Just brought this home yesterday, a 1973 R75/5 LWB with 27K original miles on it. While this is my 4th BMW motorcycle (Pair of 1200GS, K1600GTL) I've never had one this old.
The backstory on this bike is that it was traded in this past Saturday to Motorcycles of Dulles (authorized BMW and Triumph dealer) in Chantilly, VA. My pal Ken owns the dealership and he circulated a photo of this bike to a few of us asking us if we could give him an idea of what it was worth? It had previously been fully and professionally restored by someone in Ohio, and the owner had it outside under a cover. His wife died unexpectedly and he never touched the bike for seven years. And seven years under the cover has taken a bit of a toll on it. Then, he met someone new and decided to get back into motorcycles and traded it in on a new BMW at Ken's place.
I drove over and bought it on the spot. Good winter project. The carbs are seized, the battery is stone dead and of course the tires have to be replaced. All that is on order. Then once I get it running I'll see if I can start working on the corrosion and oxidation on all the aluminum parts. I have to decide how extensive and pure to make the bike, but first order of the day is to get it running.
What I do find amusing is how this R75/5 looks so small next to my 2014 R1200GS.....it feels almost like a toy.
-Duane Collie
