Brooks Motor Works

Matt says:

Hello. I just wanted to say thank you for the awesome job you did on my brother inlaw Dave's motorcycle and side car. It looks absolutely beautiful, and to see the look on his face when we picked it up today was amazing. thank you for making his dream become reality . I know he didn't think it would be possible to see it run again let alone look like this. Thank you again
matt

George Canavan says:

We were down in Death Valley riding two up with the Antique Motorcycle Club last year on our ’64 R50/2. Ever feel like the skinny kid in those Charles Atlas ads in the back of Dell Comics? Most of the fellows ride pre-war V Twins; Indians and Harleys. Every hill had us grabbing gears and slithering backwards through the pack as rider after rider would roar past on the left.

Something had to be done. I needed a Charles Atlas to enter my life.

Fast forward to Bonneville. There’s Barb pounding down the salt exceeding three figures. And on a 500 to boot! Kevin’s wrenching and orchestrating the show. The light goes on in my brain, “Hello Chuck!”

Next stop Brooks Motor Works with the tired old 500 in tow.
“Slingers?” “Of course.”
“ Lightened flywheel?” “Should help.”
“High compression pistons?” “I’m interested.”
“How ‘bout some Bonneville Land Speed Record inspired head work?” “Now yer talkin!”

Time flies by. Got my rig back. Off to Lake Tahoe and a bit of high altitude riding.

Still breaking in the improvements but we are a mid-packer each day. No more struggling to pass on two lane roads. Strong acceleration. Great fuel mileage. All is well except for an unsettled score.

Round Two – Borrego Springs, the Winter Ride. Borrego has this nice l o n g hill leaving town that makes for an interesting roll-on contest proving grounds. Perfect. Mr. Kicks Sand in Face says “Follow us out of town. We’ll wait for you at the usual places.” “Sure.”

I’m all over his rear view mirror leaving town. The pace quickens but I don’t get any smaller. On we go up the hill. It gets steeper. He grabs a gear and twists that grip for what it’s worth and for the first time, we’re there the whole way. As I pull up for the coup de grace, his AJS scrambler locks up in a lurid tank slapping slide that goes on and on until he wrestles it to the curb. DOA.

I pull along side. “Need a hand?” Kicks replies “I don’t understand it. It has never done that before. I think it seized right up.”

Jim Dahl from Alaska:

Hi Kevin,

I just got by the 100 mile breakin mileage over about 7 rides.

I mostly ran in 2 the 3 gear at mostly 25 to 45 mph. No heavy pulling land no high revs.

I drained the oil and pulled the pan.. All there was were a few flecks and two slivers of metal about 1/2 long and slightly curved, thread thin. looked like steel.

Anyway the engine all seems well.. I am having a bit of an issue with the carbs.. the left side is running rich .. I am about to pull it off and pull it apart and check for a plugged jet.

The bike burbbles on off throttle.. then has a slight hesitation on slow open of throttle...the fast twist has good response.. bike starts good cold and needs a at least 1/4 throttle to go when hot.

I noticed the left side dripping, the float is not seating and sealing well. I will take it of and do a complete check. I have done the complete top to bottom and adjusted per specs and timing light is showing good.

I have the old style advancer. it has the old style stopper and after reading about it, I would like to get the fix with a new style spring to keep the weights in check. . you would not have a better spare around? or other suggestion.

Anyway, I am pleased with the motor and your fixes. I would recommend your service anytime. Thank you.

Jim Dahl
Ketchikan, Alaska

Jeff Brummel says:

Kevin Brooks is a master mechanic who truly wants to see the old BMW airheads back on the road to be enjoyed. Stepping into his shop is like walking into a time machine where BMW airheads are showcased in colors and configurations not normally seen such as Bavarian Cream, red, green and custom paint jobs in classic black with silver. The sidecar rigs are simply amazing.

What I personally appreciate the most from Kevin is his attention to detail and making sure everything works correctly. There truly is no one else who I would trust to work on with my father’s BMW and I’m grateful for his help keeping it running as it was designed to.

Jeff Brummel
Second Generation Owner 1959 BMW r69