R90 reboot

[w8ejo]

I've recently acquired a 1974 R90. it hasn't been started in 4 years.
Is there a procedure to be followed.

I'm thinking:
PB blaster or similar into the cylinders & let sit.
Drain & replace the fuel.
Drain & replace the oil.
New battery.
Maybe remove & clean carbs.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Deleted User 62]

Here's what I would do: Drain and clean gas tank and see what comes out. Clean petcock screens; the straight ones have a screen filter inside the lower "nipple" part, the 90 degree ones have one inside the tank. New fuel line. Drop both float bowls and see what's in there, maybe the PO was smart and ran them dry before storing. If so, you may be able to pass the carb rebuild for now. Full tuneup; valve adjust, timing, points, plugs, condenser, air filter and an oil filter with gaskets for when you drain the oil. New gas and then try to start it. If it runs take it for a ride and get all the oils warm before draining. Check oil drained for metallic sheen, milky look (water in transmission) or chunks on drain plug magnet (smooth fuzz is OK). Check manufacture date on tires, they may look OK, but in fact be 10+ years old... REPLACE THEM if so. Others will be along soon.

[w8ejo]

Thanks

Where's the best place to buy maintenance parts (filters, gaskets, etc.)?

[w8ejo]

Also, what is the best repair/service manual?

[dougie]

Thanks

Where's the best place to buy maintenance parts (filters, gaskets, etc.)?

These are both good -
http://www.motobins.co.uk/bmw-parts.php?model=R Series 2 valve Twin
http://www.bobsbmw.com/

[dougie]

Also, what is the best repair/service manual?

Haynes, Clymer, BMW($$$)
I have the Haynes manual. It's decent. Some prefer Clymer, some have both.

[Ken in Oklahoma]

Also, what is the best repair/service manual?

I personally prefer the current large black Clymers manual. One of the prime reasons is for the color wiring diagrams. There are lots of pictures for the various mechanical procedures, but I'm not sure they really add that much.

The older prior big Clymer without the color wiring diagrams would not be my preference.

You might want to keep your eye out for both Haynes and the old smaller Clymer manual. I have both and often use them together. One of them, the Haynes I think, gives a lot of data, such as which jets are installed in which carbs, as well as various bits of technical data.

All of the above manuals fall short of what I would call "good".

I don't have a factory BMW manual. My take is that most of the aftermarket manuals were written while looking at the BMW manual and disassembling and reassembling a good BMW motorcycle. Plus there are the ubiquitous "boilerplate" inserts such as how to "read" sparkplugs.

Ken

[Deleted User 62]

Thanks

Where's the best place to buy maintenance parts (filters, gaskets, etc.)?

I like http://www.MaxBMW.com for their parts fiche, but Hucky's and http://www.eubmw.com sometimes have better deals. It pays to shop around! If you are planning on keeping the bike for awhile, get all the manuals mentioned above. It's good to have a cross reference; Haynes has the quick and dirty basics, Clymer goes into more detail and the BMW is more for trained mechanics. Another thought, if you have no spark or weak spark when trying to get it going, I would suspect the coils. BMW specific coils are Expen$ive, you can use two 6 volt Bosch coils available from VW parts places for about $30 each.

[SteveD]

Also, what is the best repair/service manual?

Haynes, Clymer, BMW($$$)
I have the Haynes manual. It's decent. Some prefer Clymer, some have both.

All three is the way to go!
Adds to the confusion, but then you ask questions, that we can read and discuss.
Then you will get more options, and more confusion.
But we've done our bit, so we're happy.
Hopefully, you choose the option that best suits your needs, and you're happy too!

[Duane Ausherman]

I've recently acquired a 1974 R90. it hasn't been started in 4 years.
Is there a procedure to be followed.

I'm thinking:
PB blaster or similar into the cylinders & let sit.
Drain & replace the fuel.
Drain & replace the oil.
New battery.
Maybe remove & clean carbs.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

w8ejo de w6rec.
Welcome to the BMW motorcycle world.

The manuals are only a rough guide to working on your bike. Don't force anything. Instead, ask here first. Too many new owners have broken stuff and then ask what to do.

This is similar to an old group of geezers on 75 m phone. Ask first and then evaluate the variety of answers.

Keep your money in your pocket.

Spend many hours reading the various websites devoted to BMW motorcycles. Put the better ones in your favorites for later use.

Learn to use Google. Insert "BMW motorcycle" and then add the issue, such as something about wheels, spokes and bearings. You could use "bmw motorcycle wheel bearings" or some such. There are several basic websites that are fairly good with info. Find the ones that use a writing style that you can understand.

Ask here. If we don't know the answer, don't worry, we will make one up.