BMW Performance

[Winston001]

Ta Milky, learn something every day.

[Enn]

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?

You can try delorto carburettors as they have a accelerator pump in the carb twist the wrist and a good squirt of petrol will help you on yer way, allso have lotsa adjustments for tuning,dont know what they would cost, a rs fairing will help too lots less wind for ya to act like a sail and mess wet inna rain, good luck ....

[Enn]

oops i mean less wet inna rain

[Ixion]

.. a rs fairing will help too lots less wind for ya to act like a sail and mess wet inna rain, good luck ....

?? RS fairing is smaller than RT. So less wind resistance. But the RT will keep you dryer. (Completely dry actually , at speed)

[Eddieb]

It is an ex-MOT machine, 1985 model.

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

Hi Winston

As with everyone else, welcome aboard.

For bits for the older Bm's get hold of Kerry at Motohaus in Auckland, (Motohaus on here) he knows a fair bit about the 80's and earlier models and has hands on experience with Ex-MOT R80's.

I found with my old R80G/S with the inlet trumpets removed out of the airbox (How I got it) the bike rev'd a lot quicker and had a noticable amount more go at higher revs, but was a lot more peaky with a sudden rush at about 5k revs.
The only problems with that mod is the inlet trumpets have to be cut off rather than removed as they also act as a seal for the airbox around the inlet tracts to the carbs, so it's a one way mod unless you have spares.

[Winston001]

I found with my old R80G/S with the inlet trumpets removed out of the airbox (How I got it) the bike rev'd a lot quicker and had a noticable amount more go at higher revs, but was a lot more peaky with a sudden rush at about 5k revs.
The only problems with that mod is the inlet trumpets have to be cut off rather than removed as they also act as a seal for the airbox around the inlet tracts to the carbs, so it's a one way mod unless you have spares.

Hi again everybody. I'm not sure what the etiquette is here regarding old threads so go ahead and abuse me.

Summer's here and the time is right for riding in the streets.

I just wanted to repeat my thanks for everybody's advice. I haven't actually done anything yet - except for trying Eddieb's tip regarding the air intake. Took off the trumpets (detachable upon close inspection) yesterday and either the bike is louder or it accelerates better. Both I suspect.

So that is a simple mod which might herald others. Anyone have thoughts on different pipes? I suspect the standard mufflers choke the bike's breathing.

[Milky]

We may well have some aftermarket pipes here if you want - I will check in the morrow. My old man used to do services on the MoT R80s when they were in operation, so we have about 5 genuine MoT tanks if yours is too expensive to repair.

[Milky]

Oh and etiquette is something along the lines of - If there is valuable info to be added then it is fine. Dredging through old threads to post drivel isn't greatly appreciated

[Ixion]

We may well have some aftermarket pipes here if you want - I will check in the morrow. My old man used to do services on the MoT R80s when they were in operation, so we have about 5 genuine MoT tanks if yours is too expensive to repair.

Just on the off chance- he didn't do services on the MoT Suzuki GT750's did he. Anything on the big Suzuki two smokers, I'm interested to hear. Best bikes ever made.

[Beemer]

There is a guy in the Manawatu called Trevor Homes (not Holmes) who has an R80RT that he has apparently done quite a bit of work on to make it perform better. My husband is at a trail ride today so I can't ask him what's been done to it, but he reckons it's pretty impressive. I think the bike is currently up for sale too.

[Milky]

Just on the off chance- he didn't do services on the MoT Suzuki GT750's did he. Anything on the big Suzuki two smokers, I'm interested to hear. Best bikes ever made.

Not that I know of. When were they running those as patrol bikes?

[Dadpole]

Not that I know of. When were they running those as patrol bikes?

Back at the dawn of time (1972/75). Only the lucky cops got them. The not-so-lucky ones got the mighty GT380 instead. With the full gear (screen panniers etc) they were a sad sight trying to keep up with the play.