BMW R27
The South Durham VMCC was home to many interesting old machines, but few stood out like Kelvin's unusual, quirky looking, irritatingly reliable and oiltight 250cc BMW R26. What it lacked in sound and fury, it made up for with easy starting and fuss-free riding. He rode many a mile on it over the hills of Durham and Northumberland, even venturing into Yorkshire on club runs. This was in the early 2000s but it stayed in my mind as a machine to have, even as I restored a wallet withering Commando.
Some years later, serendipity coincided the sale of my Commando, an R27's arrival at Venture Classics and my passing by on the way to meet Frank W for supper and a bevy or two. It was just too much karma; having cash in the bank and a bike I wanted already attracting wider attention. What else to do but buy it?
I particularly liked how it started so easily, first kick every time, but more on this later. Chris Spaett demonstrated the technique: fuel on, a few priming kicks, hold tickler down for 3 seconds, throttle open and a good kick to have the bike running and ready to ride.
It was in good condition with recent work including a new clutch, tyres, carburettor rebuild and a 12V generator with electronic ignition. The snag was that I could hardly start the thing after taking delivery, it kicked back frequently, fiercely
