Overland and Classic

Independent BMW Motorcycle Specialist

ABOUT US

Overland and Classic Motorcycles is an independent BMW motorcycle specialist operating from a workshop near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. We're dedicated to the service, repair and restoration of BMW boxer twin motorcycles. We provide expert BMW motorcycle servicing, engine, gearbox and bevel drive rebuilds, diagnostics and classic BMW motorcycle restorations.
With extensive hands-on experience across /5, /6, /7, Twinshock, Monolever and Paralever series, we approach every job with technical precision and a time served confidence in our knowledge to get the job done right. Whether its maintaining your classic BMW for everyday riding, prepping your airhead for a long trip or undertaking a full restoration, we aim to provide a tailored solution to meet your needs, ensuring your bike remains reliable, original and performs at its best.

GET IN TOUCH

EMAIL: overlandandclassic@gmail.com

PHONE: 07874 999371

If you cant reach us by phone, send a text, whatsapp or leave a voicemail and we'll get back to you.

SERVICES

OUR SERVICES

SERVICING

Regular servicing is essential to keep airheads running reliably and performing at their best. We offer service options for all models from /5 models through to Para-levers.

A comprehensive service includes:

- Engine oil and filter change

- Transmission, final drive, and shaft oil replacement (twinshock/mono)

- Valve clearance check and adjustment

- Ignition timing/ points check (or electronic ignition inspection)

- Air filter replacement

- Carburettor balance and tuning

- Brake system check and adjustment

- Full visual inspection of drivetrain, suspension and electrics

- Tyre pressure and wear check

- Checking of wheel, swingarm, para-lever & headstock bearings for play and smooth action

- Road test and service report

We use high-quality & correctly specified engine and gear oil, OEM oil and air filters and employ practices appropriate for classic BMWs. Future service intervals can be tailored to suit your bike’s usage and condition and any advisories for further work will be noted in the service report. Any suggestions for further work will be estimated and discussed before any additional work is undertaken — aiming for no surprises or hidden costs.

Prices:

from £300 + parts for a full service

from £150 + parts for an interim service

Planning a trip?

Whether you're heading off-road or across borders, we offer specialist overland and touring prep tailored to air-cooled BMW boxers. This includes thorough mechanical checks, preventative maintenance, suspension and charging upgrades, luggage mounting, and general reliability improvements - all with long-distance travel in mind.

WORKSHOP MENU

Short Motor Rebuild 

Bottom-end engine work including main bearings, big end bearings, cam chain and tensioner inspection/replacement, oil pump measurement and replacement, camshaft and cam follower inspection, oil gallery flushing, extensive cleaning and reconditioning of internal engine components, replacement of all gaskets, seals and o-rings.

Engine casings are vapour blasted in house to maintain quality control and ensure blast media is totally purged.

from £600 + parts

Full Engine Rebuild 

All work listed above in 'short motor rebuild', plus removal, inspection, refurbishing or replacing top end engine components to factory spec or better. This includes fitting stainless pushrod tubes, assessing the bores and pistons for wear and advising on the best and most cost effective course of action, checking rockers for lobe wear and needle bearing condition, checking valves/guides/seats/springs, etc. Vapour blasting barrels, heads & rocker covers in house.

from £900 + parts

Cylinder Head Refurbishment 

Cylinder heads stripped, checked, vapour blasted and rebuilt with new valve guides, valves, springs, cotters, seat recutting and conversion to hardened unleaded valve seats where necessary.

Exhaust thread repairs & fin repairs available.

All head work is priced once heads are stripped and evaluated. A guideline on cost is 1.5 - 2 hrs labour per head + parts.

Gearbox Rebuilds 

Reconditioning of BMW 5-speed and 4-speed gearboxes.

A standard rebuild consists of a full strip down and thorough inspection of gears and shift mechanisms, vapour blasting cases, bearings, seals and gasket replacement, circlip groove cutting (if needed), gear change mechanism spring and roller upgrade and full re-shim.

5 speed: £450 (inc bearings, seals, gasket, spring & rollers)

4 speed: £ POA

Additional parts such as helical primary gears, upgraded high 5th and/or low 1st will be discussed & priced once the box is stripped & inspected.

Carburettor Reconditioning 

Full strip down, inspection with jetting checks against factory specifications, vapour blasting, ultrasonic cleaning, gasket, seal and diaphragm replacement and checking wearable parts to determine if replacement is needed.

Rebuild: £170 + parts (seals, gaskets & hydrin diaphragms)

additional parts priced on top of rebuild cost

Final Drive Rebuilds 

Full or partial rebuilds on bevel drives including; strip down, inspection and shimming check, vapour blasting, seals and gaskets, bearing replacement where necessary ensuring smooth, quiet operation and proper backlash settings.

From £250 + parts (labour price varies depending on year/model & components changed)

Fork Rebuild & reconditioning 

Rebuilding of front suspension including seals, bushings and oil replacement - restoring ride quality and control. Fork stanchion chrome condition appraised and refurbed/replaced as required.

Fork leg vapour blasting or powdercoating where necessary.

Prices vary depending on year and model.

Propshaft Refurbishment 

Universal joints can get tight, notchy and develop noticeable wear in the bearings. We offer appraisal, universal joint replacement and phasing checks (paralever models) to maintain drive train reliability and prevent vibration or failure.

Vapour Blasting 

Gentle but thorough cleaning of engine, gearbox, bevel drive, carburettors and chassis components, restoring it to an often better than new finish that is not invasive to the metal.

Tyre Changing 

Classic & modern tire fitting and balancing with care for classic rims and correct pressure setup for safe, confident riding.

Workshop Rates

For non-menu jobs such as diagnostics and repairs our standard labour rate is £75 per hour. All diagnostic work begins with a 1-hour initial inspection (£75), during which we assess the condition of your motorcycle and identify any underlying issues. After this diagnostic period, we’ll provide a clear appraisal and discuss any recommended work, including estimated time and costs before proceeding further.

We aim to be transparent, thorough, and collaborative — keeping you informed every step of the way.

NUT AND BOLT RESTORATIONS

At Overland and Classic Motorcycles, we offer full nut-and-bolt restorations for classic airhead BMWs, bringing machines back to their original condition — or better. Each restoration begins with a complete disassembly of the motorcycle down to the last fastener. Every component is inspected, measured and either rebuilt, refurbished, or replaced with OEM or high-quality equivalent parts. Engine, gearbox, final drive, suspension, wheels, electrics, and bodywork are all meticulously restored to factory standards or tailored to the owner’s preferences.

A typical restoration process includes:

Full engine, gearbox, and final drive rebuilds
Chassis inspection, refinishing, and correct reassembly
Vapour blasting and refinishing of metalwork
Complete electrical system overhaul (including harness repairs or replacement)
Carburettor restoration and setup
Suspension rebuilds, upgrades and correct alignment
Wheel rebuilding, including spoke replacement and truing
Professional paintwork and refinishing to original colours or custom specifications
Attention to factory-correct hardware, finishes, and fitting

Restorations are approached with an emphasis on authenticity, mechanical integrity, and longevity. Each project is carefully documented, and progress is shared with the owner throughout. Whether you’re looking to return a classic BMW to showroom condition or build a perfectly sorted rider’s machine, we deliver restorations that will meet your needs — with the reliability needed for today’s roads.

How long does a full restoration take?
Each project is different, depending on the starting condition and scope of work. A full nut-and-bolt restoration typically takes between 4 to 12 months, depending on parts availability, refinishing times, and any custom requests.

Do you offer customisation options during restoration?
Yes. While many customers choose an original factory-spec restoration, we can also accommodate tasteful, non-invasive and reversible upgrades such as electronic ignition, charging system improvements, suspension upgrades, and discreet performance enhancements — all discussed during the planning phase.

What is the booking process for a restoration?
We recommend contacting us to discuss your project in detail. After an initial consultation, we can arrange an inspection of your motorcycle, outline the scope of work, and provide a detailed estimate and schedule.

Can you source missing parts or hard-to-find components?
Yes. We use a trusted network of suppliers for OEM and high-quality reproduction parts. We can also assist in sourcing hard to find used components where needed to complete your restoration properly.

Will I get updates during the restoration?
Absolutely. We provide regular updates, including photos and progress reports, so you can follow every step of your motorcycle's journey back to life, creating an evidenced portfolio of work carried out.

How much does a restoration cost?

The cost of a full nut-and-bolt restoration depends on the starting condition and completeness of the motorcycle. Bikes that arrive largely complete and in restorable condition will require less time and parts sourcing than machines that are incomplete, modified, or suffering from corrosion or prior poor repairs.

As a general guideline, a full restoration typically involves around 100 hours of labour, not including parts, specialist services (such as paint, powdercoat) or any additional custom work. At our standard rate of £75 per hour, labour often falls in the region of £7,500, with parts and materials varying depending on what's required. A well-preserved, complete bike may come in below this, while more complex or compromised machines can exceed it. We always begin with an inspection and appraisal, and will provide a detailed estimate before any work begins. Throughout the project, we’ll keep you updated on costs, progress, and any unforeseen issues — so there are no surprises.

Restoration Payment Terms

To help manage the cost of a full restoration and ensure transparency throughout the project, we operate a staged payment structure. This approach allows us to break the restoration into clear phases, with each stage documented upon completion.

Typical staged payment schedule

Disassembly and Assessment Stage – Payable once the bike has been fully stripped and condition documented.
Engine / Drivetrain Rebuild Stage – Covers labour and parts for engine, gearbox, final drive, and related systems.
Chassis, Suspension and Electrical Stage – Includes frame work, powdercoat, wiring, fork and UJ refurb, wheel work, etc.
Final Assembly and Comissioning – Covers reassembly, tuning, setup, road testing, MOT (if needed) and final adjustments. Any additional parts not added to previous staged payments will be payable at this stage too.

Each stage is clearly documented and invoiced with supporting notes and photos. This ensures you have full visibility of the work being carried out and gives you a clear vision of the project in manageable steps.

We’re happy to discuss a payment structure and restoration time frame that suits your needs.

OUR WORK