Criaiglist r90 good....or could have major issues

liceyscrub · 09-07-2011, 08:11 AM

I know this is one of the classic things newbies always do, ask about a bike that they know nothing about, but I will do it anyway. I currently have a 1150gs and am looking for a project to work on and turn into a cafe racer and ran across this bike online the other day. I have been reading a lot of threads here gaining valuable information of airheads and now want to get one to get my hands dirty.

http://spokane.craigslist.org/mcy/2585863657.html

It has about 75000 on the clock and the guy who has it now has only had it for a couple of months which tells me he may have tried to get it working and saw something very expensive and is trying to unload it...but maybe I am just being pesimistic. The bike rolls when in gear so I assume the engine is not seized. I have basic mechanical skills like doing my own valves and would be fairly comfortable getting down and dirty, not sure if this would be beyond my abilities.

Let me know what you think of this bike. I know the price is a bit high so let me know what you think you would offer or feel confortable paying.

rusty44 · 09-07-2011, 08:21 AM

If you don't want the seat I'll buy it from you.

.....Al

Airhead Wrangler · 09-07-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liceyscrub

Let me know what you think of this bike. I know the price is a bit high so let me know what you think you would offer or feel confortable paying.

There are usually no deals when it comes to buying an airhead unless it's a parts bike. A $1200 airhead + $3000 in parts/work = a $3000 airhead. Buy the best one you can afford. Getting a deal on a non-runner will cost a lot more in the long run (usually). Then again, mine was free so what do I know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by liceyscrub

The bike rolls when in gear so I assume the engine is not seized.

That doesn't make any sense. If it rolls freely when in gear (and you aren't pulling the clutch) then something REALLY isn't right. You shouldn't be able to roll it if it's in gear. Get it on the centerstand and pull the plugs out of the cylinders. Make sure it's in gear and try turning the engine over with the rear wheel.

jbcaddy · 09-07-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airhead Wrangler

That doesn't make any sense. If it rolls freely when in gear (and you aren't pulling the clutch) then something REALLY isn't right. You shouldn't be able to roll it if it's in gear. Get it on the centerstand and pull the plugs out of the cylinders. Make sure it's in gear and try turning the engine over with the rear wheel.

+1
a buddy bought an R60 from a salvage yard. we kicked it through in neutral and figured it was not locked up. turned out to be frozen solid and had a slipping clutch

it sure felt like it was turning against compression, but the bottom of the clutch was just a bit more rusty, so we was fooled

. the rest of it was worse

disston · 09-07-2011, 02:24 PM

I bought an R100S, 1977, cheap. Still have most of the parts but they don't really look any better on shelves than they did when assembled. It's my spare stash. Other than the heavy pieces, engine, trans, rear, swing arm....etc...the rest fits in two bags. Wow you'll have room for almost another bike in the extra 2 bags.

bmweuro · 09-07-2011, 04:47 PM

Sell off the bags and the seat( I would like to be #2 on that list) and you might be into the bike for 700 or 800. Then it's a good deal

amschnellsten · 09-07-2011, 06:27 PM

Go check it out and see if the motor turns over and check to make sure there is no water ect. in the oil. May not be a bad deal.

Cogswell · 09-07-2011, 07:15 PM

If you want something to "cafe" go find and old heap and start with it.

The bike in the ad looks too good to chop up in my opinion.

Mike

Wirespokes · 09-08-2011, 07:45 AM

That looks like a perfect candidate for cafe'ing! Looks pretty rough to me...

It's got some good parts if nothing else, but you are taking a big chance on a non-runner. I've been lucky a few times, and there have been times on bikes that did run I've been fooled. Right now I'm replacing rings on one I thought was fine.

Myself, I don't think I'd pay more than six or seven hundred.

mykill · 09-08-2011, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmweuro

Sell off the bags and the seat( I would like to be #2 on that list) and you might be into the bike for 700 or 800. Then it's a good deal

+1
Your cash will speak to him and I'm confident there will be wiggle room from the asking price which will get it into the do-able range.
It looks to be an early 74, make sure the numbers match and use them when ordering parts. I have an early 74 as well and it has a number of /5 internals.

airheadDavey · 09-08-2011, 10:31 AM

With that type of mileage and the way it looks, it doesn't look well maintained, there will be issues such as seals, gaskets, and dry rubber. It may look like its not leaking now, but when you start it/ride it for the first time you may get some seeping or maybe a river of fluids.

Believe me...that all happened with mine( A NON-RUNNER) and I paid 2k and another 1500+ in parts to get it road worthy. Not trying to scare you away, but definitly try to get him down.

You can only call it "losing money" if you plan to sell it

09-07-2011, 08:11 AM	#1
liceyscrub ^OP ADV rider(mostly solo) Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Greenacres...no really. Oddometer: 112	Criaiglist r90 good....or could have major issues I know this is one of the classic things newbies always do, ask about a bike that they know nothing about, but I will do it anyway. I currently have a 1150gs and am looking for a project to work on and turn into a cafe racer and ran across this bike online the other day. I have been reading a lot of threads here gaining valuable information of airheads and now want to get one to get my hands dirty. http://spokane.craigslist.org/mcy/2585863657.html It has about 75000 on the clock and the guy who has it now has only had it for a couple of months which tells me he may have tried to get it working and saw something very expensive and is trying to unload it...but maybe I am just being pesimistic. The bike rolls when in gear so I assume the engine is not seized. I have basic mechanical skills like doing my own valves and would be fairly comfortable getting down and dirty, not sure if this would be beyond my abilities. Let me know what you think of this bike. I know the price is a bit high so let me know what you think you would offer or feel confortable paying.

09-07-2011, 04:47 PM	#6
bmweuro Mad Scientist Joined: Nov 2003 Location: Chico, California Oddometer: 2,966	Sell off the bags and the seat( I would like to be #2 on that list) and you might be into the bike for 700 or 800. Then it's a good deal __________________ BOXER Metal BMW Biker Scum BMW Mad Scientist! VBMWMO #7770, BMW MOA #48694 & Airhead BMW Club #600

09-07-2011, 07:15 PM	#8
Cogswell Spudly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Riding with my pal Richard Cranium Oddometer: 3,256	If you want something to "cafe" go find and old heap and start with it. The bike in the ad looks too good to chop up in my opinion. Mike __________________ Cogswell Rides To Big Bend See my airhead project here Time Warp Vintage Motorcycle Club The good thing is, your damn motor can't read. If it says oil on the container, it's pretty much OK to dump in there.... ED.

09-08-2011, 07:45 AM	#9
Wirespokes Beemerholics Anonymous Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Jackson's Bottom Oregon Oddometer: 7,354	That looks like a perfect candidate for cafe'ing! Looks pretty rough to me... It's got some good parts if nothing else, but you are taking a big chance on a non-runner. I've been lucky a few times, and there have been times on bikes that did run I've been fooled. Right now I'm replacing rings on one I thought was fine. Myself, I don't think I'd pay more than six or seven hundred. __________________ Wanted: Dead, smashed, crashed or trashed gauges BMW GAUGE REPAIRS - TACHSPEEDOCLOCKVOLT METER PODs & LIGHT BOARD*

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09-07-2011, 08:21 AM	#2
rusty44 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2009 Location: Lively,Texas: 50 mi. S.E. of Dallas Oddometer: 212	If you don't want the seat I'll buy it from you. .....Al

09-07-2011, 02:24 PM	#5
disston ShadeTreeExpert Joined: Mar 2011 Location: Silver Spring, Md Oddometer: 5,020	I bought an R100S, 1977, cheap. Still have most of the parts but they don't really look any better on shelves than they did when assembled. It's my spare stash. Other than the heavy pieces, engine, trans, rear, swing arm....etc...the rest fits in two bags. Wow you'll have room for almost another bike in the extra 2 bags.

09-07-2011, 06:27 PM	#7
amschnellsten Adventurer Joined: Jun 2011 Location: Cincinnati Oddometer: 85	Go check it out and see if the motor turns over and check to make sure there is no water ect. in the oil. May not be a bad deal.

09-08-2011, 10:31 AM	#11
airheadDavey Adventurer Joined: Aug 2011 Location: Lil' Rhody Oddometer: 63	With that type of mileage and the way it looks, it doesn't look well maintained, there will be issues such as seals, gaskets, and dry rubber. It may look like its not leaking now, but when you start it/ride it for the first time you may get some seeping or maybe a river of fluids. Believe me...that all happened with mine( A NON-RUNNER) and I paid 2k and another 1500+ in parts to get it road worthy. Not trying to scare you away, but definitly try to get him down. You can only call it "losing money" if you plan to sell it