In 1976, BMW’s US importer Butler & Smith went all-in for the new AMA Superbike championship. B&S technicians Udo Gietl and Todd Schuster modified the R 90 S engine with shorter cylinders for more lean angle and larger bores to bring displacement to the 1,000cc limit. Rob North braced the frame, replaced the dual shocks with a Koni monoshock, and fitted Ceriani forks and larger brakes. The B&S BMWs opened the season with a one-two finish at Daytona, and Reg Pridmore ended the season as champion, with his teammate Steve McLaughlin runner-up. The bike seen here is Pridmore’s #163, found in Texas by BMW Classic’s Fred Jakobs and restored by Gietl for its first public appearance since 1977.

For more pictures and information on this or any other vehicle in the Motorcycles exhibit, check out the exhibition book in our store!