BMW R60/7 restore/build

Had a couple of bits turn up this week that I think I'll need for the MOT, new number plate and mirrors. The existing number plate was clearly made in the days before laser printing and advanced plastics as water had got into it and the ink had run.  I thought I was going to need the V5 doc (still waiting for the DVLA), but I was able to buy one on eBay with a disclaimer that I was not to use it for anything illegal...  I was worried that it was going to be crap, but when it turned up it was great.  5 minutes with the drill to put some mounting holes in and I was done. I also received as set of used mirrors to replace the knackered ones that came with the bike.  I only need them for an MOT (I'll get some nice ones later), so I bought some from a guy on eBay.  He described them as "Bought for an R65 but wouldn't fit around master cylinder, would probably fit an R60" - they we £10 so I figured I'd give them a go.  They're actually Japanese and have a lef...

Tried to get a charge in the battery that came with the bike last week and discovered that it's completely dead.  I ordered a new one that arrived during the week and got around to installing it today.  When I opened up the package it came with 1 liter of battery acid which I though would be plenty, but when I poured it in, it only came to half full. Not knowing if half full was bad for batteries I decided to take it to the local bike shop (usually avoid these guys - NOT cheap) who thought it was a battery for a car initially, but put an additional liter of acid in for me anyway - it cost £4 which I was pretty pleased with to be fair to them. Old battery - WD40 can for scale Once the battery was filled and charged it fitted with no problem and after a LOT of cranking the bike fired and ran for a short time!!

Some pictures from the first weekend when it stopped raining long enough to go outside Suspension spider seeks new home Always fancied a beemer Hubs, spokes and rims looking a little grubby.  Disc and tyre in surprisingly good condition I remember these Aircooled! Rusty Rockers, now that takes me back Mmm, shiny (once) What was I doing back in 1997? Mmm, oily

So a few years ago I started getting into more a more retro style of bikes, and developed a particular interest in 1970s BMW airheads.  I friend of mine had one buried in a shed and whenever I went around there I'd suggest that he should sell it to me.  Anyway, a little before Christmas 2015 I received and email that said "Are you still looking to buy a BMW Boxer as I am now ready to sell mine." so I jumped at the chance. With one thing or another going on, such as selling the Enfield to make some space, it was actually Feb2016 by the time I took delivery, but I've been working on it since.  Will I be bothered to continue this blog of my build?  I don't know, but I guess we'll see. Bye bye, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 EFi Oil change video A cold February morning, 2016 - yay, new bike!