Oh the memories😍! A 1954 R25 was my first bike and your video just reminded me how i had to replace the clutch because it was worn down. Easy to fix, everything mechanic, no computers. Had to install turnlights for my safety.
How amazing! I'm sure you had a lot of fun on your R25 if you wore down that beefy clutch haha. It's funny they didn't have turnlights now thinking back, but I guess that's how things evolve. Thanks for sharing this - Andreas
This video is such a treat! Now that I‘ve learned more about the R25, I wouldn‘t mind having one myself. Great job getting this motorcycle up and running again! 👍👍👍
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and that the R25 has sparked your interest! It’s a fantastic bike with so much character. Bringing it back to life was truly rewarding, and comments like yours make it even better. 👍
That is going to be a fun back roads cruiser. It really tractors right along at just an idle. I can hear that it has a fairly heavy flywheel, and the exhaust has a great tone. I hope you get it on the road soon.
Thanks a lot! That’s awesome about your Husqvarna 390-I bet it was a beast to get running! Sometimes a good push start is all it takes to bring these machines back to life. Glad to hear your story!
Love the BMW motorcycle tinkering! The little R25 is so cool. Watched your airhead rebuild videos too, and I'll happily watch anything you post on twins, especially BMWs.
Thanks, Justin! That’s exactly what it’s all about-tinkering and bringing a bike back to life after it’s been sitting for so long. I appreciate your support, and I’ll let you in on a little secret: I have a few twins behind the scenes waiting to be revealed. More content coming soon! 😃
I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’ll be diving deeper into this bike over the winter since the engine needs more work than I anticipated. Stay tuned for more details in upcoming videos!
I'm glad I could bring this old bike back to life with a little bit of effort. I will share future plans for this bike in upcoming videos, but the R60/5 project will be completed first. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Much appreciated! -Andreas
Thanks a lot, John! The R25 is a testament to simplicity and reliability. Unfortunately, this engine probably missed some services, but I'm glad it's back up and running again. Ah yes, the long winter months are ahead, but I'm sure you've stored your R1250RT well so it'll be all set for when the warmer weather returns.
Thanks for your feedback!! This specific bike is actually a1951 R25/0 with a R25/2 tank and seat. This must have been replaced or swapped in the past, but to me the bike looks very nice and original this way with some great patina. Cheers Andreas
Awesome, top end looks so similar to my R60/6 from 1975 which I converted to a 1000 with just a barrel, piston, carbs. bevel drive and top end job, even kept the original valve covers, looks like a sleeper but with 67bhp . Cheers
You are right, it is VERY similar! Who would have expected that similar components would be used 20 years down the line. You've finished up a great project with the 1000cc conversion. Now it's time to strip some weight to gain on top-speed haha. Enjoy your ride - be safe
They do, and they almost seem a bit underappreciated. This particular bike was essentially half the displacement of a BMW R51. Looking back at BMW’s lineup, their 250cc entry-level models were their most popular bikes before 1969. From the late ’30s to the mid-’60s, BMW continued to refine the engine and the bike it was housed in, improving handling and stability for a more comfortable ride. A very impressive line of bikes, to be honest! Thanks for watching😃
How do you find a machine shop capable and knowledgeable about airhead cylinder head rebuilds, valve guides/seats etc? Also could you share a rough price about how much that might cost per head?
I use a machine shop specialized in 2stroke & 4stroke engines, that only works on small engines…basically anything up to 1.0L bike. Valve guide and seat information was sourced through Mark Huggett. He has the specifications and details for most classic BMW bikes. I will have a rough breakdown on this R25 in my upcoming short video series, but if you want a full breakdown feel free to send me an email. I‘m more than happy to provide that to you.
Fun fact: torque specifications for most fasteners were introduced in the 1960s. Before that, every bolt on this motorcycle was tightened by the "guttentight" method, and somehow, nothing has fallen off to this day. So, it turns out it wasn’t such a bad technique after all!
Oh the memories😍! A 1954 R25 was my first bike and your video just reminded me how i had to replace the clutch because it was worn down. Easy to fix, everything mechanic, no computers. Had to install turnlights for my safety.
How amazing! I'm sure you had a lot of fun on your R25 if you wore down that beefy clutch haha. It's funny they didn't have turnlights now thinking back, but I guess that's how things evolve. Thanks for sharing this - Andreas
@ at that time, turnlights were FORBIDDEN in Switzerland …
What fun.. It's always a pleasure to get an "Oldie: going again !! Well done Sir !!
This video is such a treat! Now that I‘ve learned more about the R25, I wouldn‘t mind having one myself. Great job getting this motorcycle up and running again! 👍👍👍
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and that the R25 has sparked your interest! It’s a fantastic bike with so much character. Bringing it back to life was truly rewarding, and comments like yours make it even better. 👍
@@WorkshopRebuild ARe you going to "restore" the appearance or leave it rough around the edges?
Beautiful bike. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. It’s always a pleasure to share these classics with others who appreciate them!
This video makes me want to get one, that would be a really fun project
That's awesome! Get yourself one before they go up in price...they are actually getting harder to find by the day and gaining in popularity.
That is going to be a fun back roads cruiser. It really tractors right along at just an idle. I can hear that it has a fairly heavy flywheel, and the exhaust has a great tone. I hope you get it on the road soon.
Really good job, Andreas. I had a 1980 Husqvarna 390 rebuilt, it fired up when I rolled down an enbankment. Push starting sometimes is a good option
Thanks a lot! That’s awesome about your Husqvarna 390-I bet it was a beast to get running! Sometimes a good push start is all it takes to bring these machines back to life. Glad to hear your story!
Yes Andreas, it was a nice early motorbike. We sure appreciate your videos. You are a very good mechanic. Sincerely, Benjamin
Love the BMW motorcycle tinkering! The little R25 is so cool. Watched your airhead rebuild videos too, and I'll happily watch anything you post on twins, especially BMWs.
Thanks, Justin! That’s exactly what it’s all about-tinkering and bringing a bike back to life after it’s been sitting for so long. I appreciate your support, and I’ll let you in on a little secret: I have a few twins behind the scenes waiting to be revealed. More content coming soon! 😃
The best moment 10:13 ,so cool.
Excellent...enjoyable and understandable ...more R25 updates please
I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’ll be diving deeper into this bike over the winter since the engine needs more work than I anticipated. Stay tuned for more details in upcoming videos!
Thanks for getting started on this one. Once finished let me know and I will get the garage ready. 😊
I'm glad I could bring this old bike back to life with a little bit of effort. I will share future plans for this bike in upcoming videos, but the R60/5 project will be completed first. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Much appreciated! -Andreas
My pleasure Andreas. I'm a proud custodian of a 71 R60/5
Great video. Great bike. Many thanks.
Cheers, Peter.
I’m glad you enjoyed it and it was a pleasure to share this video with you! 😃
So much like the 60/5 I used to have. Don't use copper anti seize on aluminium use aluminium based anti seize. Nice job.
Wonderful!!!
I love everything single video you provided on this channel!!!
Thank you! I appreciate the support you're offering, it means a lot to me.
Single 250 with a drive shaft! 👍
Yes it's really neat... but expensive to repair haha. Thanks for watching!
Good job! I love the R25 and its simplicity. Just put my R1250RT away for the winter - it's a bit different from the R25. 🙂
Thanks a lot, John! The R25 is a testament to simplicity and reliability. Unfortunately, this engine probably missed some services, but I'm glad it's back up and running again.
Ah yes, the long winter months are ahead, but I'm sure you've stored your R1250RT well so it'll be all set for when the warmer weather returns.
Aaaah the good old days.
Yes, the good old days! Everything was very simple and somehow it still works after so many years :D.
Great Video 👍 I love the R25/2 😍
Thanks for your feedback!! This specific bike is actually a1951 R25/0 with a R25/2 tank and seat. This must have been replaced or swapped in the past, but to me the bike looks very nice and original this way with some great patina. Cheers Andreas
Awesome, top end looks so similar to my R60/6 from 1975 which I converted to a 1000 with just a barrel, piston, carbs. bevel drive and top end job, even kept the original valve covers, looks like a sleeper but with 67bhp . Cheers
You are right, it is VERY similar! Who would have expected that similar components would be used 20 years down the line. You've finished up a great project with the 1000cc conversion. Now it's time to strip some weight to gain on top-speed haha. Enjoy your ride - be safe
Sweet! I forgot these existed. Basically half a boxer, right? Super cool.
They do, and they almost seem a bit underappreciated. This particular bike was essentially half the displacement of a BMW R51. Looking back at BMW’s lineup, their 250cc entry-level models were their most popular bikes before 1969. From the late ’30s to the mid-’60s, BMW continued to refine the engine and the bike it was housed in, improving handling and stability for a more comfortable ride.
A very impressive line of bikes, to be honest! Thanks for watching😃
How do you find a machine shop capable and knowledgeable about airhead cylinder head rebuilds, valve guides/seats etc? Also could you share a rough price about how much that might cost per head?
I use a machine shop specialized in 2stroke & 4stroke engines, that only works on small engines…basically anything up to 1.0L bike.
Valve guide and seat information was sourced through Mark Huggett. He has the specifications and details for most classic BMW bikes.
I will have a rough breakdown on this R25 in my upcoming short video series, but if you want a full breakdown feel free to send me an email. I‘m more than happy to provide that to you.
👍
The guttentight method 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Fun fact: torque specifications for most fasteners were introduced in the 1960s. Before that, every bolt on this motorcycle was tightened by the "guttentight" method, and somehow, nothing has fallen off to this day. So, it turns out it wasn’t such a bad technique after all!
how fast can one talk!!
German torque spec. « Gut und tight «