Airheads

Somehow, I love old, simple, trustworthy. I photographed with a pre-WWII design large format camera, or else with '70s style manual focus 35mm cameras, so it was quite logical that my first motorcycle had to be an air-cooled BMW boxer. It also helped that I couldn't afford a new Beemer ;-).

These machines are affectionally called Airheads, also in order to stand out from the later Oilheads which are the newer R-series BMW flat twins (they have oil-cooled cylinders, which makes them more compact, but... it takes away much of the charm of these big 'tits' with big fins sticking out on both sides and of course adds all sorts of complications to the engine).

Above, you see the logo of the Airheads Beemer Club which is one of the most helpful group of people you'll find anywhere - it is filled with expertise, and best of all they are all more than willing to share that expertise. If you ride an airhead, you simply must be a member. So click that image and subscribe!

The first BMW with an opposite-twin air-cooled engine was built in 1923, and this BMW, the BMW R32, shares most of the characteristics with the late 1995-built airheads: boxer engine with dry-plate clutch and shaft drive. One concept, kept going for 80 years! There must be something to it (some say sheer stubborness ;-))...

The fact that a modern (say post 1970) airhead can be maintained with 1920's knowledge means that a) they are easy to maintain, and b) they are reliable. Very reliable - reliable enough that people put these engines in ultralight planes and want to ride their bikes around the world (especially the GS airheads are popular for loooong trips). Half the fun of an airhead is to sit down on a low stool, pop the valve covers and a bottle of beer, and set the valves (etcetera); relaxing, easy, and a completely different experience from setting the 16 valves on a DOHC V-Four (that's half of the story why I'm not riding one of these gorgeous Honda Super Magna's. The other half is ergonomics ;-)).

On these pages, I'll collect links and other stuff relating to airheads. Not now, I've got to wash my bike and coat it with s100 to protect it against the winter!