what to look for in a used oilhead

[26667]

My buddy's gonna go take a look at a local '97 RT w about 41 K on the clock. Comp'd to what I see in the Flea Market it seems priced about right.
What are the first things you'd look for/listen for? It's too cold to ride here in Chgo and I don't think we'll get a chance to put it on a lift...at least not this viewing.
The owner says he has all service records. So...what to look/listen for?

Thanx for helping me win another convert!:german

[Visian]

the stock shock absorbers will most likely need to be replaced if they haven't already.

you might also inspect the service records and inquire about leaky clutch push-rod problems.

i am moving this to Oilheads tech so that you get a better response.

ian

forum liaison

[26667]

the clutch has push-rods???? or do the oilheads have pushrods which leak from the seals similar to the airheads?

[BubbaZanetti]

service history?
paralever bearings?
any leaks (rear main, transmission input, final drive, etc)?
like ian said, suspension, if stock, is gonna be pretty worn
see how it shifts, the 5 speed gear boxes are a bit more prone to issues. even though its cold, it would probably be good to be able to test ride it.

[BubbaZanetti]

the clutch has push-rods???? or do the oilheads have pushrods which leak from the seals similar to the airheads?

later oilheads have a hydraulic clutch with pushrod actuation from a unit that has leaked on other people's bikes

a 97 RT will have a cable operated clutch, no need to worry.

[Visian]

a 97 RT will have a cable operated clutch, no need to worry.

a little confusion here.

there is an issue with hydraulic clutch actuators leaking in later model oilheads, but that is not what i was talking about.

in the older model oilheads, with the cable-actuated clutch, there is a pushrod that goes through the transmission from rear to front and makes the clutch function.

when the transmission was assembled, the pushrod nicked the seal in some units, allowing the gear lube to run into the clutch.

this happened on my 96 oilhead, along with fragged bearings.

this was during a dark time for getrag, the supplier of the transmission to bmw.

ian

[rinty]

Do all the '97's have the fixed, final version of the transmission? My understanding is that the transmission problems were finally resolved during that year, so that's another thing you'd want to check out.

Rinty

[PGlaves]

There is not much inherently wrong with a '97 RT. Any Oilhead could be afflicted with any one of several possible things that have been known to happen to Oilheads. But the vast majority are pretty troublefree bikes. In my mind, when buying a bike the most important thing is how well it has been cared for. Maintenance records are important. Little things not neglected until they become big things.

This is not to argue that when something goes wrong it is due to neglect. But it is to argue that when buying a bike your odds are best with a well maintained bike.

I like bikes that are clean. But be a little suspicious of a bike that is too clean. Especially around the gritty mechanical parts. Too clean can sometimes mean some tell-tale sign of leakage was washed away. Not a sure thing but something to look at.

[AntonLargiader]

Do all the '97's have the fixed, final version of the transmission?
None of the 5-speeds were perfect, but the last version (started April '96 I think) is pretty good. It's not very prone to the problems that are common on the earlier trannies. I wouldn't consider the tranny on a '97 to be a liability.

Most of the slipstream upgrades were implemented before that, so it's definitely a good model year. If everything works well, and there are no leaks, I don't know what else you're really going to be able to determine based on inspection. The hall sensor could go, the tranny could start jumping out of gear, the final drive could go, ABS, fuel pump, whatever... but I don't think any of them will be evident on a typical pre-purchase inspection. If it seems well-maintained, and everything works well on the test ride, it's probably a good bike.

[jingdog]

I would ask If the seller would allow you to change the transmission oil. If it comes out with a metallic sheen to the oil then there are problems. Every once in a while I read about someone buying one of these old bikes and a month later the transmission problems rear their ugly heads. If I were buying it I would graciously offer to change the oil. If they didnt go for it I would be very suspicious and probably look elsewhere.
But an old bike is going to need work done at some point. That isnt necessarily a bad thing as working on the bike is fun in itself (within reason!) and you learn a lot. I wouldnt buy an older BMW motorcycle unless I was prepared to do some work on it.
My own 96 GS is a year old now. Before I got it the the PO replaced the clutch and transmission, the starter, the front master cylinder, rebuilt the calipers all around, replaced the throttle cables, and left a very detailed maintenance records that includes seamless 3000 mile oil changes. I have had to replace one of the fork seals (BMW did the other one) rebuild the throttle shaft of the right throttle body, and helicoil two of the valve cover bolts. Pretty good.

[bikerfish1100]

along with everything else already mentioned, i'd do all the "normal" checks that i would for any potential bike purchase- check bearings as possible (bike on c-stand, check play in rear wheel, swingarm, etc.), cable action, etc.

[26667]

It was indeed "priced right." Sold before my bud could get to the S suburbs to have a look. But thx to all who responded!:violin

[rinty]

Gene:

To summarize, I think potentially the most expensive item to deal with on a used oilhead is the upgrade or replacement of the "series 1" and "series 2" versions of the transmissions. Anton Largiader's site has an excellent article on these, and your buddy can bone up by reading that before assessing his next potential purchase. ABS problems are potentially expensive, but if the bike is not showing a flashing ABS light, and the brakes work OK on a test ride, I would think that you would be "safe".

But regardless, oilers are great machines.

Rinty

[rt1to3]

Bentonville BMW in Bentonville, ARKansas has a couple of used RT's. We just bought one of them. I have a 1998 R1100R. Love it too. 60 K+ miles and going strong. This is my 5th BMW:bikes :clap