I was a dealer in California back then. BMW made no marketing campaign for the 55th anniversary. In fact they did very little for the 50th one. The part about Butler and Smith being desperate is true. They were still trying to recover from the small tank giant mistake in 72, the disc brake that didn't work etc. The list was long.
They lost a lot of credibility with the custom fairing copy of the Windjammer by Vetter. Many of us dealers and customers too were quite offended by them negotiating with Craig Vetter for a deal and then just outright copying the design to save a few bucks. They were aware that they would probably lose the deal to import the bikes. BMW was well aware of the reputation that B&S had among dealers, it was in the toilet.
At least a couple of the personalities from B&S are still around. Ask me for war stories when we meet in person.
Ask the Indians what happens when you don't control immigration.
Gidday Sam, and welcome aboard.
You are surrounded. Borderburg is blessed with a high concentration of Boxerworks members. As noted above, ME109 lives in Albury; I'm at Bethanga, as is Siegfried (77 R100S outfit and 85 R100/7), Doug (R65) lives at Yack and HZbloke (R65) is at Beechworth. Between us we have a decent set of those pesky BMW 'special tools' and a uteload of experience (some of which is of a positive nature). A few of us like to escape occasionally, abandoning loved ones and weekend chores in favour of bush cooking and airhead bonding on our fabulous roads. It'll be good to meet along the way.
O, and just in case you encounter confusion or are accused of crimes you did not commit, there is another member called The Bigfella - he's in Sydney and has a R90S in bits. He is very tall. I am a person of 'sensible' height.
Charlie
and Brunhilde - 1974 R90/6
Graduate, Wallace and Gromit School of Engineering and Design (Pending)
BMW are still producing special editions. Eg 2012 was the last year of the watercooled GS, so BMW produce a special edition painted in the colours of the old Paris Dakar bikes.
Special/limited etc etc means nothing in airhead land
Charles
Replica 1070 R90/S (based on 82 RT)
1975 R90/6
I was aware of a few members in this area and think I've met you Charlie at George's shed playing with head stem bearings.
Workshop is nearly organised again, Bike lift should arrive this week.
I have a spare pair of heads one of which has destroyed a valve seat. I've managed to find suppliers for valves and guides but no luck on the seats. Who do you guys use for internal parts, pistons, bearings, valves etc?
bigfella wrote:
I have a spare pair of heads one of which has destroyed a valve seat. I've managed to find suppliers for valves and guides but no luck on the seats. Who do you guys use for internal parts, pistons, bearings, valves etc?
Motobins mostly. They've been great lately as the UKP has been weak. Motorworks are just as good. The UKp and the Euro have been dropping lately though, so it won't be as good as it has been.
Siebenrock do a full kit for the top end.
bigfella wrote: ...
I was aware of a few members in this area and think I've met you Charlie at George's shed playing with head stem bearings.
Aha! Of course - we met at George's - what a shed, eh?. Great to see you here, Sam.
You can get pretty well everything from Motobins. Good prices and most packages arrive within a week.
Charlie
and Brunhilde - 1974 R90/6
Graduate, Wallace and Gromit School of Engineering and Design (Pending)
Hey Sam, welcome to the cult! Lots of experienced & helpful people here. You might want to check out airheads.org. I've also found lots of info for my /6 on YouTube, watching some of Chris Harris's vids lately.
I'm nowhere near Wodonga, but I work in Cucamonga.
Again, welcome, Sam.
1974 R90/6 ::Thor::
"Bones aren't important; we like motorcycles." --My boy D @ 4 years.
Probably was the 55th aniversary of the shop owner, or the brand of tires...then there's the "Last Edition" models.
Why would anyone attempt to capitalize on the LAST EDITION?
Anyhow...welcome to the webring of vast knowledge, and twicevast insults and wisecracks. Not to mention spelling and grammar lessons!!