“Like a Tiger on Steroids” — 1000cc Slash 5 from Oren’s Efficiency Bikes…
It is likely to be laborious to think about now, however within the Sixties, BMW’s bike division was susceptible to being shut down, languishing with poor gross sales and outdated designs. In an effort to save the enterprise, BMW introduced in former Porsche engineer Hans-Günther von der Marwitz to design a brand new collection of two-wheeled machines to be produced in a devoted manufacturing unit close to Berlin.
For the 1970 mannequin 12 months, the brand new BMW “Slash 5” collection appeared, consisting of the 500cc R50/5, 600cc R60/5, and 750cc R75/5. Although the bikes retained the signature flat-twin boxer engine format, they have been fully new:
“The brand new ‘Slash-5’ collection of BMWs provided 12 volts, electrical starters(!) in addition to the retained kick starter, telescopic forks, and improved brakes.” –Jeff Dean, BMW MOA co-founder
The Slash 5 additionally had a lighter tubular metal body, and the engine boasted a brand new cast one-piece crank, chain-driven camshaft, iron-lined mild alloy cylinder barrels, and connecting rods from BMW’s 2.8-liter six-cylinder automotive engine. The Slash 5 would convey BMW’s bike line again from the brink of extinction and turn into a favourite of riders, collectors, and customizers.
Lately, we heard from our new buddy Oren, an Israeli industrial designer who builds bikes in his free time:
“I established a small workshop referred to as “Oren’s Efficiency Bikes.” I principally construct BMW Airheads, for myself, and for homeowners who need to customise their bikes.”
This ’72 R60/5 arrived in Oren’s workshop as a non-runner, having sat uncared for for a number of years. As a slew of efficiency upgrades have been deliberate for the engine, the proprietor requested a motorbike whose dealing with and elegance would befit the improved efficiency, giving Oren the inventive freedom to make it occur:
“The plan was to construct a traditional cafe racer that on one hand would preserve the traditional character of the Slash 5’s, and alternatively, shall be a mean-beast below the traditional look.”
Oren stripped the 50-year-old BMW all the way down to the naked body, putting in a shorter and lighter SE subframe, rear-set controls, Öhlins shocks, ’82 BMW double-disc forks, and a stunning set of BMW snowflake wheels.
Engine highlights embody a Siebenrock Energy Equipment, boosting displacement from 600cc to 1000cc, together with R80 heads, 32mm Bing’s carburetors, and a rebuilt 5-speed gearbox swapped instead of the 4-speed stocker. The bike is operating BMW R80GS controls and electrical harness, with a lot of the wiring internally routed for a clear look, together with a small lithium battery within the rear cowl and EME electrical ignition.
Oren says this once-sleepy R60 has reworked into a complete new animal:
“The results of the construct is a light-weight, compact, and highly effective bike that accelerates like a tiger on steroids. The /5 spirit stays however the bike’s efficiency and dealing with are mild years forward of the unique drowsy bike.”
Under, Oren provides us the complete story of this flat-twin fire-breather.
BMW Slash 5 Café Racer: Within the Builder’s Phrases…
From Oren of Oren’s Efficiency Bikes.
About myself
My title is Oren and I’m from Israel. I’m an industrial designer in my essential occupation and a motorbike builder in my spare time. I established a small workshop referred to as “Oren’s Efficiency Bikes.” I principally construct BMW Airheads, for myself, and for homeowners who need to customise their bikes.
Concerning the bike
The BMW R60/5 is a traditional bike that was produced by BMW from 1970 to 1973. The bike was identified for its clean, torquey engine and cozy driving place.
Concerning the construct
This bike was born in ’72 and got here to my fingers as a non-runner after standing apart for a number of years. The plan was to construct a traditional cafe racer that on one hand would preserve the traditional character of the slash 5’s, and alternatively, shall be a mean-beast below the traditional look.
The proprietor allowed the liberty to function and wished for a contemporary total conduct to suit the ability and efficiency of the engine that was meant to happen.
To create this cafe racer model of the R60/5, I began by stripping the bike all the way down to its naked necessities, eradicating any pointless elements and equipment. Subsequent, the sub-frame was eliminated and changed with a shorter and better one from SE (Sport Evolution Germany).
The inventory handlebar discovered itself within the dump, and a brand new clubman-style Rizoma was put in.
The rear shocks have been changed with state-of-the-art Öhlins shocks, and the entrance fork was changed with an ’82 BMW bike. That facilitated the adoption of a snowflake wheel and twin disc brakes on the entrance. On the rear, one other snowflake wheel went in and a set of rear-seat foot pegs have been put in.
The engine was completely stripped, powder coated with matte black colour, and was completely rebuilt. There isn’t any hint left from the unique 600 cc’s, because it was put in with a brand new Siebenrock Energy-kit, R80 heads, and 32 mm Bing’s carburetors.
The 4-gear gearbox went on the spare elements shelf and a very rebuilt 5-speed gearbox took its place behind the highly effective engine.
The outdated and tattered wiring harness was changed with a brand new R80 G/S one, identical because the handlebar switches and different wiring elements. Peripheral wiring was routed by the chassis tubes to provide a clear and cable-tie-free look. The charging system was improved with a Rick’s rectifier to suit the small lithium battery, which is accommodated within the rear seat cowl. A model new EME electrical ignition was put in to ease beginning and enhance total efficiency.
Within the mild division, the unique headlight bucket sustains the BMW traditional /5 look with its chrome lamp guard. On the finish of the handlebar you’ll find the Motogadget flip indicators, identical as behind the sub-frame. One other modern-classic function to finish the general styling is the Motogadget Chrono Traditional speedometer, which changed the outdated and under-performing speedo unit. The rear mild is hidden below the cowl to maintain a clean-looking streamlined silhouette.
The entrance fender is held by the unique /5 fork brace and a brief rear fender accomplished the traditional look. The seat upholstery was fabricated from goat leather-based and was personalized to suit the general design.
The results of the construct is a light-weight, compact, and highly effective bike that accelerates like a tiger on steroids. The /5 spirit stays however the bike’s efficiency and dealing with are mild years forward of the unique drowsy bike.
