Built in the 50’s by Louis L Lepoix. Very streamlined cool!
Tag Archives: bmw
New Year, New Clymer’s manual
My old manual didn’t make it through the flooded garage. Unfortunately some notes in the manual are ruined too… but it is time to start anew, notes and all. Maybe Clymer improved some of their (very occasionally) incorrect or vague information on certain topics since buying the last manual about 13 years ago. I see that they updated the cover photo with an incomplete gas tank. Where are the knee pads??
Transmission Install
A Transmission install is actually not difficult.
Step #1 is making sure the swingarm is unmounted from the frame. It can remain connected to the shocks.
I then took caution to protect the frame:
Protection. Notice the rags too:
Time to prep the transmission. It helps if the shifter and the clutch arm are removed. In my case, i removed the shifter but left the clutch arm mounted:
Time to lube the splines. Make sure the splines are clean of dirt and grime. I use a BMW moly grease. It is sticky stuff. :
Keeping the swingarm and rear wheel pulled back, gently lift the transmission into place. It may take a small wiggle here and there to get the splines to mate with the engine.
Make sure the top right bolt of the engine housing aligns properly with the transmission housing as you mate the splines into the clutch: 
Time to tighten everything down.
You need a M8 nut and washer for the top right engine stud bolt.
a M8 x 40mm bolt and washer for the top left mount. (Note, i am not installing the BMW airbox. If i was, there is a retaining clip that mounts to the top left bolt along with a washer intended for the airbox).
a M8 X 85mm bolt, washer and nut for the bottom right mount
and a M8 x 40mm bolt and washer for the bottom left mount.
A 6mm hex socket and wrench does the trick along with a 13mm wrench/socket.
Lastly before you mount the swingarm, Make sure you attach the driveshaft boot. Notice the different ends of the boot. The round end is for the transmission, the oval/rectangular end is for the drive shaft
.
Next step… aligning and mounting the swing-arm… stay tuned!
Starter upgrade
A while back we ordered a new starter from Euro Moto Electrics.
It weighs half as much as the original BOSCH starter. About 6lbs lighter to be exact.
As a result, it doesn’t require the rear mounting bracket the heavy Bosch starters need (#2 in Photo).
The starter itself has threads where it connects near the flywheel so no need for the original nuts. You simply install the bolts from the flywheel side, and tighten the starter to the engine housing.
I plan on keeping the extra plastic cover and wire ring that holds it in place (#10 and #11). It will help keep some of the clutch dust contained.
Engine Installed.
I mounted the engine the other night.
I used gaffers tape, masking tape and pipe insulator to protect the frame.
She’s back in her nest:
My buddy Claude came over to help with the heavy lifting. Here is a shot of him inspecting the shiny timing cover. Thanks Claude!
Skateboards make good dollies
…and wives help when needing to hold it from rolling down the driveway…
And she kept me from breaking my back by trying to lift it out of the trunk by myself.
Dave Gardner at Recommended Service did the assembly.
I can’t wait to fire this thing up…
Siebenrock power upgrade Pistons and Cylinders.
Lightened Flywheel.
Newer oil pump cover.
New BMW valves and valve job.
/6 rockers.
Stainless pushrod tubes (as part of the Siebenrock kit).
The Zen of Motorcycle Building
If you have 15 minutes and a set of headphones, plug ’em in and watch this.
Yes, it is about a BMW but more about the zen of building a machine and spending time in the garage.
I’m reminded of the book “Shop Class for Soul Craft” after listening to him talk about his time in the garage. And I’m reminded of how the Buddhist monks will spend great lengths of time building sand sculptures only to have them wash away in the rain. It is more about the process then the end product.
And for some reason, i am also reminded of artist Magritte and “Ceci n’est pas une pipe”. If you try to intellectualize a painting of a pipe, you are missing the point. Magritte made amazing works of art and scoffed at people who tried to intellectualize them. They are what they are… a painting, a photo, a motorcycle…
Enjoy.
Deus Ex Machina from Seth C Brown on Vimeo.