“HERMINE”
Barn Bike acquired from Dr.Frank Luther outside of Nashville Tennesee, this R50/5 had been ridden just over 9,000 miles. The concept was to build a mini R50S that would be like an early version of the R65. Despite setting it up like this, we ended up touring over 13,000 miles two up, with bags, and a fairing, in less than two years. It never failed once. This build was made possible by the skill and expertise of Tom Pfifer and the masterful machining of Andy Bettles.
In close quarters, less is more.
Michelin Pilot Activ
Mikuni TM 32mm
Luftmeister 2-1 Glasspack
K&N with Factory Drilled Air Box
Enduralast Optical Ignition
NGK Spark Plugs & Leads
Billet Upper Triple Clamp
IKON Adjustable Suspension R65
Progressive Springs 10WT Belray
Albert Mirrors
Heat Wrap Exhaust
VALVOLINE
“HIGHWAY SLED”
My first motorcycle, purchased on eBay in 1999. I made the non-stop round trip from New York City to Detroit and back with Steve Cancel in a Uhaul van to collect this bike. After unloading the bike and returning the van on 23rd Street at 2AM, I rode it everyday for seven years. On it’s third motor and second transmission, the bike has gone from stock, to ove rbored 900cc cylinders fed by 40mm Mikuni TMs with a 2 into 1 Luftmeister Glasspack, and back to stock again. I docked this bike outside for 13 years. Things happen, there is no need to explain to me...
This bike taught me every possible airhead lesson and with lashes.
Michelin Road Classic
R75/6 Engine & Transmission
Keihan Stainless Exhaust
Enduralast Optical Ignition
NGK Spark Plugs & Leads
Billet Upper Triple Clamp
Progressive Springs 10WT Belray
Flandershield 400 Upper Fairing
Boxer Cafe Wixom Leg Shields
Emerald Island LED Taillight
VALVOLINE
“MIGHTY MAUS”
Guitarist Lenny Kaye found this abandoned R27 in a basement in Lower Manhattan. He restored it with the help of a master mechanic in Pennsylvania. After enjoying the bike for some time he docked it in his garage for over 20 years. I shared my passion for Airheads with him and he decided to pass the custodianship of this rare single to me. I restored it in Stockbridge Massachusetts at my friend Bob Mitchell’s Garage with the help of BMW gurus Jimmy & John Hobart. The little bike does everything bikes do and with style. I put over 1,000 miles on it riding all over the mountains of Western Massachusetts, solo and two up. One day it exploded. I am in the process of rebuilding the motor with all new components.
If you know, you know.
Bing 1971 R50/5 Carburetor
IKON Suspension Front & Back
Schorsch Meier Seat
Stainless Steel Spokes
Stainless Exhaust
Bumm Mirrors
VALVOLINE
“CANDIE”
This Red R60 was docked in a barn on a farm in Enfield for 4 years. The owner, Julie Magura, was not able to find anyone to work on her bike. I happened to be visiting my friend Eddie Molina in Ithaca, on my 1971 R75/5, while she was at his house, and she asked if I could checkout the bike. I got the bike running in about 10 minutes and rode it long enough to discover brakes did not work properly, among other things. In disbelief, Julie told me she had another Airhead in the back barn that was gifted to her. I offered to restore her bike in exchange for the 1977 R60/7 that was rotting for 12 years in a barn with no windows.
Michelin Road Classic
Valvoline
GALLERY
“FORREST”
This Monza Blue R90 was docked in a garage in Ithaca for 10 years. The owner heard about the work i did to the Red R60 and the 77/7. “It is in rough shape and not running for a very long time”, he said over the telephone. On first site, sitting on Lester Mags, with an after-market rear disc clamped on, and a Hagon shock digging into the final drive housing... I told him, “just give it to me”. I explained that the bike would need everything and everything done to it. That it would cost more than it will ever be worth. I offered to fully restore the bike to factory specs and to garage and maintain it nearby, and that he could ride it any time. He offered to pay me to do the work and he would keep the bike. That never occured to me. I told him that i was not a mechanic...
Michelin Road Classic
Enduralast Stainless Exhaust
Venhill Braided Brake Line
Brembo Carbon Ceramic Pads
Fehling High Bars
Telefix Fork Brace
Seamless Castings
Polished Aluminium
Heat Wrap Exhaust
GALLERY
“BECKY”
I restored this bike for my friend Russel Hartenstine on location on Martha’s Vineyard. This R60/2 had one of the most beautifully restored engines that i have come across in person. The rest of the bike was showing the usual corrosion that occurs over time. After a not so short test ride I discovered that the fork was bent and the bike was basically unrideable. I restored every nut and bolt and painted the frame of this bike on location on Martha’s Vineyard for my friend Russel Hartenstine. While i was there we acquired the next barn bike. Straight fork legs with /5 springs and Belray 10WT were installed with preload spacers removed, lowering the bike. Even less Earle’s Fork feeling, a razor.
No hands, all day.
Progressive Springs 10WT Belray
Blitz AGM
Valvoline
GALLERY
“VICTORIA”
This R90 was docked in a Barn on Martha’s Vineyard for 12 years. My friend Russel had known about the bike for a long time. He asked me to go check it out on his behalf. After a close inspection I advised him to get the bike. It was a perfect Barn Bike to restore, complete and original with low miles and well used by a pro. The way it was docked was sub-optimal. The interior of the tank was the worst i had ever seen. Despite that, I restored and painted this bike on location on Martha’s Vineyard in 10 days.
We rode it full blast... fuel filters helped for a while.
Michelin Road Classic
Brembo Drilled Rotor
Brembo Carbon Ceramic Pads
San Jose Fork Brace
Venhill Braided Brake Line
Poly 200 Handlebar Heaters
IKON Adjustable Rear R65 Shocks
Progressive Springs 10WT Belray
Wixom Upper Fairing
Zephyr Lightweight Seat
VALVOLINE
GALLERY
“ELROD”
Finger Lakes Barn Bike, docked for 12 years, with a family of mice living inside. The dust covered odometer read 17,028 Kilometers. I bartered the restoration of Julie Magura’s R60 for this “basket case” that was destined to be parted out and sold on Ebay. I worked on it all night and morning and then put 100 miles on it during the first ride in over a decade. I set this bike up Creedance Clearwater Revival style for my friend Eddie Molina and I to live out our Easyrider dreams.
We gotta get outta here man...
Michelin Road Classic
Brembo Carbon Ceramic Pads
Progressive Springs 15WT Liquimoly
Progressive Rear Shocks
Custom Drilled Air Box
Flanders High Bars
Air Horn & Compressor
Heat Wrap Exhaust
SPECTRO4
GALLERY
“ORWELL”
My friend Dave Hunt sent me a listing for an R80 for $750USD... It was not running. The RT had been hit by a car, destroying the fairing, and was converted into a cafe rat bike of sorts. The owner James, a Harley Mechanic and MTI Instructor, needed the space for his new Road King. I used restraint to make this bike look rough while functioning normally. It got backed into by a city garbage truck. I am in the process of restoring the RT OEM Touring setup while maintaining the weaponized look and feel.
Too fast for the city.
Bridgestone Battlax
Stainless Braided Brake Lines
Luftmeister 2-1 Glasspack
Enduralast 450W Ducati Electronics
NGK Spark Plugs & Leads
Progressive Springs 15WT Liquimoly
Emerald Island LED Taillight
Napoleon Bar End Mirrors
LIQUIMOLY
GALLERY