First BMW

[jagarra]

Went to the local BMW shoppe today, tried to run the VIN number, but no luck, not on file. Phooey!!!! I am going back today to listen to it run, will check out the rubber bits, seat was in good order on top, but the trim along the bottom edge was kind of flackey. Priced the side covers and tail light lens on fleabay, bout $150 or so depending how high I want to go. Tires I figure would be Conti if the milage was 10K, these were not, so I guess my assumption is that this bike is on the secnd time around. Will look for engine numbers, they should match the frame right.

[Major Softie]

Went to the local BMW shoppe today, tried to run the VIN number, but no luck, not on file. Phooey!!!! I am going back today to listen to it run, will check out the rubber bits, seat was in good order on top, but the trim along the bottom edge was kind of flackey. Priced the side covers and tail light lens on fleabay, bout $150 or so depending how high I want to go. Tires I figure would be Conti if the milage was 10K, these were not, so I guess my assumption is that this bike is on the secnd time around. Will look for engine numbers, they should match the frame right.

If I had bought that bike with 10 (or more) year-old tires on it, the very first thing I would do is put on new rubber (regardless of wear), so I wouldn't make any assumptions about mileage from that. That bike is almost 40 years old. It could easily have had the tires replaced three times or more just for age.

[the quinner]

Went to the local BMW shoppe today, tried to run the VIN number, but no luck, not on file. Phooey!!!!

The VIN number you posted...404xxxx is a Euro VIN number and won't be in the US system (starting in MY1974, US bikes had a number other than "0" as the second digit...usually, but not always "1"). Even some US VIN numbers are not recognized by BMW's "system" ...my 1978 R100RS is an example. When I would run that VIN, the system returned "unrecognized VIN." There are a lot of holes in the info from the Butler & Smith days. I could never find a pattern...some bikes would show up...some wouldn't.

...plus, the only info that is obtained via "the system" is warranty, recall and campaign info...NOT general maintenance. General maintenance information is kept by service departments, but not shared via any centralized system.

The dealership is not supposed to share the "system" info with customers...the dealership I worked in got a talkin' to by BMW when someone handed a vehicle report to a customer...who then used it to try to import a bike into Canada. BMW charges a fee to assist in that situation, so they were not happy that the vehicle report had been shared.

[DanielMc]

If entered into the VIN decoder page at: http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi your serial number shows the following:

Chassis number 4040910
Vehicle code 0271
Series 2476
Model R90/6
Body type ohne
Catalog model ECE
Production date 1973 / 09
Engine
Transmission
Steering
Catalyzer NONE

And yes, the engine and chassis numbers should be the same.

[jagarra]

Thanks for that link DanielMc.

Went and looked again today, really looked it over as it was warmer today and the light was better. Well she does show her age and milage, the footpeg rubbers are smooth and worn out, lots of rust under the seat pan and some rust on the frame rails under the seat. It did start up and ran, but it wasn't happy. So I will take the milage to be 110,000, I hope. At least it didn't smoke. Looks like I am in for a complete tear down to repaint the frame and go up from there. It is surprising that the tranny is still the stock one. The steering was really notchy, could tell if it was the stablizer assy hanging under the triple clamp or not, I did check the date on it and it was original to the bike 9/73. Actually it is in fair shape, so since I'm crazy and need another project like another hole in the head I will start at $1600 and see where we end up.

[DucatiPete]

I got more holes in me head than BMWs - does that mean i have room for more projects???

yee'hah!

[Duane Ausherman]

"There are a lot of holes in the info from the Butler & Smith days. I could never find a pattern...some bikes would show up...some wouldn't."

While the transfer contract between B&S and BMWNA required all computer files to be turned over, B&S smith wiped the computers clean. BMW didn't even know who the dealers were. All information was lost. I know this because I was working for BMWNA from the start as a District Sales Manager.

We are still paying for the perfidy of B&S. Of the former employees of B&S, most would privately reveal the dishonesty to me. I have little idea if they have "come clean" at this late date. However, find any dealer under B&S and I think that you are likely to get an ear full. While I was a dealer, I didn't know a single one that respected B&S. After becoming a sales manager and traveling around to all of the dealerships in my territory, not a single one had been happy with B&S.

Imagine how the brand would have done if BMW had had an honest importer. Don't blame Earl Flanders, as he was highly respected as a real motorcyclist to the end. He got forced out in 1972 by B&S and it all went downhill from there for the dealers in the West.

[jagarra]

Well guys, he accepted the offer of $1600, so now I get to bring it home and add it to my pending projects. Here is a picture of the old gal.

[Deleted User 62]

Looks like you scored to me, and it's the right color too!

[Garnet]

Looks like you are off to a decent start.