Yet another new owner and questions

[geezer-bill]

Just picked up my first airhead: '74 R75/6. She's a rider in really good shape.
1. The starter turns over slowly, charging system works good, lights are bright. Any ideas?
2. She runs rich. Thought I would check the Dyna III timing, valve adjustment
And carb settings...in that order. Thoughts?
3. Had the spokes and wheel balance checked. Still have an intermittent wobble
At 30~40 mph. Maybe next year I'll change tires. I don't have a steering damper.
The BMW parts photo and list for the factory unit is...whoa! Are there alternatives?
Thanks for any input.

[richard t]

Congrats I have a 1974 R75/6 wife bought new and a early 1976 74 has points the 76has a dyn 3 my suggestion is to set valves cold, check timing then get someone to go through carb setting with you, they are real simple machines stock starter turn kinda slow then ride it like you stole it'. where you located? check tire to make sure it is not out of round
Richard Terrell
Crescent OK

[Rob Frankham]

1a) Check the condition of the heavy duty starter lead from the battery and the ground paying particular attention to the connections at each end. Even a slightly dirty connection or a partly failed lead can cause poor starter performance.

1b. Have the battery tested with a load tester. You can't really tell whether the battery is 100% any other way. The only real symptom of a battery starting to become weak is a slow starter.

1c. Once you're sure of the battery, it's worth rebuilding the starter. ASssuming it's a Bosch unit, parts are still available and about the only bits that will probably need replacing are the brushes and the bushes. These are cheap enough to replace as a matter of course. A worn nose bush in particular will cause the starter to be sluggish... or, of course, buy a replacement.

2) I would do the carbs first... but hey it's Hobsons choice .

4) Look on the second hand sites... you should be able to source a used unit without breaking the bank... they are often discarded by the Custom and Bobber brigade... but make sure you get all of the bits.

Rob

[SteveD]

Just picked up my first airhead: '74 R75/6. She's a rider in really good shape.
1. The starter turns over slowly, charging system works good, lights are bright. Any ideas? Rob's got it covered. Starter cover off, clean the connections. Consider a new starter relay. They're cheap and is a fail point, even though maybe not this time. Dismantle the old one, clean and keep as a spare.
2. She runs rich. Thought I would check the Dyna III timing, valve adjustment
And carb settings...in that order. Thoughts? Yep, do that. Check the choke cable returns all the way to off.
3. Had the spokes and wheel balance checked. Still have an intermittent wobble. Check the steering head bearing adjustment. Also, these bikes are sensitive to tyre pressure. Don't follow the guide on the rear guard (if it's still there) I use 36/38psi. Some go less up front. I'd experiment with that first. If riding down a slight hill at 35mph and you loosen your grip, the steering head is loose if it shakes. If the bike sort of wanders, slow weave without a shake, they're too tight.
At 30~40 mph. Maybe next year I'll change tires. I don't have a steering damper.
The BMW parts photo and list for the factory unit is...whoa! Are there alternatives? Buy used...but ensure the actual damping unit isn't shot. They're not rebuildable.
Thanks for any input.

Welcommen
Do you have pix? We like them. .

[geezer-bill]

Awesome! Thanks for the help.

[geezer-bill]

This summer just goes on and on...
That's for the great info and tips!