R100RS valve covers

[jlsmith37804]

Greetings folks,
first post, recent BMW purchaser. I am detailing an 81 R100 RS, and have noticed the "peanut" style valve covers of the earlier models. I like the retro style, just wondering if they will fit the 81. Thanks!

[James.A]

Greetings folks,
first post, recent BMW purchaser. I am detailing an 81 R100 RS, and have noticed the "peanut" style valve covers of the earlier models. I like the retro style, just wondering if they will fit the 81. Thanks!

Yes.

[Polarbear]

They do, just finding them. Some dealers like Bob's BMW may well sell them new? Really good used ones are rare, undamaged. Good luck,Randy13233:usa

[Bob_M]

A nicely detailed RS is a thing of beauty. (as is a dirty one after a long ride) Post pictures.

Don't be shy about posting on the forum. your input is appreciated.:wave

[lkchris]

They fit, but they aren't as strong, i.e. accident puncture resistant.

[jlsmith37804]

Thanks for the input!
While I was waiting on the battery, the sand cast aluminum front cover aggravated me, so it got 3 stages of sanding, and 3 stages of buffing. Now it's a polished gem. Ditto with the carb tops and bowl, and the starter cover. The airbox got the bead blast treatment, and then the fairing lowers had to go. I took some Accel plug wires left over from a 1980's HD project, and replaced the old black ones. Can't have old throttle cables, so they went, too. The carbs were fairly clean, but that just wouldn't do, so into the carb cleaner, paint thinner, and then, ultrasonic soap/water bath they went. While that was happening, just had to replace the old floats and needles. I have had it running, just need to synch the carbs, though they sound fine. Darned front tire looks good, not weather checked, but wouldn't you know, its just too hard for my comfort level. Since I work in the rubber industry, I couldn't sleep with that on my mind. I hope to pick up the new one tonight.

I used stainless wire for the fuel line clamps, and you know that goes against my nature, but I really don't like the worm drive clamps either; this means I need to get the nice crimped lines and special pliers. With any luck, this bad weather will hold on until I get all these obstacles to my mental health out of the way.

BTW, I also have a XS650 street tracker project that has been 10yrs in the making, that ran fine. I didn't like the auto paint on the frame, so it got stripped bare and powder coated. Then mikunis, then.........you get the picture.

Thank God for my XR400, Honda made a perfect bike there, except for the pipe, the skid plate, the cam, the jetting, the luggage rack/license plate holder, then passenger pegs. Like I said, a perfect bike!

Pics of the RS when I get the front wheel on this weekend, and it doesn't rain.
thanks again folks!

[jlsmith37804]

AND, don't get me started about the logic of putting bolts WITH nuts, AND washers on a bike. I have dealt with the Fatherland as a supllier, and as a customer. They don't engineer EVERYTHING to perfection.
All the stuff I have removed, gets replaced with the equivalent Honda hardware. I am not a brand-centric purist by any means, just looking for the best way. When the bike goes down to the frame, (and it will, I just know it), the welder is out and metric nut-serts go on. I raced in the dirt too long, and have been in industry too long to put up with having to use two tools simultaneously to remove a fastener! Thus, the never-ending project proceeds.....

[sumran]

You don't suppose the new guy is trying to rile the purists in his first post do you?:whistle

Welcome. Looking forward to the pic's.

I like the old style valve covers on certain colors of bikes. My paint is black, so the newer style looks good to my eye. Of course you may want to polish yours to match the front cover!;)

[jlsmith37804]

It just gets better....
while polishing the pipes tonight, waiting on the call from the bike shop with the newly mounted tire, my eyes spot the rotors on the bike stand...wait a minute, the shop called last night, wanting them so they could spin balance the tire. DARN I say, in voice that caused the cats sitting around the heater some concern. I forgot to bring the rotors! So I get the rotors bolts and nuts and washers, two for each, BTW, and notice they too, need cleaning, and subsequent polishing. Now its 8:00, an hour after the shop closes. Another never-ending project unfolds!

No, I am not a purist, but I will improve anything if I know it can be, even if it has an HD answer. Not likely I admit, but possible.

[lkchris]

Another guy that thinks he knows better than BMW.

That's what motorcycling's about for so many folks--and that's why there are so many basket cases and bikes needing restoration going cheap.

Just ride--more of us here are more interested in hearing about good rides than we are about your legend-in-your-own-mind motorcycle engineering genius.

[bikerfish1100]

jeez, Kent. what bug crawled up your tailpipe tonight?

[sumran]

Another never-ending project unfolds!


An accurate accessment if you are going to turn your airhead into a high-gloss model with reworked design. They said Bing-Bing, not bling-bling.:stick

As far as I'm concerned, you plunked down your money to buy the bike, so if polishing the rotor bolts excites you and the cats, more power to you. Some of the guys I wrench with and ride with look at me funny because I wash my bike.:)

Much of the allure of an airhead, in my view, is the pragmatic design that puts a premium on function (riding). Most of the owners I have met have airheads because that design fits their view of motorcycling.

It seems you like the process of reworking bikes to your taste. I hope you enjoy the RS. You may fall in love faster in the saddle rather than in the garage. Whatever works for you.

[jlsmith37804]

Wow,
"Beemer wienie" really isn't just a term they use at the bike shop to make fun of my purchase. No sense of humor, pebble pooper, apparently.
Back to lurking I go..........
thanks though, for the helpful stuff.

[keelerb]

Your OEM plug wires had 5,000 ohm resistor caps on 'em. If you've replaced with non-resistor caps/wires, I imagine you might be causing some damage (e.g., to electronic ignition?) Others here will know better than I, but I just went through this with a Norton Commando after installing a three-phase alternator, and was warned in fairly certain terms to install 5K ohm caps on those wires as a result.

Must say, though, like you OEM is not a mantra for me. Don't get me going on that Commando....only Lucas parts left are headlight lens (which departs next week) and the taillight.

[jlsmith37804]

Thanks for the heads-up on the plug connectors. The PO had installed NGK's, and old automotive wires. I will check them out for the resistors.

Lucas was indeed, the god of Darkness. Had a 67 Triumph once, in my quest for the ultimate riding machine.

[rinty]

JL:

Once you've got it down to the frame, you can weld gussets in at the steering head and foot peg areas, so the frame is properly braced. The gusset locations can be found in the airhead sites. Then you can send the frame out for powdercoating.

Don't let Chris chill you, and go out lurking; we need to see pix.:thumb

I think the RS looks better with the stock covers than the peanut ones, but that's just my opinion.

Rinty

[Boxerkuh]

My food for thought.... :eat :drink
I installed peanut looking valve covers, repainted them and all... looked okay, but did not go with the lines of the bike, so after about 6 months I put the old square ones back on... it is a matter of choice, taste... :stick

[jlsmith37804]

Thanks for the feedback.
the comments about the weakness of the peanut style made a lot more sense, since on my maiden cruise to the gas station yesterday, the bike fell off the faux side kick stand as I was standing next to it at the pump, leaving an egg size bruise in my thigh. Your experience with the peanut cover appearance is helpful, too. I adjusted the valves today, and am taking the stock valve covers to work tomorrow to bead blast prior to a little polishing/painting therapy. Thanks again!

[Boxerkuh]

While you are at it, install a Brown sidestand. One of the first things I did is remove that OEM sidestand that some drunk german invented on Monday morning... Ha, ha... :doh :stick

[jlsmith37804]

What does the Brown Kickstand look like? This one was attached at the rear motor mount bolt. I saw the original stand's mount bracket up under the cylinder.
Thanks!

[rinty]

JL:

Or just weld a tang to it so you can get at it with your heel.

Rinty

[535is]

jeez, Kent. what bug crawled up your tailpipe tonight?
I think it lives in there ... :stick

[bikerfish1100]

What does the Brown Kickstand look like? This one was attached at the rear motor mount bolt. I saw the original stand's mount bracket up under the cylinder.
Thanks!
round sidestand, big diameter short spring, mounts at motor mount. this might be what you already have.

[kstoo]

Hey, if you have picture(s) of the RS with peanut heads I would like to see them. I started to clean up the 1982 RS that I just got and suddenly the engine and transmission and wheels are over at Thoroughbred's and I am painting the frame and other peices and ... how quickly this got out of hand. The point is that I really like the looks of the peanut heads on my 1980 R100T and was considering the same treatment for the RS. I am not sure if the /6 look would go well with the RS styling though.
Suggestion: if you suspect that the peanut heads might be weaker then don't drop the motorcycle over on them. Just another motivation to stay upright and rolling.
I bought the head covers from from Bob's BMW to replace the ones that I stole from the /6 and can testify that they are the best price and good quality. It is funny to see old banged-up stained ones being sold on eBay at twice as much. Do some research and shop around, people!!

[jlsmith37804]

X2 on staying upright! I am just glad I was turning around when the beast started tackling me; I had a fighting chance at staying upright!

I am with you on the cosmetic stuff and how a few things turn into a project
. The tier 1 atmosphere I have worked in doesn't allow for sloppy, dirty, slovenly appearances, no matter how functional. In my mind, if it doesn't look good, it won't run good. I have checked out the rat bike forums on another build, and I think they are cool, although it takes just as much work to maintain that appearance as a "more civil facade".

[ducatipaso]

My food for thought.... :eat :drink
I installed peanut looking valve covers, repainted them and all... looked okay, but did not go with the lines of the bike, so after about 6 months I put the old square ones back on... it is a matter of choice, taste... :stick

got those old ones still? wanna ditch 'em? they'd be perfect on my butchered POS

[barryg]

I've also got a thing for peanut style valve covers. I think the early 50's R68 was the first BMW to carry that style of valve cover. Followed by the R69, R69S, and R50S, and R69US. Nice company to be in. :bow

[r60us]

A bit of valve cover trivia... the R50S "peanut" valve cover is the same shape (different depth though) as the ones on the 1970 - 1976 twins and even uses the same gasket. The R68, R69, R69S are more elongated.

[Boxerkuh]

got those old ones still? wanna ditch 'em? they'd be perfect on my butchered POS

Sorry, already long sold... :bow :cry