Fixer Upper Update

[SteveH]

Gents,
Been a while since I posted progress on my 1984 R80RT project, so here's some pics !

Here's what I started with:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1167/1206264764_f0e9add4e7_o.jpg

The bike started and ran OK - but she looked ratty. So, I took it down to this:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1331/1206264868_f47a3c81da_o.jpg

I removed the starter cover, airbox, valve covers, subframe, grab rail, etc and repainted them. Then I cleaned up the engine with WD40 and scotchbrite (shocked at how well that works !). Unfortunately, I am STILL waiting on trying to get the right fork tube (The Previous owner torqued the pinch bolt too tight and broke the axle bung).
But, I did get the tins back from the paint man; and the wheels back from Powdercoat...So this weekend she'll go back together:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1186/1206265062_1ed65c6c9b_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1390/1205403961_028245886e_o.jpg

For those of you curious, here is my running tally of costs this far (it kinda hurts to look at this....)
07-25-2007 – New exterior Fairing Pieces $200.00
07-27-2007 – Oil Filter and Speedo Boot $27.90
07-30-2007 – Fairing Hardware, Carb Rubber, Decals $203.60
07-31-2007 – New RH Fork Slider $115.00
08-01-2007 – Wheel Bearing Seals $36.88
08-07-2007 – Fork/Exhaust Seals, Airfilter $70.96
08-08-2007 – Wheels Powder coated $180.00
08-09-2007 – New Front Tire and Tube $100.00
08-09-2007 – Bearing and Exhaust tools ($83.00)
08-10-2007 – Bike Repainted $700.00
08-12-2007 – Progressive Suspension Fork Springs $78.00
08-14-2007 – Misc Plastic and Engine Paint $60.00
08-21-2007 – Header Pipes $154.99
08-23-2007 – New Windshield $193.99


Yes - that is damn near $2300 :sick But, what can I say :heart

I will make another post shortly detailing all of the issues/solutions I faced thus far (odometer fixes, etc).

Getting closer though - the UPS man just dropped off my header pipes; so maybe she'll be resurrected this weekend :dance

[Markus]

nICE work! :thumb

[kstoo]

Yes - that is damn near $2300 :sick But, what can I say :heart


NO NO NO!!!! DO NOT TELL ME TOTAL $$$ Just show me the end results but don't tell me how much it cost.:wow

Just kidding. Have to total it all up eventually.

[mrich12000]

Wow what a nice bbbbbbbbbike:thumb

[MurphyPeoples]

Steve - that is one good looking ride! Man, I can't wait to see the finished results!
Though I've kept all my receipts... I decide early on not to tally. I think my numbers would be too depressing. Instead I just enjoy her on the road, as I know you will too! Thanks for keeping us in the loop! Great job.
Murphy

[SteveH]

Thanks for all your support !

Here's some things I learned:
#1 - Odometer issues. CATCH THESE WHEN THEY FIRST APPEAR ! Mine was to the point where the whole gear shaft assembly was pushed out well past the drive gear. This resulted in my having to spend about 4 hours machining a new one (I should have made a one-piece shaft/gear assembly now that I think about it...But cutting the gear would have taken days..)
#2 - BMW Airheads are rather simple and logical machines. I feel that 90% of the bike can be maintained and fixed without the manual (naturally torque specs, etc are needed). This aids in trouble shooting - as long as you know the 'usual suspects'
#3 - Mother's 'Back to Black' is useless for the black ABS plastic. Vinyl dye is the only way to go.
#4 - A $1500 BMW is never just a $1500 BMW.
#5 - PB Blaster rocks. I know for a fact that the last time my exhaust nuts were touched, it was by Heidi at the factory. A week's worth of soaking in the golden elixir, Ed Korn's magical tool, and some ballos, allowed me to remove these with ease. Ditto for the tranny fill.
#6 - This board, and the Airheads email list are some of the best group of people on the planet. Period.

Oh ya - :bikes

Thanks again,
Steve

[Motor31]

Wait, how much for the new final drive?



Oh wait that's an oilhead thing and this is an airhead........ :thumb

:stick

[SteveH]

Wait, how much for the new final drive?



Oh wait that's an oilhead thing and this is an airhead........ :thumb

:stick

Ya, the airhead thing is the tranny rebuild :whistle

[kstoo]

... I decide early on not to tally. I think my numbers would be too depressing.

correct attitude for me. I don't need to justify and defend myself!

[kstoo]

Here's some things I learned:
#4 - A $1500 BMW is never just a $1500 BMW.


well, yeah, it sorta is $1500 when you are justifying righting the check. It becomes something else once it gets home.

[Boxerkuh]

This one will be a keeper when you are finished. That is truely a labor of love and when you are done you will have practically a new bike. Keep us posted....:thumb

[Stuff2C]

It's nice to see it's being put back together:thumb
So many of these get parted out...never to be seen again.

[ggfossen]

Steve,

Note of interest, and nothing more. I have an '83 R80RT that has just been replaced with a new 12RT. I bought the '83 new in Tucson in '84. It is the same color as yours. Presently, it sits forlornly idle, but I will get to it. It does my heart good to see the old machines back on the road and standing tall.

Gary

[SteveH]

All,
Ok - so my header pipes came in yesterday. I cannot take it any longer...I am going to sneek out of work today and get the pipes installed, and the fairing and wheels on. Hopefully over the weekend I'll wrap up the windshield install and some misc other crap.
Unfortunately I still won't be able to ride it; as I have that damn fork slider issue - this is really pissing me off :banghead :banghead :banghead
At this stage, I need to remove the sliders, rebuild the left side and re-install, then mail the right side fork slider back to Mike @ airhead salvage for him to match it up.

I'll post photos either this evening or tomorrow evening.

-Steve

[sumran]

well, yeah, it sorta is $1500 when you are justifying righting the check. It becomes something else once it gets home.

Congress has been using this principal on a much larger scale for years.:usa

[SteveH]

So today took longer than expected.
I was able to assemble the fairing, and mount the upper section to the bike. I also affixed the vent intakes, and the rear wheel. Honestly it is shocking how a nice newly powder coated wheel and new tire make the whole bike look like new.
All in all though - that took 4 hours; as I had to run back and forth looking for the proper hardware.
Tomorrow I want to get the seat mounted to the cowl, and mount up the exhaust. Im kinda concerned as it *seems* like these headers have an upsweep at the end - that my pipe angle doesn't quite seem to match - we'll see what happens tomorrow.
I figured it was stupid to take any pics at this point - I'll wait until tomorrow when the exhaust is mounted up; and I have the side lowers on.
Im frustrated that I cannot get the windshield mounted up - as the paint man forgot to return my dashboard - yet another week delay :scratch

I hope my CB450 Cafe project goes better....

Regards,
Steve

[Motor31]

Post pix at all stages please! It's ok if it's not all together, some of us would like to see the process.

:wave