Does anyone have experience with the R75 military with sidecar? I was wondering about parts availability and what to look out for. I have an opportunity to purchase a 1944. I always wanted one of these machines. It appears to be all there. It runs and the seller tells me all the gears (reverse, sidecar wheel) work. His father brought it back from Germany after WWII. Thank you.
Mike
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BMW R75 Military
-
vechorik1373
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
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Re: BMW R75 Military
I own one.
it is a VERY heavy machine. It is NOT very fast. 50 mph is about it. It is not that the engine is not powerful, it is a combination of 1000+ pounds, and the low gearing. It is the most complicated BMW ever made, until modern bikes.
The transmission is very complicated. Not only does it have a 4 speed gearbox, with reverse, it has a two speed input. This means a total of 8 forward speeds an 2 speeds in reverse. In low input gear and 1st, it will (and was designed) to run without overheating at the speed in which men march. They made a lot of changes in these bikes overt the relative short production time the transmissions, were prone to failure.
And, the bike has hydraulic drum brakes on the rear wheel and side car wheel.
The master cylinder is mounted IN the transmission case. Brake fluid and aluminum do not like each other. The reservoir is part of the transmission case, and it corrodes badly, causing master cylinder failure, ruining the seals in the master cylinder.
The final drive is very complicated also. It is a true differential, driving the back and side car wheels. It features a differential lock out. When engaged, it it will provide power to both wheels as a live rear axle. It is meant to be used only when stuck in the mud. This means you can no longer steer the bike! If you accidentally engage it with your right pants leg, going down the road at whatever speed, you WILL CRASH running off the road in the slightest curve.
It is very difficult to find a good magneto coil. Most of the reproduction coils available are total crap and fail quickly.
The original carbs are VERY difficult to find, and the reproduction carbs are total junk that run so rich it will foul the plugs quickly.
On the plus side, it does turns heads, it the company of other bike owners!
it is a VERY heavy machine. It is NOT very fast. 50 mph is about it. It is not that the engine is not powerful, it is a combination of 1000+ pounds, and the low gearing. It is the most complicated BMW ever made, until modern bikes.
The transmission is very complicated. Not only does it have a 4 speed gearbox, with reverse, it has a two speed input. This means a total of 8 forward speeds an 2 speeds in reverse. In low input gear and 1st, it will (and was designed) to run without overheating at the speed in which men march. They made a lot of changes in these bikes overt the relative short production time the transmissions, were prone to failure.
And, the bike has hydraulic drum brakes on the rear wheel and side car wheel.
The master cylinder is mounted IN the transmission case. Brake fluid and aluminum do not like each other. The reservoir is part of the transmission case, and it corrodes badly, causing master cylinder failure, ruining the seals in the master cylinder.
The final drive is very complicated also. It is a true differential, driving the back and side car wheels. It features a differential lock out. When engaged, it it will provide power to both wheels as a live rear axle. It is meant to be used only when stuck in the mud. This means you can no longer steer the bike! If you accidentally engage it with your right pants leg, going down the road at whatever speed, you WILL CRASH running off the road in the slightest curve.
It is very difficult to find a good magneto coil. Most of the reproduction coils available are total crap and fail quickly.
The original carbs are VERY difficult to find, and the reproduction carbs are total junk that run so rich it will foul the plugs quickly.
On the plus side, it does turns heads, it the company of other bike owners!
Vech
Technical Adviser, Former owner, Bench Mark Works
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Technical Adviser, Former owner, Bench Mark Works
662 312 2838 cell 9 am to 4pm CST PLEASE!