All R series BMW motorcycles are powered by their iconic flat twin engine. This engine layout was first used by BMW in 1923 and it is still in use today in modified form.
Engines up to 1995 were all air cooled (air heads). From 1995 the engine changed to have 4 valves per cylinder and had oil cooled cylinders (oil heads). Later still water cooling and fuel injection was introduced.
(Image from Cycle World)
The classic /5, /6 and /7 bikes were produced between 1970 and 1985. The bikes were very similar but with gradual improvements being made and appearances being updated over the years. Over time, drum brakes gave way to discs, engine capacities increased, points were replaced with electronic ignition and later on full fairings were introduced.
The table on the left and images below sum up the key differences between these classic models.
R50/5
(Wikipedia)
R90S
R60/6
R100/RS
(bmwblog.com/)
R series bikes from 1969 to 1995 were powered by BMW's type 247 engine.
This engine was different from its predecessor for having the camshaft mounted below the crank rather than above. This raised the cylinders slightly to give better cornering clearance, whilst still maintaining a low centre of gravity for the overall bike.
(Image from racingcafe.blogspot.nl)
Old BMWs Motorcycles are popular classics and as such there is good support with numerous forums to help new owners, good spares service and an active club with tool lending scheme.
The UK BMW club forum can be found here : www.forum.bmw-club.org.uk/
There is also a very comprehensive list of BMW bikes, including specifications, paint codes and photos at : www.bmbikes.co.uk
Duane's BMW site have many good maintenance tips and documents : http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/index.htm check the "/5 and later models" section.
There are also a huge number of technical articles on this website by Snowbum : http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/technical-articles-list.htm
To find out more about all the Boxer BMW's this book by Ian Falloon is a good read.
It covers bikes from the 1923 R32 to the 2004 R1200GS, including the well respected road bikes and also the adventure models, cruisers, racers and tourers.
The book covers the models chronologically. There are lots of colour photographs of all the bikes in the boxer range and good technical write ups on the differences between models.
ISBN-10: 1859609635
ISBN-13: 978-1859609637
This /6 bike was purchased with 80,000 miles on the clock in part exchange for the much loved Honda S90. The Honda had been fun and reliable but was lost on the open road. The larger BMW also opened up the possibility of adding a sidecar.
Being a '76 model it possessed some improvements over the earlier /6 range including deeper oil sump, larger camshaft diameter, strengthened gearbox housing and improved/lightened valve gear.
I also came with Krauser panniers and was finished in Avus Black with white pinstripes.
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