Max BMW’s “Basement Find” R80 G/S

BROOKFIELD, CT – Imagine buying a new bike, taking it home, putting it in the basement and letting it sit for more than three decades without ever riding it. That’s what the owner of a 1981 BMW R80 G/S did. Max Stratton, owner of the Max BMW dealerships, heard about it and retrieved it. It’s now at his dealership here being revived.

Phil Cheney, master technician and Max BMW’s vintage expert , doesn’t know the full story behind the bike; just that the owner was transferred overseas shortly after getting the motorcycle. What amazes Cheney is the mileage on the odometer, or lack thereof. The readout only shows 104 miles. “There’s only one other one like it,” he said, reporting that that bike is a prototype with only 10 miles that is in the hands of a collector.

Despite its lack of use, some work is required to bring this R80 G/S back to showroom quality. Cheney’s currently in the process of replacing all the gaskets and seals. The R80 G/S is also getting new rims and spokes to replace the rusted originals. A new OEM gas tank and front fender are going on it. There will be new gaiters, too, because the old ones “disintegrated.” The exhaust will be recoated and new tires added.

Cheney hopes to have the project done by late spring. “If somebody wants it, it will be sold,” he said. “We don’t have a price on it yet.”

– By Bud Wilkinson