My passion for BMW motorcycles began at an early age as my father owned a BMW R69S – of course in classic black with white pin-striping. I remember how smoothly dad shifted through the gears as we rode together in and around our locality in the north west of Tasmania. After my father’s untimely and tragic passing, decisions about his estate were in the hands of others and this machine unfortunately left the family to a new owner – along with dad’s helmet and riding gear. Who knows, maybe I’ll find that machine one day…
Later, as a 17 year old, I met my Uncle Herbie who, at the time, was living on one of the British Channel Islands, Jersey. Herbie owned a 1981 BMW R100 that he had purchased from new. I loved riding on the back of that bike as Herbie raced from one end of the island to the other. Of course, visiting one or two of his favourite pubs along the way. I indirectly inherited the motorcycle – it’s a long story – and brought it over to Germany. Sometimes I gently pat the seat – it’s still the original cover – and giggle thinking about my skinny, 17 year old bottom clenched tight as I hung on for dear life… Especially during the ride home from the pub. When I ride this bike today, I think about my beloved Uncle Herbie and this makes me very happy. But the rust and general decrepit state of the machine does not, so this will be a comprehensive restoration project moving forward.
My first BMW was a metallic red K100 from the original series – mine had a very low frame number. A mechanic at the time noted that the machine ran exceptionally smoothly. Did BMW blue-print the first production engines..? Who knows..? I had this machine repainted in black with lovely orange and yellow stripes and took it with me from Europe to Australia in 1988 – unfortunately having to sell the bike to finance my return trip. I have thought about trying to find this machine too and buy it back. I’m clearly a sentimental old sod.
Apart from my heirloom “Herbie”, I also own a 1996 BMW K1100RS and a 1999 BMW K1200RS and it is those machines that form the focus of this blog. I’m absolutely certain that my son would much prefer to inherit a BMW S1000RR one day, but…