40 years in Berlin

[Big Dave]

BMW history piece:

http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.co...otorcycle.html

[Motu]

The flat-twin power unit now comes with chain-driven crankshafts positioned half-way up the engine, four valves per cylinder, and fuel injection.

Far out,that's pretty innovative!!! Bet your average GS owner didn't know they had a double crank!!! I wonder if they are counter rotating? No wonder they can't wheelie.

[Voltaire]

My R75/5 left Berlin in 1971, and moved to NSW. I restored it in 1987 in Sydney and took it to London. Did about 40 000kms of European touring and it eneded up with a bit on the side.
Went to visit place of birth in 1990 a few months after the wall came down.
Moved back to NZ in 1993 and was wiped out on the Rarimu Spiral.
Stored while the owner did the wife, kids and house thing.
Currently on the machine being aligned at F1 in Hamilton.

a few observations:

Did a gearbox swap outside Motobins when it was a shop in the high street...with the tool kit under the seat.

A Volvo with a caravan ( in Sweden) once passed me, turned around and took me into town in the opposite direction to get a tube for my tyre.

I was once tow started by a Trabant in Karl Marx stad as it was below 0 degrees and the bike would not start....do not tie the rope to the bike.

Greek welding lasts about 2 days.... almost two days longer than Turkish welding.

Give way to trucks, especially if they are on your side of the road with their horns blaring.

I once ran out of gas in Greece and a German pulled over in his big Merc convertable and filled up my tank and would not take any money.

Having your boots polished is less cost than having your tyres slashed.

Never say to the pillion " of couse we have enough gas"

German bikers like to wave

Norwegians like to throw things at BMW riders tents....don't mention the war.

[xwhatsit]

Having your boots polished is less cost than having your tyres slashed.

What's all that about?

[Voltaire]

What's all that about?

We were in Istanbul and kids were coming around the hostel polishing shoes, When I went away and got our bike boots they wanted more money....
It was a joke and they got angry and left.
The next day I saw my tyres had been slashed, not badly as they must have had a blunt knife, but the lesson was don't park your bike outside after you have annoyed the locals.
It might not have been them...but....

[Big Dave]

>>German actor Götz George,<<

Boyz George nicht!

[Motu]

BMW trivia - explain EMW.

[Voltaire]

BMW trivia - explain EMW.

if memory serves...Eisenach Motor Werks. Was a BMW factory until 1945.
I saw a few in East Germany , the ones I saw were singles with a red EMW badge.
I think the factory has now reverted to BMW ownership.

check out the Jap version Lilac. BMW sued.

http://www.marusholilac.com/ml2.htm

[Retch]

Interesting piece - well worth the read.