Schu Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 First NEW motorcycle I ever bought was a Kawasaki Z1-R in 1980... fresh off the showroom floor when I was 18 years old. I don't think I ever took any pictures of it back then. I kept that bike for over 15 years. Finally sold it to some guy in the mid 1990's as a basket case for 1500$... msrp only was 3500$. Got my money's worth for sure. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieb Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 We were close in firsts. My first new was a 1976 BMW R75/6. I went many years from about 1975 to the late 80's where I rode or drove nothing but BMW's. Of course back then no one really knew much about them; people thought it meant British Motor ---. In the late 70's I would see just a handful of BM's on the road and we would flash our lights as we saw one another. Now days around here they are as common as Camrys and Accords. The exclusivity has long passed. Although the bikes are still a minority. And as a BMW bike shirt I have says - "I didn't know BMW made cars - until I passed one". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDBRbuilder Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 20 minutes ago, richieb said: "I didn't know BMW made cars - until I passed one". Funny story here: I pulled into a small convenience store to grab something to drink while riding one of the back roads in NW Arkansas on my RT. As I was pulling off my helmet a BMW Station Wagon pulled in beside me. The first thing out of the driver's mouth was "I had no idea BMW made motorcycles", to which I replied: "BMW started making motorcycles in 1923...a number of years before they started making ANY cars...but I never knew they made station wagons until now, so I guess we both learned something new today!" And we both laughed about it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 1 minute ago, HDBRbuilder said: Funny story here: I pulled into a small convenience store to grab something to drink while riding one of the back roads in NW Arkansas on my RT. As I was pulling off my helmet a BMW Station Wagon pulled in beside me. The first thing out of the driver's mouth was "I had no idea BMW made motorcycles", to which I replied: "BMW started making motorcycles in 1923...a number of years before they started making ANY cars...but I never knew they made station wagons until now, so I guess we both learned something new today!" And we both laughed about it. And they made air plane motors before that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieb Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 That's good HDBR. And another story from the hills of Tennessee when my buddy and I pulled up for gas both on R75/6's. Late 1970's mind you. Two guys walk over, look at the bikes then - Gaawd Damnn, they're ridin' Baay Em Vaays. Never forget the look on their faces. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDBRbuilder Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 1 hour ago, richieb said: Damn nice machine. Based after the R100RS models of the late 70's. Offering some of the best weather protection of any faired bike then and now. Always wanted an RS, had an 1980 R100S and of course wish I still had it. Had numerous BMW's and currently the K1600 six cylinder. Quite the machine but I bet, I know, the weather protection on your RT is better than what I have on the K16. Any chance we will see her in Hope? Thanks...I thoroughly enjoy it. The only issue is that, with the 3" over stock height lexan windshield on the bike, the only REAL airflow I get in the summer on my upper torso through the vents is deflected by the sides of the tankbag..BUT my riding jacket has elbow to underarm vents and all I have to do is kick my elbows out a bit and pick up a nice airflow cooling me off under the jacket shell...I only wear a long-sleeved t-shirt under the jacket during the hot months, and it gathers my sweat and gets soaked, but when the arm-vent air goes in it is like a blast of air-conditioning to my torso due to the evaporative cooling effect! What tickles me to death is when somebody says something like: "You really need to get a more modern machine that can keep up with the bikes on the road today"...to which my standard reply is: "Just how much over 120 miles an hour do I REALLY NEED to be able to go....hour after hour...day after day...week after week, anyway?" And, as long as the valves are in correct adjustment, I get about 45 MPG no matter what kind of load is on the bike! I love listening to the "tikka..tikka..tikka...of the valves while riding, sounding just like a Singer sewing machine sounds...and I can tell from the change in that sound when I actually need to get up the next morning (before hitting the road again) and do a valve adjustment...maybe re-torque the heads (if needed)...a simple one-cup-of-coffee 20 minute job! 1984 was the last year the R100RT was made in its original engine configuration...with the large 38mm carbs, dual exhaust header crossovers, larger valves, etc. that it and the R100RS of that era shared in common. They took the ORIGINAL R100RS motor out of production, and when they FINALLY came back out with an R100 engine for the RT and RS again, it was just a re-jugged R80 engine, with the smaller 32mm carbs, single exhaust crossover, and smaller valves...never again the performer of the original RS engine, like my bike has! Most people don't realize it, but a bike set up like mine has more load capacity and cubic inches of "weatherproof" lockable storage than any kind of touring bike made before or since. I prefer the old BMW airhead twins...especially the /7 series (1977-1984), since they are much more "operator-maintenance" friendly than any other bikes BMW has ever made. I enjoy doing the wrenching on mine...it is simple to do and can be done fairly quickly...besides it gives me a chance to nurse a beer or two while doing it! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieb Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 I hear you on maintaining the old airheads vs. this damn K16. And pretty much like a modern car there is little the shade tree mechanic can do, other than change oil which I do. I am far from a mechanic but was able to adjust valves back in the day, pretty simple with cylinders sitting in your lap. Now try adjusting valves on the K16, all 24 of them. Luckily the dealer tells me even with the first adjustment at 16K they rarely if ever need it. But if they do - better call your banker! It is a great engine as you expect for a straight 6 from BMW. Actually Ricardo Engineering in England did the development work. They are known for F1 engine development and for many other high performance auto companies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalawag Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 1 hour ago, Schu said: First NEW motorcycle I ever bought was a Kawasaki Z1-R in 1980... fresh off the showroom floor when I was 18 years old. I don't think I ever took any pictures of it back then. I kept that bike for over 15 years. Finally sold it to some guy in the mid 1990's as a basket case for 1500$... msrp only was 3500$. Got my money's worth for sure. You've got my admiration and respect! The Z1-R was a bike I lusted after, but it came and went before I had the means to acquire one. But in '82 I did manage to find and purchase a "wannabe" KZ1000 with the 1/4 fairing attached. That bike was thoroughly enjoyable, and would instantly give you quite a rush with a mere twist of the throttle. I kept mine for eight years, then decided I needed to slow life down a tad and got my first Harley. Here's me and my sig-other riding that black beauty: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 :thumbsup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwillie Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 As long as we're bringing motorcycles into the discussion, here's my contribution. I've had a few before and since, but this has always been my favorite. 2004 BMW K1200LT. Good power and lighter than it looks. It had plenty of room to carry everything you would need. Maintenance costs were kind of high when it had to go to the dealer, but most things I could do myself. I rode my first two Iron Butt runs on this one. dee. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieb Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 ^^^^^ Flying Brick! Owned an '02 K1200RS. Leave it to BMW to design an inline 4, put in the frame length wise not across and then flip it on its side! Good engine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 On 3/7/2017 at 10:44 PM, Schu said: True... I dont have a single one left and haven't picked up a guitar for probably 4-5 years... after playing for over 45 years (I started playing classical when I was 10 yeas old). I can believe how much the values have jumped just in the last 10 yeas s alone. At one point I had probably 10 Martins, a Bourgeois, collings... I always wanted a Froggy Bottom but wasn't willing to trade in three martins for a single froggy bottom. Martin makes an acoustic bass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 12 hours ago, Schu said: First NEW motorcycle I ever bought was a Kawasaki Z1-R in 1980... fresh off the showroom floor when I was 18 years old. I don't think I ever took any pictures of it back then. I kept that bike for over 15 years. Finally sold it to some guy in the mid 1990's as a basket case for 1500$... msrp only was 3500$. Got my money's worth for sure. I wish I had one of those right now, a simple machine, but had a lot of character. My first new bike was a 1982 Honda V45 Sabre, had about 25 bikes since then, the last few made quite a few passes down Tenn Hwy 129 If this turns into a bike thread, you might not be able to shut me up! Four wheels moves the body......two wheels moves the soul I gave my newly adopted 13 year old daughter her first motorcycle ride...she loved it... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Since we're showing old bike pictures... Two of the last bikes I had... much sadness. Sold them about 2006 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieb Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 --- Now that's an invigorating first ride, on an RC no less. A beast for sure. Owned one but not for long. --- RD 250, bike I learned to ride on. That ones a peach, Shu. Very cool. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Yeah the rd250 was fully restored... show winning bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieb Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Sorry for quality but here a couple of pics - me in the late 80's appearing to be calling my agent for a role in the burgeoning Porn industry. My 1980 BMW R100RS SE - special Lava Red paint and snowflake wheels, what a great bike. And my 1972 BMW 2800 4-door, inline 6. It was this era when BMW was at the top of their game. Car was built and solid like a tank, the 6 was the smoothest engine you could imagine. From about '74/'75 to the late '90's it was BWM only - 2 and 4 wheel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 How about a buggy in 1962 with sis and then with dad 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 15 hours ago, richieb said: Sorry for quality but here a couple of pics - me in the late 80's appearing to be calling my agent for a role in the burgeoning Porn industry. My 1980 BMW R100RS SE - special Lava Red paint and snowflake wheels, what a great bike. And my 1972 BMW 2800 4-door, inline 6. It was this era when BMW was at the top of their game. Car was built and solid like a tank, the 6 was the smoothest engine you could imagine. From about '74/'75 to the late '90's it was BWM only - 2 and 4 wheel. Awesome pics. I've always been a Bimmer fan, but only owned a 325i in the late 90s, great car. That bike looks very nice. The only BMW bike I've ever ridden was their newer S1000r. 200 HP and a bunch of electronics made it an instant threat to the other sport bike makers. Their race engineers did so well when they jumped into WSBK (WORLD SUPERBIKE) racing about 8 years ago, they instantly won races. That's a tough chore beating the Japanese and Ducati. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 1 hour ago, USNRET said: How about a buggy in 1962 with sis and then with dad Mike, I love these old pics, looks familiar. Everything just seemed simpler. It reminds me of my family pics...I have four older brothers and one sister, all born during the 50s. Makes me want to go visit my Dad and reminisce over old pics. Is that a toy in your hands? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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