I got a call a bit ago from a rider in Washington who told me the tale of a 1975 BMW R90S. The bike was not new, it had been ridden by its owner and the guy on the phone for quite awhile and the story was fetching enough that it was not just an interesting bike, but the great tale that went with it.

The owner of the bike and his close friend were riders in the older sense of the word, back in the day of carbs, drum brakes, no ABS or electronic ignition. Rides were sometimes punctuated by mechanical dilemma’s, flat tires and the color of knowing the trip was going to have unplanned interruptions delivered by their steeds. Dealers were fewer in between, gas stations not as frequent and hotel chains were Model 6 and Holiday Inns. It was not a better time, but it was part of the effort that made motorcycle travel less attractive to most and more satisfying to those that lived it. Motorcyclist were less than acceptable to outsiders, it was not a lifestyle event that Harley brilliantly reinvented in this country. It was not better, just different.

And back to the bike. So, long time friends who loved to ride together. Our consigner would visit his friend in the LA area and ride one his bikes while visiting. Out of the fleet of bikes was this 1975 BMW R90S. It had been acquired in 2010, one of those “have to own at least once” bikes on a list. The visitor would ride the bike when he came south when ever they went anywhere and when medical issues started to arrive, would ride the bike to exercise it when it’s owner could not. Years passed and the worse part of having a good friend came about, the lost of that friend to passing. The friend had made a provision in his will that the bike would go to the consigner and when the time came it was arranged to have brought to Washington.

A year of the bike sitting in the garage reminding him of the shared great moments only reminded him of the sense of anger and loss. The bike was in good order, but the sight of it brought the wrong emotions out, not ones that had been intended. A call to Hansen’s BMW led to a call to us. A drive north to meet with the consigner and the bike was brought south to Automania.

As part of the agreement to sell the bike, I asked to have Hansen’s give it their mechanical blessing. It was found that the steering head bearings were in need of replacement and the carbs needed partial cleaning from sitting. I included the invoice from them plus the other records that came with the bike. It is my opinion that the paint appears to be original but I am no expert and would not swear by it. I rode the bike to Rogue River and back and it was a blast from the past. It felt like it was 1976 all over again. It rode great, I loved it. The carbs need to be sync’d possibly, but what a great motorcycle.

The selling price is $8,695. The VIN# is 4980252 and miles are 92,918. For other interesting bikes and collectible vehicles, visit our web site http://www.automaniagp.com 541 479 8888 or come by and see us at Automania LLC, 895 SE Gladiola Drive, Grants Pass, Oregon, 97526. Oregon Dealer DA1287.

Automania LLC is a Consignment Oregon Dealer selling quality, privately owned vehicles including Aprilia, Buell, BMW, Citroen, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Honda, Hummer, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Nissan, Ossa, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa, Classic Hot Rods, Buick, Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet, Lamborghini, MG, Packard, Porsche, Rover, Shelby, Toyota, Triumph, Volkswagen and any other vehicle of interest