Fully Restored 71 BMW R60/5 First Impressions

Fully restored 71 BMW R60/5 with R80 conversion.

[@tomfrantz]

I had a 1971 R65 and rode around Hollywood in the '80s. Took Miss Hawaiin Tropic 1984 on a breakfast date to Norms-with her on back. Ordered 2X2X2X2 which was two bacons, two pancakes, two sausages and two eggs. She looked at the new Miss America on the cover of La Times or USA today and said, "I think she's pir-ty." Some things you never forget. I remember her holding on to me- as we rode down Ocean BLVD to the Venice Norms.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

NICE! Sorry for the late response. Great memory!

[@bfaith40]

Charlie Johnson is amazing! He takes care of my '72 75/5 and '00 R1100R. He and JB work wonders.

[@brucepietro6046]

The difference is huge. I own a 1976 R90/6 with 27,000 miles The Bing 64/32/11, 64/32/12 carburetors are Incredibly smooth running 900cc engine. Looks like you are having a great time with your German machine.

[@hussellusa]

Ha ha, thank you for the trip down memory lane. Beautiful restoration. I had bought that exact scooter about 1973 and sold it in 1986. I was able to double clutch it and shift gears with out the "clunk" LOL! Thank you.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnrohrer6718]

I had a 71 60/5 with saddle bags. Great bike had it a very long time. Completely restored it! Didn’t really need it but I made 😂it pretty!

[@daveco1270]

One of my favorite vintage bikes. BMW made some beautiful motorcycles. Your guy did a great job on that bike....now you'll have it to enjoy for the rest of your life.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

He did do a great job, thanks. Ya, I'll try to enjoy it... LOL

[@gerokron3412]

Nice one, Robert. Greetings from Bavaria! You can make the sliders work fine, but you wont get the smooth torque the constant pressure carbs will shower you with. Especially in combination with the somewhat dainty 4 speed box its certainly a handy improvement. However, original /5 and /6 get rare in Germany in these days, so keep the parts. Maybe you will put her back into originally condition someday. Just took a spin with my 90/6, and all I can say: still utter fun, and I own this bike for 29 years now. These things are called beamers for a reason. Happy riding to all!

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks. Awesome that you've owned yours for 29 years! Still have the original parts. Maybe will sell on ebay someday.

[@johneastman1905]

Nicely done … money well spent with a skilled craftsman … enjoy .

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks. Sorry so late with response.

[@jonwalwick2517]

Great job! The engine mods are a great idea, when the time comes for major engine work I will do that too. My 1971 R60/5 doesn't run anywhere close to that smooth. Maybe I won't wait and just do it. Mine is completely stock with 32K miles. Thanks for posting this.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks. It's a chunk of $ but it runs so much better. Originally this bike was the same as yours in that it ran just ok. Not smooth. No acceleration, and idled poorly.

[@gerokron3412]

With 32k miles you can run a lot longer w/o major work necessary. However, the 600cc does run just as smooth as the bigger models. Usually carbs and ignition are the culprits. Tthe slides of the carbs and, ofc, o-rings and other rubber gaskets are prone to failure if they are older than 20 years. A rebuilt is not very expensive, all parts are still available in good quality. The contact ignition is working well, but especially high mileage bike do like the strong spark from an electronic upgrade. Another potential problem is the engine case. The 75/5-case and especially the later airhead do have reinforced cases in comparison to the 500cc and 600cc bikes. As back in the day the assembly was kind of promiscuously, you can find weak cases in 75/5s and strong ones in smaller bikes though. In the US this is probably a minor problem, because of the speed limit and the more relaxed manner of traffic. In Germany, where I live, the old cows get pushed pretty hard occasionally, and then fissures in the casting do happen. (Pushing /5s is great fun though :D)

[@joepasco1420]

Very nice work on that machine. I've owned many motorcycles over the years, but going to pick up my first BMW next week. A 1971 r60/5 Thanks for the tip about the generator.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Enjoy your /5!

[@FerdinandoCeccato]

Thanks for the wonderful bike. I would love to own it. In the past I had an R 45 first, and an R 800 GS many years later. I liked the R 45 a lot, the 800 less especially because, while racing, I had the sensation that something was rotating against the direction of travel, perhaps it was the anti-vibration device inside the engine.

[@nuttfarmgarage6434]

Charlie does great work, did some engine work on my R75/6, and I bought a 1977 R100RS from him. Love your bike, these truly are wonderful machines.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks. Yes, Charlie and J.B. know their stuff. Just can't beat the combination of vintage, class, and fun to ride can you? When did you buy the R100RS? Was it blue? I almost bought one from him about 3 years ago.

[@nuttfarmgarage6434]

@@COMMANDERREVZ I think it was in 2012, and yes it is a blue one, serial# is just below 1000, so it has the spoked wheels.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Nice! He must have had another one; I think it was in 2017 when I was looking at one. Maybe I'll see you out there!

[@NoelSquitieri]

Gorgeous! My first BMW was a very well-used but also well maintained 1970 R60/5 I bought from Stan's BMW in Doylestown PA in 1975. I did replace the original "Western" handlebars with R90S bars. I never restored it. I was far too busy riding it. Wish I still had it.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Sorry for late response. Yes, I wish I still had every classic BMW that I owned as a "kid." There still out there... just saying! 🤓

[@genegoodwin8925]

A beautiful restoration and a love for motorcycles, (BMW air heads). Thank you for the video.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thank you!

[@jillfriendship1054]

Thank you sir, lovely machine, We very much enjoyed learning about your bmw and your modest presentation style. Best Wishes from the wild West of England. Martin F and Jill

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thank you. Sorry so late with response. Nice to hear from you in England!

[@kdsowen2882]

Beautiful ! I owned a 73 600/5 for 12 years , that bike will outlast you , they are bullet-proof . Just cover it if you park in the rain, water runs down the cable and can find its way into the gearbox Dave NZ

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks. Sorry so late with response. She's never seen rain. I keep this beauty in a heated garage.

[@paulgriffiths1566]

Gorgeous. I run a ‘72 R75/5 toaster, and I love it.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Love the toasters. These bikes are awesome; puts a smile on my face every time I ride it.

[@santifresnel2320]

very nice overall, the only thing that stuck out a bit is the incorrect lower attachment point for gaiters. With correct parts should go a bit lower, down to the mark on the tubes, at that raised portion there.

[@adildj8231]

Naic

[@607rocket]

Great restoration.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks

[@marylandflyer5670]

Wow - looks awesome!

[@Tsudoshi09]

Amazing restoration! Love the vintage BMW's

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Ya, me too. I have always been an air head lover; I think the /5 is the tops.

[@shannonmurphy5137]

That sounds great . Beautiful machine.

[@jonasceelen6580]

Hello. Great restoration I'm restoring a 74. Very similar model. Looking at the sturing bar looks like uncomfortable riding I had to change this bar to much wider because my elbows were pushing on my side while riding and prevented me from proper sturing Just my opinion

[@0616ko]

Very nice. Looks perfect, very pure sound. Enjoy!

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks

[@mikec6617]

I had one 25 years ago, that and Metro Transit were my on forms of transportation. I used to use Charlie Johnson’s services. He has to be one of the finest air head mechanics in North America. I traded an R 65 in for this and the difference was night and day. Great bike. Very beautiful. These bikes (when maintained) will outlast us all. Great post. What’s the intro music?

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

You must be a local! Yes, Charlie does really knows his airheads. I had a /6 when I was a kid. I vowed to get another airhead one day. Now I own a /2 and a /5. They are so cool right? Funny you should ask about the intro music. It's actually a tune I wrote and performed with my buddy doing base and drums, all on separate tracks in his basement with a 16 track recorder he had at the time... almost 20 years ago. Thanks for asking!

[@mikec6617]

COMMANDER REVZ original music! I’m impressed, funky ass groove. CJ is working on my 78 R100 as I write this. I can’t wait to get it back. See you around town!

[@MrTuxedomoon]

thx a lot for this outstanding Ride along your nice Town on this black Jewel!

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks. This bike is too much fun. Sometimes I just can't get off of it.🤪

[@jeffkeni]

Your mirrors seem pleasantly clear and stable.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Sorry for the late response. Yes, they aren't the best looking, but they are functional. Thanks!

[@bikerjock2654]

Looks and sounds like it runs very sweet. A nice looking bike.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks. Sorry so late with response.

[@kevinvoeks7422]

Sounds great!

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks. A very unique sound. Seems to turn heads before they even see what's coming.

[@christianharris8959]

Lovely machine. Showroom.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thank You

[@williamreynolds9280]

I loved my R60/5's. The relative silence was a delight, especially after having owned a CB750. Plus, I could have both feet on the ground at stoplights, which I couldn't do with the CB750(had to get off sidesaddle). The only thing I don't like about the beemers is the instability at speed. Didn't take much to make them wobble. One morning on the way to school, my bike went into a tank-slapping speed wobble and spit me off, landing across my lap as I slid down the interstate. The bike was relatively undamaged, front fender, cylinder head, and throttle grip. But something was amiss because when I got it back from the dealer, a thin spacer was added to the drive side of the swingarm. I've since read that the assembly of the rear frame is somehow critical to stability, and I'm thinking now that the bike was not properly aligned coming out of the dealership. This was in 1970, and I think the shops were not yet that familiar with the model. I learned to use the steering damper, something I never had to use on my Suzuki's, and wasn't even installed on the CB750. In years since, I've had a couple more /5's but have never been able to take them on the freeway, due to the wobbly feeling. But I DO love the quiet.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Interesting. I have never heard of this. I have owned several airheads; a /7, /6, /5, and a /2. None of them were bothersome at highway speeds. I think your right; they must have not done something correctly from the factory. Glad you weren't hurt.

[@clarkmorris3312]

You have to adjust the steering head bearings properly, or this will happen. There are many references on the internet on how to do this.

[@441rider]

The head bearings are the cause of the /5 death wobble it took me time to sort that but if you tighten the crown nut after loosening all there should be zero play. My swb takes corners at 120kph no sweat even 130 with lean. My 82 RT is fast but handles like a pig compared to the /5 swb.

[@CBGBGurney-ub2ue]

My 1980 RS-80 also wobbles, but only when I get to 90. Ok for interstate.

[@bristolfashion4421]

With a lot of these, they are often like many of the things that came before and end up very much like the original type things that we all used to like before - which mostly isn't a bid thing, I’d say… 😮

[@Azzurro650]

Ah, my very first motorbike! 🤎

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Awesome. One of my first was a /6, but the /5 is so much cooler. Thanks for commenting.

[@take5th]

Fantastic. Brings back memories. I was 15 yrs old and used to sneak out my stepdads r75/5 to pick up my gf.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks. I have always had a soft spot for these old airheads; sounds like you have too! You can still find them out there... just have to pay to play. It'll take you right back to those days... make you feel young again.

[@martinoklapez]

Nice sounds so cool haha. I’m 16 now and buying an Tomos apn 6 just for fun and next year an r75/5 when I have my license.

[@super-8]

Art Work of bike..

[@speedsterjohnny7191]

I guess you would call this a "restomod" with the upgrades. Nice looking and running bike. I had a '71 R60/5 and loved it. It was the first '71 model delivered to Bill's Cycle Shop which I think was located in Canastota, New York. Ryde safe!

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thank you! "Restomod..." I like it.

[@dickyyrrep1383]

It’s lovely, a proper motorcycle.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Sorry slow to respond. Thank you. I agree.

[@obxwave]

Lovely machine!

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thank you.

[@gatotrudiyono9257]

Good....I love this motor cycle.....❤

[@moddude101]

The motor sounds great. Good restoration!

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thank you, this bike is so much fun to ride... and to look at.

[@Randysax1955]

I had a nice '73 R75/5..I loved my adjustable carbs. I could get around 56MPG from them. I had several people try to purchase them from me..nope !

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks for sharing. Sorry so late with response.

[@paulbailey4019]

I really enjoyed the ride, felt like I was back in the ‘70s on my own R75/5. Total gem of a bike, although the market at the time was tempting me away with beauties from Ducati, Laverda, Triumph etc which made the BM feel a bit staid. Now I look at the superb restoration you have done and I think the expense is totally justified, those bikes were just high quality engineering just built to last.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks. Ya, back in the day, these things were being outsold by almost every other brand, but where are most of them today? Not worth restoring one if you could find one.

[@joebretto9768]

Charlie also built my 71 R75/5

[@andikarkalake3750]

Sehr schöne Maschine

[@gerokron3412]

Nice work, congrats. Well done.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thank you. There are times when I think I enjoy this thing over all of my other bikes.

[@441rider]

Just posted a r60/5 ride update I seem to have tamed the valve noise, screams above 5000rpm. Dropped quite a bit on timing stuff and new clutch too.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

You got to pay to play, right? Sorry so late with response.

[@gillesbodiot9653]

j'avais la meme en rouge en 1975 exellente moto

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Je vous remercie. Vous devriez en obtenir un autre.

[@georgemoskal2098]

Sweet bike, love these machines.

[@peterturnham5134]

I was born 1957, When I was looking for my first bike I looked at a BMW 250 thsTRRRRRRRRRILLat was half of a 500 BMW, Vertical. I would have bought it, but someone 30 minutes befgore had agreed. If so i MIGHT SilllL BE bmw; i Was in the air training corps. With my squadron leader they taught Biges we did bikes. My squadron leader, who had done Germany tolde me, you take a 600 BMW, skim the head in the RAF worrkshops, Loade it with Aviation fuel and it wasz SERIOUSLY FAST.

[@steppenwolf5956]

Lovely!Well done!

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Many thanks!

[@jered2177]

Beautiful bike

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thank you. I really enjoy this bike.

[@Hodado]

Enjoyed the comments

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks.

[@christiandoby9187]

Très belle état...! vraiment magnifique...!

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Merci

[@carlosulloa6399]

Beatiful machine

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thank you.

[@donalfredisaac]

CommanderRevz with all respect I don´t think you went from 40 to 55 hp with just bigger carbs, the displacement must be increased to 800cc to get 50 horsepower, which is what the 800 had from the factory, it´s a great restoration, the bike looks brand new, congrats.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks, you're right. I didn't say the increase of hp was only due to the carbs. I said the improvement in the engines smoothness, acceleration, and idle was due to carbs. Yes, the up 800cc cylinders is the biggest element of the hp increase.

[@bry2k]

If you've outgrown this, I'd like to buy it. 😁 Seriously.

[@sellignomod83]

Nice vid. I am going to see a 1973 R75/5 this coming Monday. I love this bike. Do you have an idea of how much I should pay for it?. Seller say it has close to 30,000KM.

[@MrGranovski]

Heavy flywheel.

[@gomudhen]

Killer bike. Shoot me a message if you ever think about selling it. I’m also in the TCs.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Hi. Sorry I'm not very good about responding to KZbin. Nice to have a fellow airhead lover in the area. I have over 15K into this thing so would lose $ if I sold it now. I couldn't get more than 12K for it. That is maybe even a stretch.

[@441rider]

i have the toaster polaris silver version, just did timing chain gear and asst stuff runs like a top. Seems the /5 make a bit of valve noise under load in 1st and second but heck I'm a BSA guy.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Nice, Would love a toaster. They are so collectable. Ya, Beezers are very agricultural aren't they? Great bikes though. Yes, a bit of top end noise is noticeable from the /5. I adjust my valves routinely, but it's still there. Ride safe!

[@nicebikemate]

Lovely old girl, well done :)

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thank You

[@chrisjung3538]

Yes, j’en ai aussi une, mais avec des cylindres nikasil 800 cc.Mais avec les carburateurs d’origine. Elle a beaucoup de force et est très douce. Maintenant je dépasse rarement 5000 tr/ min. Il n’y a pas besoin. Elle monte très vite à 140 km/h. Après ça va long. Mais ça suffit. J’ai beaucoup de plaisir à rouler avec. J’espère que toi aussi. Je la vendrais jamais. 👋.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Je vous remercie. Oui, je ne vois pas vendre ce vélo depuis de nombreuses années. Je suis d'accord, la puissance est fluide, et vous avez raison, je dépasse à peine tous les 5000 tr / min.

[@twinphill900]

Beautiful 👍

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thank you 😊

[@TheLershChannel]

Nice work!!! What horn is that?????

[@aamirmughal2965]

The sound of the engine is really nice !!! But a question comes in my mind, what if bike falls down or slips, the engine head will hit the ground or not !

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Yes, if you put the bike down, the bottom of the valve cover will take a beating.

[@albeenamelast6620]

Look New nice job, You didn't by any chance add a 5 speed that would make a big difference!

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thanks. No, remains a 4 speed. I do mention that it could use a 5th gear. Thanks for commenting.

[@cspark9186]

Absolutely beautiful bike. Do you know approximately what the 800 upgrade with the cabs cost?

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Sorry this is so late.Thanks, I love this thing! I'm guessing the 800 upgrade, with labor, is around $1,500-$2,000. Depending on where you source the parts.

[@robertparisi1187]

Where can i find the mirrors, i have it off the headlamp bolt, but i cant see anything, nice upgrade to the carb and jug, also my speedometer doesnt work, rebuild? Ur thoughts

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

There are only a handful of folks that rebuild the speedos anymore. Original mirrors can be sourced from Max BMW. They have a nice parts catalog online with exploded view.

[@AKAPhilfish]

If you don't mind my asking how much was the total restoration cost? I have the exact same model and year. It's a family Heirloom and I also want to do a full frame off restoration. Do you have any advice that you'd have given yourself knowing what you know now in the beginning? Thanks for your time. Tim

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Including the $3,800 initial purchase price, I think I'm into this crazy project for around $15K. I ended up having my airhead expert finish the project after I realized I was in a bit over my head and too much time elapsed after I had torn it down. You could do the full frame restoration without the 800cc conversion too. If you did some of the work yourself, you might be able to keep it under $10K.

[@carlodangelo8348]

fascinating... you didn't send it out for balancing? no flywheel swap ? and it runs that smooth ?

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

There is no reason to balance, these run like they run. It's not smooth compared to modern engines, but nice.

[@zeza2775]

beautiful

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@keithert]

What shop did the work? And how much did it cost you for the work not including the bike?

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Charlie Johnson in the suburbs of Minneapolis. Paid $3,800 for bike. Probably have another 11K-12K into it total... parts and labor. If you want Charlie's contact info, let me know.

[@marcwhicher5242]

Can I ask what a bike like that is worth now

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Sorry so late with response. I'm curious too what I could get for it, but I am keeping it so it really doesn't matter. My guess is I could maybe get $12K-$13K for it.

[@dsruddell]

what tires you running on that beast? i have a 73 r75/5 so i got lucky with the big bore and bings

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Yes, a better engine indeed. I have Avon RoadRiders on it.

[@elefnishikot]

R50/5 was 36 HP

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

This was a R60

[@441rider]

@@COMMANDERREVZ 46hp for r60/5. :) 12hp more than a 441BSA and more than a 500 BSA twin.

[@petergregersen5711]

You must have german roots:)

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

I do, but not too connected to those roots. Just always have had a love of the old airheads.

[@jackofalltradesmasterofnon4929]

Wish I would have seen to the end.... more wrong.... From 1970 to now and more modifications that were made

[@BartholomewSmutz]

Very nice but it's no longer an R60.

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

True, but that's still what the data plate says, so...

[@noteasilyoffended4649]

the audio cutting in and out during the ride is unbearable.

[@jackofalltradesmasterofnon4929]

Indicator lights are not correct color..... timing is off for the convert.... just call it what you made it, it's no longer a 60/5.... not a better bike a different bike that you gave 3 or 4 different names to! 😢

[@LeoStarrenburg]

Are those aftermarket peanut valve covers ? They sure look a lot like mine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioHah2VpjLl9e5Y

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Pretty sure they are orig.

[@captlarry-3525]

first impressions are probably not worth spit. If you havent got the mental stamina to actually learn a bike...you are here for something else..

[@alanbstard4]

seat doesn't look original

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Yes, it's new

[@alanbstard4]

@@COMMANDERREVZ did you mean a Heinrich tank for the extra large tank? It was one of 3 companies who made long range tanks for BMW. Lovely bike

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

@@alanbstard4 Thanks. I still love riding this bike. I didn't know the name of the tank, I just knew they made a super large on... figures it would be an after-market product.

[@toddbarnett5260]

Beautiful

[@COMMANDERREVZ]

Thank you. Sorry for the late response.

[@thomasm8699]

Small battery, short wheel base.....can these be upgraded?