Happenned Upon An "Antique" BMW...

[BobFV1]

Yesterday (Sunday) was a beautiful day in Northern Virginia. My wife took our Porsche Cayenne S to meet my son and me at a lunch spot - we were riding our bikes. She left the house a minute or so before us.

We got to the end of our road and I saw this by the side of the road, and a guy holding a helmet talking to Delia in the Cayenne:

http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/R25.jpg

That, boys and girls, is a 1955 R25! I pulled up and it turns out that the guy lives about 3/4 of a mile from me, and has two vintage BMW's and about 10 vintage British bikes. He had just sufferred a complete electrical failure on the R25 and needed a lift home to get his truck and come back to pick up the bike. He seemed nonplussed by the experience.

Guess I will have to get over to his place next weekend with my digital cam!

[Tassie Devil]

What a work of art!!

I look forward to the next set of pics .... and maybe a ride report?

Cheers,

JQ.

[fganger]

I hate to be the one to rain on the parade . . . however . . . I’ve ridden many of the R25’s, and R27’s. While they are nice to look at, they are not especially nice to ride. They are VERY slow and DO vibrate a lot. Even in its heyday the 250 Zundapp would blow it away. BTW, if one was able to get it up to highway speeds, plan your stops carefully and well in advance.

I suppose it is all in what wants in a bike: if riding (poking) around town is what you are looking for – GREAT. If one actually wants to take it on the road – NOT GREAT.

Now I could certainly see having one, with the lightweight Steib sidecar made for it, as a bike to do errands with.

I guess this is what happens when one gets to be an old fart - raining on parades.:icon_redface:

Frank

[Deans BMW]

I loved my old R 27, here it is running the Observed Trials at the 49er Rally in 1976 or 77.

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/15226142-M-1.jpg

[fganger]

Dean,
I never thought about using one of the BMW singles as a trials machine – it does make sense. About the only downside would be clearance.

I always thought there was quite a noticeable difference between the R 27 and the previous models, notably less vibration.

I recall a fellow who used to hang out at the BMW dealer in Chicago who bought an R27. It was his first bike and he was totally enamored with it. He picked it up on Saturday and brought it back Monday for its first service. The next time we heard from him was about a month later, he came in for service – the 12,000 mile one.

We asked him about the miles, he just told us, “I don’t get hungry, thirsty or tired when I’m on my bike – I even hate to stop and get gas – I just want to ride.” Hmm… I wonder where he is now and if he is ready for his 2,000,000 mile inspection?

I also loved my first BMW, a 1961 R50. I put close to 50, 000 miles on it. Would I trade my current R bike for one – I don’t think so. I’ve gotten used to stopping and going quickly when I want. But I still loved it at the time. But hell, I loved my 1934 Big Twin as well. We did have a bit of a falling out when the engine melted. No, not seized, melted.

Frank

[Acacia]

Next to a Villiers 150, the R25 is the worst bike I have ever ridden - without question.

My brother had one. The day after I graduated from high school I took it on a 2000 mile road trip from Pretoria to George and back. After 600 miles the right side of the frame attaching the brake pedal cracked just before a set of mountain passes - the Outeniqua in South Africa. My right hand was swolen about an inch due to the vibrations. On the way back home I had to stop and have both sides of the lower cradle on the frame welded twice. Eventually the last 50 miles I limped home with only the center tube of the frame holding the back and front wheels together.

On the open road if there was a head wind - you might get 45mph having maxed out in was it 2nd or 3rd gear - and not enough power to get going in top.

Talk about iron-butt rally - THAT was an endurance ride and my butt was nothing compared to the rest!

[Deans BMW]

The 49er Rally has always had observed trials and still does today. The difference from then to today is the advent of the GS BMW's so in the 70's, we road street bikes, I used a full dresser Harley one year and did quiet well. We even made our own bike one year, a R90 with R50 final drive, R60 slide carbs, peanut tank, home made hi pipe full knobbies and bars off some dirt bike. We had so much fun back then.

[DJ Down Under]

Great pic Dean-O...:eusa_clap:

DJ

[BobFV1]

I loved my old R 27, here it is running the Observed Trials at the 49er Rally in 1976 or 77.

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/15226142-M-1.jpg

Is that the "young hoon" on board???

[Rchop]

That old R25 is a beautiful bike. I like to take those old ones and try to modernize them. Although the R25 doesn't have much power and wouldn't take too well to an upgrade...I would love to have one in my collection. If I had a collection:icon_redface:

I have purchased quite a few eBay specials for my R75. They include a seat and cowl from an R90S, Chromed valve covers, stainless steel pushrod tubes and I already have new Mikuni round slides for it. The cylinders have been bored 1mm oversize with new pistons, rings and pins. The heads have new valves and guides with a 3 angle grind and new springs. New lightweight pushrods are here and SJ BMW is lightening the flywheel. All new main and rod bearings with a new oil pump and cam gears and chain. The crank was polished and I balanced the rods and pistons. Still looking for an S type cafe fairing and I will try to fit a later model sport bike front fork with dual front brakes. The controls will be the same ones I have left from the R1100RS donor for the custom I just built. That's just what I have started with...much more to come with rear suspension, pipes and trans rebuild.
I will start a build thread in this section when I get back from Illinois in mid October.

Randy

[Deans BMW]

Bob said,

Is that the "young hoon" on board???


Yes it is, notice all the protective gear........, the pic was taken just before a steep "S" section that required full lock turns. I belive this was at Angles Camp up on Hwy 49.

[Boxerboy]

That looks like the bike Duane Ausherman has in his living room. And his wife is an interior designer too!:eusa_clap:

Duane was the owner of Marin BMW way back in the 1970's.

[fganger]

“Next to a Villiers 150, the R25 is the worst bike I have ever ridden - without question.” Acacia

Hmmm . . . I think I may have the advantage of age here. The R25 may be the worst machine you’ve ridden but I don’t think it is the worst I’ve ridden.

I’ve never really thought about the “Worst Bike” personal awards before. Let’s see:

The Harley 125 (and the different versions which followed), the Parilla 250, almost any old British single, my 1972 Ural has got to be in the running as well. Now that I think of it there were a lot of machines, which could give the R25 a run for the money.

I used to work as a BMW bike mechanic and had a chance to ride a few R25’s, and I think your comments about the R25 are pretty much correct. BTW, as I recall the R25 had 13 horsepower in that vibrator.

All in all, perhaps it’s a good thing to remember the old bikes with fondness, except those that left me stranded that is.

[mnnden]

That looks like the bike Duane Ausherman has in his living room. And his wife is an interior designer too!:eusa_clap:

Duane was the owner of Marin BMW way back in the 1970's.

My son picked this one up a couple of years ago, he is not a interior designer, just a little off the wall, (USCG) R27,1967 A neat piece of art, but as Frank has pointed out, maybe the worst riding bike ever. My son is the second owner, very low miles, un-restored, looks good.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/991455/r274.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/991455/r27.jpg

Yours Truly, Den

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/991455/bike.jpg

[fganger]

Den,

You are quite correct, the bike looks great. Now if I had a chance to pick-up one at a good (read steal) price, I'd do it in a flash. :eusa_clap:

There is a big difference between the R25 and the R27, as I recall. I believe the R27 had 18 hp vs 13 hp, and had anti-vibration mounts. If I'm off (so to speak) please forgive me, I've not been close to one since the early 60's. :icon_redface: 40+ years does play tricks on ones mind, as well as other body parts.:icon_redface: :icon_redface:

I think if I was able to get one I'd look for a used sidecar rear end. Next would be a lightweight Steib. I can't think of a better around town fun bike. Even if one did not use a chair, the lower gearing would be a boon around town - you might have a chance of keeping up with the auto/truck traffic. Of course your top speed would be down with that gearing. One would be lucky to go 50-55 mph. I guess one could always go looking for R25's to race.

It's always something,
Frank

[mnnden]

Frank, I think you are "Right-on" in your facts, from what I have read,( at the time it was introduced,) the R27 was "Light years" ahead of the R25, (that sure does not speak well for the R25). I'm with you, if I seen one at a good price, I would be looking at it, My real interest is in the R51, R68, R69, But, then you are talking some pretty serious money. And I have other interests, fun to look at though!!! Den

[fganger]

Den,

I've had an R100S, an R69, a couple of R69S bikes and one R69US. I've also had an R50 and my personal favorite the R50S. The R50S is the only one of the old series BMW bikes I wish I still had.:pftroest:

Oh well, perhaps one day I'll learn.

Frank