What types of problems should i expect if i bought a 1970s bmw motorcycle in good shape but very low mileage?

Question

rarely ridden or can these odometers be jacked?

Answer 1

I have a 79 R100RT that is very low mileage and was stored for 3/4 years before I got it. I cleaned the carbs, cleaned out the dirt and she runs fine.  Like anything else, it will have problems but it is well worth the expense as it runs better ever years since I bought it 5 years ago. Some seals leaked but I haven't spent $100.00 on repairs.  

Answer 2

Corrosion, rust, bad carbs, rust in the tank, bad petcock, top end (valve pitting). In other words a major overhaul. I hope you have parts available.

Answer 3

In the 1970s the BMW was called 'The Rolls Royce of Motorcycles'.  I have a 1978 myself, and it is a wonderful bike even today.

I would be worried though, especially if the bike hasn't been ridden a lot lately.  Besides the rust, etc., rubber parts dry out, even plastics deteriorate.  You might end up spending a lot of money to replace small stuff.  If it's been ridden a lot lately, then it will probably be up to date and you wouldn't have any big surprises. But still be prepared to spend some money.

My Beemer, I found it parked in the machine shop of a customer of mine, covered with dust and chips.  It hadn't been ridden in 5 years.  I traded work for it, so it didn't really cost me money, but I spent about $2000 replacing stuff on it before I could really ride it!  I'm still happy with the deal, but if I'd bought it for $3000 (which it would be worth in rideable shape) I would have been greatly disappointed!

Odometers on these bikes are hard to fake, but you can buy a whole used instrument cluster on EBay for $100 or so, or a new speedo for half of that.  Usually they have low miles on them.

Answer 4

I own a 75 and a 76 that until a year or so ago I rode on a regular basis (they're in storage to be retrieved some time in the future).  I've owned the 75 since it was new.  The small amount of plastic on these bikes is painted fiberglass that I've had no age related problems with.  The seats have been changed on both bikes, one cause I wore it out (130,000 miles) and the other for more comfort.  If the bike is running and fully functional you should be able to ride it many years as long as you practice good maintenance.

Problems I have encountered are keeping the carbs synced.  I'll do a tune up then within about 3 -5 thousand miles I notice that one cylinder will lead the other as I roll on the throttle.  This happens just above idle, but not noticeable at higher engine speeds.  It is not uncommon for these bike when they reach 70k to 100k miles to develop noisy gear boxes, this usually means the bearings need to be replaced.

Yes the odometer can be "jacked" if you know how to take them apart,  it ain't easy and requires some special tools.

Answer 5

You may encouter some oil leaks and minor stuff like that because some of theseals have proably dried out because of not being used very much.

Answer 6

anything can be rigged..  but not worth the effort..on a bike that old anything under 40,000 is low mileage..  but some bikes only get ridden in the summer, if they dont need to take the car.. so the bike could be genuine..  & that means anything on the bike thats plastic or rubber is 20 years old....this can include things like ..  Tyres, seatcovers,fairings,fork seals, gaskets, engine seals, carbie diaphrams,,   could be the best bike you ever bought, or two wheels that eat cash,  Think its very much like a lotto...

If you buy it... hope its a good one..