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The White Stallion.....


Here is Lee, horse27, from the BM Riders Club, stunning white ex-police 1976 R75/6........

"My R75/6 was bought in an eBay auction at the end of 2008. I was the only person to actually turn up and view the bike and in the end I went with the 'buy it now' price as it was too interesting to turn down for the money.

The bike had been with the Surrey Police from new (1976) to 1980 - at which point it was auctioned off to the new owner. The calibrated speedo was taken off at that time and the original fitted - so I bought it with a reading of 3444 miles on the clock (the police mileage being unknown before this).







I have the last MOT certificate from 1983 (from Normandy Motorcycles near Guildford, Surrey) which shows 3443 miles - so the bike had only covered 1 mile since then. The former owner sadly suffering from a long term illness I am told.

The nice chap who was selling it on behalf of the widow had given it an oil change and filter, new plugs, points, starter relay and had the carbs ultrasounded to clean them out of the old gummy fuel, it started and passed the MOT without any other work. Not bad considering it had stood for nearly 26 years!

The bike came with the full Avon Police fairing, document panniers and single seat - which I am very tempted to re-install for the comedy value but I have refrained so far!

Since buying the bike in late December I have:

Fitted new Metzeler tyres, tubes and rimtapes - the originals had lots of tread but were a little brittle for my liking!

Cleaned up the front ATE caliper, fitted new pads, braided Goodridge line, overhauled the master cylinder with a new piston and seals and replaced the strange brown substance within with new brake fluid. Same goes for the the gearbox, final drive and fork oils - all were interesting to say the least.

Replaced the HT leads - leaving the natty police radio anti-interference device (it's a tin box!) around the coils.

Replaced the very high bars with standard Magura items and fitted new brake, clutch and throttle cables to suit. Which has improved the throttle action a lot - even though it is still heavy.

The heads needed re-torquing and the valves setting again. A new set of points went in as well as I was having trouble getting the ignition timing sorted, the points being fully retarded but the ignition still being a little advanced.

New grips and footrest rubbers have been fitted to make it look nice. Bought a pump to go under the seat as it had to be done ... will we ever see bikes which such practicalities again? I have also fitted an Optimate cable to the battery that exits in the tank glove box - I need this as the bike is a poor starter at the moment!

I have also done a lot of general tinkering and replacing odds and sods as I go along.

The carbs need a proper setting up as I was so excited to get it running and get out riding that I did not spend too much time on it.

It's still a pain to start, the choke does not seem to make much/any difference and it idles rough (all to be sorted). But considering it is a 1976 bike it is a great ride. It pulls well, cruises at 60-70 MPH and the brakes are 'adequate'.

A true practical classic?

Next...

I don't think I will get too carried away with the upgrades as I feel that may be missing the point - I just want to ride it for the summer and enjoy it.

But, I do want to get it running well and sort the carbs properly.

After that I intend to fit decent progressive fork springs (one at a time!) and may go crazy and get some new rear shocks as well.

There is a oil weep from the shaft gaiter which was a leak but turning the gaiter and tightening up the band has almost cured this. But still needs a fiddle.

The petrol cap is a bit corroded and does not breathe properly which leads to fuel starvation on the left carb (for some reason) after a few miles. Need to sort that too as I just open the cap when I am riding at the moment. The health and safety police will be after me!

It'll probably lead to electronic ignition and a fork brace but we will see.

I'll keep you posted."

Thanks Lee for sharing your BM with us all. It is truly a stunning BMW.
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Comments

  1. Anonymous3 March 2009 at 21:02

    I owned a 60/6 from new and had starting difficulties. Tried all sorts of remedies. Finally fitted a heavier battery. NO MORE PROBLEMS! That BM was sooo reliable and rock steady. Ah the memories

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous17 March 2009 at 03:23

    The bicycle race, tour of California recently ended here, and one of their escort bikes was a vintage boxer, police model. Very interesting to see a vintage model very similar still on the job after many years.
    David
    Los Angeles

    ReplyDelete

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