2000 February 21 (Monday)
It took 16 months, but the bike is ready to come off the stand. That happens tomorrow. It’s been statically timed. Tomorrow we’ll get the final timing done and balance the carbs.
Carl came over with his view camera to take some pictures before it gets dirty. I created a seal ring for the fuel petcock by filing down one that was close - the original part is NLA at my local BMW shop.
Joe Groeger had an R69S emblem which I installed today.
I do still need a period mirror. Until I get one I’ll bolt a modern after-marker mirror to the front bars.
License
License plate
I think I’ll keep the ratty license plate to remind me of what the bike looked like. I found my 2000 sticker and put it on the plate after snapping this picture. It’s ready for the street.
Pictures
Picture time
That’s Carl under the cover, getting the focus the view camera just right for the next shot. I can’t wait to see the results.
Happy owner
Bike on stand
Bike on stand
Bike and me
Bike and me
Bike and me
Looks good, doesn’t it. I wonder why I’m smiling. Tomorrow (after the bike is running) will be the time to smile.
2000 February 22 (Tuesday)
Paul came over with the ramp and we wheeled the bike off the stand. I added a gallon of fresh gas looking for leaks around the fuel petcock. Apparently my home made seal ring did the job as it seems to be gas tight.
Key down, stand on pegs and start kicking. About 8 kicks later it roared to life. Wow.
Got the idle speed approximately correct and equal vacuum at idle. Some minor clutch adjustments were needed and then I rode around the block and then back into the driveway. Paul and I loaded his stand into the back of his van. He had to leave, so I wheeled the bike into the driveway and took some pictures similar to those I took the first day I bought the bike. You can see them here.
I need to check/adust the valves again once the bike cools down. Then I’ll put a timing light on it and see if the dynamic timing needs any adjustment. After that I’ll play with the brakes some more and take the bike for a ride to get it good an hot before I come back and try to sync the carbs at RPM.
In the mean while, here are some pictures of the finished beast next to her big sister.
R69S in front of K12LT
Side-by-side
The R69S looks so small
Another shot
Profile: front of bike