Property of a deceased's estate, 1971 BMW 750cc R75/5

"Prices were still considerably higher outside Germany in comparison with British or Japanese models, but the quality was regarded to be superior on the BMW motorcycles with engine power and handling now much on a par with the competition." - Knittel & Slabon, Illustrated Buyer's Guide – BMW Motorcycles.

The long-awaited replacements for BMW's long-running Earles-forked flat twins - in production for some 15 years - finally arrived in 1969 in the form of the '/5' family and are notable as the first BMW motorcycles to be built in the company's Berlin factory. As well as a telescopic leading-axle front fork the newcomers featured a lightweight welded duplex frame, both of these innovations having been first seen on the Bavarian company's ISDT machines in the early 1960s. Large drum brakes were used front and rear, as before.

The engine too had come in for extensive revision and was effectively all new, now employing a one-piece forged crankshaft and aluminium-alloy cylinder barrels while carrying its camshaft below the crank. Coil ignition and 12-volt alternator electrics were other new departures for the Munich firm. The new '/5' models came in three capacities, the variation being achieved by different bore sizes in what were otherwise virtually identical machines. The R75/5 produced a claimed 50PS (49.3bhp), which was good enough to propel the 419lb machine to a top speed of 110mph. With their large (64-litre) fuel tank, flat seat and kicked-up silencers, the '/5' models looked bang up to date, and these handsome German thoroughbreds are highly collectible today.

The HPI records the year of manufacture as 1971 and the date of first registration in the UK as 23rd March 1973, this matching numbers R75/5 will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent after a period of storage (last ran c.2020) and thus is sold strictly as viewed . Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding. We have been advised by the private vendor that the speedometer was replaced in 2020 and thus the actual mileage is unknown (the current odometer reading is 1,269 miles). No further history is available. Offered with a current V5C Registration Certificate.
Offered with key