Put some miles on the /3

[AntonLargiader]

We'd only ridden the /3 once this year, to a friend's wedding. That was kind of cool; Meredith wore a sundress with Sidi MX boots, and I wore a tux (also with my Sidis) riding my /5. Definitely not ATGATT. Unfortunately I'm not sure we have a picture of that.

Anyhow, on the way to the reception the /3 ran out of gas so of course I was the responsible party and we switched bikes. I pushed it to the reception where it stayed (in my friend's garage) for a few more weeks. Rode it back here after putting in exactly enough fuel to get home (about a quart, drained from his ATV).

So I've been participating in the VA Tag thread on ADVRider. The other morning there was a tag up on the Blue Ridge, not more than 45 minutes away, so I figured I'd go for it. It was a nice morning for a ride.

Of course that remains of the quart of fuel was not enough to get me to the gas station a mile away, so I was pushing again. Fortunately on flat ground, not uphill like before. Then everything was fine, and I roared out of town on the interstate, got onto the secondary road, up the mountain and down the parkway to where the tag was.

912

I hung around for a while but no one else was on the road, so I went home to figure out where I was going to place it and get some work done.

Next morning, up and at 'em. On the road after coffee, heading south past Monticello, Scottsville, down US15 to Farmville where I went to grade school, then west to Pamplin City where I basically grew up. Not much going on there these days.

913

That's where I placed the tag for the next person to get. Retraced my route home, for a total of about 215 miles on the bike in two mornings. Seems to be getting about 50 mpg, needs all sorts of minor repair work and historical correction, but it looks and rides OK.

[Optimus Prime]

that's awesome.

"Sidi's and a sundress" would make a good book title

[Wild Will]

The strange habits of the east coast are compelling, except for the pushing bit;
pushing the bike out here is impossible, for the elevation can change a thousand feet in less than a mile. Ouch.

May I suggest a "fuel bota"? Don't forget the warning labels, "Don't Drink".

Does it lessen the old horse's dignity to be pushed so? Fie! No pics of the sundress and boots? FIE! First, repeated slash two "outgassing", then the inconvenience of a tiny digital camera is beyond the norm? You need to come out and visit Uncle Will, my lad. And, please bring She of the Sundress! I'll loan you a BMW with a fat filled tank.

That's a very beautiful machine.

[AntonLargiader]

You need to come out and visit Uncle Will, my lad.
Still hoping there's a way to see you at Bonneville...

[Wild Will]

That would be excellent! I'll be there Monday afternoon until Friday a.m. Bring sunscreen, and maybe a Kermit chair!

[Sir Limpsalot]

That's a really nice looking old bike. Perhaps you could tell us a little about it sometime?
I'd rather see an oldie that bears some evidence of it's time on the road. "Museum Quality" restorations have their place, er, museums. An old machine should have a few mods and a few scars. A patina of use. Just like antique furniture.

http://www.motorcyclistcafe.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=912

This place looks like a "ghost town" from an old movie..

http://www.motorcyclistcafe.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=913

Cool.
Si.

[AntonLargiader]

It's really shiny, how's that? :)

It was 'restored' but there are a number of inaccuracies. Mainly the wheels (should be painted, not chrome) and the mufflers. The mufflers will stay, though. They sound OK and they look good. They're correct for a '54 but it's not at all certain that they're correct for '53.

The headlight bezel, Albert mirrors and finned exhaust nuts are acceptably correct period accessories. I think the bike would look less fancy (fine with me) without them.

The new paint is fragile. The charging system doesn't produce electrons in any useful (or noticeable) number. The interior of the tank is rough, the final drive gears are worn out, and it leaks. It has the wrong springs (sidecar specification springs, too stiff, too low). Brakes really, really suck. Shifts horribly.

'53 was the last year of the half-width hubs, which are my favorite styling characteristic of the bike. I think the painted rims only went with those hubs, so from the visual perspective there's a big difference between the two years. And '54 was the last year of the plunger frame, so the '53 and '54 were really the end of the era in their own ways.

We've had it for a few years and have put a few thousand miles on it. Hopefully we'll continue to do so.

[BobFV1]

Anton - that pre-CanBus bike is a beauty!

[Sir Limpsalot]

That was exactly what I had in mind. Although I've owned, what, eight Beemers now, I've never been interested enough in the marque to study the history of the various models.
So, I'm the sort of Klutz who would think that chrome rims look fine with the half width hubs..
Thanks for the lesson.

Si.

[AntonLargiader]

So, I'm the sort of Klutz who would think that chrome rims look fine with the half width hubs..
It's like BBS rims on a Mercedes; OK until you realize how nice the originals look.

Here's an OK shot of painted rims:
http://www.motoclub.de/Motoclub%20aktuell/Restaurierung/Rest_%20BMW%20R51_3/R-51-3-restauriert.jpg

There's a LOT of incorrect stuff out there, even from 'expert' restorers.

[Wild Will]

So let me get this straight: BMW first used telescopic forks and then changed to leading link and then changes back to forks again?

Mighty pretty bike. Next photos should have Meredith seated on it, just a suggestion. What's up with you and Bonneville?

Frank, you out there? Send me a PM asap.

[Sir Limpsalot]

So let me get this straight: BMW first used telescopic forks and then changed to leading link and then changes back to forks again?



Pretty much. Then changed away again (Telelever, Duolever) as soon as they could. Oh, then back to teles again for the F650/800's. You still following this? :)

Si.