Boxerworks.com

Hi Guys,

I am looking for some information about toaster tanks for the R75/5, year
1972. I recently asked my mechanic whether some small dings in the top of
the tank could be touched up and instead the whole tank was repainted.
Also, it came back with pinstripes which it didn't have originally. I'm
trying to figure out which is correct for my model year and VIN (2995618)
Many thanks for any help you can offer. Trying to get this resolved with my mechanic ASAP.

Dustin

Yes, it most likely came with pin stripes from the factory.

Do your fenders have stripes? If not, it has probably been painted at some time in the past.

Here is a nice example. Fairly stock-looking except for the handlebars.
http://www.bikeexif.com/bmw-r75-lwb

But then, again, I don't know everything.
This page claims original color restoration, and says nothing about stripes. Someone here will know more.

http://northeast-sportscar.com/1972-bmw ... ster-tank/

This is really your definitive website when it comes to airhead color schemes. I should have led off with this:

http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/schemepages/schemer75-5.htm

edit: and after looking over the page above, all but one have no pinstripe.
The one chrome-paneled bike with pinstripe belongs to Jeff Dean, a bit of a BMW motorcycle guru in his own right: http://bmwdean.com/

Bottom line - your "mechanic" (not a painter?) was overzealous and his lack of communication is inexcusable, if, in fact, you dropped it off to have some dents repaired and touched up. Hope he didn't charge you for repainting and pinstriping. Do the stripes match the color of the pinstripe on your fenders?

Needs pinstripes.

No pinstripes on tank!

No pinstripes on tank! IMNSHO

I look at that blue one and the 1 cm area around the chrome...it just looks like it was made for pinstripes.

Personally, I like the stripes on the fenders and the tank. I think it finishes the tank better than no stripes.

Where is Duane and that razor-sharp memory wit of his when we need him?