Looking at a 75/7 What to look for? (2024)

Found a 1977 R75/7. 50k miles. What potential problems to look for with this model? Would be my first air head.

thanks

The smartest thing to do would be to contact your local Airheads and get an experienced Airhead rider to go with you to see the bike.

It's not the big issues you'll want help with but the seeming little ones that they hide behind.

Nice

A collectors bike only made a year and a half, late '77 and '78. I have its big brother R100/7, owned it since new, still sitting alongside my newer beemers today. I would ride it anywhere today, without issues. An older one is always an issue with storage and its recent use, if any. A ridden bike regularly is usually, not always, a easier bike to appraise. Do not let the R75/7 get away if you have any reason to think its been cared for. Many items are easily rebuilt, repaired and most all the parts are still easy to get from BMW and others. My opinion is a pristene one is worth around 4-5000$, but perfect. This is more than the new price of'em. They (R75/7)sold new for around 3500$, bare. I paid 5400$ for my R100/7, loaded with accesories in Feb.'78...It has 377000miles on it today, NEVER rebuilt, even my valves are original. BMW built a few bikes then!!! Randy

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m249joe said:

Found a 1977 R75/7. 50k miles. What potential problems to look for with this model? Would be my first air head.

See Also

BMW R75/reviews - CycleChaosBMW R 75 „Sahara”. Motocykl doskonały, który nie wygrał wojny | Świat MotocykliDetailed specs review of 1977 BMW R 75/7 offered up to 1977BMW R75 Sahara – legenda frontowych dróg [dane techniczne, cena, zakup] | Artykuł - Motovoyager

thanks

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1. Check the Vin # to make sure it is what the owner says it is.

2. Send us photo's and other information, and of course "we" will offer some opinions .

Hi Joe

You didn't mention if it was running or not. If it is running, how does it sound; how does it ride? Check the spokes, front master cylinder, all the rubber you can see and make sure no bolts are stripped out...If the price is right, maybe none of these things are an issue. If I were going to pay top dollar I would do as airhead #85 said and get an experienced airhead guy to go with you. Was it maintained well? Does he have receipts for repairs or service? Check the oil and air filter. Of course, ask lots of questions. Those were nice bikes and can still be.

I don't know of any inherent problems with this year and model. I think the only problem would be is if it was not maintained as should be. You should be able to ascertain that after a thorough check.

Last year for the 750, the R75/7 numbered about 2500 for US.

My first new BMW was a 1977 R75/7 in Bronco Metallic with gold pin stripes. 6120884 US production. The 750/7 is exactly the same motorcycle as the 1977 R100/7 except for the displacement and final drive ratio pretty much. I always felt it was smoother than any of the others and quieter with stock pipes. No difference in the ride and handling either. The first /7 5 speeds had some issues but those should have all been serviced away long ago. (I got one that had been shimmed too tight). There were a few service bulletins on the series that year but again...dealt with during normal service type stuff at the dealerships.

If the bike has been sitting a long time even a cheap price going in is no bargain. Parts for these bikes are generally available and this R75 shares components with an extremely long production run of R80, R100/7 and the RS / RT and S bikes too.

I viewed and test drove the bike.

Didn't start real easy. 45 to 60 seconds of cranking. Seller said it has been sitting all winter. Idled rough like one cylinder was missing (even after warm up) No smoking.

Revving it up was not smooth. One cylinder missing. No real power / smoothness during the test ride. Didn't feel like a boxer engine....

Rims very oxidized, rusted seat pan, headlight switch worked sometimes, dripped gas from under the tank onto the top of the engine, center stand tab for you foot to actuate broken off, no major oil leaks but I didn't run it very long.

Tank had a 3" long scratch and a darker color touch up paint was used to fix it. The side covers looked like they were shot with a shotgun (paint chipping all over)

Is it a fixer upper? Yes. Will I pursue it, no. Seller said $4,250.00 is the best price he will take.

Looking at a 1977 R90/6 next. Needs way less work I'm told.

Test Ride

m249joe said:

Is it a fixer upper? Yes. Will I pursue it, no. Seller said $4,250.00 is the best price he will take.

See Also

Informacje techniczne - Historia BMW R75 cz. I

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Opinion here - - - - but for that price it should be in fairly good shape and run very nicely!! Sounds like it will need a lot of work to bring it up to "snuff" . Probably a good move to pass on this one.

Again, just one opinion.

To much of a "fixer upper"

Wow sounds like the bike was neglected for a while. Gas leaking from under the tank and onto the top of the engine is either a rusted out vent tube in the tank or the leaky master cylinder has done its work effectively. That lack of power and miss can mean many things some easy and cheap and others could be very costly. Key switches get lose and if you don't catch them and re crimp or replace them then you better pack a good set of battery cable snips and a fire extinguisher. You can by those seat pans for about $250 but do you really want to. It would have been a decent buy at about $1500-$2300 and not a dime more no matter how rare it might be.

69zeff65 said:

It would have been a decent buy at about $1500-$2300 and not a dime more no matter how rare it might be.

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I was thinking $2k but I didn't even ask him after he said "$4,250 is the lowest I'll go... I don't need the money in a hurry..." It's listed for $4,750.00

The only problem with the experience is that I have ridden a old BMW and now want one... Even if it's for the wife...... (he he for the wife, godda love how we can justify purchases)

This is only a 1983 but in way better shape than the bike I declined. I bought is for $700.00 back in 1990

Here are pics of the R90/6 Not supposed to need anything... Not sure, I might want a fixer upper....

I'm not looking for a collectors item and this sure wouldn't be one (salvaged title, he supposed to have pics of damage before repair)..... I'm thinking of trading a Honda XR650L Motard toward it...

Going to see it tomorrow.

Looked at it, going to pass.... still looking...