Are Airheads the last restored BMW bikes there will be?

[Rob Frankham]

I've been riding Airheads continuously since I was 18.

Jeeze... but you must have an Iron Butt

Rob

[richard t]

Ken I disagree with you . I base this on the model A Ford, they were only made for about 4 years, 80 years later I can
buy any part on the car in OKC. They are no longer basic transportaion, but toys, as the people who grew up with them ( like my daddy-in law) can no longer drive, he puts about 200 miles a year on his, the demand for then is less. and the prices drop a little. I see airheads becomming parade, toy bikes, sitting in living rooms ect instead of cross country, or daily riders, at some point. but parts will be there if the demand is still there.

[Ken in Oklahoma]

Ken I disagree with you . I base this on the model A Ford, they were only made for about 4 years, 80 years later I can
buy any part on the car in OKC. They are no longer basic transportaion, but toys, as the people who grew up with them ( like my daddy-in law) can no longer drive, he puts about 200 miles a year on his, the demand for then is less. and the prices drop a little. I see airheads becomming parade, toy bikes, sitting in living rooms ect instead of cross country, or daily riders, at some point. but parts will be there if the demand is still there.

Actually Richard, I think we're in agreement. As Peter Eagan said, in effect, simple fixable cars of the past will continue to be simple and fixable in the future.

My thoughts are that airheads, and perhaps early K bikes might just be the last of the breed since there is unlikely to be demand enough for entrepeneurs and cottage industries to come up with whole complicated functional assemblies that are cost prohibitive, and which are required to fix a complicated and modularized motorcycle like those being sold today. In other words I'm not concerned about the parts supply for airheads drying up in the future. But good luck finding certain parts for, say, a K100LT in the future, though spark plugs for one will always be easy to get.

And indeed, I think our airheads will surely become even less visible on the road as time goes on. I can't remember the last time I saw a /2 on the road (though there have been a couple /2 conversions at our rallies). But I'm probably really not "with it" when it comes to other people's reactions to our old bikes. It wasn't too long ago, after stopping by the Queen Wilhimena lodge that I was surprised by somebody making ooohing, aaahing, and generally covetous noises about my R100/7.

Ken

[Zombie Master]

I've been riding Airheads continuously since I was 18.

Jeeze... but you must have an Iron Butt

Rob

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhZBWhZsBKg

[Roy Gavin]

Ebay Oz had 63 BMWs for sale a few weeks back - 55 oilheads, mainly older ones, 7 Ks and one old tatty unrestored R65LS.

And as ebay is a last resort for most honest vendors it is an indication of how well older oilheads are selling.

I have never seen a restored K bike for sale anywhere, or even a restored Funduro.

So I dont imagine we will be seeing many restored oilheads either.

I think the answer to the original question is a qualified yes - there will always be people who will restore something regardless of cost , but the airhead was the last of the quality bikes which can be satisfactorily refurbished be someone like myself with limited means, resources and mechanical knowledge.

[Ken in Oklahoma]

Ebay Oz had 63 BMWs for sale a few weeks back - 55 oilheads, mainly older ones, 7 Ks and one old tatty unrestored R65LS.

And as ebay is a last resort for most honest vendors it is an indication of how well older oilheads are selling.

I have never seen a restored K bike for sale anywhere, or even a restored Funduro.

So I dont imagine we will be seeing many restored oilheads either.

I think the answer to the original question is a qualified yes - there will always be people who will restore something regardless of cost , but the airhead was the last of the quality bikes which can be satisfactorily refurbished be someone like myself with limited means, resources and mechanical knowledge.

I found myself nodding my head all the way through your post Roy.


Ken

[Ridercam]

But then again, these BMW airheads have had copies. The Ural still makes a version of an r71. The tooling machines there can be easily converted to make new parts as well as improve with current electronics. I could imagine BMW licensing the manufacturing to them to make parts and build new airheads. Properly carbs or even fuel injection, these bikes could be made to get 50 miles or more a gallon (my 40mm on my r100cs give me 52mpg @ 62 mph). As a look at life cycle operations, Properly maintained BMW airhead styled motorcycles have an amazing record of fuel effectency, low cost in terms of energy and materials to produce, lower waste at end of life cycle as well as low maintenance costs to ownership - a winner for ecological and renewable productions standards as compared to other forms of motorcycles let alone other forms of transportation. Not quite the same as a simple single speed bicycle but not too shabby either.

As for a new car... I will never buy a new car again. I will keep a long term beater for local use. I will lease any future purchases off the floor - as many are dealer maintained and planned mechanical obsolescence is at 60k making electronic, computer and driver interface changes happen in three year cycles.

One more comment... Our economy is changing. With a dwindling upper middle class... Disposable scooter could be seen as the only alternative to moving minimum wage workers, reducing foreign oil consumption and not burdening federal transportation subsidies (making do with less trains, light rail, buses and other transportation). I suggest we might look like Taiwan with a four stroke scooter culture which is superior currently to any electric solution one can consider. A DISPOSABLE scooter is 500 dollars. A practical electric bike nearly 2000 to 10000 or more.

[old R90 guy]

Several years ago, my brother and I were writing a story about vintage Formula 1 racing cars. We were told that although Cosworth hasn't sent a DFV to a race for years, they still rebuild them for the uber-rich F1 racers. I'm told that there are also several shops in the US that can rebuild Cosworths. The only sticking point that was mentioned was the fuel injection pump, and it was agreed that when time came, they (the owners) would pony up orders and money enough for a production run. Our airheads are substantially less sophisticated that the Cosworth Ford V8; we shouldn't be in real trouble for years. We should start saving now though.
Also when I contemplate some work on the bike ( I do this often since contemplating is easier than the actual work, and any mistakes in contemplation are easily reversible) I usually wonder how long it will need to continue to function, since I'm 65. I tend to use a lot of duct tape and hose clamps as a result of these musings.

[dougie]

Also when I contemplate some work on the bike ( I do this often since contemplating is easier than the actual work, and any mistakes in contemplation are easily reversible) I usually wonder how long it will need to continue to function, since I'm 65. I tend to use a lot of duct tape and hose clamps as a result of these musings.

I know what you mean -
A good gearbox in the bike and a good used spare = good for life.
A good used final drive in the bike and a rebuilt spare = good for life.
New rings and fresh top end = good for life.
New clutch = good for life.
I could go on.
66 is coming up, but I am still not afraid to buy green bananas.

[Deleted User 62]

Good one! As an owner of 4 airheads, a parts hoarder and sometimes seller, I see owning multiple airheads and spares as a reassuring thing, a stable investment. By far more reliable, in my opinion, than banks or the stockmarket. Having at least one complete running spare is good for peace of mind, should your primary ride need some attention, but in my case, owning 4 of the maybe 10 or 12 being ridden on the island reduces my parts/supplies and troubleshooting sales by 1/3! (I'm not complaining)