R75 Converts

[Freiwilligen]

Does anyone know what type of BMW I could convert into an R75? Excluding CJs, please, I don't want the hassle of importing. I know that in the '70s, BMW made R75/6's, but I don't know if they're even a little similar. Thanks!

[phylo_roadking]

Your best bet is actually chasing down a Russian flat twin, a Ural/Cossack/Dnepr - all of which came as sidecar combos as well - AND the ural IIRC can still be bounght new and cheap. It's what most film companies use Later BMW R75/6s are completely different - the generic "75" is just BMW-speak for 750cc.

[Freiwilligen]

Thanks again. I came across one of those Dnepr models last year in a lemon lot, but didn't know I could use it for this.

[phylo_roadking]

Remember the bike chase in the middle of "Escape to Athena"?

[gdmoore28]

Go with Phylo's advice. I looked into converting a modern Beemer to WWII appearances, and it just does not work out moneywise. You're much better off investing in the "real" thing -- ie, a Ural, et al.

GeeDeeEmm

[Freiwilligen]

I looked on the Ural website. Do you mean their 'Retro' model?

[phylo_roadking]

Search and pick up a 2nd or 3rd-hand item. The "Retro's" sidecar is fine, but the bike's getting a bit too "up to date" these days. The older bikes are far more realistic than the new items and FAR cheaper. I'd be suprised if in the end you don't pick one up to be revived for the price of the petrol to take it away! Yes they require a lot of "love" but they're still btter than a CJ There are a couple of EXCELLENT owners clubs about for technical support

[phylo_roadking]

P.S. are you QUITE sure you can't get a CJ in the U.S. ???

[phylo_roadking]

For example - here's an old M72 Dnepr...as you can see - JUST needs a coat of paint to look the job!



The sidevalve BMW was actually licensed to the USSR between 1939-41 IIRC. Part of the exchange programme in the background of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

[phylo_roadking]

THIS is the 1970s-1980s Dnepr MT-9 OHV 750 so beloved of TV and film studios.... I'd be suprised if you can't turn one up for less than three figures.

As you can see - the ONLY non-BMW-like feature is the positioning of the front mudguard, but that won't beyond anyone's skill to fab up mounts on the (steel) sliders and mount down on the tyre.

[phylo_roadking]

Just found

http://www.scooterbob.com/changs.html

THIS!

[bigshoe]

Scooter bob has an outstanding reputation. There is a fellow on flea-bay who sells dnepr's who also has a good rep his id is mbrown1952. He currently has nothing up for sale but he does have numerous rigs in various states of assembly. There are 2 urals in town I have looked at a gear-up and a retro, great bikes but way too much work to convert. An older flat head dnepr or cj would be easier
Tom

[BMWR12]

You cannot convert any of these bikes to look anything like a BMW R75. The CJs and very early M72s can be made to look nearly identical to a R71 if you have lots of money to throw into them. A new made R75 can be made using all the repro parts available in Europe. The cost is almost as much as a real one $30,000.

[phylo_roadking]

The Wehrmacht used the R71 as widely as the R75. Unless reenactment groups have a spare £15,000 to spare, an R71 replica is as good as a 75 - AND the advantage of coming with a decent spares' backup, shop support, and a warranty if bought new! Late-war units wouldn't have much choice in what they were issued new or reconditioned - given that the Wehrmacht left a LOT of sidecar combos up to their sumps - and beyond - in Russian mud

[Freiwilligen]

P.S. are you QUITE sure you can't get a CJ in the U.S. ???

Well, my second driving force (a pun!) is that I'd like it to be street legal. The BlitzBikes guy doesn't really answer that on the website.