Hello Mr. Chapman, My brother used to drive a BMW R 26 (all year round). However, he had a team with a sidecar. I was always allowed to ride in the sidecar. That was a wonderful experience. I think it's very nice that they have prepared the R 27 so beautifully have. Yes, that was still good quality. As a German, I am very proud. I hope you still own the BMW R 27 and have a lot much joy. Many greetings from Germany Rolf Kück

Back in the early 80's I loved in Berlin, and visited the BMW Spandau facility. I watched a middle-aged lady lining six gas tanks for the gendarmerie - green main colour - using the same kind of brushes - and a light over her shoulder.

Seeing this beautiful piece of history riding on the road made me happy.

@DSmitheman

2 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear. Thanks for the nice comment.

These old singles are beautiful. Nice bike.

Your film....made me happy, literally, thank you. Your friends and business associates are straight up folks too.

I last rode a 1966 BMW R27 in 1974. It was a lovely bike to ride; unpretentious, solid and reliable. Sigh.

It took me several minutes to write this letter. WOW !! You are a genius. Thanks, Rick….. 🇺🇸🌴

Super...! I owned an R-26 and sold my father-in-law on an R-27 new back in the day. Perhaps my favorite motorcycles of any year, so useful and dependable and what a smooth ride.

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

They are special machines.

This video is a love letter to this bike. What a fun watch. I love my R27 too.

Beautiful work, once again!

I have pinstriped a lot of Bmw motorcycles ,Stripe is always on top of the clear.I believe this is the way they did it back in the day, Nice Job

@lznicu

2 ай бұрын

Back in the days it was no clear coat, that is why the stripe were on top and proned to deterioration in time. The clear coat protect the stripes, that is why in this days we aply the clear coat on top of the stripes. For originality purposes you can do the stripes on top, some guys are doing it.

Hey Doug!! Greetings from Calgary - great video!! Well done. Nice to see a vintage bike like this restored correctly and bonus points for riding it! I'm in the middle of a restoration right now bringing a 1984 Virago back to life. It's not as old but the memories of when I had one when it was new keeps me focused on the project. Already considering my next restoration, your video sparked renewed interest in this vintage BMW - the R25/27 series are beautiful and as you show, still can be found, restored and properly ridden. Bravo on the catch - if I ever find a 1965 (my birth year) R27 worthy of restoration, I'm definitely going to snag it. Thanks again for sharing the experience.

Awesome restoration. Beautiful machine to be admired.

Wow, awesome job! Amazing skills and patience to get the bike into that condition! Thank you for sharing and best regards from South Africa.

Me and my better half loved this rebuild. Beautiful all around :)

Beautiful! Makes me homesick for my R26 and an R27

Excellent work on a classic bike! Looks beautiful !

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Irshad. Thanks so much. They are unique designs to work on. They look good on their own and I just enhance them a little.

Great video, love the sound of the engine / exhaust from 15:00. Well done Doug!

@DSmitheman

4 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Glad you liked it.

Great job, i do some restorations to those bikes here in Greece r27 is the more powerful one cylinder from the 60s.I Have Owned an R25-3 1954.The small miniature that you put out the box is a R25-3.

@DSmitheman

9 ай бұрын

Yes the miniature is a R25 because they don't make an R27 version. Good Eye. Don't tell anyone. 😅

Love it love it love it 🤗❤️ love the single cylinder thumpers and love to restore the old vintage motorcycles and making em run again and you did a wonderful job Doug 🤗❤️ pin striping is a dieing art and it's very rare now a days ☺️ came here because of the royal enfield classic 500 dessert strom and viola found this gem ☺️ subscribed 🤗❤️

Very nice restoration, I drove a R26 in the past, that one was from the late 50ies I think, the bike was from my friends father, and we restored it, I drove it for over a year, loved the single cilinder sound.

What a great video. Enjoyed every part and wonderful production values. 10/10⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🇦🇺Andy Banks .Bendigo, Australia

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Cheers Andy

WOW! I am most impressed by your ingenuity in the process of giving the fasteners their brass finish. All in all a very beautiful restoration. I can't wait to see your next project, I feel like I hold an insider secret right now and don't want to let the cat out of the bag. I will try to get those Kijiji "items" shipped out to you as soon as possible. Cheers! 😁

@DSmitheman

Жыл бұрын

Glad you like that.

It made me very happy ,I enjoyed it ... as a small boy I used to love one of my neybour and his wife ride away in one of this one cilinder BMW . this is back in the mid 60s in Chile, Santiago where I am from. than you so much for the nice restoration and dedication you put to bring it up to new again .

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

I have travelled through Chile 5 years ago. That would be a very cool place to ride a vintage bike.

If I ever restore and old motorcycle it will be a R27! Beautiful bike, thanks for the video. Ride safe and enjoy every journey

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gene. The R27 is a beautiful design. I just enhance the look a little.

Great job !! I have a R26 that needs restoring ...... Your vid inspires me

Cracking effort sir, looks fab! 👍🏻

beautiful bike and video. That brassing technique is worth the price of admission alone!

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Hey thanks. The brassing is a cool feature. It gives a visual dimension without being loud.

Awesome work👏, I'm in love with that bike , greetings from Argentina👋

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Lucio. I have been to Argentina. It's beautiful there.

This video made my day. The song, the contents, it'll just make you happy . Nice one! Ride safe! Cheers! ♥

@DSmitheman

2 жыл бұрын

Nice to hear John. Thank you.

great job and a great video! Thanks for sharing! Best regards from Munich!

@DSmitheman

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Vielen dank.

Excellent video, really enjoyed it. I've got a 51 R25, it used to belong to my father who bought it in 66 when we lived in Africa. I live in England now, the bike had been in boxes for years. A few years ago I did a restoration job. She looks like new now. They're well engineered and with regular quality oil changes should do many miles. Enjoy your bike, thanks for posting the video.

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Graham, That's a cool story and I agree old BMW's are special designs which stem back to the original R32. Thanks for watching my video.

Awesome vintage bike 👍👍

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I love riding this machine.

Congratulations! Job well done. I have a 1963, and my buddy a 1965. Some things we have learned the hard way - keep checking the tightness of the exhaust nut where it meets the cylinder head - ours kept loosening up for the first several hundred miles post rebuild till we got them properly tightened and seated, now they hold firm. - same with the cap on the top of the carburetor, his kept loosening with vibration but then seated properly - if you find the bike runs well cold but loses power once fully warmed up it might be the coil. A Blue VW coil is the perfect replacement if yours has been converted to 12V, or NOS 6 V coils are available from numerous online sellers - when it won't start despite doing EVERYTHING right, enthusiastic swearing in german often helps Great bike, some quirks like an old bike but a very very satisfying piece of machinery

@DSmitheman

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Paul. Yes I've encountered both those issues. I love the bike, it's like artwork you get to ride.

@DSmitheman

4 жыл бұрын

@Edwin Vazquez Thanks Edwin. Locktite is my friend.

Classic BMWs and old dogs - what's not to like? Your tip on "brass plating" really intrigues me - I'll try that. Great video. Thanks.

@DSmitheman

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome Dwight.

Love it, excellent work!

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you James. Appreciate it.

Great job love the video I used to ride a 1966 BMW R6 as I recall

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Will, Thanks I appreciate it. I have a few other bike videos if you are interested. Cheers, Doug

Great video , beautiful bike!

I owned one of these in the mid 60s. A fine bike it was; wish I never sold it.

Great video.

Very nice. You did a good job. And made decisions that I also make when I am restoring a bike. Good luck with your R27.

@DSmitheman

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jacques.It's a nice bike to ride especially in the countryside.

This was an emotional journey for me. I owned one just like that 20 years ago, but sold it when my best friend died in a motorcycle accident. He was the one that owned the bike before me and gave it to me in order to buy a new bike. I had to deal with almost the same mechanical proplems . . .

@DSmitheman

2 жыл бұрын

I understand the emotional side of things. I had a crash last year and survived. It has changed how I approach motorcycling. The BMW R27 is artwork on wheels that you can pull out of the garage and gently ride it on back country roads.

Enjoyed Every bit of it. Simply loved it V good satisfying Sound

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

I sounds even better now that I rebored the cylinder and put in a new piston. Very quite mechanical sounds with just the thump thump from the exhaust. I think I'll do a video on just the sound in a month or so.

@naseermuhammad2792

3 жыл бұрын

@@DSmitheman Great idea Video on sound

Very nice video. You are a patient and talented man

@DSmitheman

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Edwin. It's a passion.

I like the brass finish on the fasteners. It fits with the style of the machine.

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Hey thanks.

Magnifique très belle moto 🏍

The moped he has on the back of the Jeep I have one a 1973 PC50 which I ride in summer months,your motorbike 🏍 is beautiful 👏👏🙂🇬🇧

@DSmitheman

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Here's a link to the PC50. kzread.info/dash/bejne/k3V7sMRwZpqrnNY.html

Great job.. Full of passion👍👍🙏

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. You are absolutely correct, it is all about passion. You either have it or you don't.

now , after all this work you got HALF a BMW.

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Which I prefer. Are you North American?

Looks perfect to me, just the way it is !!!

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Larry. I absolutely love this bike. It feels like I'm riding artwork and sound really reaches my motorcycle soul.

Lovely bike, congratulations 👍🏻

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kris

What a beauty; great passion, skill, effort, and work; thanks for sharing; I have a 2000 Yamaha VStar 1100 Classic that given my skill level my maintenance work is limited to changing the filter and oil each Spring and that is it.

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

I can relate because I am not a mechanic. This is a hobby and I learn as I go. Thanks for taking the time to send such nice comments. I appreciate it.

Wonderful Clip, famous Bike! Greetings from West Berlin

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Hi West Berlin. Thanks for the nice comments.

Amazing work , they make the Bike look brandnew. Greeting from Bali. Indonesia

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Agus, Thanks for the nice comment. I appreciate it. One day I will go to Bali. It looks as beautiful as a restored BMW. Cheers, Doug

@agusmulyana7714

3 жыл бұрын

@@DSmitheman You are very welcomed in Bali sir. But no hughie ( LoL) ...Because of Corona

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

@@agusmulyana7714 Yes I'll wait until the pandemic is in the rear view mirrors.

It is a work of art!

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Robert. I love the design of these bikes and making them sparkle again is a true pleasure.

Pure jewelry 😍

Beautiful machin...❤

Great job - congrats!

@DSmitheman

4 жыл бұрын

Hey thanks so much.

Hello Doug, Just acquired a r27, inspired by your video, just hope mine goes as well as yours

@DSmitheman

2 жыл бұрын

That's cool. Enjoy restoring your bike. It's rewarding throughout the process and lots to learn.

Great great job so beautiful bike thanks

Fantastic !

Nice Bike

Great video! The R27 looks amazing! I've been looking for an R27, are parts easy to get to restore one of these great classic motorcycles?

Very nice! 👍

Brilliant job 👍

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much.

Great pinstripes

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

I was lucky to find a guy who could do them so well.

Great work 👍

@DSmitheman

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Norbert. Currently it is undergoing a complete engine rebuild as I plan on keeping the bike for the rest of my life. It's special.

beautiful bike I wish I had one

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rakesh. I hope one day you have one.

Great job on the restoration. Where did you find the replacement engine mounts? Thanks

MORE ON BOARD VIDS! PLEASE! J.C. Lovengreens Cycle Salvage, Tampa, FL....parts stripper, 1968 -1970 Every european machine imaginable Ariels to Sachs mopeds... Puchs NSU Konsul 501/ Mustang scooter framed Hybrid we BUILT! Then a Ducati 250 Diana for $50 under a tarp in the palmettos Behind Northway Nick's Indian Sales... on out Dale Mabry Highway... With bits from the savage yard, for FREE! John like me... ( chopper thief interest, here...) Cafe Racer from Day One, 1966 IOM-TT fan.... Surtees - Hailwood days... MV's etc.. SW radio! 1962 FLA AMA amateur road racing 1970 -1972 With my 140 lb. cousin! Tuning the chassis and engine stuff... ( I was 176 lb.. then) He still has that bike! 117 mph @10,200 Up from 97 at 9,000 Out on our Eight Mile Dead End ( now history) Not for sale! J.C.

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

No problem. I'm on it.

Love the concept, keep up!- new subscriber here! more power!

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Thanks. I appreciate it.

When I had my R69, I bought Harley driving lights at a bike swap meet. They bolt right on . First I had the arch down on my forks. DON'T DO THAT ! The first bump I dented my fender. If you put them on, put arch up. They look great on the BMW.

Love the Vid great to see your attention to detail . I have a very tatty R27 can’t work out whether to keep it as it is ‘warts and all’ as it runs quite well or take the plunge. Where did you get the seat? Greetings from the UK.

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Richard. I appreciate it. My parts came from Ulis and Salis. The seat was from Ulis. If your bike is mechanical sound it makes for an easy restoration because you don't need to take the engine apart. So I say take the plunge and keep history shining. Hours of enjoyment lie ahead, go for it. Start by getting a copy of Barrington's R27 restoration manual. It will instruct you what to do and what not to do. Cheers and the UK rocks!

Mükemmel bir restorasyon r 27 saat gibi çalışıyor ellerinize sağlık..😀👌👍👋

@DSmitheman

4 жыл бұрын

Çok teşekkür ederim

Fantástica

@DSmitheman

2 жыл бұрын

Grazie.

😁👍

Very rare bike!

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

I like the design of these bikes.

Great video! Where did you get that scale model?

@DSmitheman

4 жыл бұрын

Here's the link www.ebay.com/itm/Schuco-1-10-BMW-R25-3-with-single-seat-black-450655600/173783746290?hash=item28765186f2:g:iDkAAOSw8w5cXThJ

Any one make a high compression piston for the thing? 7400 rpm with 10.2 to1 and you get maybe 25-26Hp A solid 90 mph on the clock... Up from the 8.2 and 81 mph claimed in the literature As with my '67 Aermacchi 250... I miss my road/work bike... 5500 was as much as I cared to wind it.... 82 mph... up I-4 to Lakeland, FLA.. 70-75 mph cruise was FINE all day... $400 in 1960...from neighbor and truck driver... Original owner Slower than the Diana 250, but a sweet handling bike... Lusted at a CR-TT 250 H-D road racer... Also $400... well thrashed.. Tampa dealer.... LIFE! Miss that bike and my $50 1956 165cc Hummer of 1966... That XLCH Sportster tank styling! 55 mph 8 hp... RED! Traded for a '56 VW Beetle Promptly ROLLED Blown RR tyre.... Unseen broken whiskey bottle bottom.. No one got a scratch.. 25 mph LH bend... Car still RAN! Just some paint scratches... A ding or two... Minus windshield.... $50 from the junkyard tow truck guy. Became a dune buggy.... Cousin would buy a '72 Super Beetle In Germany, while military... Impressed with the sturdy GERMAN BUILD! He got out LAUGHING Rolled up in the headliner! In back of the back seat... LUCK! J.C.

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

You need to make a video.

@375GTB

3 жыл бұрын

That all was between 1966 and 1975. My riding years in FLA From 16 years of age, 10th grade to me leaving for camera repair school in CO. Mostly out of town riding.... Living semi-rural with good county and state roads.... I gave up my bike license here in Chicago. To dangerous in the city! Saw a kid get creamed on his RD-350 Then one of my Pros got rid of his R75 and two Vespas, after a woman ran hm off LSD on the scooter... Lucky to hop the curb and not hot anything.. But he saw his Nikon get run over.... I would have renewed my license on one of his bikes. Got a car license handed to me, instead. Smart move... Rent cars occasionally... CTA Pedal bikes Walk.... Healthier!! J.C.

Wunderschoen

@DSmitheman

2 жыл бұрын

Vielen dank

I used to have an R26 in 1975, it cost me £250.00 and I absolutely LOVED it. It was a '56 model and mostly original. I used to just fire it up and ride it anywhere it took me. If anybody out there knows where it is now leave a comment. The Reg was 81JMF. .

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Hope you find it.

beautiful work , the one thing i dont like the new set , the old classic one was fet it

Excellent job! What more to wish for, if you have a bike like that? Greetings from the far north of Germany!

@DSmitheman

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Peter. When you ride this bike you get a special feeling. It is something to appreciate and it makes you smile. Where in Germany are you from?

@peterdoe2617

4 жыл бұрын

@@DSmitheman Been riding R75/5 for 20 years. Current bike is a RD 125LC . It's not about size. It's not about sheer hp. It's all about feelings to me. I'm located in a village a bit northwest of Hamburg. The friend i mentioned below is a n excellent mechanic. Maybe you can post a little vid about your problem. (I don't wanna give away my mail-addy, here. And don't have facebook, etc.) But I promise to take a look and consult some.

hello ı really really love this content! We have r26 1956 and we have the same charging problem as you did. Where can we get that charging collector?

@DSmitheman

Жыл бұрын

You can get parts at Ulis or Salis.

Hi Doug What paint type, brand and shade did you use to paint the air box,headlight shell ect. I have a 1965 R27 and want to do some touch up work. Thanks

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

For those parts I used black Dupli Color acrylic enamel and then clear coated it with Spray Max 2K Glamour Gloss for extra protection.

@kennethgianetti4590

3 жыл бұрын

@@DSmitheman Thanks Doug. Stay well.

I discovered an inch log crack in the cylinder skirt and fortunately was able to find another used one online.

@peterdoe2617

4 жыл бұрын

A friend of mine is actually restoring a R25/3. I'll ask him.

@whalesong999

3 жыл бұрын

Perhaps it can be repaired. Cast iron can be mended.

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

@@whalesong999 I may try that. Right now I'm keeping it as a back up part incase I ever need it.

I am from India. The priest of my parish was having this one. I was only 9 years old . Now I want one .,but not seen anywhere. Another was scrapped.

See the great On Board ride below... J.C.

Thankyou for sharing sir 🙏

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Ashish, Thank you for watching my video. I have other ones as well if you are interested. Cheers, Doug

@AshishKumar-om2fv

3 жыл бұрын

@@DSmitheman😁 yes I have already done that..... I like restoration work . Your work is amazing and your Royal Enfield video is great. Thanks again 🙏

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

@@AshishKumar-om2fv You made my day. Cheers.

@AshishKumar-om2fv

3 жыл бұрын

@@DSmitheman thanks again 😁🙏

now I know why this bike looks so big in Indonesia, it turns out that in your country it looks very small, I think your body is tall and big

bravo

@DSmitheman

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kamal

A pity they did not make a Rennsport ohc version.... Run with the Ducati and similar bikes (-8D J.C.

Hi there very very nice only one thing the castings are supposed to be eggshell finish But nice

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. What castings are you referring to?

I hove such kind

A pretty it became, well done. But the model, looks more like a R25/2, or?

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. You are right about the model. It is an R25. I haven't found an R27 but the R25 is pretty close in design. Good eye.

@srenkrum6152

3 жыл бұрын

Oh, that feels easy, I had a R26 as my first motorcycle some 30 years ago, and these suspensions, they are different from the 25. I wonder if i should start looking out for an old R model again....

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

@@srenkrum6152 Here is a link to metal die cast model. www.ebay.ca/itm/Schuco-1-10-BMW-R25-3-with-single-seat-black-450655600/173783746290?hash=item28765186f2:g:iDkAAOSw8w5cXThJ

Hello Doug, kind regards from Gremany, the homeland of BMW! My friend Paul is starting to rebuild a BMW R 25/3-Motor. Join us if you want to see how a former German air force man does it: @

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

Yes please. Where do I join in?

@OnkelM

3 жыл бұрын

@@DSmitheman kzread.info/dash/bejne/jIaqo4-JqdC2Xbg.html Sorry, the link has not worked.

I did this one in 1999: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aHV9q9WDcbrMlKg.html It had been abandoned for 15 years in the sand under a beach house, and had been disassembled into boxes. Fenders and tank were perforated, cylinder deeply pitted, seat gone, etc. Everything needed rebuilding - engine, generator, trans, speedo, carb. After 5,000 miles of riding the generator would lose polarity and stop charging. I was about to order a second new rotor, but a 12V conversion was cheaper (and brighter lights). But this stopped it from winning shows when a judge would sight the diode board peeking below the tank. I put 9,000 miles on it until 2012 when I sold it because we were both too old cope with modern riding conditions.

@DSmitheman

9 ай бұрын

I just watched your restored R27. Beautiful bike and loved your video. Well done on both!

My dad had one just like that...not sure who. he sold it to

Do you sell your restored BMW bikes?

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

I have never done that. That would be hard to do because of all the work you do they become part of you.

@Coldgecko

3 жыл бұрын

@@DSmitheman Understood. If things change - ping me. Looks like you do great work.

I have R 27 1961, my wish is to bring it to its glory. Can you please Advise from where to get parts.Really Appreciate

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

I have used Salis BMW Classics in Holland and Ulis Motorradladen in Germany. I have used suppliers in the US but are way more expensive. Shipping is a little longer due to Corona virus impact. What country do you live in? Which parts do you need? I may have some.

@naseermuhammad2792

3 жыл бұрын

​@@DSmitheman Thank u for the info , i have listed few parts for Exterior. Currently two big issues , bike is overheating and Starting problem , battery is not charging and may be some other issue . Bike is in Pakistan and i am stationed in Abu Dhabi due to job. Appreciate if you can share parts Inventory and prices. Appreciate once again your generosity

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

@@naseermuhammad2792 Starting problem could be carb needs cleaning. It could also be timing is off. I experienced that. I had a battery charging problem and had to replace the armature which was pretty simple to do. I can't see your list. If you give me your email and we discuss parts there. I'll do my best to see if I can help you.

@naseermuhammad2792

3 жыл бұрын

@@DSmitheman my email address is naseer767@yahoo.com, list and some other things i will discuss it once i have your email. Thank you.

@DSmitheman

3 жыл бұрын

@@naseermuhammad2792 Ok I'll send you an email.