So, my dad bought a 1978 R80/7 new in 78. It was brown, the only color he could get at the time. Dad got rid of that bike a few years later and bought an R100/7. He got rid of that bike when I was about 12 or so. He didn't have a bike for years until about 1994 or so. Someone he worked with ended up with the first bike dad bought and she was having issues with it. Long story short the 78 ended up back with dad.
So we tinkered here and there with it, rode it occassionally and ended up putting it 'away'. Dad bought a Honda, then a K1200LT (which he still has) and rides regularly. A month or so ago we took the old 78 to a BMW motorcycle mechanic here in Chicago to get her 'road worthy' again. I'm 39 and dad is 62 and we both have a love for BMWs from that era. Well the bike needs more that I expected but that's ok. It'll be ready to ride once we get it back.
My question is this.... the bike has character. The paint isn't perfect, the chrome needs work, the plastic is faded.. everything you'd expect from a bike that's 30+ years old. After we get it back I'm debating making it pretty again, though pretty is a subjective term. Do I go for it, or just ride it?.... I can't wait to ride it but am thinking it would be nice to clean her up a bunch. Lot's of memories of this bike and I'm keeping it, forever.
What do you think?
So we tinkered here and there with it, rode it occassionally and ended up putting it 'away'. Dad bought a Honda, then a K1200LT (which he still has) and rides regularly. A month or so ago we took the old 78 to a BMW motorcycle mechanic here in Chicago to get her 'road worthy' again. I'm 39 and dad is 62 and we both have a love for BMWs from that era. Well the bike needs more that I expected but that's ok. It'll be ready to ride once we get it back.
My question is this.... the bike has character. The paint isn't perfect, the chrome needs work, the plastic is faded.. everything you'd expect from a bike that's 30+ years old. After we get it back I'm debating making it pretty again, though pretty is a subjective term. Do I go for it, or just ride it?.... I can't wait to ride it but am thinking it would be nice to clean her up a bunch. Lot's of memories of this bike and I'm keeping it, forever.
What do you think?
