I just acquired an 1973 R75-5. First problem I have is there are no keys. I have no experience working on BMWs. How difficult is it to get a proper key for the ignition? do the fork, seat, gas cap all take the same key? I know the usual is to go to a locksmith. However I am pretty mechanically inclined and would like to make up my own keys. Any guidance you can offer is appreciated.
All the best!
Mike
AKA 57chevywagonman
Help With '73 R75-5
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Kurt in S.A.
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Re: Help With '73 R75-5
My understanding is that the ignition is called a "nail" and pokes into the top of the headlight shell. Maybe it changed by the late 1973 models??? Anyway, the older "nail" is part number 61 32 8 048 118. MaxBMW can get you one. The other items take a completely different key and should have been the same.
Kurt
Kurt
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57ChevyWagonMan
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- Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2025 5:55 pm
Re: Help With '73 R75-5
Kurt,
Thanks for the advise!
Thanks for the advise!
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Rob Frankham
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- Location: Scotland UK, 20 miles from civilisation up a dead end road!
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Re: Help With '73 R75-5
The ignition key is a very simple design, a universal fit and is available online, complete with the fancy plastic knob.
The other locks use a locking system by Nieman and, when the bike left the factory, all three would have used the same key. Nieman blanks can be obtained online. These are 5 ward locks and, if you know the number, they can be quite easily made by hand but if you don't know the number, then unless you have locksmiths skills, you are going to have to use a commercial guy.... for the first one anyway, after that it's fairly easy to duplicate the key by hand.
On blanks, the Nieman blanks are steel and some lock cutters are reluctant to cut them on normal commercial cutting machines which are really set up to cut brass blanks. A good professional security shop will normally be happy to do it. Alternatively, there are commercially available brass blanks that will fit the keyway and a locksmith should be able to identify one.
This page might help https://w6rec.com/bmw-motorcycle-fork-a ... iman-keys/
Rob
The other locks use a locking system by Nieman and, when the bike left the factory, all three would have used the same key. Nieman blanks can be obtained online. These are 5 ward locks and, if you know the number, they can be quite easily made by hand but if you don't know the number, then unless you have locksmiths skills, you are going to have to use a commercial guy.... for the first one anyway, after that it's fairly easy to duplicate the key by hand.
On blanks, the Nieman blanks are steel and some lock cutters are reluctant to cut them on normal commercial cutting machines which are really set up to cut brass blanks. A good professional security shop will normally be happy to do it. Alternatively, there are commercially available brass blanks that will fit the keyway and a locksmith should be able to identify one.
This page might help https://w6rec.com/bmw-motorcycle-fork-a ... iman-keys/
Rob