Is it a good buy?

what kind of sidecar?

I seems to be a ural but a much better one than those Ihave seem before. It has a chrome rack on the back, a machined hi intensity running light, rear brake, shock on wheel BMW Emblem,
small windshield. the MC itself has crash bars, leather tanks cover, large windshield, an
oil cooler stabilizer shock on front wheel. How this helps you. Thanks for your quick response.
I have been riding a 1971 750 4 with an attached cargo box since April. I have logged in about 2500 miles. and feel pretty good about my driving. I just wanted something a bit larger that
could cruise more easily around 65MPH. My rig is in the photo section and it is called the
Hondasauras. Jim in denver. You can view this rig in craigslist-Denver-motorcycles-sidecars

James,
Its still the old type of GS with a very lousy original stearing head.
If it has the original front fork I cannot recommend it (not even for solo use its strong enough).
If it has a front swing (I guess you call it a tripple tree) with beefy bridges then it will probably good for quite a few miles more.
But remember it is not as reliable as the modern 4 valve boxers and will need its regular maintenance.
Best regards
Sven Peter Pan

Swen Thanks for the info. If you have the time check out the pictures of the Rig
to see if the front looks modified. Craigslist-Denver-motocycles-search sidecars.
Thanks again. Jim in Denver

That is a Motorvation Spyder sidecar - not a Ural! It doesn't look like anything has been done to the front end, but the Spyder is a pretty light car - I'll bet the steering is not too heavy. Looks like a wel set up rig. As for what it's worth - that's whatever the buyer and seller agree on!

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/481657958.html

http://www.motorvation.com/

The seller didn't know anything about the sidecar except it came as a unit when he bought it in Iowa about 12 years ago. He guessed it was a Ural, I of course had no clue. I doubt if my
current rig has had anything done to it. In your opinion would I have any trouble with the front
end? What could I do to make it stronger? Most of my riding is in the 30-45mph range with an occasional 10-15 mile trip at 55-65 mph. Most of the time the side car will be carrying my magic or art supplies We have done some events at senior centers so it is a rarity to have a passenger at speeds above 30mph. Love my Honda but have heard the BMW are pretty good
reliable machines. Jim in Denver

James,

I'm new to sidecaring but not BMWs. The '92 airheads have the paralever rear suspension which, on the solo bike, do help the handling a good bit. The bike by itself, is worth from 3,500 in nice condition to 4,800 in fine condition. A few things to note: the swing arm U joint can become problematical around 35K to 50K miles and may need to be replaced. The stock alternator is only 280 watts as I recall making it difficult to power auziliary lights "and" things like a Girbing jacket liner. There are alternator upgrade kits that can take you to 400 watts but at a cost of $450 to $500.

I'd really want to ride the bike with the sidecar attached to check it's handling. Absent any front end mods it might be a bit of a handful hauling a car.

Interestingly I just swapped a '92 R100R, the street version of that bike...same motor and frame, just a different front end and shorter shock, for a complete sidecar rig. My bike was a special edition color that attracts attention so it's not a direct comparison, but my bike was valued at about $4,500 in the swap. But I had installed factory heated grips, factory four way flashers, new tires, etc. W/o those I'd have valued the bike at about $4,100.

Sorry to ramble, hope this helps you a bit.

Jeff

Hello James,
First the good news: The photos Steve published show a R100 aluminum bridge of the good standard. (not as I feared the flimsy R80 steel plate bridge, which gives a lot of doubt about Berlin's BMW engineers of that time!)
(not for nothing their 3 and 4 cilinder drpped toasters we called the "Spandau-japaneese")

Now the (not so) bad ones:
1. You know why the BMW is called the "rubber cow"?
standard suspension is VERY soft.
2. you have only one disc on the front and apearantly no bridge between the standing tubes, that will give you some weared feeling at breaking. (probably no bad situations, just pretty spoungy stearling at breaking)
3. You will produce muskles and be soar in the beginning.

Enjoy every moment. I use to say as long my body akes I do not have to worry. The day it will not ake at wakeing up I have to worry!

The R100 of 1992 should be the generation of the 2 valvers with reduced power and flatter torque curve after the production stop 1984 and normally should have the flat valve covers. Yours valve covers are the old ones before 198... (they are supposed to be interchangable) but it would be interesting to ask why you have the old style.

Best wishes
Sven Peter Pan

OH... Where are the right fotos? I better check them before I tell nonsence.
Sven

Hello James,
now that I looked a second time, yes! I was looking to the right bike.
In deed it must be the 1992 version because of the double link in the back swing.
That makes a great difference to the old Beemers which lifted and lowered as you used the throttle. (yours is not such a bad rubber cow any more)
The front fork should have a sheet metal bridge hidden under the fender. You will get better handling if You make a thicker one of your own.

Possibly BMW used up old valve covers for export, That was what me led into confusion.

I never had a Beemer of my own, but I did several transports for the show bikes 1983 to 87, so I could test all types available to that time. (my favourate was the 650 boxer! light, handy and enough beef for a slim guy like me. Never liked the tipped over toasters / specially the first 3 cylinders had very bad injection)

So far, I guess you make a good deal, because as long these bikes are used by somebody with knowledge (as an elder german engineer should have) they might look ugly from outside, but have their inner values well gained! and for such an old bike 31.000 miles is nothing. It is starting to run in! In fact it will need to get treated as a nearly new bike to free the engine. The beemers don't like to spin up to high revs, they get their grunt out of the cellar.

For now it is possible that the Bing carbs will need new diafragms.

Keep in mind that perhaps at 50.000m you will have to have some work done on the engine,(seat the valves and change cam chain) and then go until 100.000 and much more. I knew elder beemer rigs with over 270.000km and going still strong as daily work horses with a lot of "Autobahn" and mountain roads.
Friend "Hänschen" sold his R100RS/EML with 380.000km for to change it against a toaster for to chase Porsches in the Alpes....

Best luck and enjoy every moment.
Sven Peter Pan

I've had several BMWs. They all were dependable and relieable. If the bike and side car were closer to me I'd offer $7,000 and hope he would take it. Does this give you any idea about the rig? hope you buy it ,Its worth what he is asking. BMWs are almost maintainance free. I'm riding a Moto Guzzi now. they are very similiar in many ways.GOOD LUCK