Clubman Handlebars

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Dirty Fingernails

There are many many options out there for clubman style handlebars. I am often asked which bars i used for my bike. I think they are Clubmans for a Suzuki but I lost the link to them due to a computer crash years ago. According to the photo mine are called ‘Clearance’ Clubmans and are a 7/8 bar size. I saw this ad on Craigslist a while back and ‘Borrowed’ the person’s photos. I hope this helps those in search for specific clubmans. You’ll have to do some modifications to get the 22mm BMW clamps and controls to fit on the 7/8 bars.

Clubman handle bars , click the photo for a higher resolution version.

April’s Vintage Venice Motorcycle ride

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Dirty Fingernails

I attended the Venice Vintage Motorcycle ride last month. Finally downloaded the photos. Nice guys (and gals). Nice ride. Nice bikes. As the weather gets better, the rides should get more eventful…

Enjoy the photos –

BSA with a nice vintage helmet

Completely naked Ducati. All the covering and plastic has been removed and the owner made some additional mods.

Check out the exposed guts of this Ducati. Looks pretty robotic.

This paint job has been hiding out for 25 years. On the fairing it says Honda CB - X tra - Get it? ha ha...

Check out the dirtbike with the sidecar

clubmans are all the rage.

more clubman bars...

cafe helmet and goggles.

It's never a bad thing to follow a chick on a triumph.

I had to swing by one of my favorite surf shops after the ride. Mollusk is a great shop with some tasty boards.

Cafe bodywork arrived

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Dirty Fingernails

The first batch of body work arrived for the cafe bike. I’m super excited. The fine people at boxer cafe made me custom front fender without the center lip found on stock BMW fenders. The reason for the lip deletion is for the paint scheme. They have been wonderful to talk to and work with. I look forward to seeing what other items they come up with for BMWs.

Boxer Cafe Bodywork

BMW /5 Rocky Point Key retrofit

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Dirty Fingernails

I can’t take credit for this idea. I saw this on a blog ages ago. I have since tried to locate the blog and haven’t had any luck so i figured i’d share my experience here on beemersandbits.com.

Hopefully this will help those out there trying to do the same key modification to their /5. I think /2 BMW’s use the same ‘beetle’ looking key.

Photo lifted from Rocky Point Cycle. They include detailed instructions on how to install this key mechanism

Original beetle looking BMW motorcycle key for a /5.

First you have to remove the old key mechanism. Quickly you start to realize that this upgrade is valid. the contacts and wiring aren’t the best after 38+ years.
Start by taking a long screwdriver and carefully bend the 4 tabs that hold the original key relay in place.

Removal of old switch mechanism

Not much to it. this is the order in which all these pieces went together.

The next step is to prepare everything. I used some small drill bits and drilled around the old key. After doing enough drilling, i was able to wiggle it loose and remove it from the ‘beetle’.
I then had to file down the head of the new key to fit inside the ‘beetle’.

Old 'key' removed from beetle. New key shaved down to fit.

Next was finding a way to get MacGyver and keep the key in place while the epoxy hardens.

Key in headlight housing in 'off' position

Key in 'run' position

Mike’s BMW race bike

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Dirty Fingernails

I got into 70’s BMW motorcycles about 13 years ago. But they have all been ‘street’ bikes. I have to admit, my eyes really opened up at the races last weekend. I definitely took in some inspiration and ideas for my next build (from every brand motorcycle). Aside from racing, people may also be interested with other sports events such as those that may include gadgets like Garmin’s latest.

This bike belongs to Mike Jefferies. The stats are below. The photos speak for themselves. I just wish i had him take the bike out to an open area for some clean photos. (If only i wasn’t so hungover that day…) If you are considering buying an electric bicycle, then take a look at Wispers range – you can’t go wrong with a Wisper!

Enjoy:

Rims are 19-2.15 front and 18-2.50 rear Akronts
Frame is a 1970 R75/5, forks and brake are R60/6(17mm axle), R65 swingarm.
Engine is 10.5:1 750cc. 1981 R100 bottom end, top end is 1976 R75, fully balanced. Stock valves with shimmed springs and 36mm Mikuni’s, mild porting. Right now it is running points in a can from a 1980 R65. Engine is raised with Motoren Israel kit and has their oil filter set up. Transmission is from a 1994 RT.
Fairing and belly pan are from Glass from The Past. Fairing is Ducat 900SS style, seat is a cut up R90S or R100S.
Fork internals are now Racetech. Shocks are 14″ Ohlins (+1/2″ from stock) with Racetech springs.

Quote from Mike – “I can proudly say that I have fondled every bolt on the racing bike except for the transmission internals. A lot of things were stolen from my hotrodded R90 which looks very sad right now. It is a bits formed from a master plan of the best bits from the best years.
It weighs in around 350# semi wet. Since I am obsessed and building it has been as much fun as riding it, I have some more drilling and shaving of #s in mind. I should just lose some weight, but what is the fun in that?” In addition to bike racing, people may also find themselves intrigued by other sports, such as archery.

Weight Schmeight. Definitely looks like fun Mike. Great job.

Check out the missing timing cover, lack of alternator, points in a can, oil filter, etc..

Drilled out hubs to shave some weight. Nice Akront rims.

Why paint the tank? Nekkid steel looks just as good.

Mike in action.

Stripping her down for some pushing

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Dirty Fingernails

Title time. I gotta get this baby to DMV to get the VIN inspected and into the ‘system’ so i can get a title. There is a DMV 1.4 miles from my house (according to google maps). Hopefully they will issue a title there but i have a feeling a second inspection by the Highway Patrol is necessary. I went through something similar when i put a different engine in my last build.

Unfortunately I’m gonna have to push it that 1.4 miles. Luckily it is flat.
I took everything off that i possibly could while maintaining the appearance of a motorcycle. No transmission, no fenders, no seat, no tank. She’s actually pretty light after all that stuff is off.
And thankfully the tires still hold air.