BMW R90S 4991205 Nice, riginal, traight as an arrow 1976 BMW R90S. This bike is serial number 1205 out of 1260 made, lacing it within 55 R90S’s of the very last U.S. spec R90S imported into the USA. 1976 BMW R90S’s are considered the best of the three years. Reserve is reasonable. My description of this bike will make it sound worse that it really is, ut the photos should tell the story. Photos were taken Nov. 24, 015. I purchased this bike with the intention of restoring it just as I have done with several other R90Ss. The paint is original except for the left side battery cover. Pin striping is worn off on the seat cowl, ut is decent on the gas tank. Pin striping on the gas tank and seat cowl line up nicely. The front faring has tape pin stripes over original factory paint and I believe the faring is from a 1974 R90S. The silver and smoke colors on the faring are a very good match to the rest of the bike as you can see in the photos. Makes sense since it’s all factory paint. The paint still shines everywhere, ut there are more nicks, hips and scratches on the paint than I can document. There is also a dull area on the paint around the gas cap that is shown in the photos. There is also a large paint blemish on the seat cowl. Every time I thought I would get going on the restoration, reminded myself that factory paint is “only original once” and each time I just could not bring myself to restore good original paint. If one wanted to buy a pint of smoke paint from Holt BMW, ne could easily touch up most of the blemishes. Then get the painted parts re-pin striped. And perhaps some new clear on the gas tank could remedy the dull area. Touch up the frame and you would have an even better looking R90S. Mechanical work has been done. The bike leaked oil very badly from the pushrod tube seals when I purchased it, o I decided to replace them. While I had the heads and cylinders off, he cylinders were carefully measured and only required a new hone. New BMW standard size rings were installed on the stock pistons. The cylinders then received a coat of gloss black high temp paint. The heads received a complete valve job including new guides and springs and a new 3 angle grind. All fluids are fresh and the bikes timing has been set. Carbs were rebuilt using DellOrto parts and were synched using a Twin Max. The R90S fires right up on choke and runs strong, ut is still in its break in period with only 74 miles on the fresh top end at this point (top end done at 84,440). When the engine was apart, could see that the motor’s insides were very, ery clean indicating that this bike has had frequent oil changes in its lifetime.
- Brakes are excellent front and rear. The bike still has its original ATE front brake hoses with their dated rings on the hoses. These hoses do not have any apparent issues.
- The rear wheel has a gouge in it that someone filled with what looks like JB Weld. See photo.
- Left side mirror glass is tired but still works fine.
- Transmission does not have any issues that have been noted. The bike shifts up and down well.
- The trip meter works, ut the reset does not. All other gauge functions are working fine. All electrical items work as they should, ncluding the clock, hich has been converted to quartz for reliability.
- Tires are new Metzeler Laser Techs.
- Wheel bearings front and rear have been replaced
- Driveshaft boot had a tiny hole in it, hich was repaired with RTV silicone sealant
- Seat is in very good condition without any rips or tears.
- There are two tinyinsignificant dents in gas tank and they were difficult to photograph.See photo and keep in mind the scale. Gas tank had been previously lined.
- Center stand toe kick is gone….there is a makeshift toe kick in place.
- New seat cowl BMW roundel added.
- There are a couple of small dings in the mufflers
- There is no key for the fork and seat locks. Not sure why, ut it was this way when I purchased it.
- Frame paint is pretty tired and could use freshening. It has lost its glossiness.
- Both under seat tool trays are there, ut only one is shown in the photos. The tire pump is included, ut it doesn’t work. There is no tool roll or owner’s manual.
I have detailed this R90S as best as I could so you can see its potential. In spite of this R90S’s patina, t still gets “thumbs up” every time I ride it. Nice, onest, olid driver R90S and one of the last to be imported into the USA. I have sold 4 other motorcycles on Ebay now, ncluding 2 R90Ss and one R100S, o bid with confidence.A $250 non-refundable pay pal deposit is required within 48 hours of auction close. Buyer is responsible for shipping arrangements and shipping costs. I will work with buyer’s shipper to get the bike properly loaded for transport. If you have any questions, lease don’t hesitate to ask. Additionally you can call me for more info. Mark 858 775 0359