R100R impressions sought

[jbcollier]

I have a 1995 R100R rig that I just converted back to a single for an upcoming road trip. The triple trees had been raked to reduce trail so I bought a used set and swapped them in. I have some impressions that I would like to run by those who have one just to be sure I have not missed other mods that need undoing.

There is some wheel flop at very slow speeds (under 5 mph). You have to "counter-steer" quite a bit to keep it from falling in. The bike is also quite high. Not on tip-toes by any means but not easy to swing a leg over. I thought perhaps they might have swapped in GS fork tubes to restore normal ride height after raking the trees.

Is it just me or is the sidestand too far forward? You have to be off the bike to fully deploy it. Perhaps I should push it forward as far as I can and then roll the bike backwards to fully engage it?

Ticketee-Darn-Boo otherwise though I occasionally push the brake pedal to shift as my other road bike is a right side shift Ducati single. It wasn't a problem when the BMW was a rig but my brain hasn't the computational power to deal with two "similar" bikes with different shifting patterns.

[zoridog]

jb,

My bike is the only BMW I could ever flat foot and I have no wheel flop. That sort of confirms (to me at least) that you may not have the original forks.

The side stand is in the right (inconvenient) place. I use the center stand exclusively.

You didn't mention how many miles are on the bike. If you're getting close to the 45K mile mark, have your transmission looked over. Those bikes were made without the circlip causing the bearings to fail. Bikes at that mileage also need their universal joints checked. And one more thing ... replace the rubber boot on your speedometer cable. An old boot will allow water into your tranny.

Also, are you in the USA? I ask because BMW did not export the R100R after the 1994 model year. The 95's were kept in Europe.

[jbcollier]

I'll drop the forks through the trees and see how it behaves then.

It is a 1995 as it is a Canadian bike. We also got a mix of the Euro spec, such as 40 mm carbs, and the US spec, such as exhaust air injection. BMW put the circlip back for the 1995 model year.

[zoridog]

BMW put the circlip back for the 1995 model year.

Nice! I just paid $1500 to have my trans rebuilt because the bearings went south. The labor to replace the clutch plate, remove and replace the trans cost about $500.

All because BMW wanted to save a dollar per bike on a circlip.

[rocketman]

I have a 1995 R100R rig that I just converted back to a single for an upcoming road trip. The triple trees had been raked to reduce trail so I bought a used set and swapped them in. I have some impressions that I would like to run by those who have one just to be sure I have not missed other mods that need undoing.

There is some wheel flop at very slow speeds (under 5 mph). You have to "counter-steer" quite a bit to keep it from falling in. The bike is also quite high. Not on tip-toes by any means but not easy to swing a leg over. I thought perhaps they might have swapped in GS fork tubes to restore normal ride height after raking the trees.

Is it just me or is the sidestand too far forward? You have to be off the bike to fully deploy it. Perhaps I should push it forward as far as I can and then roll the bike backwards to fully engage it?
Ticketee-Darn-Boo otherwise though I occasionally push the brake pedal to shift as my other road bike is a right side shift Ducati single. It wasn't a problem when the BMW was a rig but my brain hasn't the computational power to deal with two "similar" bikes with different shifting patterns.

That is how I generally do it and I can flat foot my R100 just fine but with the return spring as it is (with no locking possition) I find it more positive to do as you describe. You could also look to getting an aftermarket side stand, forget the brand name of the most popular one at the moment, but someone can chime in. It doesn't have the auto retract feature.

RM

[bcgilligan]

Nice! I just paid $1500 to have my trans rebuilt because the bearings went south. The labor to replace the clutch plate, remove and replace the trans cost about $500.

All because BMW wanted to save a dollar per bike on a circlip.Ouch! I was fortunate both times to catch mine as the bearings were on their last legs. First time at approx 60k, then again at 104,000. The last time I did the dirty work of pulling and replacing the tranny. I hauled the tranny to the dealer and had one of their mechanics replace the front and rear bearings.

I should probably have shipped the tranny off to Oak ("Ask Oak" fame) who has the tools and experience to cut the groove for the circlip in the rear output shaft, but I should have at least 40-50k miles before it does it again. Here's hoping!

Bob

[AnnapolisAirhead]

Nice! I just paid $1500 to have my trans rebuilt because the bearings went south. The labor to replace the clutch plate, remove and replace the trans cost about $500.

All because BMW wanted to save a dollar per bike on a circlip.

Hmmm...I have a 1983 R100, how do I tell if I have the same lack of circlip??

:dunno

[zoridog]

Hmmm...I have a 1983 R100, how do I tell if I have the same lack of circlip??

:dunno

You should be OK ... they stopped sometime in 1984.

[zoridog]

Ouch! I was fortunate both times to catch mine as the bearings were on their last legs. First time at approx 60k, then again at 104,000. The last time I did the dirty work of pulling and replacing the tranny. I hauled the tranny to the dealer and had one of their mechanics replace the front and rear bearings.

I should probably have shipped the tranny off to Oak ("Ask Oak" fame) who has the tools and experience to cut the groove for the circlip in the rear output shaft, but I should have at least 40-50k miles before it does it again. Here's hoping!

Bob

I had Tom Cutter replace anything he though was borderline, plus the bearings in addition to machining the shaft to accept a circlip. That was the difference between an $800 job and a $1500 job. Expensive, but I know it's the last time I'll need to open the tranny.

From the experiences I've heard, it seems that the bearings go to 50K like clockwork without a circlip.

When I started riding motorcycles, getting 20K out of a bike was cause for celebration. BMW owners expect 10 times that now.

[mandypants]

I was having problems with my side stand, too:

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12278&highlight=R100R

I can flat foot my bike as well. You don't need to replace the entire side stand. All you need is a Schneider's Side Stand Fixer. The link to their site seems to be down, but it is in that thread link I posted. It basically keeps the stand deployed while you lean over and dismount. It stops it from self-retracting, which I found to be very annoying. I never could lean the bike over far enough to keep the stand down, either.

Best of luck to you.

[R100RS]

I had my circlip-less 1988 transmission worked on by Matt Parkhouse at 78,000 miles. Not because I felt it necessary for any reason based on the way it was working, but the idea of 80k without a circlip was starting to worry me and it was a convenient time for some downtime for the bike. He said the transmission was in great shape, replaced a few bearings and had the shaft machined and added the circlip.

50k is awfully short from what I've heard (and my experience, obviously), for some reason 80k is the number that sticks in my head for the point of airhead transmissions needing rebuilding.

[jbcollier]

As suggested on another forum, I bumped up the front (and back) tire pressures from solo recommendations (32F 36R) to mitt pillion (36F 39R). It made one heck of a difference. It still "falls in" but gently now rather than the hell bent for leather of the lower pressures. I guess the wider contact patch from the lower pressure changed the front end geometry significantly.

[The_Veg]

Also, are you in the USA? I ask because BMW did not export the R100R after the 1994 model year. The 95's were kept in Europe

Not so. My 1995 R100R has a December 1995 production date and an emissions-label under the seat that describes the bike as a "MY 1995 50 states" machine. 1995 Was the last year of the R and for almost all airheads. There was a version of the R80GS that was offerred in Europe (and I think South Africa) for 1996.

[6659]

Does anyone know if any pre1984 transmission will bolt right up to the 1993-1995 engine?

[Isamemon]

yes it is a shame that BMW left the circlip out, should have been a recall

as far as the sidestand, check Snobums site, he has a 1 minute fix and it works perfect, absolutely perfect

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/index.html

but basicaly, loosen motor mount, put sidestand down and push it toward the front wheel, this pivots the whole mechanism, tighten motor mount. You now have a sidestand that swings past center and does not self retract when the bike is on it, it does fully retract as soon as you take weight off it and kick it back lightly, just liek a real sidestand is supposed to.

[jbcollier]

The R100R has its own design of sidestand and you can't modify the Snowbum way. The big problem is not that it self retracts but that it is awkward to deploy while you are on the saddle. You have to push it as far forward as you can with your foot, lean the bike weight on it to hold it and then ease the bike backwards to fully deploy it.

[The_Veg]

The R100R has its own design of sidestand and you can't modify the Snowbum way. The big problem is not that it self retracts but that it is awkward to deploy while you are on the saddle. You have to push it as far forward as you can with your foot, lean the bike weight on it to hold it and then ease the bike backwards to fully deploy it.

I always found it quite easy to use.

[zoridog]

I had my circlip-less 1988 transmission worked on by Matt Parkhouse at 78,000 miles. Not because I felt it necessary for any reason based on the way it was working, but the idea of 80k without a circlip was starting to worry me and it was a convenient time for some downtime for the bike. He said the transmission was in great shape, replaced a few bearings and had the shaft machined and added the circlip.

50k is awfully short from what I've heard (and my experience, obviously), for some reason 80k is the number that sticks in my head for the point of airhead transmissions needing rebuilding.

You may be right. My transmission was fine from my uneducated point of view. The dealer did the "Snobum #5 test" on a 24K service. You need to disconnect the driveshaft to do the test correctly. Mine was caught at the second service (48K). If they hadn't done the test, I assume it would be caught at the next 24K (72,000 mile) interval. From what you've heard and what I hear, I guess they don't often make it to the 96,000 mile mark.

Parkerhouse and Cutter are both transmission experts so whatever they say, I believe. Tom took my tranny apart as I watched. The wear marks on the shaft showed end to end play. The dogs on second gear were so worn I'm surprised it would stay in gear at all! He pulled out the front bearing and handed it to me. It wasn't seized, but it was definitely rough.