What a lovely pair!

[Martyn H]

Agree entirely with what you say but we had "professionally trained works mechanics" looking after the bikes and they still broke down more times than the BMW! On the Commando at slow speeds we had to change the spark plugs every 20 miles and on the Trumpets it was a pint of oil per 100 miles . Plus we had 1/2 day per week for maintainance tasks The R75/6 and R80's were a revelation

Dieseldog - I too was riding in those days, but I truly don't remember anything as bad as this. In fact I don't remember many "breakdowns" as such. What we did have was a daily routine of checking the bike over, & a constant need to adjust or tighten.

A pint of oil in 100 miles; must have been running like a two stroke.

The R75's that followed were indeed a revelation, in that it was a case of check the oil level, check the tyres & go. I was so impressed that in 1978 I managed to fund the purchase of an R75/6 & I've been a "BMW man" ever since.

I've even got my version of that lovely Interstate in a black R1150R. Big torquey twin, with modern brakes & electrics; on a summers day I love it.

 

[(RIP) Bobble]

Had a great laugh on a 77 Bonnie, before and after a rebuild, never failed to get me home. Always wanted an Interstate Commando but never got one.

 

[g.s.john]

The only people who say old british bikes are crap, are the people who can't screw one together properly.

My combat motor commando and me, went all over europe and covered over 47k miles in 18 months, and never let me down once.

Put the bits together nicley and they'll give most things a good run for their money.

It would of been nice if they were screwed together properly in the factory
still it taught me how to maintain a bike, but davegs is right thats why they are not made anymore.

 

[MikeO]

Takes me back, a beautiful Commando. First 3 big bikes I had were Commandos.

That must've made you appreciate every bike you've owned since...

 

[Rob Farmer]

Load of crap probably why they aint made any more.

because the market was flooded by cheap imports from the far east that saturated the market. The japs are loosing out now big time to the cheap Chinese, throw away machines, so by your way of thinking the cheap chinese machines are far superior.



Of course thats a simplified view and ignores a lot of other issues but Those Brits aren't crap bikes.

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

Spingers Bonnie and my R80/7 on recent trip to Picos

Both lovely bikes

 

[Rob Farmer]

I think the Bonnie has a mixture issue. Those aftermarket side panels look good.