First attempt to start BMW R50 motorcycle in 35 yrs

[dalenacho]

beatiful machine

[peterdeon]

I started one after 13 years and there were great clouds of smoke-why none here

[42bill]

@peterdeon Oh, there was plenty of smoke there. Not great clouds though. I guess you had more oil in your cylinders, which is what gives off the gray clouds.

[harrybaules]

I love the sound of this bike. Who needs aftermarket exhausts with this natural beautiful sound.

[jeffrey19621]

Try that on a Harley not started in 35 years (Diasapointment) . I wouldnt mind owning an Indian or an old harley but my German heritage screams BMW . Thanks for the nice post.

[BarryStephens43]

I have just about completed a r90/6 restoration and will be posting it on YouTube soon. How did you get them to keep the song on the video? It was your video that inspired me.

[42bill]

@BarryStephens43 I went the legal route and contacted Pearl Jam's law firm, and bought the rights to the song for 1 year for $1000. To help me pay for it I asked for small donations and I raised around $300. Then BMW paid off the rest of the $700 in one payment, which was very nice of them! By the way whoever is reading this, the gentleman is referring to my slideshow about the restoration which is another one of my youtube videos.

[d047]

@42bill Inspiration! The MC article caught my eye in Barnes and Noble. Must have been serendipity. I have a 1977 r100rs that was my father's. He passed away in 1982. I rode it a few times after that, but law school, marriage, 4 daughters, etc. Bike has not been started since '84 or so, but has been garaged and covered. Couple questions: What work did you tackle (what was your prior mechanical experience?)? What was total cost? How long start to finish? Ur dad seemed like a cool dude!

[42bill]

@d047 I had never worked on a motorcycle before but I have worked on muscle cars and my father who was an engineer had taught me about every aspect of a motorized vehicle. That gave me the common sense to know what I had to tackle and it gave me a basic understanding. However I could never have rebuilt this bike without my friend Peter who you see in this video. He is one of the top experts on these old BMWs in the entire USA and he has rebuilt dozens of them so he knows every spec by heart.

[utubekundt]

To 42bill ...... Ur a great guy brother..... I hope to be as good a son as you man, god bless you...... Oh and BMWNA should be kissing the ground u walk on

[42bill]

@utubekundt: thanks for such high praise. Trust me though, I am not THAT great of a guy. But I am great at editing slideshows to make me LOOK like a great guy!

;-)

[ChopperCrank]

i caught this story in the latest issue of Motorcycle Classics. Great article. Really enjoying your videos. Just came in from the garage and working on my '77 Yamaha XS650. BMW motorcycles were my father's favorite. He and his frat buddies had a Zundapp in college in the mid fifties.

[42bill]

@ChopperCrank Thanks for posting. You are the first Motorcycle classic reader to comment. MC is my favorite bike magazine and I am very honored to have my story featured inside as well as my bike on the cover.

[PilotComedian]

Bill, thanks for sharing the story of your father and his bike! I only wish that I hadn't sold my 2002 Honda VFR 800 (after I laid it down at low speed). Wish I'd kept it for my one year old son to ride some day--despite my wife's protests.

I wish you safe riding, and a lifetime of smiles as you build a legacy with YOUR children. Be well! And thanks again.

[Leviking1979]

Magic engine sound !!!

[ntcbassman87]

remarkable... i can't wait for my oldest brother to watch your beautiful tribute/work. im hoping it will inspire him to finish my dad's MG. i know he can do it and would love to see him driving it one day. :) thanks for sharing your experience with us.

[42bill]

@ntcbassman87 you should help him out and do it as a family project!

I love those old MG's. First convertible I ever tooled around in. When I was in high school a neighbor down the block was lent an MG for a summer by a crazy uncle to store in his garage. Man if that wasn't the best summer ever!

[TheDouglasification]

wow riding on gravel.

Balls.

I liked your tribute. Heart warming :)

[conniegus]

Very nice video and tribute to your father.  Thanks.

[papahankness]

Great story - i read it first in OTL. nice to get some sound effects too!

enjoy the legacy, you have earned every mile of smiles!

[tbmst2]

how heavy are these bike ?

[42bill]

@tbmst2 - These bikes are 425 pounds or 195kg.

[jameskoolkat]

Why would you put a precious bike up for 35 years? I just got mine and dream about riding! Itz an older Yamaha. This bike is pretty too. I wish mine were all black.

So what you did was like Popping the clutch for an automobile? Can that be done to any bike with a clutch?

Men are sooooooooo smart, would have never thought to do that, plus you need friends to push!

cool beans dude

[42bill]

My father crashed this bike when my mother was pregnant with me 40 years ago. He broke 9 bones and nearly died. She forbade him to ever ride the bike again as long as he lived. He kept that promise until he died this year.

Motorcycles can be pushed started just like cars that have manual transmissions. "Popping the clutch" as you said, once you are moving along, will force the engine to begin turning faster than a kick start or starter motor can turn the crank, & the plugs are now firing too.