like everyone else. I have no obligation to the Betjemanns and have received no consideration from them. I just think the Barrington manual is something that we vintage BMW owners have sorely needed. For me and my R69S project, I consider the book to be a godsend.
I've not checked the Barrington Motor Works website lately, but believe that you can still order the book at the pre-publication price. Latest word is that the published edition is due out from the printer in May.
Tandy Bozeman
Lake Almanor, CA
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- Posts: 3
- Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:12 pm
Barrington Manual
I met the author at a Vintage Rally in NH a few weeks ago; he is straight forward and obsessive in a good way and certainly knows his stuff.
Definitely worth the $$. Just the list of suppliers is worth it.
Barrington Manual
Order it here:
http://www.barringtonmotorworks.com/gal ... =14&gid=97
I love the Granada red slash-2 on the cover!
Friend of the Marque, Co-Founder VBMWMO (1972)
http://bmwdean.com --- http://bmwdean.com/slash2.htm[/h3]
[img]http://bmwdean.com/r75-200.jpg[/img]
Barrington Manual
Barrington Manual
- schrader7032
- Posts: 9057
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
- Location: San Antonio, TX
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 36 times
Barrington Manual
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.