My 10cts

[Petrus]

Because it is só beautiful



Note the mufflers.
Although technically, apart from the telescopic front fork, not a progenitor of the R18, styling wise it spawned many details of the classic BMWs and the R18. Take a look at the rear drive mounting in the hard tail p.e.

 

[Mr. Efficiency]

Because it is só beautiful

View attachment 20450

Note the mufflers.
Although technically, apart from the telescopic front fork, not a progenitor of the R18, styling wise it spawned many details of the classic BMWs and the R18. Take a look at the rear drive mounting in the hard tail p.e.

I can’t even start to imagine what it would cost to make that bike today

 

[Petrus]

I can’t even start to imagine what it would cost to make that bike today

I do; to remake this one it was about 1 million €.

 

[Noelpolar]

If a 1m euro is a bit much 40,000 euro would get you both of these over here at the moment...... if single I'd be tempted.... though, by buying them I'd be single pretty quick.....

 

[kate_brett]

I saw this and couldn't not think of you..... some serious air inlet drama.....

View attachment 20049

Somebody enquired about exhaust on this bike - possibly from Badland Black ( Badland.black - Japanese manufacturer of this style of exhaust ).

 

[Petrus]

@Noelpolar The R26 is one I owned in the past. Lovely and excellent quality but rather heavy for the engine. Would not buy one.
What´s more I already have a 1939 Nimbus (with sidecar),
With the base R18 I have ticked just about all boxes as it is véry much the classic BMW look but with modern everything.

It is a bit like with the Vespas: I have a 1982 P200E DN MotoVespa as classic and a tuned 2019 Primavera 125 for Vespa yet modern everything.

 

[Kevin Duffy]

and now while on the subject of being bored and ALi-express, what about a sump guard? Seems a good idea with a plastic sump and low ground clearance. Anyone fitted it?

https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005008389147225.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.4048583bp2q1zV&algo_pvid=2c649722-5f6c-46bb-b2c7-4071113505b7&algo_exp_id=2c649722-5f6c-46bb-b2c7-4071113505b7-0&pdp_ext_f={"order"%3A"12"%2C"spu_best_type"%3A"service"%2C"eval"%3A"1"%2C"fromPage"%3A"search"%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21EUR%2129.20%2118.69%21%21%2133.48%2121.43%21%402103890917672661816935866e1fc4%2112000044820198144%21sea%21ES%217030950466%21X%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29911%3Bd%3Ad262082b%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&curPageLogUid=b4gXIxy2Ice2&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005008389147225%7C_p_origin_prod%3A

Hi I have fitted the same sump guard, I do not think it will affect cooling but I will monitor this, also it is not a straightforward fit, the rear bracket required significant modification to make it fit on my bike as there is a bracket supporting a component hanging from the rear fixing holes of the rear of the engine, I am unsure what this is but it looks like a solenoid, maybe for the reverse gear, if anyone knows what it is, please share.

 

[Star-Lord]

I've looked at these types of products as extra weight and extra money that really isn't needed on an R18; I don't see a lot of R18 owners, taking their R18 off road.

If this was a GS Adventure forum....then, yeah..!! I could see the appeal..

Hopefully none of us riders have to worry about hitting something capable of damaging the oil pan... The oil pan will be the least of our worries..

Stay Safe...!!

 

[Petrus]

It is indeed a bit superfluous but I cán imagine the thought I shared too as the R18 is a bit low and also the long wheel base makes it not unimaginable for it to bottom.
Decided not to but go for a third wheel instead
On the weight front that is heavier still but I could take the side stand off

 

[Petrus]

My childhood friend likes classic motorcycle magazines and every few years sends me all his old ones.
Éver so enjoyable reading out on a local terrace in the sun with a Málaga vino de Montes.

The bulk of the articles is about a time I actively líved and people in that world back then.
Very nostalgic with two somewhat unsettling aspects:
1. there is almost religious reverence of everything Isle of Man TT races; that they go there as a pilgrimage. I actually raced there myself, later my wife too and she lost her life in it.
2. in just about every other magazine there is an obituary of a bloke I knew.

My first proper bike was a ´56 Norton TYpe7 Dominator and the above mentioned friend rode a Harley Sportster 1000. The gf then was a wonderfully keen wíld thing. It was after all the mid seventies.
I wore, all year round fur lined bomber boots and a late model fur lined bomber jacket from the army dump. Garden gloves and open faced helmet obviously, in chrome
Nowadays over here in the sunny south again using the yellow gloves so..... ordered a chrome open face helmet
Ah also have a set of fur lined low boots a pair of high ones. Not from the dump this time but Hugo Boss no less.

Lasty that wild girl. She has three adult kids and lives 3k kms north.
I have split up with my wife so there is a vacancy. Not very realistic though as at my age even a 20 years younger one is middle aged (pre) menopausal.

Anyway, nostalgic chrome helmet under way!!!

 

[Petrus]

Chrome helmet has arrived and is the dog's bollocks.

Wanted to check a few historic facts from back of the day. After three collected reprinted period road tests dug out five 'Vintage Road Test Journal's . Write ups of re-tested vintage machinery.
Kind of that these were published in ´75-'76. Almost contemporary with the last of the above mentioned road tests!
These re-tests are in a way even more interesting than the reprints because they add mid seventies perspective to at thát time already vintage (read pre ww2) machinery.
Also the tester's at the time modern waxed cotton gear is now vintage too.

 

[HUNTS]

Chrome helmet has arrived and is the dog's bollocks.

Wanted to check a few historic facts from back of the day. After three collected reprinted period road tests dug out five 'Vintage Road Test Journal's . Write ups of re-tested vintage machinery.
Kind of that these were published in ´75-'76. Almost contemporary with the last of the above mentioned road tests!
These re-tests are in a way even more interesting than the reprints because they add mid seventies perspective to at thát time already vintage (read pre ww2) machinery.
Also the tester's at the time modern waxed cotton gear is now vintage too.

View attachment 21231

Pic of helmet

 

[Petrus]

BLÍNG

 

[Gr8adv]

Back to sidecars for the moment. Still no top speed testing weather.

Fitting a sidecar to the R18 is going to cost 7k up.
Buying an EFi Ural sidecar 2WD outfit will cost me 10k.

The former will also loose me the solo bike, the latter will gain me 2WD and between lies hassle vs ready to roll.

Just for fun

 

[Petrus]

Bought myself a luxury ISDT jacket. Total contradiction in terms but still true.

Found a period photo with the riders gear. Not for me though...

 

[Petrus]

fitted the El Cheapo anologue clock. Painted the housing black so only the ring around the dial is chrome, just like the speedometer.

 

[Petrus]

The glowdots are not the highest quality but do glow in the dark for some time. Not that it matters much it at all, but it is a point mentioned in the sales blurp.

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

Not a lighted face?

 

[Petrus]

Not a lighted face?

For 10€ incl. shipping?? Náh. Also unwanted complication.
Today out for a ride including the A-7000 down and up. The clock looks totally OEM
Me pleased indeed.

 

[Petrus]

Today set my watch to match the speedometer