What do I need to know ?

soho

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Posted now here rather that on the 'Technical Forum'

My apologies, but I've never had the slightest desire to ride or own a BM of any kind, but I'm about to buy an '81 R100RS for winter use. Anyone here have any knowledge of these bikes. It's in great condition, but can I expect it to give me any ' JIP ' (I can fix most anything, but I've heard weird stuff about BM's needing some silly minor jobs to be done by authorised *specialists* only ? .
 
Give it a couple of hours you will get plenty of info, but try doing a search for RS/R100 on airheads section you'll be surprised.
 
RS have very narrow bars IMHO…… some find the riding position uncomfortable because of this ( I do)
The RT would make a better winter hack imho…… better riding position, great fairing.
 
Get it looked at by steptoe of this parish…… he is based in Putney/Kingston vale, so not too far from you.
He knows all there is to know about airheads.
 
So you've finally come to the dark side.
Have you still got the African twin & side car ! .

Ian.
 
Make sure you use the correct grade of gearbox oil in the gearbox and final drive, and possibly shaft, if there's oil in that too, if you're doing your own servicing. GL5 or higher.

Worth getting a Haynes Manual for Airheads.
 
clutchspring said:
So you've finally come to the dark side.
Have you still got the African twin & side car ! .

Ian.
Click to expand...

Long time bro'........... Yes still got some Hondas in the Harem amongst other stuff. Actually the side car is waiting for a new partner........who knows ?

Are you keeping well.I'm trying' to think back,Did you ever do the Elephant ?
 
tuftywhite said:
Make sure you use the correct grade of gearbox oil in the gearbox and final drive, and possibly shaft, if there's oil in that too, if you're doing your own servicing. GL5 or higher.

Worth getting a Haynes Manual for Airheads.
Click to expand...

Has the Haynes and better still has the proper full BMW workshop manual too.
 
Sounds like you know what you're doing.

I hope you enjoy it. Airheads are lovely things.
 
soho said:
I'm about to buy an '81 R100RS
Click to expand...
I used to have one of those...
Not a black one, is it? ***939W




Bubb said:
RS have very narrow bars IMHO……
Click to expand...

Yes, they have a unique riding position and it was always obvious to me whenever i saw another one on the road with the `pert` body position and the riders hands and arms tucked in in that very distinctive style..
Comfy, though..
 
Loved my 79 one.
My first BM.
Ex Rainbow WTE 509T in the beautiful blue over silver just like the gendarmes.
Excellent for getting folks to move over in France!:D
 
It's an 81 so will have the lighter flywheel and brembo brakes. The former a matter of preference. The latter a definite improvement. As pointed out above, the riding position can be awkward: it's not a town bike! On the open road and motorways however, it's peerless. Expect to stay dry below the shoulders in all but the most torrential rain and to cruise at very high speed, should you wish to!

Services are the same as any airhead: easy. However, the oil cooler makes filter changes a bit of a pain. That's all. Enjoy.
 
K75S handlebars will fit and are a definite improvement over the narrow standard bars.
 
Continued thanks for all your response,

Yep flywheel and Brembo's, both a bonus & yes I'm already searching for K75S bars. I've and old Fireblade for when I want wrist and neck ache and that's pretty much an ornament now for the same reasons.
 
Hi soho , never quite made it to the Elephant rally, nearly went one year bought some winter kit, had the tunnel booked , but then had a job offer so didn't end up going.
Sold my varadero which I had for nearly ten year's only sold it as it was getting to heavy, now ride a cb500xh nice bike with great fuel economy. road it round northen spain a couple off days ago.

Ian.
 
Hey Ian,
Didn't realise there was another post after my last post. Good to know your still getting about mate. The BM has been on the road since last Oct' Stripped and rebuilt the carbs, sorted leaking taps, refurbed the brakes and good to go !
Only trouble is I barely ride it . Used my 701 mostly over winter, Dragster's back on the road for the summer and I just took delivery of a New XL750. The BM is lovely in a nostalgic sort of way (I've kept it bog standard) but it's in a corner now with some of the other nostalgia. I had thought of letting it go, but tbh it's not costing a penny to keep on the road as an historic vehicle !

I'm sure we'll catch up one of these days,Nick.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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