New guy going to have plenty of questions

[jdvorchak]

I'll have to order the oil pan gasket... Darn forgot about that one. Yeah when I pulled the left side valve cover nasty oil came out. I'll throw some Rotella in there for the initial test runs and have him change it out after about 50 to 100 miles I'm thinking. After that many miles I'd want to check it all over again. Valve clearance, compression/leak down, timing and carb sync etc.

[jdvorchak]

to Duane, thanks for the link to your web page. I too hold an Amateur Extra Class license WW9L. Although I'm only active on VHF now I do have a competitive HF rig but sold my tower and antennas when I moved here in 1997. So I went from a full legal limit contest station to a single VHF mobile with the 2 meter antenna mounted on a metal cabinet in the garage. I do NOT miss the RFI phone calls....LOL

I apologize to the casual reader for the above tech talk.

[jdvorchak]

If anyone is interested I made a youtube video of the second attempt at starting the R50. Once I got the floats set and did a little playing with the mixture screws it started and ran:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS0O8Vvl3I4

[jdvorchak]

Well finally finished with the re-assembly, new oil change, oil filter, petcocks, fuel lines, air filter, spark plug wires, points, condenser and new tires/tubes/liners. Cables lubed and I think that's about it for now. Tomorrow will be the 4th day since sealing the tank and I can put gas in and make sure it doesn't leak then first test rides. I think it has not rolled down the road for 20+ years so it's kind of exciting for me. I want to heat up the drive shaft and rear end oil before I change it out. Also want to exercise the suspension a little before I change fork oil.



I can't thank the forum members enough for all your help. The past 3 weeks or so have been a fun learning experience.

[Duane Ausherman]

to Duane, thanks for the link to your web page. I too hold an Amateur Extra Class license WW9L. Although I'm only active on VHF now I do have a competitive HF rig but sold my tower and antennas when I moved here in 1997. So I went from a full legal limit contest station to a single VHF mobile with the 2 meter antenna mounted on a metal cabinet in the garage. I do NOT miss the RFI phone calls....LOL

I apologize to the casual reader for the above tech talk.

I was sort of in the country, so very few RFI calls.

I quit contesting in about 1998 when we started bringing over Czech students to mentor. Shamefully, some of the records that I set haven't been broken yet. They should have been broken the next season.

I also hold NC6M as my contest call sign. My call, W6REc isn't good for phone or CW. I prefer CW to phone contests.

Sorry for the non BMW trivia.

[jdvorchak]

First test runs. I can't thank you guys enough for your help. It rides amazingly well. Links below to a couple of short videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vZ7cQXp7cw

Me kick start for first time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tcXXC9 ... freload=10

[SteveD]

"like a dream"! Way to go!

Kick start will wear out...viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9801 because they do.

[Texer]

JD - I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts - you have a great positive vibe and I wish you were down the street when I learned to work on my /5 about 6 years ago with no prior moto knowledge. The crew on this site have been crucial to my not screwing things up "too" much and it has been fun to follow your knowledge applied to airheads like mine.

Oh - and yup - my kickstart worked itself loose too

[jdvorchak]

There may be more posts as the owner wants to buy R60 pistons and cylinder for this one. I told him to ride it for a bit before he makes any decisions like that. He came by today and rode it for about 20 minutes but I wasn't ready to give it to him. So tomorrow I'll reset the valve lash on the right side, I noted some ticking noise. And the left carb drain plug seeps a little fuel. So I'll try his old carbs drain plugs and gaskets. Then it's his!!! I can't tell you how much fun this was getting her back on the road. I've done plenty of UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) revivals so I'm pretty experienced working with vintage mechanics. As a matter of fact I got an 83 KZ1100 running and back on the road today. Needed valve shims and carbs were leaking like a sieve. Talk about two different motorcycles from the 32 HP BMW to the 102 HP KZ1100... Test rides today were... well .... interesting...

Most folks think I'm crazy but I also use tire irons to change my tires. I enjoy all aspects of working on bikes and I think it's the challenge that attracts me to it. Something new each day and I learn something new each day. That's the best part. Now when I finish the final tune on the BMW that means I'm out of work, now that I have the KZ running as well. Guess I'll peruse Craigslist for a new project. I wouldn't mind working on an old Triumph or BSA and would really like to work on another Airhead! They are fun and easy to work on.

Thanks again and hope to visit back soon.

[jdvorchak]

Oh one quick note. My youngest son, 23 years old, rode it for a bit today. He exclaimed "Dad, that is the coolest bike I've ever ridden" I said "Me too". My middle son rode it and was all smiles.. he said roughly the same thing. "That is too cool. Now I want one."

Also in case anyone is interested. The total cash outlay for buying the bike and getting on the road is roughly $2000 which includes the purchase price, all the parts I put in and my meager labor charge. I was at the local BMW dealer yesterday, picking up some needed bolts, and bought the owner a BMW moisture wicking Tee-Shirt.. My gift to him. Come to find out that is the only piece of BMW garb he owns! That made me feel even better.