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considering purchace of R60
- schrader7032
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considering purchace of R60
With any of these bikes, you should ask about past maintenance and especially if the slingers have been cleaned at anytime. It this is an unknown situation with the bike, you'll need to factor in a bottom-end overhaul as soon as practical. If the slingers are ignored and they are truly filled up, damage to the lower end bearings can be the result, ended in quite a repair bill.
So, it would appear that the pre '61 bikes should come at a price lower than the later, "official" /2 machines.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
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considering purchace of R60
what were the improvements?
I take your point about the slingers - seems to be quite a topic of conversation and worry.
- schrader7032
- Posts: 9040
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considering purchace of R60
http://www.beemergarage.com/bulletin.html
This is not to say that any of the '55-on bikes aren't worth owning. As one could expect, there were continuous improvements during the run of the bikes. It's just where you want to tap into that.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
- Bruce Frey
- Posts: 536
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
considering purchace of R60
If I were buying a vintage bike to ride relatively hard, I might go with a later bike (in fact I jumped 1938 to an R90S and passed by the R51/2 to R69S altogether). For the normal 2 or 3k/year collector, I am not sure it matters very much. It really depends what you like in a bike.
Bruce
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- Posts: 41
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:07 pm
considering purchace of R60
I imagine that there is a fair bit of compatibility with later bikes.
For example if there is a better transmission in the later 60/2 - or an "LK" head might fix a potential problem with cracking then I would 'upgrade'. I'd only use period or parts from these two models. but I'd be interested to know what the factory upgrades were.
The only other thing - and I mention this as I have had quite a few cars from this period and I feel it has made a difference - is electronic ignition. Is it available for these bikes?
- schrader7032
- Posts: 9040
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
- Location: San Antonio, TX
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- Been thanked: 34 times
considering purchace of R60
There is a system which provides an electronic ignition and converts to 12v. A friend installed one on his R60/2 to cure a differential timing issue with his points. Bike runs smoother and has likes the boost in light for night driving. Check out the systems here:
http://www.powerdynamo.biz/deu/systems/ ... mw_abc.php
The instructions left a little to be desired but the response of the company to questions was good. Possibly the instructions have been updated.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
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- Posts: 41
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:07 pm
considering purchace of R60
I put new fluids in the engine, transmission, shaft and final drive today - I'll get some tires (currently on sidecar profiles) and then I might take her for a few short runs to free things up a bit before pulling things down to check the slingers and bearings etc.
thanks again.
- Bruce Frey
- Posts: 536
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
considering purchace of R60
Replacement coils are available that improve reliability, however.
Another electronic solution is the MZ iginition that replaces the magneto. IIRC it does not replace the generator, however. Joel Rapose, who I think occasionally posts here, imports them into the USA. The MZ units seem to have a good reputation.
I don't follow /2 stuff that closely, but I know I have seen some other options.
Bruce
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- Posts: 41
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:07 pm
considering purchace of R60
I like the idea of running without a battery - cleans things up a bit in the frame.
- Bruce Frey
- Posts: 536
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
considering purchace of R60
I would research the other systems and talk to users before making a decision to change. The Yahoo /2 forum is also good source of information. The MZ is also available with generator, I think.
Bruce
Which ignition kit is considered the best?
I like the idea of running without a battery - cleans things up a bit in the frame.