BMW motorcycle

[Costellon]

I found this motorcycle (not on JT, but by chance) after it had been left to rot in a hedge for over nine years. After I got it off the owner, I completely stripped and rebuilt it using most of the original parts. I did all of the work myself which goes to show that almost anything is possible really (once you know what you are doing). Total time taken: 6 weeks, drives and looks like new.
Unfortunately I had to sell it a while back to keep the wolf from the door, broke my heart, but sure, I could always do it again.

I'm looking for another project to occupy my time if anyone has any unwanted classics that they would like to see lovingly restored to their former glory and be appreciated for what they are.
Thanks.

[misstake]

fantastic job you must be so proud Good luck with it hope we get a great summer so you can use it WELL DONE

[realta]

Amazing job, You have given it a second life, Hope you have lots time to enjoy it now

[kilk]

great work!!

[BCD]

hey your bike looks really good..my hubby's after rebuildin engine outta mk2 escort so I know it takes alot of time (and monies!!) but very rewarding...best of luck with it..

[jenniferalan]

wow, well done! love the little teddy on the chair aww how cute lol

[gillo]

Well done, it looks fab

[ireneo]

There once was a bike lying in a hedge,
For nine years or maybe more,
Until Costellon found it one day
And took on the mighty chore.

He took it home and stripped it down,
And got to work on it straight away,
He reused most of its original parts
But sadly some of them had seen their day.

You`d never think when you look at the pics
Where theres bits against a wall
He did all the work by himself,
And it only took nearly 6wks in all

Well done Costellon, a great job youve done
Its got the chance to see another day,
Ride it with pride and tell you story,
Its the best looking bike in Galway

I hope theres another lying around
To get a chance like this one got,
To live again after years of neglect
Instead of being left to rot!

Well done! Great job

[Costellon]

Jeez, poems and everything.......thanks !

I got the Teddy off my Nanna when I was but a toothless nipper. My mother (bless her soul) "restored" him ages ago by giving him new eyes through which to see.

[Linn]

There once was a bike lying in a hedge,
For nine years or maybe more,
Until Costellon found it one day
And took on the mighty chore.

He took it home and stripped it down,
And got to work on it straight away,
He reused most of its original parts
But sadly some of them had seen their day.

You`d never think when you look at the pics
Where theres bits against a wall
He did all the work by himself,
And it only took nearly 6wks in all

Well done Costellon, a great job youve done
Its got the chance to see another day,
Ride it with pride and tell you story,
Its the best looking bike in Galway

I hope theres another lying around
To get a chance like this one got,
To live again after years of neglect
Instead of being left to rot!

Well done! Great job
I totally agree with poet Ireno. Impressive job.

[Chris P]

Fantastic work, Costellon!

Evidence of lots of hard work and skill there.

Thanks for posting!

Regards
Chris P
Admin

[shanley]

Well done on brill restoration. Bet you'll be riding out with the Riverside MCC in a few months if not already doing so!!! Will look out round Halfway House!


shanley

[Fizzywitch]

That is an amazing job you have done!
I really miss my motorbikes and all the 'tinkering about' with them
All credit to you, it looks great!

[Marathon Man]

She looks absolutely beautiful and I assume she runs as well as she looks. Would love to know if the original owner has seen it and if so what his/her reaction was...??

[elbo]

Absolutely amazing.
You did all this in six weeks.
Well done.

[Costellon]

Thanks to all of you yet again for your kind words. In answer to Marathon man, the previous owner pretty much gave it to me and I don't really think that he thought that I would do anything with it. He threw it against the hedge when the gearbox "went" on it and time raced by and eventually it became part of the hedge. The problem turned out to be gearbox output shaft bearings (€24 not including my labour) and the engine was barely run in at only 34k miles. I knew it was a perfect engine when I fired it up within an hour of de-hedging it and six weeks later I drove up to his place of work to give him a spin, which he duly enjoyed in total disbelief (checking the engine and frame numbers). This was my fifth BMW restoration and so I had already fabricated many specialized tools, knew the bike inside out and already had some spares to cut down on the overall cost of the project. Unfortunately I had to sell it recently to free up some money (broke my heart) and made about €200 profit in total (not including labour, 6 weeks !) but a project such as this is not about profit, it's the rewards bestowed upon you both aesthetically and in the many sensory treats ensued therein (sound of the engine running beautifully, feel of the machine on the road (ride quality) and of course the general experience of thundering through the Connemeara mountains on a machine that would otherwise have surely been scrapped and made into paperclips or coke tins - that is now ready to circle the globe for the next twenty years or so, solely due to your own blood sweat and tears). This was my 53rd restoration project and i'm hungry for more.

Thanks again to you all - any other hidden classic "wheeled" treasures out there in need of TLC ???????????

Re-use when possible, recycle when necessary and always re-invent !

To quote Antoine de Saint-Exupery, "A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral."

[Marathon Man]

Love the quote..! :-)

Pity you had to let her go but hopefully many will reap the rewards of your labour. and good luck with the next one. I have two VW Beetles (1971 & 1972) heading in the same direction, as soon as I can build my workshop that is (mortgage top-up here I come..!), so at some level I can appreciate what you've accomplished.

Well done and indeed you'll have to keep us informed of your next venture.

Regards,
Paul.

[Moeby]

Well done, I am sure it was worth the blood, sweat and tears, just to see such a successful bit or work. Fantastic job, it's a pity you had to sell it but with such skill I'm sure you will find another rewarding project.

[emma healy]

i would love this bike

[peppybrady]

Oh my God, thats fantastic.
Ever think of doing it proffesionaly??
In these crappt times, people will want to restore what they have instead of dumping it and buying a new one.
Well done. I am well impressed!!

[Bullbars]

lovely work

[BiddyL]

Congrats on your hard work and dedication. That is what the country needs at the moment, is more people like you, to put their heart and soul behind something, instead of borrowing money for everything. You should send a copy of your photos to BMW.

[chihuahua]

that is a fantastic job hun,well done x

[Arcticfreedom]

I still cant decide which i'm most impressed with... the bike or the poem :)

[unapam]

That is amazing!
A fabulous job and a labour of love I'd say. I hope you get many years of pleasure from it. Well done.

[Costellon]

Thank you all for your kind words and good luck with your own creative endeavours

[abs97]

I found this motorcycle (not on JT, but by chance) after it had been left to rot in a hedge for over nine years. After I got it off the owner, I completely stripped and rebuilt it using most of the original parts. I did all of the work myself which goes to show that almost anything is possible really (once you know what you are doing). Total time taken: 6 weeks, drives and looks like new.

I'm looking for another project to occupy my time if anyone has any unwanted classics that they would like to see lovingly restored to their former glory and be appreciated for what they are.
Thanks.
nice job, good to see something like an old bm being restored to a showroom condition

[Sinamo]

wow.....that looks awesome
like it rolled straight out of a showroom
and all done in 6 weeks
fantastic job :oD

[Rajan]

Really cooooooooooooooooooooooool!Its fantastic.Great job

[Korish]

I once rented basemant of old couple's house. He was a retired Ford mechanic. He used to go car wreckage to rescue old mustang and all for resotration. The time I was there he actually assembled the 1st generation red Ford mustang in his conservatory! It was a great place to have Canada root beer! ( It was Vancouver, Canada)

[Tribesman06]

Possibly the finest piece of work I've had the pleasure of seeing. It is truly unbelievable.

[Costellon]

Thanks

[HappyHunter]

Totally awesome - well done.

[abbamaniac]

good lad yourself,great job,looks like a different bike (well it is in a way lol),6weeks and worth it id say

[Costellon]

Good girl......thanks......

[colmsmum]

What an amazing transformation! Fabulous job, well done. It's a fine machine now. Wish I had the time & patience for a project like that.

[taraoreilly]

wow fantastic job well done

[Costellon]

Thanks

[yor]

Yikes, unbelievable, very well done!!

[nono]

An Absolutely brilliant job, such dedication, seeing is believing. Cant wait to see your next restoration project. Hope its soon !!!!!!

Best Wishes, Nono

[thepallasbull]

with a gift like your;s the wolf should never be near you door , think of all the ways you could earn money like customizing bikes or rebuilds . either way there.s a market for them if I was to give you a bike to restore and you did it in six weeks I would be highly impressed
well done all round,
Regards
Pat

[biker chick]

Fairs dues to you,i love the extreem hard work you put in,well done,ive 3 bikes myself & theres 1 bike thats a 1973 tc100 that a friend helped me rebuild maybe 8 yrs ago & there is only 2 of them here in Ireland,& i must say the feeling of utter satisfaction & pride with the finished product is amazing,i also have a fazor 750 that needs some tlc & ive decided to change the swing arm etc & make it a 1 seater,but its on hold at the moment as money is tight,but keep up the good work & if i come across any ould forgotten bikes i will keep you in mind,good luck...biker chick

[Costellon]

Still on the lookout Lads and Ladies ........ Any old classics out there gathering dust, rust or just taking up space send them my way ..........

[melissabell]

wOW!!! Fair playman that's brilliant work :)

[damsel83]

absolute genius!!!!! I am just waohed by this brilliant work.