Airhead 247 Podcast

Our guest this week is Marcus Best who completed a RTW trip on his 1981 G/S in two parts –first South America in 2007 then finishing the remainder of the trip in 2008 and 2009. We’ll discuss why he chose an airhead, his pre-trip prep, on the road repairs (of which there were many) and making the adjustment to daily life after a RTW journey. Marcus has a number of archived posts about his bike on A...

This week, part two of our conversation with George Thomas at Air Support BMW Among our topics: navigating social media as a mechanic, George’s thoughts on twin shocks vs mono lever models and yes—--the transmission circlip. Find George online by searching Air Support BMW–you’ll find both his webpage and instagram under the Air Support BMW moniker. William Plam from Boxer 2 Valve returns for anoth...

This week part one of a two part chat with George Thomas at Air Support BMW in Kitchener, Ontario. Air Support BMW is the largest full service shop in Canada exclusively servicing vintage BMW motorcycles. George came to this work—as an airhead mechanic— a bit later in his career path. He’s had a very interesting and varied career prior to opening Air Support. Learn more about George and his shop a...

This week a return visit from Brook Reams. You'll recall from our earlier chat with Brook, he is a life long airhead rider and enthusiast who has documented a number of builds and restorations with great detail and information for the benefit of all 247 enthusiasts. This interview was just conducted on June 28th, 2023 as Brook is preparing to auction off an R80ST for the Motorcycle Relief Project....

SWT Sports in Germany has taken the modified airhead dual sport to a new level. The driving force behind this is Manu Schad. SWT has refined the purpose built airhead in addition to developing and supplying a full product line of parts for the enthusiast. We’ll dig into Manu’s history with BMW and his philosophy behind SWT builds and modifications. Support the Airhead 247 Podcast by becoming a mem...

This week a candid and insightful conversation with Ted Moyer—executive director of the BMW MOA. Everyone knows we’ve partnered with the MOA for a membership drive and it’s worth saying, this interview happened before the MOA came on board as a sponsor. That said, I think you’ll find this conversation with Ted refreshing and honest. We cover a lot of motorcycle and club related topics and yes…ther...

Back at it with part two of our chat with Helge Pederson. We discuss getting his R 80 G/S prepared for his globetrotting adventure, his relationship with BMW Motorrad over the years and what he's currently riding. Helge’s book "10 Years on 2 Wheels" recounts that journey and is available thru Touratech. email us directly: airheads247@hotmail.com Join the BMW MOA free with our digital membership pr...

On the program this week part one of our conversation with the founder of GlobeRiders and a trail blazer in putting the r80 g/s on the adventure bike map, Helge Pedersen. Along with Ed Culberson, Helge was on the vanguard in establishing what was the “new” R80 G/S as a true adventure motorcycle, pushing man and machine to the limits thru the Darien Gap. Helge’s book "10 Years on 2 Wheels" recounts...

Part two of our chat with Mark. This time we go headlong into the development of the Wedgetail Ignition System. Email and contact us directly: airheads247@hotmail.com Support the Airhead 247 Podcast by becoming a member of the BMW MOA—it’s FREE. Follow this link 247.bmwmoa.org and use the code airheads247 to register for a FREE one year digital membership. It’s a quick and easy process and a simpl...

This week is part one of a two part conversation with Mark Morrisey of MMM’s BMW Boxerworks in Brisbane, Australia. You’ll also know him as the driving force behind the Wedgetail ignition system. In part one of our chat we’ll dig into Mark's history, passion and philosophy of riding and maintaining the 247. In part two, we’ll go headlong into the development of the Wedgetail Ignition system. Also...

It’s part two of our conversation with Pokie Parmidge. You’ll recall from our last episode Pokie worked for Phillip Funnell Motorcycles in Vancouver, BC back in the early and mid 1970’s. We rejoin the conversation this week and set the time machine for Germany in the mid 70’s to tour the BMW motorcycle factory and attend BMW motorcycle tech school, with Pokie as our guide. Support the Airhead 247...

Over the next two episodes we’ll take you back in time to Vancouver, Canada in the early and mid 1970’s, thru the eyes and ears of one, Pokie Parmidge. Pokie worked at Phillip Funnell Motorcycles in Vancouver, BC when the /5 and /6 series bikes were first being introduced. Pokie has a suitcase full of stories and experiences to share from that time, whick we believe you'll enjoy. We’ll also be joi...

This week Nathan goes thru a list of mods, improvements and changes for the mono and paralever GS. Support the Airhead 247 Podcast by becoming a member of the BMW MOA—it’s FREE. Follow this link 247.bmwmoa.org and use the code airheads247 to register for a FREE one year digital membership. It’s a quick and easy process and a simple way to support this program. Email and contact us directly: airhea...

Support the Airhead 247 Podcast by becoming a member of the BMW MOA—it’s FREE. Follow this link 247.bmwmoa.org and use the code airheads247 to register for a FREE one year digital membership. It’s a quick and easy process and a simple way to support this program. Email and contact us directly: airheads247@hotmail.com Nathan Mende has a lifetime of experience as a motorcycle mechanic and airhead en...

Support the Airhead 247 Podcast by becoming a member of the BMW MOA—it’s FREE. Follow this link 247.bmwmoa.org and use the code airheads247 to register for a FREE one year digital membership. It’s a quick and easy process and a simple way to support this program. Email and contact us directly: airheads247@hotmail.com Our guest this week has been putting up some great airhead content on YouTube via...

Support the Airhead 247 Podcast by becoming a member of the BMW MOA—it’s FREE. Follow this link 247.bmwmoa.org and use the code airheads247 to register for a FREE one year digital membership. It’s a quick and easy process and a simple way to support this program. Email and contact us directly: airheads247@hotmail.com Elspeth Beard probably the most famous R60/6 still in circulation. If you are not...

Support the Airhead 247 Podcast by becoming a member of the BMW MOA—it’s FREE. Follow this link 247.bmwmoa.org and use the code airheads247 to register for a FREE one year digital membership. It’s a quick and easy process and a simple way to support this program. *Continuation of our discussion with Tom Cutter where we discuss the end of the 247 production run, BMW designer Hans Muth and his distr...

Support the Airhead 247 Podcast by becoming a member of the BMW MOA—it’s FREE. Follow this link 247.bmwmoa.org and use the code airheads247 to register for a FREE one year digital membership. It’s a quick and easy process and a simple way to support this program. Tom Cutter has a long and rich history with BMW, from his days at Butler and Smith to now operating his own repair shop in Yardley, PA....

Is there a more famous photo of a /2 VW conversion than the one with a bearded, leather clad Duane Ausherman from the late 1960’s? With that, we are thrilled to have Duane with us this week. Of course, we’ll talk about the /2 VW conversion but there’s so much more. Duane was in on the vanguard of BMW dealers in the early 70’s when company started expanding and building markets in the west coast. D...

Support the Airhead 247 Podcast by becoming a member of the BMW MOA—it’s FREE. Follow this link 247.bmwmoa.org and use the code airheads247 to register for a FREE one year digital membership. It’s a quick and easy process and a simple way to support this program. Is there a more famous photo of a /2 VW conversion than the one with a bearded, leather clad Duane Ausherman from the late 1960’s? With...

Support the Airhead 247 Podcast by becoming a member of the BMW MOA—it’s FREE. Follow this link 247.bmwmoa.org and use the code airheads247 to register for a FREE one year digital membership. It’s a quick and easy process and a simple way to support this program. Our guest this week is filmmaker, world traveler and media designer Daniel Rintz. The second of these is what we’ll focus on, as a good...

Support the Airhead 247 Podcast by becoming a member of the BMW MOA—it’s FREE. Follow this link 247.bmwmoa.org and use the code airheads247 to register for a FREE one year digital membership. It’s a quick and easy process and a simple way to support this program. In researching the 90S a few years ago, I came across some postings online by Mark Spitler. This led to a few email exchanges regarding...

Support the Airhead 247 Podcast by becoming a member of the BMW MOA—it’s FREE. Follow this link 247.bmwmoa.org and use the code airheads247 to register for a FREE one year digital membership. It’s a quick and easy process and a simple way to support this program. Our first episode with Leo was a bit light on the airhead content, however, as we heard from many of you, Leo is a wonderful storyteller...

Support the Airhead 247 Podcast by becoming a member of the BMW MOA—it’s FREE.Follow this link 247.bmwmoa.org and use the code airheads247 to register for a FREE one year digital membership. It’s a quick and easy process and a simple way to support this program. I met Leo Goff about 30 years ago, not long after I moved to Memphis, TN. He kept my /5, 77 RS and other bikes running when I was too you...

Support the Airhead 247 Podcast by becoming a member of the BMW MOA—it’s FREE. Follow this link 247.bmwmoa.org and use the code airheads247 to register for a FREE one year digital membership. It’s a quick and easy process and a simple way to support this program. Robert Sabel grew up in London and developed an affinity for German air cooled motors while working on vintage Porsches with his father....