New inmate and new airhead owner!

[Dewshan]

Originally Posted by spo123

Please do NOT cafe it and ruin it....That bike is BEAUTIFUL!
Is it a 1973?
It looks like a SWB.
I LOVE MINE.
I would PURCHASE YOUR SEAT if it is for a LWB!
Please keep me in mind.

Thanks and good luck with a FANTASTIC MOTORCYCLE in a RARE COLOR!
spo

Yep it is a swb. 1973. I like these bikes in black. But the red is growing on me! Previous owner had original bars in parts box I am going to put those back on I think. The lower bars do not fit in the holders very well. A little too large.

[Dewshan]

I rode it around the block this morning. Getting some popping from left side. But it was still fun! Much louder than my r1200c euro that is for sure. Going to get a repair manual and start with the mechanical stuff first. Check valve clearance, timing, points etc. Some things I discovered... Newer shocks on the rear and the front springs have been replaced. Speedo replaced and looks perfect. All oils look good. Not much rust anywhere. Kick stand wont stay down by itself. New battery. When you want to turn off the engine do you have to take the key out? I don't see a kill switch? Mufflers had a lot of burn marks on them polished them out a little today look much better.

[rescueMAN]

kick stand designed not to stay down, something you get used to after it hitting the floor a couple of times

And oh yes, one very clean, very nice bike

[disston]

I also prefer black for my bikes but that RED is an eye grabber. I think I would grow to like it also.

Kick stand retracts automatically. Like it is supposed to.

No kill switch on a /5 I think. You say you have a new speedo? That's really nice. A lot of these bikes have major problems with everything in the headlight bucket. So you're ahead of the game with good parts in there.

Welcomme to the Asylum.

[Dewshan]

Originally Posted by disston

I also prefer black for my bikes but that RED is an eye grabber. I think I would grow to like it also.

Kick stand retracts automatically. Like it is supposed to.

No kill switch on a /5 I think. You say you have a new speedo? That's really nice. A lot of these bikes have major problems with everything in the headlight bucket. So you're ahead of the game with good parts in there.

Welcomme to the Asylum.

Thanks! Yes I am planning on venturing into the headlight bucket soon. It came with dealer service records going back to 2007 or so. Sandia bmw replaced the speedo so I am hoping it will be in good shape in there.

[Dewshan]

Originally Posted by rescueMAN

kick stand designed not to stay down, something you get used to after it hitting the floor a couple of times

And oh yes, one very clean, very nice bike

I would feel better if it had a dead area on that kick Stand. Spring should only pull when it is on the way back I think? Going to see if I can mod that.

[Bill Harris]

The /5 series is a lot like the earlier /2's. Check out Duane Ausherman's site:
http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/index.htm

Anton Largiader's is excellent: http://largiader.com/

The sidestand: a well-intentioned idea. It's self retracting. It's embarrassed a lot of people. Easy to circumvent: there is a shackle on the frame near the sidestand pivot that connects to the sidestand spring. Loosen a bolt, let the shackle move to a relaxed position, tighten bolt. Been so long, I really don't remember. Sidestand up or sidestand down? Let's see if we can remember 'fore we send you off to Snobum...

'73 was the last year of the /5 and many were LWB. You drivshaft tube looks LWB-ish, but hard to tell in the shadow. There "should be a 2" cylindrical extension on the driveshaft tube flange", but get us a photo...

Popping? Carbs, either needing a rebuild or just a vacuum leak. Plan on a rebuild unless they are sanitary.



--Bill

[disston]

The end of the drive shaft where it bolts to the final drive;

[Antbag]

Beautiful bike! I love the red. There's a black one for sale close to where I live. The toaster chrome tanks really stand out!

[chiefrider]

Join the AIRHEADS BEEMER CLUB and enjoy the companionship and technical assistence of fellow Airhead riders, plus access to decent beer and various grilled meats!

See you at AIRHEAD CENTRAL at the BMWMOA Rally at Salem, Oregon this summer?

Tom n Salem

[bpeckm]

Originally Posted by Dewshan

. Snip. When you want to turn off the engine do you have to take the key out? I don't see a kill switch? .

Correct...there was not a kill switch on the /5.... You stop the engine by pulling switch up, but it doesn't necessarily have to be pulled out.

You COULD wire in a kill switch, but those /5 switchgear are unique and it would be a shame to remove them... Maybe an add-on, clamp-on kill switch ?

Nice bike, love it for what it is, they are getting more and more rare, especially in RED!

[Dewshan]

Originally Posted by disston

The end of the drive shaft where it bolts to the final drive;

I just updated pictures with driveshaft. Do you think it is swb?

[Dewshan]

Originally Posted by Bill Harris

The /5 series is a lot like the earlier /2's. Check out Duane Ausherman's site:
http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/index.htm

Anton Largiader's is excellent: http://largiader.com/

The sidestand: a well-intentioned idea. It's self retracting. It's embarrassed a lot of people. Easy to circumvent: there is a shackle on the frame near the sidestand pivot that connects to the sidestand spring. Loosen a bolt, let the shackle move to a relaxed position, tighten bolt. Been so long, I really don't remember. Sidestand up or sidestand down? Let's see if we can remember 'fore we send you off to Snobum...

'73 was the last year of the /5 and many were LWB. You drivshaft tube looks LWB-ish, but hard to tell in the shadow. There "should be a 2" cylindrical extension on the driveshaft tube flange", but get us a photo...

Popping? Carbs, either needing a rebuild or just a vacuum leak. Plan on a rebuild unless they are sanitary.



--Bill

Thanks! I will look at adjusting the kick stand this weekend. Carb rebuild is on the list for sure.

[disston]

Originally Posted by Dewshan

I just updated pictures with driveshaft. Do you think it is swb?

It looks like a SWB /5 to me.

[Bill Harris]

That is a "/5 SWB '70-mid '73". Top picture in Disson's drawing.

--Bill