Time to restore a 1970's classic.

[@nathantaylor120]

Great interview. I`ve been looking forward to this one. I`m Nathan, the mechanic that worked on the bike for Deb. Deb is an inspirational person. In my job I see a lots of different people with different bikes and they all have a story, but Deb`s really stands out. When she first told me what her intensions were, I was a bit concerned and I may have even made an attempt to talk her out of it. Old bikes can be cantankerous and quirky and these characteristics can be difficult for returning riders. It would`ve been simpler to buy a modern bike, but Deb was undeterred. Getting her old BM back on the road was an integral part of her journey. When it was finished. She joined the local historic club, registered the bike, and headed out on her first club ride. Met knew people and gained all her confidence back. Nothing has (or was game enough) to stand in her way. It really has been a joy to watch.

[@BikerTorque]

Hey Nathan, thanks for watching, and well done on the restoration, Deb's airhead looks and sounds fabulous and he story is an inspiration, you should be proud of the part you played in getting her bike back on the road.

[@zonoscopePictures]

I notice some black tape on the headlamp ring... a little trick I learned on my airhead BMWs is to drill a small hole through the headlight ring and bucket and use a sheet metal screw to keep the headlight from popping off! (I drill the hole around the "5:00" point to it's underneath so to speak and not obvious)

[@teamground0229]

@@zonoscopePictures Riding with a friend to a bike show, pulled up to a stop light, and my headlight was resting on the fender. We pulled off and friend taped it up with electrical tape. Matched the black bike. Your comment reminded me it is still taped 2 years later. Will try your tip!

[@take5th]

I got to flog a r75/5 for a couple of summers in the 1970s. I was a kid, and my girlfriend and me would ride everywhere, even off-road. I could get the front wheel up with a power shift into 2nd, but not very high. Lots of memories. Great machine.

[@BikerTorque]

Very cool!

[@cw7422]

Two friends had a R90S and a R75 in the mid ‘70s. I bought my first bike as a mid-life crisis but there were R’s to be had. I got a Moto Guzzi V7 III Special.

[@BikerTorque]

I’d love an R90S in the garage. The Guzzi V7s are great bikes also. How long have you had yiurs

[@perrystalsis55]

What a great video: you've put a smile on the face of an old biker! ☺

[@BikerTorque]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching

[@josephnowicki-p6v]

I took my 1974 r60/6 off the showroom floor and still love it. Made some significant changes such as mikuni carbs and Boyer electronic ignition mostly because of unleaded fuel. Running better than new. R90 intake tubes fit nicely. It was difficult to find a used BMW at that time because they last forever although did ride a bvw!

[@BikerTorque]

Some sensible upgrades there, thanks for watching

[@allanmorgan7022]

A great story. I haven’t many R60/5s around over the years. Mine was first sold in new Perth in 1973. I am the third owner for the last 34 years.

[@allanmorgan7022]

I left out “seen” before “many”

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks for watching. Is you /5 still going strong?

[@allanmorgan7022]

@@BikerTorque The original electrics didn’t have fuses. I am adding fuses and some wiring after a harness meltdown. The tank needs some panel and paint work but otherwise it us mostly well.

[@charlesbradley2943]

What an incredible lady & a beautiful, stock BMW bike.

[@BikerTorque]

Couldn't agree more!

[@gerokron3412]

Cheers from Munich! Old airheads are the very thing, nuff said.

[@BikerTorque]

Absolutely, spot on, thanks for watching

[@lugge1540]

Very nice story, I wish the lady many more trips with her BMW. Greetings from Bavaria

[@BikerTorque]

She’s still got the R60/5 but has also added an R100 to the collection. Thanks for watching

[@kdsowen2882]

Great video Ross .Deb ,around 6.5 the old guy dragging his feet...is holding you back ! I had the same bike, same year . The 73's often have the 'side-cover' tabs on the frame (earlier ones Never came with them , or had that option ) You can buy them new out of Germany, in stainless with black 'slits' . They look really sharp and change the look of the bike . The 600's are arguably the smoothest of the older Airheads , your bike looks beautiful I must say . When they tell you that you need new carbs, because the float-valve-seats are 'gone' (they are pressed or cast-in and Very-difficult to replace ) , take a small ball-bearing from a bicycle, drop it onto/into the seat-hole, use a suitable punch, give it a few good 'raps' , the worn, out-of-round hole will be round again and a new needle will make it last a few years before you repeat the process Dave NZ

[@BikerTorque]

Good tip re the carbs. They are beautiful bikes

[@trevormartin5459]

Great video and the R60 looks gorgeous.I'll bet that Kawasaki weaved because of the screen on the front.I once put a cockpit fairing on a 750 Honda F1 and had exactly that problem.Thanks for taking the time.

[@BikerTorque]

Interesting note about your Honda doing the same thing. You are certainly making your way through our videos, thanks for watching

[@kdsowen2882]

That's exactly what I thought, seen it before . Dave NZ

[@BDHO73]

Another nice bike. It’s great she was able to get it back on the road.

[@BikerTorque]

Certainly is, love seeing these older BMWs on the road. Deb’s such a character, had a lot of fun filming this episode

[@NoelSquitieri]

My first BMW (second bike) was a 1970 R60/5. Wish I still had it.

[@BikerTorque]

They are wonderful bikes. Thanks for watching

[@robwhite461]

What a great lady, and her Bloody Marvellous Weapon !

[@BikerTorque]

Absolutely, Deb’s a wonderful person, and that R60 is a cracker.

[@guidominikus5012]

beautiful goodonya Deb..can wait to get my R75/5 back on the road :)

[@BikerTorque]

Nice one. How long have you had yours?

[@ianspoetry9751]

What a lovely story. I sold my R65 when kids came along. Had a couple of bikes since but the 650 was a little gem. Safe riding and again, loved the vid.. thanks.

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it. Sorry to hear you sold you R65. I still have a 1984 R65, still is my favourite bike.

[@mickcook9277]

Isn't it funny, all those powerful bikes out there and in the end the chilled ride is the most fun....

[@BikerTorque]

100% agree, we get to ride all kinds of modern bikes through the channel, but the bike that gives me the most joy is still my 1984 BMW R65, underpowered, probably, but it just makes me smile.

[@ThrottleDownunder]

Fantastic Ross. What an inspirational Woman she is.

[@BikerTorque]

It’s a good story getting her BMW back on the road.

[@RoadsOfOz]

It is always great seeing people come back to riding.

[@BikerTorque]

Hoping to get another story out with Deb soon

[@andrewhurst9770]

Your videos are some of the best I’ve seen. Nicely edited with a mixture of different shots, the story flows and there’s as much about the owner as the bike. Some interviewers try to do half the talking. Your style of just hearing the subject speak is really great.

[@BikerTorque]

Andrew, thanks so much for your kind words. I am definitely passionate about good storytelling as much as I am about motorcycles. Glad to hear you enjoy the content.

[@baumie461]

Love old stored, forgotten, garaged bike's getting a 2nd lease on life! Great bike, great yarn, especially the wheelie part!🤣👌👍

[@BikerTorque]

It’s was a great story about the wheelie. Agree great to see these much loved bikes back on the road.

[@JR-bj3uf]

In the 1980s I was a mechanic at a BMW, Norton, Triumph dealership. I did mostly British bike work but I personally owned a BMW R60/5. It was a great bike. The only things that took some getting used to were the soft suspension, the clunky shifting and the way it sat up under acceleration or fall under hard braking. I put a lot more miles on my R90/6 but I just owned that one longer. (when you work in a bike shop you are tempted to trade up when you can.)

[@BikerTorque]

Yep that’s always a temptation, but both the 90/6 and 60/5 are cool bikes either way

[@JR-bj3uf]

@@BikerTorque They are great bikes. Bullet proof as long as you do the maintenance and the diode board stays in one piece.

[@wesleycardinal8869]

Great to see some of the ladies talking about their bikes 👍🇦🇺

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks for watching, happy to say we have quite a few stories coming up with female riders.

[@Rockinbiker1946]

Love the airheads, I bought 3 new in the 70s, R50/5, R75/6 and an R100/7. Wish I still had them. I did have 2 oil heads later an RT and GS but they didn't have the feel of the older airheads.

[@BikerTorque]

Agree there is just something about an old airhead that can’t really be described. I still have my 1984 R65, will never sell it, still my favourite. Nearly bought an R75/5 toaster a few years ago, kicking myself that I didn’t buy it. Deb from this video has also recently bought a R100RS which she is also enjoying.

[@fernandomagalhaes2957]

Sometimes I miss my 1990 R 80 GS...Alternatively I whatch videos like this one. Thank you.

[@BikerTorque]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@teamground0229]

Love airheads! Only wish they appreciated. Guess it makes it affordable to grab up a true classic that is durable and rebuildable.

[@BikerTorque]

Pretty sure if you had an R69S or an R90S you’d turn a profit. Some of the prices they are fetching is incredible. But agree, I absolutely love airheads also, still have one in the garage sitting next to an oil head.

[@teamground0229]

@@BikerTorque Those are the choice models for sure. Ordinary models are great bikes, but do not fetch much money, even the S model that is not an R90S

[@DispatchMoto]

I'm in love with these bikes and now I'm in love with Deb. Great video, Ross!

[@BikerTorque]

Cheers thanks for watching. I’m also a big fan of R series beemers. Stay tuned I recently caught up with Deb again to shoot a short video about her new bike. I think you’ll like that one also.

[@kevinstenner8836]

I love riding my 1971 R75/5 , but unfortunately traffic over hear in the UK is a nightmare, so just go out very early Sunday morning part of the year when not raining and light early morning.

[@BikerTorque]

Not sure I’d cope riding in the UK. We pretty much have about 11 months of the year that’s great riding weather, the exception being from about mid January when it can get just a touch to hot

[@georgemoskal2098]

Great old bikes, had one for years, like an old pair of slippers.

[@BikerTorque]

Absolutely agree with that

[@yves3560]

An R50/5, R60/5, R75/5... doesn´t matter, they all give ultimate satisfaction..

[@BikerTorque]

Spot on.

[@jeremyharris5102]

I had a Kawasaki gpx 750, same problem weaving at high speed. Apparently a design fault not picked up at the press launch. A dangerous machine. Love the video 😁

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it. Not great that the fault wasn’t picked up.

[@jeremyharris5102]

There is a video on utube done by moto magazine, in france where they explain that Kawasaki new there was a problem with the bike and the press launch was done in an area where the necessary speed would not be reached. Mine started weaving at 180kph, at 175 it was fine . Very unpleasant. I always believed that it must have been in an accident before I bought it, so there we go

[@UncleLongbeard]

another brilliant episode with a lovely bike

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks for watching glad you enjoyed it

[@boatman222345]

It's amazing how differently two people can experience the same bike. I bought a barely used 1968 BMW R 60 in 1970 for a ride from Albuquerque New Mexico to LA and from there to Vancouver BC. The bike only had 1,500 miles on it and had been customized with Bates saddles, and side cases, plus the owner had hand made a plexiglass windscreen. While the bike started instantly (side kick) and provided a smooth vibration free ride I found it heavy and difficult to manage. Whenever I managed to to place myself in a dead end situation I had a difficult time backing the bike back out. The side kickstand provided by the manufacturer was completely useless as it was so short that the slightest bump or wind gust would tip the bike over. The center stand worked well when parking;g the bike but it took a good deal of oomph to rock the bike forward off the stand when attempting to get back underway! Last but not least, while negotiating the winding West Coast Route 1 it was very disconcerting to experience the torque effects when backing off the throttle. All told I rode the bike a bit more than 3,000 miles before deciding to switch to,a lighter more agile bike. I paid $1,050 for it with 1,500 miles on the clock and sold it a year later with 4,500 miles for $1,000 in 1971.

[@BikerTorque]

That’s interesting

[@paulreed3716]

Wow..nice vid..that was my first bike absolute beaut..still have a pic of me on it😊

[@BikerTorque]

Cheers thanks, glad to hear you enjoyed it. Lovely old bikes those /5s. What do you ride now?

[@Zulu_117_ST]

Great interview with Deb! What an inspirational female rider!!

[@BikerTorque]

100% inspirational CVO.

[@williamwoolcock]

The later /6 had a 5th gear-big difference.

[@BikerTorque]

👍

[@flatfour7506]

Wonderful story. Your bmw fits you perfect. Really looks great.

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks for watching, these old BMWs certainly are great looking bikes.

[@BigBert]

Another awesome rider story, and what a beautiful bike a great restoration 😎👍

[@BikerTorque]

Yes beautiful restoration, I’d really love to have a mid 70s R series one day. Thanks for watching

[@murdoc4794]

NIce video. I have the same bike. Deb, do yourself a favor and pick up a set of Mikuni carbs from Rocky Point Cycle. Hands down the best thing I ever did for my /5. Better idle, accelleration, top end, and fuel ecconomy. Easy upgrade and amazing results!

[@BikerTorque]

Mikuni’s on an airhead? Surely that’s a crime in some countries. Just kidding, good tip. How long have you had your /5? Thanks for watching and taking the time to make a comment.

[@murdoc4794]

@@BikerTorque Right? I know. But after 25 years of fighting with the darn Bing's they are a breath of fresh air! And they look the part. Just wish I had done it sooner. Will NEVER have to wrestle with tuning those stupid Bing's again!

[@BikerTorque]

@@murdoc4794 but that’s part of the fun.

[@murdoc4794]

@@BikerTorque Okay, I'll let you have all the fun. I'll be on the road. Cheers

[@BikerTorque]

@@murdoc4794 😂😂😂 actually I’ve got to be honest, in 23 years I’ve never had a issue with the Bings on my R65, same with the R80 I used to own.

[@flamhit]

What a great story to tell, and the bike looks fantastic.

[@BikerTorque]

Even if the cylinders do stick out the sides Phil?

[@flamhit]

@@BikerTorque Oh is that what they are, I thought they maybe leg warmers!

[@BikerTorque]

@@flamhit they do double as leg warmers.

[@Vegesaurus7]

Another great interview! Love your work.

[@BikerTorque]

Cheers Joel

[@andikarkalake3750]

Sehr schönes Motorrad.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@BikerTorque]

Agree 100%👍

[@hachewie]

Loved my XS1100. Cool episode Ross.

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks Chewie, how’s the new Kwaka?

[@hachewie]

@@BikerTorque It's been at the mechanic. I put it in and then he got covid. I will get it tomorrow or Saturday. Can't wait. Haven't ridden it in two weeks.

[@johneastman1905]

The dynamics of a bikes ride has a great deal to do with the front tire …

[@BikerTorque]

Good point, but the engineering of these old beemers does make them handle very well.

[@grayharker6271]

2, 73 r75 toasters and a 66 /2 Life without a boxer is not worth living!

[@BikerTorque]

100%, love a boxer

[@dandrechesterfield5411]

I've got one of these. It's not running great right now but I will hopefully find a mechanic someday who can help

[@BikerTorque]

I’m sure it won’t take much to get it back up and running, that’s the great thing about R series beemers.

[@garyyoung9956]

Hi Try Motobins or Motoworks in the UK for parts much better price even with postage

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks for the tip

[@michaelgillett5477]

Made a mistake I sold my 1976, 600/6 195,000 miles. I bought the bike at 65,000 miles then took it through to 195,000 miles biggest mistake of my life I’ve got other motorcycles. Yes I’ve got my old BSA first bike I ever wanted love it to bits but my whole series 6 600 just pushed all the buttons I’ll put it on eBay and a chap from Poland bought it shocks don’t have to miss it. Enjoy the video it’s not quite so sunny in UK though . Michael

[@BikerTorque]

Thanks for watching Michael, glad you enjoyed it. We have another short video with Deb coming up in a few weeks, she’s still got the R60/5 but has added another airhead to the collection

[@vr3467]

What a beauty :) are the mirrors original?

[@BikerTorque]

Pretty sure the mirrors were new Halcyon’s.

[@shaunhall960]

I'll be getting my first bike and it's going to be a BMW.

[@BikerTorque]

Nice one

[@stephenminohara2519]

I'm 62. Not ridden a bike for 40 years. Can't afford a car. Thinking of getting an old airhead R60. Only thing on my mind is ' whats the wife going to say!!!!!!. Advice please.

[@BikerTorque]

Either don’t tell her or get a new wife.

[@joseoliveiraoliveira1550]

Vou comprar uma r60/5.

[@BikerTorque]

Nice one

[@granttheband835]

👍👍👍

[@BikerTorque]

👍

[@williamwoolcock]

Short or long wheelbase?

[@BikerTorque]

Long I believe

[@josephnowicki-p6v]

Are you missing the side covers?

[@BikerTorque]

Pretty sure this model came with something side covers as an option

[@nikitis13]

What a cool chick.

[@BikerTorque]

100%

[@colinstokes4398]

mufflers are on the wrong side. who needs more than this?

[@BikerTorque]

In truth, very few riders would need more than this bike has to offer, and in addition it’s seriously cool.

[@adamrog6327]

Why are bmw motorcycle so expensive

[@BikerTorque]

Because they are built to last

[@adamrog6327]

Even the new ones