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Message started by engineer on 04/03/14 at 07:42:24

Title: Need advice about high mileage BMW
Post by engineer on 04/03/14 at 07:42:24

I'm thinking of buying a vintage airhead BMW I found at a good price. It's not a model people collect but I always wanted to own one. Two things make it cheap, one it doesn't start, two it is high mileage, over 80,000 miles. It looks good and well cared for. One owner had it for over 30 years then it got bought by a guy who thought he wanted one but he never rode it and just let it sit for years and now wants it out of his garage.

There is no maintenance record with it other than it looks great and is totally stock. I don't know if it was running when the second owner bought it, another guy is selling it for him and doesn't know. With time I might be able to find out more about it but at the price he is asking it won't be around very long. So do you think it is worth a taking a chance?

Title: Re: Need advice about high mileage BMW
Post by Arnold on 04/03/14 at 08:48:52

Make sure the engine turns over, put it in high gear and push it. Make sure it's not locked up but that there's still compression.

Title: Re: Need advice about high mileage BMW
Post by engineer on 04/03/14 at 08:57:32

Thanks Arnold. I asked the guy selling it about the engine and he did what you suggested. The engine is free and the compression seemed good. He jumped it with a battery and the lights worked but the starter would not activate. He didn't know why and didn't make any more checks.

Title: Re: Need advice about high mileage BMW
Post by Arnold on 04/03/14 at 09:08:29

Yea, could be bad starter, solenoid or potential electrical nightmare :) Well if the price is really low and you need a project that sounds like it. Let us know what happens though.

Title: Re: Need advice about high mileage BMW
Post by v-pilot on 04/03/14 at 14:13:26

I had a '73 R75/5 They aren't bad to work on and parts are available. Max BMW just built a complete '74 R90s from factory parts. They do run well over 1000k miles easily http://www.bikeexif.com/new-bmw-r90s

Title: Re: Need advice about high mileage BMW
Post by Arnold on 04/03/14 at 15:49:54

Wow that's one million miles. :)

Title: Re: Need advice about high mileage BMW
Post by v-pilot on 04/03/14 at 20:31:27

oops one too many zeros :-?

Title: Re: Need advice about high mileage BMW
Post by gizzo on 04/04/14 at 04:42:25

A guy over here has an old (60's) bmw twin he's done over 600,000km with very little drama. If your one it's cheap enough,why not?