BMW Performance

[Winston001]

Having just got my BMW R80 RT going after 12 years in a shed, my thoughts naturally turn to increasing its performance. I've just taken it to the Brass Monkey, had a great time, and the bike ran like a dream. But with the large fairing it will only pull 150kph and has never exceeded that speed in the past.

It is an ex-MOT machine, 1985 model.

In reality I'll never want to cruise at any more than 120kph (or slower) but the bike feels as though it could use a little bit extra oomph.

I've searched the net but not found anything helpful. Anyone have any suggestions or know of a reputable mechanic who can advise me?

[HDTboy]

Artifical aspiration?

[Kickaha]

Most common was to get some 1000cc barrels,pistons,head etc as they're a bolt on fit

If you dont want to do that the usual mods,exhaust,airbox,carbs work as well on these as any other bike

[Sensei]

1000cc barrels & pistons . Friend has done this convertion to afew R80's now tranforms the bike power wise by heaps . Could give you his number to have a chat if you like .

[Milky]

Me old man may have some barrels sitting downstairs / have access to some... We have some 148 mainjet carbs (up from 135 standard on the R80s) and possibly some other bits and pieces that would help you out on this front.

On any other airhead things like drive splines/rotors/universals etc give me a PM and we are likely to be able to help you out..

[zadok]

Welcome to K.B, Winston001.
Nice old Beemer you've got there.

[thehollowmen]

Tell me how it goes.
A friend has just hauled his up and has it on blocks after 6 years. He's having a go to get it back in working order.

He might want to do a bit too

[Bonez]

The fairing is the really the major issue here I think too. The ol man has an R80 and he scoots around the country side quite briskly with his mate on an a Honda VFR sumit-forget which model they all look the same... Dad just has a bikini fairing on his BM.

[Sniper]

Im with the others Winston001 (Bonds boss??) Pop a 1000 barrel, head, pistons and a couple of other bits and bobs in and you'll do well.
Welcome to KB, enjoy our humour (Biff), Wit (White_trash), sensability (Hitcher, Jim2 and a couple others), stirring (Winja, mikey and anyone with a red dot) and the people who make no sense (Yours truely).

Oh yea, small tip. Dont talk about how fast you can go as it ruffles the smart ones up (Those with few demerits left or lots of fines) and also tends to make the restless ones (Those that havent been caught yet and the "wannabe" bad-boys) want to race you.

[geoffm]

Go to the nive folks at http://www.siebenrock.de and get their shiney paper catalogue. Lots of bits for airheads, including big bore kits, etc. Not a cheap exercise though.
Geoff

[Ixion]

The fairing is the really the major issue here I think too. The ol man has an R80 and he scoots around the country side quite briskly with his mate on an a Honda VFR sumit-forget which model they all look the same... Dad just has a bikini fairing on his BM.

The RT fairing knocks about 20km (about 12kph if you have the electric screen) off top speed compared to the S models. Worth it , but,when it's pissing down with rain and cold as charity, and you're tootling along warm and dry

[Wolf]

Welcome, Winston001. Great bike. All the best getting it how you want it.

[vifferman]

Hi there, Winston001! :spudwave:

Welcome to the Kiwi Biker gargre!

[scumdog]

Welcome to this site of Bedlam and chaos Winston001, might see you at some of the southern rallies perhaps?

[F5 Dave]

A friend took some beemer to the Brass a couple of years ago with a bunch of us. It was supposed to be some sporty model. Man it was slow, he got ‘soles about it as he had a perfectly serviceable RF900 in the garage, but he’d just swapped something for it so thought he’d take it.

Just wouldn’t rev out. Turns out the carb diaphragms were perished so the slides weren’t lifting fully, hence it was a slug. Quite common apparently on older BMs. Not that we let him off the hook for it.