R75/5 Original?

[stoutgoose]

Evening all.

I'm new to the forum. I have previously owned two R60/5's, an R65 (all sold), and have now recently taken delivery of a 1972 R75/5 from the US.

I saw the bike on ebay back in May advertised as a non-runner and won it after an offer. It finally arrived in September and I started on recommissioning work immediately. Bearing in mind I didn't pay a huge amount for it, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was in really good condition. The paint felt rough and I at first assumed it was a rattle can respray, however the mudguards still retained their original hand-painted pinstripes, so after an hour of seeing what would happen with some T-Cut, I found that it was oxidisation and the paint came up like glass.

Further polishing and removal of what was clearly several years of dust from standing in dry storage I assume, the entire bike came up to a really nice and what would appears to be, original standard. I was wondering if the bike had received some restoration, however I am scratching my head as to whether it is a restoration or if it is original?

The mileage is just over 20k and everything is still in a really nice un-worn condition. I have restored several old cars and bikes and you can definitely tell when one has been used or is higher mileage with various tell-tale signs of age and wear. However on this bike there are no higher-mileage related tell-tales. For example, the inside of the tank is still in pristine condition with the original red-oxide paint, the rear springs still have unmarked plastic coating, there are no dents or knocks, and all of the equipment is standard and original spec (apart from the Denfeld chesterfield seat!). The brake pads are marked BMW 1971 and are almost unworn. The speedo looked so new that I though it was aftermarket, however on removal (to have the bouncing tacho needle fixed) it had the original Motometer and BMW stampings on the case.

(Following a low compression test on one side, I removed both heads and lapped the valves back in and compression was back up to 140psi and the engine runs perfectly. The bike is a joy to ride and feels nice and tight with no rattles or smoke).

However I am still wondering about the headlamp wiring and if it is an indication that some restoration has occurred. The lamp bowl is the correct Bosch unit but looks immaculate inside and out and the wiring looks new, but it has plastic sleeves on the connectors that look very modern, or certainly more modern that from those possibly fitted in 1972 and they look almost new. I was wondering if anyone here knows through experience if these are original or later?

For reference of last use, the tyres I removed dated from 2002 and had clearly covered minimal mileage but had gone hard and perished, and the small amount of remaining fuel in the carb bowls was the consistency of treacle, to the extent the carbs needed professional restoration.

Any ideas?

[Steve in Golden]

Welcome to the forum, Stoutgoose!

I don't know if your bike is original or not, but it sure is nice! You seem to have gotten a great deal on it.

[jackonz]

Wow, what a find and its the now rare Toaster Model very nice, re headlamp I wonder if someone wanted to fit say an H4 lamp in the shell am unsure what lamp would have been fitted origionaly you could look it up in the parts list on line.

[stoutgoose]

Again, the headlamp is totally original complete with weird the P45T bulb and socket. All the wiring is correct and comes from the main loom.

The bike came from Michigan. I found the previous owner had etched his name and town on the inside of the rocker covers in a nice cursive script. After some Internet searching I found he had died in January 2020 aged 79.

Sadly no history came with the bike.

[melville]

I see no bodges in that headlight shell. At most, there may be a couple very well done repairs to terminals as under the translucent sleeves I see a proper double crimp. But the translucent sleeves may very well be original.

The pinstriping was done by hand originally. If the stripes are tape, that would indicate a resto. But it presents as fully original over the internet.

Nice bike! See my threads for the other side of Airhead purchasing after decades of indifferent storage on the coast.

[stoutgoose]

Thanks Mel, the pinstripes are definitely painted and look the same as the original ones depicted on the web, although a black tape pinstripe has been added to the fuel tank. From what I read, the 1972 Toasters didn’t have any pinstriping on the tank. The metal chrome panels are mild steel; in great condition on the outside but with some light rust spotting on the backs.

[RPGR90s]

I so regret selling my identically colored '73 R75/5.

You've got a great bike that will likely run for the next 100 years with minimal maintenance.

[Zombie Master]

Seat has got to go!

[Zombie Master]

Seat has got to go!

There is no "Toaster Model"

Looks like a good bike!

[SteveD]

Seat has got to go!

Sure is fugly.