"As we both know the R80 G/S didn't sell well when it came out in the early 80's - well it didn't sell in England but did sell in the U.S. and France and Germany. As I understand it BMW UK sprayed up my bike and put all the available extras on at the time in order to shift it. I've been told they did 50 of these bikes but I think that number is too high and 10 or so is more likely. I've heard of 3 other UK bikes in all these years but I'm not in touch with any of the owners.

Extras included - Right hand pannier and rack only, crash bars, side stand, fork brace, clock, voltmeter, black seat and this superb reddish paint job done at the time by Dream Machine. It came with both a kickstart and starter motor. Manufactured in May 1981 it wasn't sold until 1983 hence has an 'A' registration.

I bought it in 1986 with 10,000 miles on it for £1750 from London although the first reg was in Birmingham and I'm the 3rd owner. Its done over 150,000 miles now."

Scheme code is 592