daddydarko
New member
I just purchased a 1970 BMW R60 Cafe Racer and rode her back home 350 miles. After hopping back on my Spyder, I gained a new appreciation for how lucky we are that automotive technology has advanced in 40 years. For example:
Starting the Bike
We like to complain about the inconvenience of clicking the M button before starting the Spyder but I have a new perspective. Here's how I have to start my BMW:
Step 1. Open the petc0ck.
Step 2. Tickle the carbs. That's right, each carb has a tickler (German, not French) that lubricates the carburetor. "Tickling" involves opening a valve that drips fuel into a chamber then onto the ground.
Step 3. Engage the key which is mounted on the headlight.
Step 4. Kickstart. Now the Germans for some reason thought it would be wise to place the kick lever so you have to kick out and down instead of back like the Japanese. After 2 or 3 kicks, she fires up and I'm ready for a nap.
Transmission
HDs and older bikes are notorious for having very hard clutch pulls but the Spyder is a breeze. The gear transition is seemless. On my BMW, the whole bike kind of lifts up and lurches forward when it engages. Also, it has only 4 gears and redlines at about 7k.
Gauges
Speed, temp, and RPMs are all displayed conveniently for us in a legible, illuminated panel. Many older bikes (and some new) still run analogue gauges and few are illuminated at night. On the freeway, my speed is somewhere between 70-80 as the pointer dances from side to side. Forget about temp or time.
Brakes
Wow did I take disc brakes for granted. Drum braking requires a lot of space, and lot of force, and a whole lotta praying.
Suspension
Suspension has come a long way through the years. It's easy to take for granted because it doesn't sound exciting. We like to brag about the engine displacement, torque and horsepower but suspension plays a big role in comfort and handling. After 350 miles on a plastic seat, old shocks, and bumpy Wisconsin roads, I can barely sit today.
Conclusion
The Spyder was the first motorcycle I owned and that was just a little over a 20k miles and a year ago. I've never been a gear head but it's been enlightening to see the evolution of the motorcycle and to pay homage to the pioneers that got us here. While I'm not likely to do any cross country touring on my cafe racer, there is something beautiful about its simplicity.
**Here's a great link to the history of the cafe racer and how it got its name.**
Starting the Bike
We like to complain about the inconvenience of clicking the M button before starting the Spyder but I have a new perspective. Here's how I have to start my BMW:
Step 1. Open the petc0ck.
Step 2. Tickle the carbs. That's right, each carb has a tickler (German, not French) that lubricates the carburetor. "Tickling" involves opening a valve that drips fuel into a chamber then onto the ground.
Step 3. Engage the key which is mounted on the headlight.
Step 4. Kickstart. Now the Germans for some reason thought it would be wise to place the kick lever so you have to kick out and down instead of back like the Japanese. After 2 or 3 kicks, she fires up and I'm ready for a nap.
Transmission
HDs and older bikes are notorious for having very hard clutch pulls but the Spyder is a breeze. The gear transition is seemless. On my BMW, the whole bike kind of lifts up and lurches forward when it engages. Also, it has only 4 gears and redlines at about 7k.
Gauges
Speed, temp, and RPMs are all displayed conveniently for us in a legible, illuminated panel. Many older bikes (and some new) still run analogue gauges and few are illuminated at night. On the freeway, my speed is somewhere between 70-80 as the pointer dances from side to side. Forget about temp or time.
Brakes
Wow did I take disc brakes for granted. Drum braking requires a lot of space, and lot of force, and a whole lotta praying.
Suspension
Suspension has come a long way through the years. It's easy to take for granted because it doesn't sound exciting. We like to brag about the engine displacement, torque and horsepower but suspension plays a big role in comfort and handling. After 350 miles on a plastic seat, old shocks, and bumpy Wisconsin roads, I can barely sit today.
Conclusion
The Spyder was the first motorcycle I owned and that was just a little over a 20k miles and a year ago. I've never been a gear head but it's been enlightening to see the evolution of the motorcycle and to pay homage to the pioneers that got us here. While I'm not likely to do any cross country touring on my cafe racer, there is something beautiful about its simplicity.
**Here's a great link to the history of the cafe racer and how it got its name.**
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