Oh dear, I think I am getting old

[shrub]

I just bought a BMW. A 1978 R100S in tidy and well used condition with good mileage and has been in storage since 2002. It was on Tardme at a fairly silly price and I couldn't resist it.

Not sure what to do with it, might restore it, might build a cafe racer, my son wants me to build a bobber or might just get it back on the road and use it. Seems a shame to mod a matching numbers bike, but I can't leave anything standard.

241197

[jaffaonajappa]

I just bought a BMW. A 1978 R100S in tidy and well used condition with good mileage and has been in storage since 2002. It was on Tardme at a fairly silly price and I couldn't resist it.

Not sure what to do with it, might restore it, might build a cafe racer, my son wants me to build a bobber or might just get it back on the road and use it. Seems a shame to mod a matching numbers bike, but I can't leave anything standard.

Nice job! :2thumbsup
Farken great bikes in their day, and still underrated even 30 years later. Except by those that have ridden them of course.
Take it for a full days ride - 500km+, then decide what you want to do with it. Maybe its your new touring-only bike?

Edit. RS full fairing, or S model - which was preeeety rare in NZ yea?
Edit. Ahhhh, didnt see the pic before. The S model it is, and thats /7 versions yea? Awesome!!!!!

[Mom]

I just bought a BMW.

You are not just old, you have developed an aquired taste :yes:

I hope it becomes the sweetest, crispest, yummiest little thang that you cant eat, you have ever invested money in :sunny:

[Motu]

I got old and bought an airhead 3 years ago - went from a wild 2 stroke back 10 years to the least powerful bike in it's class. No regrets,still loving every ride and tinker moment.

[ellipsis]

...and your problem is...?

[Kickaha]

I just bought a BMW. A 1978 R100S in tidy and well used condition with good mileage and has been in storage since 2002. It was on Tardme at a fairly silly price and I couldn't resist it.

Not sure what to do with it, might restore it, might build a cafe racer, my son wants me to build a bobber or might just get it back on the road and use it. Seems a shame to mod a matching numbers bike, but I can't leave anything standard.


Pre82 race bike

I haven't ever seen the wank about matching numbers applied to BMWs, maybe the don't attract the same kind of train spotters as old English bikes

Plenty of 7 series BMWs around so I wouldn't be to bothered about it

They also have some of the shittiest brakes ever produced

[jaffaonajappa]

yep - have seen some farken fast R series old school Beemers before.....ok...very very heavily modified, but. fond memories.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/97543-BMWs-for-old-men/page9

[GrayWolf]

I just bought a BMW. A 1978 R100S in tidy and well used condition with good mileage and has been in storage since 2002. It was on Tardme at a fairly silly price and I couldn't resist it.

Not sure what to do with it, might restore it, might build a cafe racer, my son wants me to build a bobber or might just get it back on the road and use it. Seems a shame to mod a matching numbers bike, but I can't leave anything standard.

241197

Shrub, just get it running properly, maybe even hunt down some DelOrto pumpers (A'la 900S) and enjoy the beemer feel, those motors are just sweet at 4-5k RPM.
Just dont expect japanese style gear changes. THey are really best left in top and allow the motor to do the work on the open road. I had a GS1000 back in the early 90's.... loved it.

[AllanB]

Looks fairly clean.

Now you do realise that when riding it you cannot wave.........:killingme


I've seen some pictures of beautiful cafe versions. Quite stunning :2thumbsup

[Winston001]

Shrub, just get it running properly, maybe even hunt down some DelOrto pumpers (A'la 900S) and enjoy the beemer feel, those motors are just sweet at 4-5k RPM.
Just dont expect japanese style gear changes. THey are really best left in top and allow the motor to do the work on the open road. I had a GS1000 back in the early 90's.... loved it.

Good on you Shrub, enjoy.

My investigations on the subject are that better carbs help but only so far. The main restriction with these wonderful bikes is the size of the valves. The engine can't breathe properly as standard so different heads off another model are the answer.

Somebody here will know plenty more.

[jaffaonajappa]

Good on you Shrub, enjoy.

My investigations on the subject are that better carbs help but only so far. The main restriction with these wonderful bikes is the size of the valves. The engine can't breathe properly as standard so different heads off another model are the answer.

Somebody here will know plenty more.

Krauser 4 valve ones go bestestestest :)

[Winston001]

Hang on: great idea but how can you put a 4 valve head on a two valve motor? I must be missing something. :lol:

[Kickaha]

Good on you Shrub, enjoy.

My investigations on the subject are that better carbs help but only so far. The main restriction with these wonderful bikes is the size of the valves. The engine can't breathe properly as standard so different heads off another model are the answer.

Somebody here will know plenty more.

Around that time was the "big valve" motors, bigger than the later BMW R100 anyway, not sure if that year had them


Krauser 4 valve ones go bestestestest :)

Do you have some spare that you'd like to sell :lol:


Hang on: great idea but how can you put a 4 valve head on a two valve motor? I must be missing something. :lol:

Mike Krauser who made the MKM Krauser BMW made a 4 valve head to fit them, it was meant to be good for another 10hp, it included different pistons as well but apparently had a few problems with short valve guide life

Pretty rare item and generally very expensive if you can find them
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309160
http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=13360
http://www.rockerboxer.com/frame_2.html

[Voltaire]

I had a 78 R100 RS in the early 90's in the UK. The biggest improvement you can make is to bin the flywheel/clutch and carbs and replace with a post 81 flywheel assembly and fit a set of 40mm dells, you would not believe its the same machine. Brakes benefit from a handlebar master cylinder I beleive...I just fitted a later front end.
Earlier spoked wheels fit straight on....
Frame is fine for street as its the early ones that had the Rubber Cow rep...as the frame on them was 5 kgs lighter.

I just ordered a starter from these guys
http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/
$198 US for the Valeo and $48 post
Motobins in the UK for most everything else.

I must be getting old too as I'm building a R90 track bike.... I hate bowls and Golf.

I had two sets of the Krauser heads at one stage but no pistons, they were getting sold off at the time as they had valve guide lube issues ( so I read later)....I just went for twin plugging like everybody else.... but don't go 14mm as not really enought meat...10 mm would be better.
...or just get it going and ride around on it...

[Banditbandit]

Mike Krauser who made the MKM Krauser BMW made a 4 valve head to fit them, it was meant to be good for another 10hp, it included different pistons as well but apparently had a few problems with short valve guide life

Pretty rare item and generally very expensive if you can find them
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309160
http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=13360
http://www.rockerboxer.com/frame_2.html

Krauser is still around http://www.krauser.de/

I've bought parts off them for my BMW in the last four years ... It's amazing what they still have for airheads ...

[admenk]

Yes, you must be getting old. You start buying bikes that you actually want, rather than the one's other people say you should have (or one's that you think make you look good) If it's got two wheels, an engine, and you like it, then good on ya - enjoy it. (Mind you, you'll have to start calling yourself a "motorcyclist" now :innocent:)

[HenryDorsetCase]

I just bought a BMW. A 1978 R100S in tidy and well used condition with good mileage and has been in storage since 2002. It was on Tardme at a fairly silly price and I couldn't resist it.

Not sure what to do with it, might restore it, might build a cafe racer, my son wants me to build a bobber or might just get it back on the road and use it. Seems a shame to mod a matching numbers bike, but I can't leave anything standard.

241197

bastard! you absolutely burgled that. my hand was twitching like crazy yesterday...... but I didnt want a project bike and a deeeevorce all on the same day.

good buying.....

[shrub]

bastard! you absolutely burgled that. my hand was twitching like crazy yesterday...... but I didnt want a project bike and a deeeevorce all on the same day.

good buying.....

yeah, I was pretty stoked. I don't think the guy selling it realised what it would be worth and said he had several offers for more than he had listed it for sight unseen, but because I was in town and on the spot I got first dibs.

Now I need to decide what to do with it...

[HenryDorsetCase]

I must be getting old too as I'm building a R90 track bike.... I hate bowls and Golf.


I laughed at this.....


Its amazing how cheap old BMW bikes are: especially compared to same era Jap stuff...

[Dodgyiti]

I can't believe what good value these mid 70's to mid 80's BMWs are either. They were expensive new, held their value for 20-30 years and now all of a sudden they are cheap as chips for what you get.
Nice starting point for any sort of custom project. Don't worry about the matching numbers crap, they made heaps of them and nearly all are still on the road:nya:
Butcher away!:2thumbsup

[Mrs Shrek]

I just bought a BMW. A 1978 R100S in tidy and well used condition with good mileage and has been in storage since 2002. It was on Tardme at a fairly silly price and I couldn't resist it.

Not sure what to do with it, might restore it, might build a cafe racer, my son wants me to build a bobber or might just get it back on the road and use it. Seems a shame to mod a matching numbers bike, but I can't leave anything standard.

241197

do you have the pipe & slippers :sherlock:

[Voltaire]

Speaking fo pipes....I have a nice stainless exhaust system on TM that would polish up nice and fit your bike...( shameless self promotion)
...and a tank but no slippers.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=384726948

[shrub]

I can't believe what good value these mid 70's to mid 80's BMWs are either. They were expensive new, held their value for 20-30 years and now all of a sudden they are cheap as chips for what you get.
Nice starting point for any sort of custom project. Don't worry about the matching numbers crap, they made heaps of them and nearly all are still on the road:nya:
Butcher away!:2thumbsup

That's what blows me away - for similar money I could get a similar vintage and very ordinary old Jap 750 and similar vintage Bonnies (a lesser bike in every way) in the same condition would be easy 2-3 times what that cost me. As for Guzzis, Commandos and Ducatis - crazy money.

The more I poke around on the interweb and look at what people have done with boxers the more excited i get and because it owes me about what a well used Chinese 250 would have cost I feel quite free to butcher and abuse the old kraut and make her into an undignified strumpet. I'm starting to think stripped back to the absolute minimum, loud, late model Jap front end, few minor engine tweaks.

[Dodgyiti]

As for Guzzis, Commandos and Ducatis - crazy money.

The more I poke around on the interweb and look at what people have done with boxers the more excited i get and because it owes me about what a well used Chinese 250 would have cost I feel quite free to butcher and abuse the old kraut and make her into an undignified strumpet. I'm starting to think stripped back to the absolute minimum, loud, late model Jap front end, few minor engine tweaks.

There is a reason for the Guzzis, Commandos and Ducatis fetching crazy money. They are a lot rarer than their BMW counterparts for a start.
Nice to read 'few minor engine tweaks' - BMW's respond well to minor tweaks. Anything more and you kind of go backwards and ruin the good points of the engine and empty your wallet in the process.
You can have a lot of fun mucking around with them. Std parts are not cheap though. Hope your discs are ok, replacing them would be 20% of the initial purchase price:(

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/album.php?albumid=2529&attachmentid=240466
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/album.php?albumid=2304&attachmentid=176703
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/album.php?albumid=2304&attachmentid=176705
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/album.php?albumid=2505&attachmentid=205767
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/album.php?albumid=2505&attachmentid=179257

[shrub]

There is a reason for the Guzzis, Commandos and Ducatis fetching crazy money. They are a lot rarer than their BMW counterparts for a start.
Nice to read 'few minor engine tweaks' - BMW's respond well to minor tweaks. Anything more and you kind of go backwards and ruin the good points of the engine and empty your wallet in the process.
You can have a lot of fun mucking around with them. Std parts are not cheap though. Hope your discs are ok, replacing them would be 20% of the initial purchase price:(

Discs are reasonably worn, not sure if they are within tolerance, but I'll probably be fitting better brakes at some stage. I hear you about the minor tweaks - I want a lazy, torquey and engine that is reliable. If I wanted serious power I wouldn't be buying a Boxer so why try and make it into something it will never be?

[MarkH]

Not sure what to do with it

Nothing wrong with getting old - it beats the alternative.

As for what to do with it - it's a motorbike, ride the fuckin' thing!

[shrub]

As for what to do with it - it's a motorbike, ride the fuckin' thing!

yeah, but there is also modify and personalise the fuckin thing. The only bikes I have left standard have been the ones I didn't like, and I sold them. I think I'll like this bike so I will fuck with it.

[Voltaire]

BMW Cafe Racer Site. :drool:

http://flatracer.com/#

[Motu]

There has been an R80ST passed in twice with no bids at a low reserve on TM....why doesn't anyone want one of the rarer airheads for a give away price?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-371665879.htm

[The Lone Rider]

I just bought a BMW. A 1978 R100S in tidy and well used condition with good mileage and has been in storage since 2002. It was on Tardme at a fairly silly price and I couldn't resist it.

Not sure what to do with it, might restore it, might build a cafe racer, my son wants me to build a bobber or might just get it back on the road and use it. Seems a shame to mod a matching numbers bike, but I can't leave anything standard.

241197

Cafe racer. I don't think it'd suit a bobber without redoing a fair bit of the frame.

[jaffaonajappa]

If I wanted serious power I wouldn't be buying a Boxer so why try and make it into something it will never be?

Depends what rocks your world I guess.

Ive seen an airhead Ex-MOT R80 based bike, beat the hottest F1 851 and 888 Dukes around Manfield. They are Not all slow.......

[shrub]

Depends what rocks your world I guess.

Ive seen an airhead Ex-MOT R80 based bike, beat the hottest F1 851 and 888 Dukes around Manfield. They are Not all slow.......

Yeah, but if you want fast the easiest, cheapest and most effective way to get fast is to spend $5,500 on this: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-386143870.htm

Having said that, 30 years ago I had a mate who had an R60 and he could keep up with the rest of us on our 850 Commandos, 860 Ducatis, Bonnies etc. He would wind his Bimmer up to the ton and leave it there. All day. We'd stop to fix shit and he'd stop to laugh at us.

For me, what I want is a lazy, torquey bike that I can sit on all day and relax, and a boxer twin does that well, so as you say, different strokes.

[HenryDorsetCase]

BMW Cafe Racer Site. :drool:

http://flatracer.com/#


oh yes. oh yes yes yes. better than secks.

[shrub]

oh yes. oh yes yes yes. better than secks.

hell yes, I have been through that site and gained a lot of inspiration. I'm starting to swing towards a streetfighter/cafe racer concept with shades of flat track racer. I'd like something I can ride all day on a trip, commute on and ride down to the boozer of a saturday arvo, so that rules out a purist cafe racer. My son is right into the street fighter scene and he keeps emailing me pics, either that or he's trying to but my BMW off me for what I paid for it. Little does he know that dad is calling in some loans to pay for my project, but the little shit earns more than me.

[Kickaha]

hell yes, I have been through that site and gained a lot of inspiration.

Try rockerboxer (http://www.rockerboxer.com/garage.html) for some more and check out the CRo / Lufthaptprojekt while you are there

[jaffaonajappa]

I had a mate who had an R60 and he could keep up with the rest of us on our 850 Commandos, 860 Ducatis, Bonnies etc. He would wind his Bimmer up to the ton and leave it there. All day. We'd stop to fix shit and he'd stop to laugh at us.

For me, what I want is a lazy, torquey bike that I can sit on all day and relax, and a boxer twin does that well

Nope, all excellent points.... /Agree 100%.

[Bytor]

Scramble it...

http://www.pipeburn.com/home/2011/7/15/interview-karles-vives-fuel-bespoke-motorcycles.html