Prospero's Garage
The Other Slash 5 Page
My two personal favorites, I believe that these are the most beautiful Slash 5's ever. The first is a special built by Tom Bridgers and photographed at Daytona in 1997 (I believe). Complete with fly-screen, Heinrich Tank, Fully Valanced Front Fender and blue police turn signals, this bike really had it all. What marvelous attention to detail.
The second is a kneeler sidecar racing outfit, all hand built around a Slash 5 motor. The beautiful things about this special racing rig are legion - I can't even begin to list them all, but I'd like to point out the stunningly beautiful, handcrafted, highly polished gas tank/monkey perch at the rear wheel. What you can't see are the Extremely Unobtainium Del Orto Sidecar Carbs. Here are more shots of this wonderful piece of artwork.
Enjoy - they don't come any better than this.
Granada Red Favoites: First is John Gatch's '73 toaster tank (please ignore the little sheep on the ignition key - John is currently being treated for that sort of thing - he's in good hands now). Second is Phil Marx's Esquire featured Standard Tank bike. Both of these are really exceptional examples of Slash 5's dunked in possibly the nicest color ever (BMW's have to be black? give me a break!!!)
But, if you're going to have a black Slash 5, you can't go far wrong by emulating Phil Rose's Standard Tank below. Bob Tabasko throws' caution completely to the wind and comes out smelling like a rose (intended), after painting his toaster a dark version of British Racing Green from a BMW Z3.
The white bike below was snapped at BMW of Marin in the early nineties. It's painted a Slash 2 color, Dover White. Personally, I'd like to punish every person that erroneously calls this color "Bavarian Cream", but I guess I need to be satisfied with the thought they are just punishing themselves. Speaking of punishing himself, Tony Toglia strikes a wicked pose next to his silver bike at an early Festival of Fives.
On the road again. Jeff Austin huddles behind his extremely nice 1973 Slash 5. We had just spent the day riding through the Pocono's in the nearly vain search for Beaver Lick State Park. Thank god we found it. At one of the last Vintage Bike Days in Steamboat Springs, CO, I ran into an old friend, Mark, and his extremely early 1970 R75/5. His serial number suggests that it is the 69th bike off the assembly line.
Not really "other bikes", but rather more shots of one of my bikes - my R50/5 race bike. First in race trim, then in street attire.
More BMW Slash 5 race bikes. The black one features a Slash 5 chassis and a very highly tuned Slash 2, R50S motor - something you don't see every day. Ozzie Auer built this bike and his son, Ralph, rode it to several Championship Victories in the Sportsman 500 AHRMA Class.
Second is another, completely different take on Slash 5 racing, an entry in the Formula 750 class. I can't remember this guys name, but I believe he was from Michigan.
More race bikes. First is the Eurotech Motorsports bike ridden by former Eurotech race guy, Ivan Messina. I believe Ivan still rides this bike today, but independently. The white bike, along with the black bike below, were photographed at that last Steamboat Springs Vintage Races - but I don't know the riders.
In the "Where to Put them Class". I will always love the metallic green featured on the 73-73 Slash 5's, although the coffee can on this one just puts me off.
And finally, the ugliest Slash 5 that I have personally found. This monstrosity was snapped at the Berkeley Marina in the early 90's. That's a Bates fairing - and I still kick myself for not taking a better shot. The fairing features a VERY large compartment at the nose of the bike - just the place for lots of heavy stuff.... As for the bikes other accessories, seat, bags, etc - well, I leave you to find whatever in the eye of the beholder.
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