Category Archives: MC Build Projects

Chronicles of my Motorcycle Build Projects

1973 BMW R75/5 Rebuild: Replace Swing Arm Bearings & Powder Coat

Posted on by
Reply

In page 02 BMW R75/5 General Tear Down, I show how to remove the swing arm from the transmission and the rear drive from the swing arm. This page covers removal and replacement of the swing arm bearings and races and the powder coating of the swing arm.

Here’s a link to the page I wrote up.

And a sample of some of the pictures.

Cycle Works Swing Arm Bearing Puller Kit

Cycle Works Swing Arm Bearing Puller Kit

Removing the Spacer

Removing the Spacer

Puller Positioned to Remove the Dust Seal

Puller Positioned to Remove the Dust Seal

Progresso Soup Can "Sock" Over the Universal Joint

Progresso Soup Can “Sock” Over the Universal Joint

Powder Coated Swing Arm

Powder Coated Swing Arm

Swing Arm Bearing Parts-Top to Bottom, Inside to Outside

Swing Arm Bearing Parts-Top to Bottom, Inside to Outside, Left is Drive Shaft Side, Right is Shock Side

Shock Side, Bearing Race and Grease Cap Installed

Shock Side Showing Bearing Race and Grease Cover Installed

Swing Arm Bearing Installed

Swing Arm Bearing Installed

Dust Seal with Sleeve Installed

Dust Seal with Sleeve Installed

1973 BMW R75/5: Refinishing Rear Shocks

Posted on by
Reply

I removed and inspected the Boge rear shocks to see if they could be used. I really wanted to retain the stock chrome shock covers if possible. I decided they are still serviceable, so I refinished them including powder coating the springs and removing the deep scratches in the shock covers. I wrote up a web page on this you can find on the right side of the page, and here is the direct link to it.

Below are a couple of the pictures included in the web page write up.

Dull, Dirty and Scratched

Dull, Dirty and Scratched

Hose Clamp Spring Compressor

Hose Clamp Spring Compressor

Shackle and Spring Removed

Shackle and Spring Removed

Polished & Powder Coated Parts

Polished & Powder Coated Parts

Refinished Shock

Refinished Shock

1973 BMW R75/5: Refinishing the Transmission and Rear Drive

Posted on by
4

I just posted two web pages about this work with lots of pictures in the column on the right side, and here are the direct links:

I did not rebuild the rear drive or transmission, just refinish them.  I did have to work on the transmission kick start and shift lever tapered bolts as they were very hard to remove due to scratches and burrs.

Here are a couple of the before and after pictures from the web pages.

Rear Transmission Grunge

Rear Transmission Grunge

Top Transmission Grunge

Top Transmission Grunge

Bottom Transmission Gunge

Bottom Transmission Gunge

Polished Parts

Polished Parts

Refinished Transmission Rear

Refinished Transmission Rear

Refinished Transmission Top

Refinished Transmission Top

Refinished Transmission Bottom

Refinished Transmission Bottom

Refinished Transmission Left Side

Refinished Transmission Left Side

Rear Drive Before Cleaning

Rear Drive Before Cleaning

Brake Shoe Orientation

Brake Shoe Orientation

Refinished Rear Drive Brake Shoe Side

Refinished Rear Drive Brake Shoe Side

Refinished Rear Drive

Refinished Rear Drive Outside

1973 BMW R75/5: Repairing Stripped Threads in Handlebar Assembly

Posted on by
Reply

As I was putting the handlebar assemblies back together, I discovered a stripped thread in the casting that holds the pinch bolt. I did a HeliCoil repair, which is the first time I have had to repair threads in an expensive part.  

I wrote up a web page on the repair you can find in the column of web pages on the right and here is the link:

Here are a couple the pictures I took along the way.

Striped Threads & Compression Bolt

Stripped Thread & Compression Bolt

Threading Heilcoil Tap

Running Tap in from Back Side of Assembly

Threading Insert into Tapped Hole

Threading the Insert into Tapped Hole From Backside of Assembly

Here are the finished left and right hand handlebar assemblies with new powder coating and polished levers.  I think they are going to look very nice on the new handlebar.

Assembled Left Side Clutch Assembly

Assembled Left Side Clutch Assembly

Assembled Right Side Throttle Assembly

Assembled Right Side Throttle Assembly

1973 BMW R75/5: Renewing Cylinders, Valve Covers and Heads.

Posted on by
Reply

I wrote up a web page on this that’s in the column on the right and here is the link.

I sent the cylinders, valve covers and exhaust nuts for bead blasting and send the heads for a complete rebuild to Randy Long.

Here is a sample of the pictures I took.

Bead Blasted Cylinders, Valve Covers and Exahaust Nuts

Bead Blasted Cylinders, Valve Covers and Exahaust Nuts

Rebuilt Heads

Rebuilt Heads by Randy Long

Airbox Covers, Before Polish & After

Air Box Covers, Before & After