Abandoned German Motorcycle - Full Classic Restoration
I think 90% of you voted for a classic rebuild on this old airhead so here it is! Just to recap I found this 1978 BMW R80/7 for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Floral City, Florida. It was severely neglected and looked like it had been sitting outside under a tarp in the same spot for years! The owner claimed that it ran when I talked to him on the phone but when I arrived at his house he was unable to get it started. He cranked it over many times so I knew it was not locked up but continually cranking eventually drained the battery. I used this to my advantage to negotiate the price down as the bike was not worth the asking price in the condition that it was in.
Once I got the bike home I noticed a lot of bad wiring connections along with the smell of really bad gas. I bought a new battery and spark plugs and cleaned up the questionable electrical wiring. Then I drained the tank and poured some fresh gas in. To my amazement it actually fired up pretty easily. It is really a testament to how tough these bikes are! Upon further inspection I found a registration sticker that was dated in 2006 so I'm assuming that is the last time this bike was on the road. By the looks of it I would bet it was decommissioned even longer than that.
I hope you enjoy the video of me bringing this bike back to its former glory with a few small upgrades along the way. Let me know what you thought about this classic restoration and also let me know what bike build you would like to see on the channel next! #timelapse #motorcycle #restoration
Thanks for watching! If you want to see more details about the build head over to my instagram @baycityrestorations
Custom Cafe Racer Parts - www.caferacerwebshop.com?ref=baycity
See the links below for tools/products used in this video (Paid Links):
Custom Top Triple Clamp - thecycleshed.myshopify.com/pr...
Custom Fork Nuts - thecycleshed.myshopify.com/pr...
Replacement BMW Emblems - amzn.to/3iVh9L9
Black Paint - amzn.to/3soIBns
Paint Stripper - amzn.to/3CW45wJ
Saddle Bag Fasteners - amzn.to/3yXelTc
Pressure Washer - amzn.to/2VkOLbU
Foam Cannon - amzn.to/3yGZf3P
Foam Soap - amzn.to/3yCS2Sg
Degreaser - amzn.to/3hQ88RA
Wire Wheel Brush Set - amzn.to/3k6udMQ
Multi Purpose Cleaner - amzn.to/3qThK20
Detailing Brushes - amzn.to/3i4kaqT
Microfiber Wash Mit - amzn.to/3AFOXme
Rust Penetrating Oil - amzn.to/3wAKNsJ
Evapo-Rust Treatment - amzn.to/3yAca7p
Rubber Mallet - amzn.to/3qT4CKu
BMW Exhaust Nut Tool - www.euromotoelectrics.com/EXN...
All Maintenance Items - www.euromotoelectrics.com
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Hi everyone! Thank you for checking out the video on bringing this BMW R80/7 back to life! Below are some links that may be helpful for anyone looking for parts/tools used in the video. Don't forget to comment and let me know what kind of motorcycle you would like to see built on the channel next! Custom Cafe Racer Parts - www.caferacerwebshop.com?ref=baycity Custom Top Triple Clamp - thecycleshed.myshopify.com/products/triple-tree Custom Fork Nuts - thecycleshed.myshopify.com/products/bmw-airhead-fork-tube-caps-70-84 Replacement BMW Emblems - amzn.to/3iVh9L9 Black Paint - amzn.to/3soIBns Paint Stripper - amzn.to/3CW45wJ Saddle Bag Fasteners - amzn.to/3yXelTc Pressure Washer - amzn.to/2VkOLbU Foam Cannon - amzn.to/3yGZf3P Foam Soap - amzn.to/3yCS2Sg Degreaser - amzn.to/3hQ88RA Wire Wheel Brush Set - amzn.to/3k6udMQ Multi Purpose Cleaner - amzn.to/3qThK20 Detailing Brushes - amzn.to/3i4kaqT Microfiber Wash Mit - amzn.to/3AFOXme Rust Penetrating Oil - amzn.to/3wAKNsJ Evapo-Rust Treatment - amzn.to/3yAca7p Rubber Mallet - amzn.to/3qT4CKu BMW Exhaust Nut Tool - www.euromotoelectrics.com/EXNut-Wrench758-p/exnut-wrench758.htm All Maintenance Items - www.euromotoelectrics.com
What did you use for cleaning the saddlebags?
New
Paris
Rally car
Looks great. Loved the sound of that old airhead at 44 seconds in. My first serious bike was an '83 R65; I kept that thing for 25 years. I have an R1200GS now but I'm wanting another airhead. Nice work.
Amazing I can’t believe how amazing that bike turned out I could watch your restoration videos all day
You’re bikes are awesome and you make the videos even better by posting all the products you used and answering everyone’s questions. No questions today just giving you the respect you deserve! Cheers!
Really appreciate it! Thanks for watching! 😁
I can`t begin to tell you how many times I said, "Oh my gosh", after you made the different changes. It`s always a joy to watch someone save a beautiful old bike like this one. As long as it gets taken good care of, this bike will give you or someone else many years of enjoyment.
Looks great
Thank you for staying so close to OEM/stock: too many of these truly capable motorcycles are being ruined by clueless hipsters who turn them into "caferacerbobberscramblers". Ride it in good health.
If I see another plywood flat board seat I'll puke.
Shame you couldn't find original front indicator lamps
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with that opinion.
The first thing I thought was, "he's gonna "restore" it with a bobber seat, r6 forks, and ebay cone filters." Thank you Bay City Resto for not abusing the word Restore!
Exactly my thoughts.
Another amazing restoration by BCR! Love to see these old motorcycles back on the road!
That's how to do a video. One improvement, less talking.😁👍
And even less of the Muzak, he has a great taste in motorbikes but…
THAT is a proper bike. Great job.... I was unsure about the change in seat at first but looks terrific. Love the matt finish exhaust also.
I drive my 80 R100T just like yours looked (with all safety items replaced of course). BUT, I do love the restored look as well. Great Job!
Great job! This BMW is a fantastic motorcycle and is worthy back it to life. Congratulations!
Que hermosas las motos alemanas!, Increíble ese trabajo!, Saludos desde Mendoza Argentina!
I love what you did with the seat, and the bungee cords on the panniers is genius.
These motorcycle restoration videos are an inspiration, and I can`t get enough. I have noticed a fair amount of Suzuki Intruder big twins from the 90s hitting the market and I recently picked one up. It came out of Wisconsin and has a little corrosion, and I am taking it back from the abyss. It would be a gas to follow a build on one of these machines.
New build will be revealed in the next few weeks! I think you will be happy with the next bike
I love what you did with the seat! One of the things I loved about older bikes was the flat, long seats they had. After a few miles, it was nice to be able to move your butt back a few inches and change position a little. Unfortunately with the increasingly stepped seats these days, it's impossible to move around on long trips. 😞
Da hast du Recht.Manche modernen Dinge sind Verschlechterungen.
That is a satisfying video to watch... I can only imagine the pleasure of riding the motorcycle after the restoration was done... and the boxer engine sounded better that I expected... great work!
Thank you! I am very happy to rescue this one.
Back in the mid 80s I did look at a really nice R80RT & almost bought it. Lovely slowish touring bike with a great riding position. Well engineered.
What a fine presentation in restoration procedure of this motorcycle. The clarity of your work is a pleasure to see. This was a very good deed accomplished for this machine and for it's next owner. There is so much of latent value discarded in this world so seeing this take place brings me great joy.
I am the type that doesn’t like to throw anything away if it can be restored/repurposed. Glad you enjoyed the video!
These bikes are treasures. I would feel like a king riding of these old machines. Excellent restoration by the way.
Thank you very much!
two things that you should look for on an old bmw like this one. check the rear drive splines that drive the wheel. they frequently need replacement. i had this done on one bike and the cost was about $800. they wear due to improper lubrication of the splines- very common. also valve recession is a problem on 70's and early 80's vintage bmw's, particularly on the R100. they were designed for leaded gas and bmW's first attempts at an unleaded conversion, starting in 1980, did not work very well. the last pair of heads i had overhauled cost about $600 for the set. These are the two main issues that I have encountered (My knowledge comes from having owned 9 BMWs since 1977. ( I currently have 5 of various years from 1964 to 1983).
A whole lot of work to go through it and fix everything, but when you k ow the value, all your work is a labor of love ❤️!! Th end result is amazing, and they're so fun to drive! All your time money and effort is so well worth it!
I not only enjoyed watching you bring back to life this cool bike, I learned lot of stuff! Great job, awesome skill! Thanks for the links.
I appreciate you checking out the video! Glad it was informative 👍🏻
It makes me feel I can take my ‘75/6 apart and do more than routine maintenance to it. I have experience with cars and lots of medium level DIY repairs but not so much on motorcycles HOWEVER, I do all my maintenance on my road bikes and mtb’s. Your videos really give me confidence that I can work on the BMW … except for wiring! Lol - that is my weakness. I love your videos and your dogs too!
How anyone could leave a cool bike like that out in the weather to ruin is beyond belief. Awesome job on bringing it back to life 👌
I know man it amazes me what people do to these bikes sometimes! Just glad I could save this one.
Great restoration. I love that you kept as many orig parts as possible. And the tank...it looks great and I think a repaint would be a loss. So what if it shows some sun damage. Nice work and great video quality. Thanks for sharing.
The paint doesn’t bother me. I would leave it if that was the only problem. There is some pretty bad rust underneath and some questionable patches done by a previous owner. In order to preserve this tank and have it last for years to come it needs to be stripped a properly treated/repaired.
Thanks for this awesome restoration and a very enjoyable video. As an employer of BMW here in Munich, Germany, I really appreciate such work. Always glad when an old bike gets a second chance for an appropriate existence. Ride safe . . .
Appreciate you checking out the video!
You do a really good job on a very neglected R/80. From total neglect to top shape is awesome!!
Amazing, congratulations! I wish some day I'll have the skills that you have to do some restorations myself :) On to the next one now!
Get a cheap motorcycle and start taking it apart! That is how I learned to work on things in the beginning.
Nicely done restoration, good job!
Impressive restoration Mike, the bike has been given a second life. You will enjoy this for a long time and I am looking forward to your next project!
Thanks brother! I think I might have found the next bike but I won’t know until Saturday if I’m going to buy it 😬
@@BayCityRestorations Haha tell me what bike is it 😁
I restored one of these for someone a few year back. Lovely bike. The owner has a large collection of bmw motorcycles, I wish I had some video documentation of it.
That bike started in decent shape. Nice job.
Great work Mike. Love a cafe/bobber build but love seeing a good OEM resto just as much 💪
Thanks Scotty! Original resto was great but I’m ready for another custom job! 😏
Great restoration! What you did with the seat , and the panniers was fantastic ! As someone already mentioned , keeping it mostly stock, beautiful.
Appreciate you watching!
I used to own an R60/7 in college, I was the only guy I knew who wanted BMW. Why did I? Because I was busy and damn sure didn't have the time between work and school to be constantly fiddling with problems. How I wish in my old age I'd kept that bike! Reliable, smooth, it was the most car-like bike I ever rode. To these old eyes these BMW machines are so much more attractive than the overstyled silly ones now--just as with their cars!
I agree! You see a lot more of these old BMWs around than just about any other bike. A true testament to the quality of engineering that went into them.
@@BayCityRestorations I'm so proud of my German heritage here in Texas. It's not just BMW or Zundapp, it's Daimler-Benz, VW, Braun, Bosch--to think that this little nation, through self-discipline, has caused 2 world wars and is the most powerful nation on a continent. But the BMW bikes, particularly those from my youth, are amazing. The first one I ever rode on was in the sixties on an R69S owned by an uncle. It converted me; the 2nd car I owned in high school was a white BMW Isetta with that modified 300fcc motocycle engine...
Make the tutorial how to clean metal and plastic please. Your job looks just unreal and amazing!
Buy a sandblaster, or make one. Not much plastic crap on a Beemer.
Great job! BMW bikes are my favorite! They are the Rolls Royce of bikes. Thanks again!
It truly takes a craftsman to create something that beautiful I ride a 2190 model I feel like I have a bit of connection keep up the good work
The best restoration for this legendary bike. Congratulations. Hats off guys
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Nice work Sir, a real restauration with cleaning and fixing, not just "replaceoration" as often seen. In the name of the traditional German motorcycle, I'd like to say "Dankeschön" for bringing it back on the road!
Appreciate it! Thanks for checking out the video.
Love what you did with the seat and the idea with the cords on the cases is out of this world! Not sure about the indicators on the front though, too small for such a bulky bike. But overall a nice restoration.
Royal Enfield 650's have similar indicators.
Nice job! I once owned an R75/5 1971 short wheel base. This bike handled beautifully. It too was 'classic black' with twin white pin lines. I got very excited when I saw this vid. Thanks for rekindling some great old memories.
Awesome! Appreciate you watching
Beautiful work. Motivates me to restore my old Kaw.
great outcome. well done, but to be fair I didn't see any restoration being done; all I saw was disassembly and reassembly with minor cleaning in between. this is how you chose to edit the video; thats fine but at least show us how you panted the frame or cleaned the struts or renewed the starter, coils and cutout.
I feel happy whem I see those old bikes come to life again...Great restore!!!!
We love to bring them back! Thanks for watching
It's a real meditation watching you working and restoring that beautiful 🏍️ ,good job
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
LIKE!
Pro tip: always show the final product first in the beginning before the build process. otherwise, audiences skip to the end and you reduce your chance of retention.
No spoilers on the finished result!
Couldn't believe it started and sounded so good prior to you restoring it. I abused a 1974 BMW R90S and caused unintentional oil leaks in the valve covers way back in the mid 70's. I was just 16 at the time. Those cylinders dragged in the banked corners of the country roads I was riding on. Those were great motorcycles that handled and braked superbly compared to everything else. The 78 R80/7 is a great motorcycle too. You did a great job restoring it to the point where it was safe to ride but not overly restored.....enjoy that bike!
I was amazed at how easy it was to get the bike running after it had sat for all that time. They are truly impressive machines! Appreciate you checking out the video!
Good job. I'd love to restore one of those old airheads.
Awesome 👏!! Restore thanks!! For people like you!
Great restoration job. Beautiful bike. Been looking for an R80/7 to buy and ride. 👍🏍🇨🇦
Thank you! 🙏🏻
The best thing ive seen for ages. What a top job. What a lovely bike. Really impressive.
Appreciate it! 🙏🏻
Nice to see people and talent ... on the classics. Nice job!
Growing up my dad always had a bmw. We saw bikes like this all the time at the bmw rallys, brings back some memories. Very nice job, looks great.
Thank you!
Beautiful job. Looks effortless with you doing it. I know it probably took a full week. Great job
I love it. Back in the day I put over 100,000 miles on a 78 R100/7 and 85,000 miles on a 78 R80/7 and my favorite bike was the R100 but the R80 was the smoothest and very pleasing to ride. It is too bad that the Mayer "Day Long" seat could not be salvaged.Those were the best of all seats to put on a /7. Also, I always used the Reynolds Center stand as I see on this bike as they offer more stability, however if you do canyon burning that Reynolds center stand could be a hazzard. Enjoy that bike and your vid sure brought back some wonderful memories for me. I am now 72 and still ride and have a 1994 K75, and a 2004 K1200GT. I also have a 2007 HD Electraglide Standard that I like very well. But the 2016 Indian Dark Horse is one of my favorites these days. I also really like the 2015 Kawasaki Ninja ZX14R and riding it makes me feel young again. You might say the motorcycle thing is still in my blood. Thank you for sharing that vid as you have no idea how much it meant to me
Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for sharing your own experiences!
Great job! A work of love! Some say that the R80/7 was the smoothest, therefore longest-lasting engine of all the Boxer Twins. Nice bike!
Thanks for watching!
Wow you brought that BMW back to life. Awesome job..
Mike, you have great skills and a talent we all can both admire, and envy. You have a great future. I cut my teeth learning to tune an old R60 for a doctor who owned it many years ago. I was trained by Butch, a master tuner, and the son of any old German man, "Pop" L. Butch was a precision tuner. Doc toured Canada with the R60, and I was so proud when he pulled into the shop after a long run, asking for the kid who tuned it last. He was picky about who wrenched on his BMW. Those guys are surely gone now, R.I.P.. I later burned up the road getting to Daytona for bike week on a tricked out R90, a few bucks, toothbrush, and some spare underwear. I thought I was the King. Now you're the King. I admire your work. Your machines bring back fond memories. Time for me to dust off my old Snap On boxes out in the garage, and specialty tools. Many thanks. I'm in Tampa a lot and would love to see your work first hand. Ever do a Brit Bike?
Appreciate you sharing these stories Chuck! I'm sure it was awesome to work on these bikes back in their prime. I get satisfaction knowing these vintage bikes will see the road for many more years after I am done with them. I have never worked on any brit bikes but am definitely not opposed to it. I primarily just jump on whatever deals pop up locally it doesn't matter the model. It just so happens I've been hooked on these BMW's recently :)
Stunning, fantastic video thank you
thanks for watching!
Excellent Restoration Work. I would like a video of Old Abandoned Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki motorcycle .
Wow Bay City! You've got me wishing to be 49 years younger again and free of Osteoarthritis. Yep I'm thinking that R 100 and I could get reacquainted. Be safe guys. All the best to you.
Much love! Thank you for watching!
@@BayCityRestorations Your very welcome brother. Credit where it’s due. You guy’s did right by that R 80. 👍. Would like to see you gentlemen do a restoration on a Yamaha XS 650. I owned 3 of ‘em over the years (one was a parts donor). They were a good handling, strong running bike for a vertical twin. Yamaha addressed the issues of the British bikes that they resembled like that god awful Lucas electrical system. That was a good bike for a ride on a nice balmy autumn day and a good winding, hilly, two lane country road. With decent tires I could lean her over in a curve and she was just as sure footed as a mountain goat. No surprises. I guess that played a part in why they were such good flat track and cafe racer bikes. That engine was damn near bullet proof. Yamaha had a winner with that one and with the popularity of the reborn Triumph I’d say Yamaha would do well to consider a Gen 2 XS maybe in a larger engine.
I have never owned/worked on a Yamaha XS but it is definitely at the top of my list for bikes to own. If I came across one for sale at the right price I would definitely buy it.
I had a '72 R50/5. Good little bike. Easy to work on. Simple to clean. But too slow on the freeway. Had a hard time getting to 70-75. So, I traded it in on a 2005 K1200LT. Barish Motor Worken. Designed and Built by riders for riders. Nice restoration. Compliments to you.
Very, VERY NICE man. I owned an R 100 several years ago. It sure was a good bike too.
You have done a superb job! 👍👍
Great work by the way. Media blasting the dull looking engine parts and wheel hubs would make for an even more impressive restoration.
Beautiful and very nicely done!
Very nice restoration. Thanks for taking us along.
I appreciate you watching!
Lovely job, you gave it a new life without losing sight of the old bike's character. If I was allowed 1 request it would be to restore the coach lines to the mudguards as somehow they are part of the character
I appreciate it! I think if I restore the tank I will probably do new lines on mudguards and the tank.
I was wondering about the lack of involvement with the engine; glad it was running before you started in. Beautifully done. It will run forever. A keeper.
Budget wasn't in it for me to completely overhaul this bike. Goal was to get it running and riding enough so that someone else would want to buy it and invest the money to take it the rest of the way. Thankfully the new owner of the bike did do a complete engine rebuild and also repainted the tank so it really is a beautiful example of an R80 classic now. Another bike rescued from a surely rusty demise!
As the former owner of R60/2, R50/2 and K1200LT Beemers I really enjoyed watching the restoration. 👍
Awesome! Thanks for watching!
very neat job . truly impressed
Thank you! Cheers!
Nice result. Well done resetting the hideous seat. Presumably the mechanical restoration of engine, carbs, brakes, suspension, etc was done off camera? Would have been great to see that as well. Wonder why not reuse the original front indicators.
Just started a similar project! Great job on the classic restore!
Appreciate it! Good luck with your project!
The latches for the side boxes were awesome, they even look OEM Great job, makes me wanna go out and buy an airhead, lol
I appreciate it! I love the old airheads
Very impressive work and a great bike
really nice job on the rebuild! look forward to your next build!
Thank you! Working on a 1979 Suzuki GS850 now. Hope to have some videos of it soon!
Great Job, well done! The Boxer Engine sounds great...
Thank you! They are tough engines! Did not take much to get this one running even after sitting for all that time.
"Modern Situations" is going to be stuck in my head for God knows how long.
Very nicely done, this is the sort of bike I would buy “as is” and use as my daily rider.. 🙂
The seat! 🤩 Outstanding work!
Thank you! Seat looks and feels much better now!
Good looking old bike . Great job.
Hermoso trabajo. Felicitaciones.
I clearly remember those bikes from when I was a kid. What a bike and what a find.
It is amazing the amount of abuse they can take over the years and still keep running.
Well I really, Really, REALLY enjoyed that. You have a gift for making things clean. I like you left the engine badges bare, they look classier, but I particularly love the aged 'pattena' effect on the tank top, it almost looks REAL ! Well done, a Quality Video. .
The patina is real, it's caused by having a tank bag, which was normal on touring BMW's.
What a fantastic bike to rescue and restore.looks fabulous fellas
appreciate it!
Very nice. I’d be keen to see a video on how you restored the finish on your Krauser bags.
Great job well done i love old bikes
So Jealous when people find these old abandon motorcycles.. Nice work on a old BeeMee.. I remember my dad had a R75 I believe that had a blown out Transmission. To this very day, I wish my dad kept that BMW.
Inspiring work. Thanks for sharing.
Appreciate you watching! 🙏🏻
Impressively accomplished , congratulations on a well done project and presentation.
Thank you!
I like how your fixed things instead of replacing everything.
the restorestoration is done well, well done!
Really good solution to the OG panier fasteners 👍
I love the look of this bike. Just the right amount of patina for a cared-for survivor.
Thank you!
memories... brought this model new in 1987. had many other different makes and models before and after... z900 z750 xs1100 gl1100 jota gsx750 gt750.. and so many others.. wish i still had them but .. BMW R80/7 was my favorite..
It is a hell of a machine! And a great ride!
Wonderful video. I increased the speed to double and it speeds up the adverts too . Tip for the day .
Lovely to see the classic BMW shape again -lovely sound too - glad you lost the King n' Queen seat !! ( I fitted one to a CX500 and it looked so bad I sent it back - and i couldn't reach the floor !) Wales UK.
Appreciate you watching! That king and queen seat had to go!
@@BayCityRestorations I rather like the old style BMW with the separate frying pan seats - that can look good too !
What a great bike and a great job of restoration!
Thank you!
Really enjoyed watching this! Well done. Glad you kept her mostly stock - well done!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video
Nice!! I enjoyed watching! Inspirational too!