quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:


Do you have a heated jacket liner? If not I highly recommend getting one. Plugs right into the SAE Battery Tender cable you likely have. Packs about the same size as a sweatshirt.

I do not, but I'm now considering it. Even with the windbreaker liner in my jacket, that was cold.


My buddy's airhead must be one of the older ones because it has drums front and rear.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:

A 600cc version of my first BMW which was a 1976 R75/6. Nice old bike (other than the brakes).

Early R60/6 had drum brake in front. Later production switched to front disk.

I believe all 60/6 had drum F&R while the 75/6 and 90/6 got discs on the front. R60/7 got a front disc beginning with the /7's in 1977.

quote:

I do not, but I'm now considering it. Even with the windbreaker liner in my jacket, that was cold.

Heated jacket liner is a game changer for riders who ride in cool weather or those who travel much even in summer because yesterday's 77 degrees and sun can turn to 57 degrees and rain and that's cold with wind chill. Ride in that for hours even with layers and you can get chilled to the bone.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

Early R60/6 had drum brake in front. Later production switched to front disk.

I believe all 60/6 had drum F&R while the 75/6 and 90/6 got discs on the front. R60/7 got a front disc beginning with the /7's in 1977.

R60/7 was introduced in third quarter 1976 and did have front disc.

R60/6 was third quarter 1973, for three years thereafter. Although front drum was by far the majority of production, disc was a factory option starting with late production in 1975.

Late 1970s and early 1980s, wife and I lived in Chicago area and were very active members of the Chicago BMW club (BMWMOA Club # 3). Approximately 500 members. The club president at the time was "Sweet Alice." Her daily driver was a blue R60/6, same color as the one in the photo, it definitely had factory front disc, as we had discussed the fairly rare configuration with both her and her husband Joe, who maintained their small fleet of BMWs. They lived in a rural area south of Chicago and did not own a car. When there was snow on the road, Alice commuted (she was a schoolteacher) and did the grocery shopping with an R26 / sidecar rig; the /R60/6 was her normal ride when roads were dry.

Thanks V-Tail I didn't know disc brake was an option on late R60/6's. Thinking back though BMW offered a number of options from the factory including different final drive ratios so it doesn't surprise me.

I recall looking at them at our dealer in late Fall 1976, they had just gotten in some new /7's and he was pointing out the changes. R60 got a disc brake like the others already had, R75/6 became R80/7, R90/6 became R100/7, R90S became R100S, etc. Come spring I was hoping to buy a new R80 if I could save up enough money and sell my Moto Guzzi V7 Sport.

I came up short after selling the Guzzi for less than I had hoped and IIRC with the strong mark vs dollar BMW had another price increase. So I was bike-less without having the funds to buy the motorcycle I really wanted. I happened to look in a Sunday newspaper classifieds and there was a "1976 R75/6, black, mint condition, with only 1,900 miles, for $2,650" and I had a bit more than that amount saved. The seller had overextended himself buying it and wanted to pay off the loan then buy a cheaper motorcycle. He agreed to $2,600 so I accompanied him to the bank to complete the transaction and get the title. I've owned a BMW ever since with the exception of 3 years.

I presume Oak was in your club at that time?

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:

I presume Oak was in your club at that time?

Yes, Oak, Chuck Walus, and Ted Strobl were pretty much the leaders of the tech group. They organized some great workshops. One might be a tune-up clinic, another might be a wheel bearing clinic, etc. The format was, you showed up with your moto at 8:00am, grabbed coffee and donut, and watched the video that gave a step-by-step demonstration.

Then, you went to the supply table and got the parts kit for your year / model, that included an instruction sheet. You followed the instructions for your own bike, and if you encountered a problem or reached a critical point on the instruction sheet, you raised your hand and a member of the tech committee would come over and get you through that step.

A long time ago, but I think the various clinics were held once or twice a year.

I appreciated Oak's technical and repair contributions in the BMW magazines.
I once wrote to him about a specific problem I had with my motorcycle, sending along a self addressed envelop hoping he'd respond. 2 weeks later it came back with his 3-page handwritten suggestions.
A few years later I was honored to meet him at the MOA Rally in York PA.