Rabbit holes are me BMW R50/2

[5twins]

That Earls front end rides oh so nice, smoothest front fork I've ever ridden on .....

As you can see, I have the same rear rack, just mounted a little differently. The lower struts run straight down to the license plate holder. This puts the rack in a more "up-right" position.

 

[bosco659]

Mentioned elsewhere, but put on; the new pistons, honed jugs, rebuilt heads with new valves guides spark plug threads etc. Gave the carbs a scrub and go-through and bingo bango it's runner, more to do but it's a rider.

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Cool bike and super cool rider!

 

[gggGary]

That Earls front end rides oh so nice, smoothest front fork I've ever ridden on .....

View attachment 360651

As you can see, I have the same rear rack, just mounted a little differently. The lower struts run straight down to the license plate holder. This puts the rack in a more "up-right" position.

TRUTH!
It was very smooth in the pasture even at a good clip. Then I purposely went over a local RR crossing at 30MPH it absorbed the bumps great.
PS the rear shocks seem quite good also, 58 year old original parts.....

 

[dave_a]

But you're getting all that cow pie in your generator brushes

 

[Mailman]

Hey Gary! I found another one for you!

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/mcy/d/rimrock-1971-bmw-r60-basket-case-title/7893332640.html

 

[Highpower]

You guys are evil. I just barely finish(?) the bloody GL and now I’m getting all hot and bothered looking at BMW’s.

I’ve had a few beemers in the past and even rode one to Alaska a few years back. I had a R100S for a while and have been resisting looking for a decent toaster for a reasonable price. That red one posted earlier is just stunning and ultimately that is what I aspire to own.

The old ‘77 R100S

 

[Its been a long time]

You guys are evil. I just barely finish(?) the bloody GL and now I’m getting all hot and bothered looking at BMW’s.

I’ve had a few beemers in the past and even rode one to Alaska a few years back. I had a R100S for a while and have been resisting looking for a decent toaster for a reasonable price. That red one posted earlier is just stunning and ultimately that is what I aspire to own.

The old ‘77 R100SView attachment 360736

That's a beautiful bike. They're rare and probably big money, but the R100CS is likely the very best boxer twin ever built. IMO anyway.

 

[gggGary]

Got back at it a bit yesterday, popped the valve covers, re-torqued the head bolts, reset the valves, they were tight, worked on a carb leak. Checked, set carb synch, I had it way off, oops. Opened low speed mix a bit, Static timed it. To synch timing; manual has you tap the points cam sideways a bit, got em close now. LOL New gas cap seal installed. Generator brushes I ordered were wrong, grr, but it's still making volts. Ordered another set...
A bit more clean up, polishing. First kick and running. Lots better, idles smooth. Acceleration is much better. LH is smoking white at idle but not under power. No throttle, one kick starts.

Allison likes it.
Too wet to ride today, mebby a few miles tomorrow.
Running "decent" makes me want to keep cleaning paint, polish, fix adjust.
There's a rot hole at the exhaust cross over will make a patch cover out of some stainless sheet metal.
Even with the hole it's very quiet.

 

[bosco659]

You guys are evil. I just barely finish(?) the bloody GL and now I’m getting all hot and bothered looking at BMW’s.

I’ve had a few beemers in the past and even rode one to Alaska a few years back. I had a R100S for a while and have been resisting looking for a decent toaster for a reasonable price. That red one posted earlier is just stunning and ultimately that is what I aspire to own.

The old ‘77 R100SView attachment 360736

Beautiful bike! Would a toaster tank bolt tight onto that or is the toaster a specific fit to other models?

 

[5twins]

No, the toaster tank was for 1970 and later bikes. I don't think it would fit.

 

[gggGary]

Beautiful bike! Would a toaster tank bolt tight onto that or is the toaster a specific fit to other models?

don't know?
But I like this tank, it holds about 4 gallons and has a locking tool kit behind the LH knee pad.
I grabbed this bike cuz I the 50's 60's vibe it has.

would prolly have been better if it was an R69. But for local putzing around this will be fine.
for looks a solo seat would be better but ole long shanks can move around on the dual seat.
It came with a smaller black "wixom type" fairing and white hard bags. Don't know I'll ever feel the need or wish to spoil the look.

 

[5twins]

I see you have the nice aftermarket sidestand, a very common "upgrade" on these. I've got the same one.

 

[gggGary]

I see you have the nice aftermarket sidestand, a very common "upgrade" on these. I've got the same one.

I didn't know! LOL Thnx for the heads up.
Still working out kicking it, either stand on left side of bike facing it or straddle bike, foot turned out.

 

[5twins]

Yes, the owners manual shows you standing on the left side, but that means working the throttle with your left hand. I always straddled the bike (on the centerstand) and kicked "out".

 

[5twins]

Something else you'll notice if you keep it long enough to need tires is the front and rear wheels are the same and can be swapped. And if you had a BMW sidecar, it would have the same wheel so all 3 could be swapped. German engineering at it's best, lol.

 

[Mailman]

I grabbed this bike cuz I think it has a 50's 60's vibe to it.

Oh yeah! It’s such a cool little bike!

Still working out kicking it, either stand on left side of bike facing it or straddle bike, foot turned out.

Watched quite a few videos on that. Seems everyone stands on the left side facing the bike. Like so…..

 

[5twins]

And I should also mention the throttle twist grip, another marvel of German engineering, lol. Keep it well greased or the teeth on the throttle tube will wear out. My buddy wore his out on his R90 because of this, and while you can still buy them, they are VERY expensive. Also check the hand lever "slop". BMW levers pivot on a replaceable nylon bushing .....

..... and if you don't replace it when worn, this can happen, lol ......

There's also a specially sized "anti-rattle" wave washer that fits into the little depression around the bushing ......

 

[Mailman]

A bit more clean up, polishing. First kick and running. Lots better, idles smooth. Acceleration is much better. LH is smoking white at idle but not under power. No throttle, one kick starts.

Just curious, is it still smoking now that you’ve ridden it a bit? What does white smoke indicate anyways?

 

[gggGary]

Just curious, is it still smoking now that you’ve ridden it a bit? What does white smoke indicate anyways?

Not quite gone, but only at idle and less. Only 60 miles on the new jugs, valves etc. Usual riff is white is gas, blue is oil, and the plugs look pretty good...

These old Bings make BS38's seem positively modern and easy. To quote the Amal guys "it's a controlled leak"
There's about 4 or 5 versions of them, with "guru" do this, change that, advice, sound familiar?

Been through a couple rounds of clean, polish float needles, make gaskets, clean pilot, idle jets, adjust cable etc.
Got the correct generator brush in.
Good news is I have the factory maint. manual PDF (in four languages) but parts are tough to find and pony up for.
So I'm gaining, but not quite done on various tuning projects. It'll prolly be spring before I get back to it.
The TX650 is now on the lift getting forks and shocks swapped back to the originals cuz it's going to a new home in Ohio next week.

Won't be riding any of them now.

 

[Mikey]

Got back at it a bit yesterday, popped the valve covers, re-torqued the head bolts, reset the valves, they were tight, worked on a carb leak. Checked, set carb synch, I had it way off, oops. Opened low speed mix a bit, Static timed it. To synch timing; manual has you tap the points cam sideways a bit, got em close now. LOL New gas cap seal installed. Generator brushes I ordered were wrong, grr, but it's still making volts. Ordered another set...
A bit more clean up, polishing. First kick and running. Lots better, idles smooth. Acceleration is much better. LH is smoking white at idle but not under power. No throttle, one kick starts.

Allison likes it.
Too wet to ride today, mebby a few miles tomorrow.
Running "decent" makes me want to keep cleaning paint, polish, fix adjust.
There's a rot hole at the exhaust cross over will make a patch cover out of some stainless sheet metal.
Even with the hole it's very quiet.

Get that lady a helmet