1976 bmw r75/6

NorthernBoxer · 07-28-2012, 04:07 PM

Doing some toothbrush/WD40 cleanup and inspection of the old /6 today. I brought her out of hibernation and ran her around the neighborhood a little bit last weekend; felt great, sounded/ran well. The front brake was leaking out of the caliper so I took it apart and found the rubber piston boot had some small holes in it. So I ordered a rebuild kit...

Here is the disassembled caliper:

The brake felt a little spongy as well so I went ahead and ordered an overhaul kit for the master cylinder.

The goal right now is to clean her up the best I can and get her in good running order, but I'm contemplating a more in-depth restoration with repainting the frame, tank, and fenders, and replacing (or possibly ceramic coating) the exhaust...

34 years of technological advancement:

KHuddy · 07-28-2012, 04:11 PM

Gotta love an Airhead. Fix her up well.

If your GS breaks down on the side of the road there is little chance you'll be able to fix it. If your /6 breaks down there is at least some chance you'll be able to fix it if tou have some wire, tape and a hammer. Which is the most evolved?

NorthernBoxer · 07-28-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KHuddy

Which is the most evolved?

The GS. After running the /6 about the neighborhood, I've got to tell you, getting back on the 1200 is a revelation!

KHuddy · 07-28-2012, 05:13 PM

Ya sure, if you like a smooth running powerful engine, good handling and eye popping brakes, well then I guess your 1200 is a tad better. When I switch from my 1200 to the GSPD I have to relearn some key riding techniques, particularly braking.

NorthernBoxer · 07-28-2012, 10:57 PM

Found a neat thing on the interwebs:

Anyone know a good hand pinstriper in Alaska?

Solarmoose · 07-28-2012, 11:35 PM

One of the best is Perry Cowls in Wasilla.
SM

Boulder Ed · 07-29-2012, 06:50 AM

I once had a 76 R90/6 that served as my tourer and roadracer against a new type of bike the 1987 GSXR 750 that came out. I lost a lot of races. After one particularly exciting day I parked the bike , then hopped on to go to work the next a.m. only to discover I had no front brake at the end of the driveway. If it had happened the previous day, I'd have crashed! It was time for a new master cylinder as I recall. I have been looking for a garage queen to buy and will yet own another airhead some day after (3) to date.

The other common problem with them is breaking off dogs on the gears which after (3) leads to being stuck in whatever gear you are in. Keep an eye on the fluid changes to see if a dog falls into the drain oil pan.

novrich · 04-06-2013, 08:21 PM

Hey northernboxer, i have the exact same problem with my front brake master cylinder. Do you know where i can purchase the rebuild kit?

AKDuc · 04-06-2013, 09:55 PM

Another of the best is Brian Saupe in Anchorage.

MH

GRIZ · 04-07-2013, 04:43 AM

HEY NB...PLEASE TELL ME THAT PINK AND BLUE "GS" IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE FIRST PHOTO ISN'T YOURS OR KM'S!

Tom S · 04-07-2013, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRIZ

HEY NB...PLEASE TELL ME THAT PINK AND BLUE "GS" IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE FIRST PHOTO ISN'T YOURS OR KM'S!

Oh! So that’s what a GS looks like!

Fast Idle · 04-07-2013, 10:07 AM

Master cylinder kit $78
Caliper kit $125
Direct from BMW. I use MAX BMW since they are fast and send parts via USPS Priority mail which works great for me since it's cheap, quick and right to my rural PO Box.
You need to know if you have a 38mm or 40mm front caliper to get the right kit and I would give serious thought to a new braided stainless front brake line as well. The old ATE single puck front brake on my 1974 R90/6 isn't the best but is OK when in proper working order. Worth a few hundred in parts to get them refreshed. You can take your pick of pads from organic to metallic. I stuck with the organic to save on my rotor. Don't forget to align the caliper for even contact and wear.

NorthernBoxer · 04-07-2013, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novrich

Hey northernboxer, i have the exact same problem with my front brake master cylinder. Do you know where i can purchase the rebuild kit?

Max BMW is as good a place as any. I forgot where mine came from.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRIZ

HEY NB...PLEASE TELL ME THAT PINK AND BLUE "GS" IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE FIRST PHOTO ISN'T YOURS OR KM'S!

That's the next door neighbors hog.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKDuc

Another of the best is Brian Saupe in Anchorage.

MH

Thanks Mark!

Kul Mom · 04-07-2013, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRIZ

HEY NB...PLEASE TELL ME THAT PINK AND BLUE "GS" IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE FIRST PHOTO ISN'T YOURS OR KM'S!

The first picture looks north into the neighbor's yard. The "bike" belongs to one of the "little ones" next door. The last two pictures look into the front yard of El Rancho Deluxe de Spenard, home of the Spenard Cookie Factory. El Rancho Deluxe also doubles as NorthernBoxer's motorcycle storage. The GS in the last picture is the one he uses when he comes to access the "stable". I hope that relieves your concern.

-KM

GRIZ · 04-07-2013, 11:21 AM

[QUOTE=Tom S;21127965]Oh! So that’s what a GS looks like!

I GUESS ONE THINK THAT, IF ALL THEY HAVE EVER SEEN OF A GS IS THE FADING TAILIGHTS AS THEY GO BY YOU!

07-28-2012, 04:07 PM	#1
NorthernBoxer ^OP Fükengrüven Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Oddometer: 501	1976 bmw r75/6 Doing some toothbrush/WD40 cleanup and inspection of the old /6 today. I brought her out of hibernation and ran her around the neighborhood a little bit last weekend; felt great, sounded/ran well. The front brake was leaking out of the caliper so I took it apart and found the rubber piston boot had some small holes in it. So I ordered a rebuild kit... Here is the disassembled caliper: The brake felt a little spongy as well so I went ahead and ordered an overhaul kit for the master cylinder. The goal right now is to clean her up the best I can and get her in good running order, but I'm contemplating a more in-depth restoration with repainting the frame, tank, and fenders, and replacing (or possibly ceramic coating) the exhaust... 34 years of technological advancement: __________________ - Scott Team Pterodactyl Hooligan Padawan Learner

07-28-2012, 04:11 PM	#2
KHuddy Big Sky Country Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Canyon Creek, MT Oddometer: 2,184	Gotta love an Airhead. Fix her up well. If your GS breaks down on the side of the road there is little chance you'll be able to fix it. If your /6 breaks down there is at least some chance you'll be able to fix it if tou have some wire, tape and a hammer. Which is the most evolved? __________________ Kevin Team Pterodactyl Montana Outpost Survivor 46 43' 52. 65" N 112 09' 23.39" W

07-28-2012, 05:13 PM	#4
KHuddy Big Sky Country Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Canyon Creek, MT Oddometer: 2,184	Ya sure, if you like a smooth running powerful engine, good handling and eye popping brakes, well then I guess your 1200 is a tad better. When I switch from my 1200 to the GSPD I have to relearn some key riding techniques, particularly braking. __________________ Kevin Team Pterodactyl Montana Outpost Survivor 46 43' 52. 65" N 112 09' 23.39" W

07-28-2012, 10:57 PM	#5
NorthernBoxer ^OP Fükengrüven Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Oddometer: 501	Found a neat thing on the interwebs: Anyone know a good hand pinstriper in Alaska? __________________ - Scott Team Pterodactyl Hooligan Padawan Learner

07-28-2012, 11:35 PM	#6
Solarmoose electric Joined: Sep 2009 Location: Fairbanks Oddometer: 544	pinstriping One of the best is Perry Cowls in Wasilla. SM __________________ The Banks Tour - Fair to Outer The Banks Tour Return - North To Alaska Dawson City via Kodiak

07-29-2012, 06:50 AM	#7
Boulder Ed Bin Ridin Joined: Mar 2005 Location: A toyhauler marooned on mars, TX Oddometer: 726	I remember the master cylinder on mine too I once had a 76 R90/6 that served as my tourer and roadracer against a new type of bike the 1987 GSXR 750 that came out. I lost a lot of races. After one particularly exciting day I parked the bike , then hopped on to go to work the next a.m. only to discover I had no front brake at the end of the driveway. If it had happened the previous day, I'd have crashed! It was time for a new master cylinder as I recall. I have been looking for a garage queen to buy and will yet own another airhead some day after (3) to date. The other common problem with them is breaking off dogs on the gears which after (3) leads to being stuck in whatever gear you are in. Keep an eye on the fluid changes to see if a dog falls into the drain oil pan. __________________ Bin Ridin "Terrorizing small animals on the road since 1971"

04-06-2013, 08:21 PM	#8
novrich n00b Joined: Dec 2008 Oddometer: 1	brake master cylinder rebuild kit Hey northernboxer, i have the exact same problem with my front brake master cylinder. Do you know where i can purchase the rebuild kit?

04-06-2013, 09:55 PM	#9
AKDuc Alaska Born Ducatisti Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Oddometer: 6,085	Another of the best is Brian Saupe in Anchorage. MH __________________ My Ride Reports of Alaska & The Yukon

04-07-2013, 04:43 AM	#10
GRIZ COMMANDANT Joined: Dec 2004 Location: TEAM PTERODACTYL HQ. SPEARFISH, SD Oddometer: 955	HEY NB...PLEASE TELL ME THAT PINK AND BLUE "GS" IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE FIRST PHOTO ISN'T YOURS OR KM'S! __________________ MAN DOES NOT CEASE TO PLAY BECAUSE HE GROWS OLD, HE GROWS OLD BECAUSE HE CEASES TO PLAY

04-07-2013, 10:07 AM	#12
Fast Idle Since the Sixties Joined: Nov 2012 Location: The Great Land Oddometer: 85	Master cylinder kit $78 Caliper kit $125 Direct from BMW. I use MAX BMW since they are fast and send parts via USPS Priority mail which works great for me since it's cheap, quick and right to my rural PO Box. You need to know if you have a 38mm or 40mm front caliper to get the right kit and I would give serious thought to a new braided stainless front brake line as well. The old ATE single puck front brake on my 1974 R90/6 isn't the best but is OK when in proper working order. Worth a few hundred in parts to get them refreshed. You can take your pick of pads from organic to metallic. I stuck with the organic to save on my rotor. Don't forget to align the caliper for even contact and wear. __________________ Riding as much as my old frame will allow! Fast Idle screwed with this post 04-07-2013 at 10:25 AM

04-07-2013, 11:21 AM	#15
GRIZ COMMANDANT Joined: Dec 2004 Location: TEAM PTERODACTYL HQ. SPEARFISH, SD Oddometer: 955	[QUOTE=Tom S;21127965]Oh! So that’s what a GS looks like! I GUESS ONE THINK THAT, IF ALL THEY HAVE EVER SEEN OF A GS IS THE FADING TAILIGHTS AS THEY GO BY YOU! __________________ MAN DOES NOT CEASE TO PLAY BECAUSE HE GROWS OLD, HE GROWS OLD BECAUSE HE CEASES TO PLAY

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