The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: montmil on October 22, 2009, 07:48:36 PM
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...to unasked questions.
From the Airheads forum. I finally got some answers to my questions and our favorite make of motorcycle.
This info is from the Snowman so it's likely gospel. [smiley=thumbup.gif]
Airheads are usually taken to be any BMW boxer engined motorcycle produced from December 1969, when the /5 came out, to the end of civilian production in 1995. The "Oilheads" are distinctly not in this group. Earlier versions of BMW boxer twins are not taken to be Airheads. Also, the BMW single cylinder motorcycles are not Airheads, as in common usage.
Airhead is a sub-set, as are oilheads (R1100 & R1150), hexheads (R1200 except R1200C), chromeheads (R1200C), bricks (K75/100/100s) and whatever.
The "head" part was used as a similarity to the nicknames of various Harley-Davidson engine types, ie: knucklehead, panhead, flathead, which described the actual shape of the cylinder head.
There ya go! Monte
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No official designation for pre 12/69 production bikes ?
Seems absurd, with the lineage of the marque going back to 1923 !
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I thought the same thing, Bob. But you don't want to get into a pissin' contest on the Airheads forum. R65 dot org is a pious Catholic girls school compared to some of the arguments that get cranked on their list. I just lurk and learn, ya know? [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Monte
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Is this the mailing list?
The one that is impossible to get off of once you sign up?
Shiver me timbers! :o
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Hey - Airheads don't go excluding the pre 1969 bikes!
The Airheads BMW Club considers ANY BMW with air cooled heads an airhead - including /2, /3, single cylinder, etc.
The valve covers from my 1966 R60/2 are the same as those on my 1975 R75/6 -
the /5 was the first with the type 247 engine - but if that defines Airhead then our beloved R65s with the type 248/1 engines would be excluded.
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Drew, if you're an Airhead Club member, jump in with your thoughts... cautiously.
It's wintertime in certain parts of the USA and these guys can get really, really grouchy when they have to get off their Beemers. ;)
They've been flaming a member that complained about shipping costs! Serious abuse. Me? No, I'm not going to get my socks set afire by the likes of Robert F., the "Snowbum" and the uber guru, "Oak". I'll stick with Mike and Justin.
Monte
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In the 50s and 60s we used to call any BMW a "BM trouble-you". But we were just jealous, weren't we?
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The "head" part was used as a similarity to the nicknames of various Harley-Davidson engine types, ie: knucklehead, panhead, flathead, which described the actual shape of the cylinder head.
OMG! That name came about as a paen to the Hardley knuckledragger associations? I had no idea. As for the other forums, I lurk on a few others and things can get vicious out there in the digital world. Folks around here are much more civil and informative. I think it has to do with the design of the forum as much as anything so kudos to Rob and Justin, and all the other folks who keep it going.
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I lurk at a few forums. There's Boxerworks Phorum, BMW MOA forum and Boxermans forum in the uk.
Monte, I know the Airheads Beemer Club website but where is the "Airheads forum" you mention. Do you have to be a member to view it.
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There really is no "forum" for the Airheads. Instead they use something called a 'mailing list' [from the days of steam powered internet] you sign up to get the e mails delivered to the in box of the account of your choice and if you are clever you can even create a separate spot where they all will go. But I digress I'll post instructions below on how to view these missives, I suggest "digest mode". Was once a member, got in a "pissing in the snow contest" and now only view for amusement when certain among the gurus begin to feed on one another. One of the gurus is actually an active shop owner south of S.F. and is quite normal. Actually pleasant to do business with. Some others...not so much.
rich
standing by waiting for a grease battle to erupt on that list.
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Monte, I know the Airheads Beemer Club website but where is the "Airheads forum" you mention. Do you have to be a member to view it.
Yes. $25.00USD per year.
Several of the Airhead Beemer Club members have assisted in technical problem solving and DIY ideas that have helped save me way more than the cost of membership. The monthly magazine is also very cool.
Plus, "listening to" some of these peeps go off on a forum rant is worth the cost of admission. Gets pretty "toasty" at times, yes it does. That said, there is much BMW airhead knowledge available... if you know how to phrase your question to ABC standards.
Monte
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Monte
Actually membership is not a requirement to receive the "list" e mails. I was a member in the past and might support them again in the future once certain things clear them self up but the $25 is not mandatory. Let your conscious be your guide I suppose.
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I've given it a go but got a strange error message back. I gather I'll need to send just plain text. Maybe this is an initiation ritual, like you don't get in unless your smart enough to figure it out.
OK I've got it now. I should have used MrRidens link which is much easier than following the instructions on the web site.
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Monte,
Yes - I am an Airhead member - not too active on their website though. I do respect the knowledge of Snowbum and Oak though.
but what do you mean about having to get off your beemer in the winter? thats why they make sidecars and electric clothes!
Do have to be cautious on ice though - although it doesn't fall over I have done a 180 with the sidecar trying to make a quick stop on slippery pavement. ;-)
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Monte,
Yes - I am an Airhead member - not too active on their website though. I do respect the knowledge of Snowbum and Oak though.
but what do you mean about having to get off your beemer in the winter? thats why they make sidecars and electric clothes!
Do have to be cautious on ice though - although it doesn't fall over I have done a 180 with the sidecar trying to make a quick stop on slippery pavement. ;-)
Drew, I'll admit it... I'm a wimp when it comes to really cold weather. Hate it. You must have big brass ones riding a hack rig in the snow. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Monte
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There really is no "forum" for the Airheads. Instead they use something called a 'mailing list' [from the days of steam powered internet] you sign up to get the e mails delivered to the in box of the account of your choice and if you are clever you can even create a separate spot where they all will go.
That's a great description. I'm still on Brit-Iron-L:
http://users.rcn.com/cstringe/brit-iron-l.html
and have been on since something like 1989, though I had to unsubscribe at one point because the volume of (yes, plain text!) emails was too much for my 2400 baud modem.
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Monte,
No big ones - just a lack of common sense combined with youth. In 1971 I was stationed in Germany and became friendly with a group of German motorcyclists. Come fall they told me that it snowed around there and I would not be able to ride a solo bike - I NEEDED a sidecar. They found one for me in a junk yard and after "restoring" it with a spray can of paint I prooceeded to ride all winter and ship it home.
I still have the hack but when it snows I grab the car keys rather than a helmet. Perhaps wisdom came along with all these gray hairs. ;-)