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This is how it looked when I got it.
I bought this 1978 BMW R100/7 from the same person I bought my BMW R1100RT from. His name is Dave Bullington and I believe we have become real good friends over the last two years. I was going to help my mother move to Ohio and had planned on hauling my Suzuki up there and riding it back. A friend at work decided he wanted to buy my Suzuki, so I called Dave to see if he still had this Airhead. He said he did and made me a real good price. I told him of the trip I had planned and asked if he knew of any reason I couldn't ride this bike on a 700 mile trip. He said it was in good shape and he didn't know of any reason to fear taking a trip on it. I sold the Suzuki and drove to Tennessee to pick up the Airhead.
I brought the bike home on April the 20th and left for Ohio on May the 3rd. I got mother settled in and started back on the bike Sunday, May the 5th. I had the bike loaded with camping gear and set a course for Deals Gap. I stopped the first night at the Family Inn in Alcoa, Tn. This is a good place to stay before a trip up the Gap. I met three guys (Greg Wilson, Dan Nelson, and Eric Johnson) from Springfield Il. that were staying at the same motel and planning a trip up the Gap the next morning. We had a blast together. We visited the local Hooters for supper, had a little barley therapy and headed out for a trip up the Dragon to Deals Gap. This is a real nice ride, but it's a road you can get yourself in trouble on if you try to ride above your ability. I guess we are now all officially Dragon slayers because we made it without incident. We spent the day riding the raods around Deals Gap and camped there for the night. We were joined there by another friend of the guys from Il. His name was Derick. We also met a group of Kentucky state policemen that were staying at the Gap. This was another fun night with a great group of people.
The next morning we parted company. The group from Ky. was planning on staying in the area a couple more days, the group from Il. was heading for the east coast, and I was heading home. I had decided not to get back on the interstate and rode back roads all the way home. I had ridden the bike very little before starting this trip, but I knew I liked it. I put 894 miles on it in three days. About 300 of those miles were on backroads in the mountians. When I got home I knew I really loved this bike. This is the fourth bike I've owned in the last two years and it looks like I've finally found the right one for me.
Luftmiester Fairing
I didn't like they way the bike handled at high speeds with the fork mounted windshield, so I began searching for a frame mounted fairing. I found a Luftmiester that came off of a bike identical to mine. It was the same color and even had the same pin stripes. The fairing was in real good condition and was located about 2 1/2 hrs from me. I like the look of the bike with the Luftmiester. I just don't think it can get much better than this.
When I think of a BMW motorcycle, this is the image that comes to my mind. I guess it's because I first fell in love with BMWs back in the 60s.
After 2 1/2 years with this bike, I decided to try a K bike. I bought the 1996 K1100LTA and love it. I hated to part with this bike, but sold it to a friend so it will remain close.
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