New 0ld Airhead - R60/5

[Red_Hen]

Hi Gang,

I picked up an R60/5 a few days ago.  She's in pretty good original shape.  Wanted to thank Wirespokes & Mike V for their input on what to look for when I went to check her out.

She's got @ 80k on the clock, she's been relatively well maintained and runs very nice and strong.  Speedo/Tach is messed up - fluctuates like a wind sock on a breezy day.  Other than that, she needs cleaning up.  Tires are new, shocks are good as is clutch & transmission.  She idles well too.

She feels as quick as my R65LS.  I'm not sure if this is the short or long wheelbase - can you tell my looking at the picture?

[Barry]

Nice looking bike Ken. The \5's have some really nice details like the alloy indicator housings and the instruments (when you get them fixed).

Compared to the R65 how would you say it handles ?  The short wheel base /5 should handle a bit quicker than the long wheelbase.

They say you can tell the long wheel base version by the obvious extra bit welded in to lengthen the swinging arm.

[montmil]

Sweet looking bike, Ken. Did you get bags with it?

Here's both specs for wheelbase on the R60/5:
1385 mm / 54.52 in (from 1973: 1435 mm / 56.49 in)

Chassis ID number will confirm which one you have.

For the R65LS:
1390 mm / 54.7 in to 1980. 1400 mm / 55.11 in 1981 on.

[Red_Hen]

Nice looking bike Ken

Compared to the R65 how would you say it handles ?  The short wheel base /5 should handle a bit quicker than the long wheelbase.

Hi Barry - thanks for the compliment.  So the /5 is a short wheel base?  I've read in the latter part of '73 BMW introduced the LWB on this model.  And, thought my '82 R65LS is a short wheel base.  She came with new Dunlop tires, handles well but I wasn't super aggressive as it was my first ride.  Interesting comment about speed - my son took her for a spin and thought she's quicker than the R65 - is this possible?  The R65 has more cc's and updated carbs.

[Red_Hen]

Another question - I want to remove the speedo from the headlight bucket - has anyone done this before?  I know all the wires reside in the bucket and I'm leery of messing things up.

Any step by step instructions appreciated.

[Red_Hen]

Hey Monte - hope all is well and thanks for your compliment.  Frame number is 400092.

Sweet looking bike, Ken. Did you get bags with it?

Here's both specs for wheelbase on the R60/5:
1385 mm / 54.52 in (from 1973: 1435 mm / 56.49 in)

Chassis ID number will confirm which one you have.

For the R65LS:
1390 mm / 54.7 in to 1980. 1400 mm / 55.11 in 1981 on.

[Red_Hen]

To answer Monte's question, bike did come with BMW Panniers in very good condition with keys.

[Barry]

The absence of an extra weld in the swinging arm will confirm a short wheelbase model.  Picture from Duane Ausherman's web site. http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/whbase/index.htm

[Red_Hen]

Thanks, Barry.

Have another question:  I'd like to know if this will fit on my bike - think it would look cool and a way better way to utilize the mirrors.  The only mirrors I've seen are from Viet Name on Ebay.  The mirrors on this bike are shot.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271104979634?item=271104979634&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123&vxp=mtr

Mirrors:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261124774038?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Example of one I saw on a R60/5 online:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vintage-1972-BMW-R60-5-SWB-Toaster-Cafe-Racer-styled-Roadster-/140861568071?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item20cc00f447#ht_500wt_1182

[Barry]

Have another question:I'd like to know if this will fit on my bike - think it would look cool and a way better way to utilize the mirrors.  

I don't see why not. The threaded mirror stems are just replacing the normal headlamp pivot bolts.

[Red_Hen]

Those mirrors look cool!

[montmil]

Those mirrors look cool!

Will the mirror heads impact the fuel tank at full lock?

[tvrla]

Those headlight mounted mirrors look cool, all right, but I've heard they're not very useful. I think the complaint was you see more of your legs than the road behind.

As for the swingarm lengthening - my 76 R90 has added welded on spacer, so it wasn't just 73 and 74 that got it. I think it took them quite a while to run through that batch of short swingarms.

The /5s have a real problem with mirrors. There's no mirror mount on the right side and the left can be a problem. A common solution is bar end mirrors. Probably the best is finding some 74 perches because they have the newer style mirror mounts and will accept any of the newer better mirrors. But the mirror mount is only thing that differentiates 74 perches from the earlier /5. Come to think of it, the 74 perch came out sometime in 73 - wonder if yours has them?

[Red_Hen]

I came with (2) chrome mirrors not in great shape.  Bar end mirrors could work if the other ones I mentioned don't provide good visibility - making a lane change into a car or truck would kinda wreck my day!

Wondering how I'd fit a bar end mirror on the throttle side w/out moving when I move the throttle.  My previous bike, the F650 had stock bar ends on the handlebar but not mirrors - they were counterweights.

I've read about CRG's and Napoleons.

Monte - you've got some on your Triumph, right?  If so what brand are they?

I'm after good visibility and a good alternative to stock BMW mirrors.

[montmil]

Monte - you've got some on your Triumph, right?

Not really true bar end mirrors.

The aluminum anti-vibe plugs on the handlebars were removed and machined to accept these small, adjustable, clamp-on mirrors.

I still utilize the larger fairing-attached mirrors for the "big picture" but the smaller mirrors are great for lane checking; looking for close-in bandits. Don't recall the brand.


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