Bmw build

[johncade]

So I'm new here and I know you guys can be brutal but any criticism is better than none.. so let me have it.

That being said, I'm a poor college kid who loves bikes of all kinds, but especially the old cafes. Someone gave me a barn kept 1972? Bmw r75/5 in pretty good shape. I don't wanna go way to far from stock, but I was wondering if y'all have any build threads or some good modifications that fit these bikes. I know they aren't the best for a cafe build, buts it's what I have and I personally think it's pretty sweet. Just simple stuff like filters and suspension would be more appropriate than a lot of visual things.. I have searched in the build forum and the general forum for anything bmw and i didn't find anything, maybe the search function on tap a talk sucks though. Anyway, any help is appreciated, kinda just want to find a direction to go with it

Also it doesn't have carburetors (was covered so I think the cylinders are still good) and the oem carbs are really expensive, I was looking to get the mikuni kit for it and was wondering if anyone has experience with that.

It's gonna need a lot of little things like throttle and all the lines and stuff like that so if y'all know a good vendor for bmw stuff let me know!

[Witworth]

Forget clipon bars. Find a later model longer swingarm, a /6 one, I think.
Use the right BMW model OEM parts to build a sporting bike. /75's are very sensitive to tire selection, some brands make model specific ones to suit /75's. Don't try and reinvent the wheel, there are proven mods for these /5's

Danger, is my business."

[steveo]

I've used MotoBins in the Uk many times. Their webste is definitely worth a look. https://www.motobins.co.uk/index.php

[johncade]

That's great, do you know where I can find these proven mods? That's kinda what I want, I didn't wanna go far if at all from stock type stuff. Thanks!

[johncade]

With a longer swing arm will I need a new drive shaft?

[johncade]

Thanks for the suggestion! Definitely will look into that site

[johncade]

Also something I'd like to add is i dont have a lot of money for this, but I'd like a quality bikw.. so my plan is to get it up and running with minimum funds and parts.. then slowly add better parts as I gather money.. is that a stupid idea? Should I just save up and get the good stuff?? I definitely want to ride it as soon as possible.. but if I don't have the best safest parts I'll just ride it around the neighborhood to hold me off

[thechief86]

Spend money for good stuff where it matters first.
Tires and brakes are more important than anything else.
From there, just buy better stuff as you can. If you can't afford to modify
something right with good parts that will actually improve the bike, don't do that mod yet.
You will be glad you did it right.
That bike is cool as hell, don't make it suck because you bought shitty
parts that weren't as good as stock.

[johncade]

Yeah i gotcha.. I guess I didn't mean I was gonna buy a lot of cheap mods.. basically I was asking what the better brands that fit this bike for things like brakes and the important upgrades. How much should I look to spend on the basics? Also I was wanting to look at a complete build so instead of just tacking on random parts when I can afford I can kind of gather a list of my final build, then fix the bike with minimum amount of parts, then add one at a time from my list for my final build. Does that make sense? I kind of want an end goal so I'm getting the right parts as I go along

[thechief86]

Start with tires and brakes, even before getting it running.
That way you won't be tempted to ride on crummy tires.
Ebc brake pads are popular, and you might be able to find a local place to make stainless brake hoses
cheaper than the popular places people are buying race stuff.
I've had good luck with that, anyway.
For vintage bikes, avon roadrider tires come in many of the sizes we use, and they can be had cheap. (Ebay)
They're made in England (not china), and grip the road well, while also lasting for many thousands of miles.
Mikuni carbs are pretty good, and easy to set up and find parts for, but might piss off some bmw purists.
But oh well, you're at least gonna be able to ride and tune your machine, and that's what really matters.
Remember safety is more important than go-fast!