2002 BMW R1150RT Project Bike - motorcycles/scooters - by dealer - vehicle automotive sale - craigslist (2024)

So, what’s next? Well, this steady and sturdy, twenty-two-year-old “Oilhead” becomes a Project Bike. It’s time for someone else to pour their passion into the revitalization of a great machine, then experience the special pride of a long-lasting sunset period.

Naturally, you’d want to know how long a “sunset period” might last for an air & oil-cooled boxer twin BMW of this vintage. While no one can make an exact prediction, of course, we have the well-earned authority to say that it’s likely to be a Good Long Time. BMWs of this type — even ones sold as Project Bikes — are routinely ridden upwards of 200,000 miles, and many go well beyond that. So, it can be a mighty long sunset. (A personal note: your humble author’s bike is similar to this one, but two years older. It has almost 130,000 miles on it, has been ridden hard and put away wet for its entire life — and looks it — but still runs incredibly strong!)

For a Project Bike, this one’s requirements are fundamentally superficial, with one exception which we’ll discuss below. Its most pressing need is for a cosmetic overhaul. And frankly, since there are some riders who aren’t so concerned with looks, even that task is optional. It’s the mechanical condition that shines in this case. Our Service Teamthoroughly evaluated this bike. By their analysis, it runs well; the engine is strong, it accelerates and handles well, the clutch and transmission feel fine, the brake pads and rotors are all within spec, the tires still have good rubber (front tire was replaced in spring of this year), bearings in the steering head, wheels, and final drive all feel good, there’s no play in the ball joint, and the battery is fairly young and still strong. Finally, the bike’s vital fluids came in clean and up to proper levels. These are all signs that this R1150 RT has always been well-maintained — ultimately the key to long life.

To turn this Project Bike into one that will inspire admiring glances, you’ll need first to give it a good deep cleaning. The Titan Silver paint is in quite good condition overall for its age, but then you may wish to do the following: treat its sun-faded plastics, remove surface corrosion on exhaust and fasteners, replace one or more missing bodywork fasteners and adjust others that are installed crooked. The belly pan is installed incorrectly but looks like it only needs to be removed and reinstalled properly to solve the problem. For the tip-over damage on both sides which has left a few deep scratches on valve covers and elsewhere, there may be no completely satisfying remedy short of replacing some parts with new ones. But again, this is optional. Only the looks are affected.

Lastly, let’s talk about this Project Bike's one and only serious mechanical issue. The ABS is not working, and our techs say that it’s because the ABS servo unit has failed and needs to be replaced. ABS was an option at the time this model was sold, and as mentioned above, the braking performs very well in its current condition and all other brake components are within factory specifications and functioning properly. The bike is safe to ride now — without ABS. Still, ideally, you would probably want to replace the ABS unit and restore full functionality as intended. The needed component is not inexpensive, but good used ones are available more affordably. Please ask our sales and service teams for more information, and the best advice for how to move forward with the repair when you’re ready.

As with all PROJECT BIKES we want buyers to know as much as possible about the bike before making a purchase. We’ve nothing to hide and our only goal is that each new owner feels they paid fairly and got good VALUE. We encourage you to call, schedule a time to meet with one of our sales advisors, and inspect the machine in person to fully understand all the positives as well as the potential downsides involved in the refurbishing process. Please take a moment to learn more about Bob’s PROJECT BIKE program on our website: www.bobsmotorcycles.com/project-bikes/.

[Stock #ZE87007]