1982 R100RT questions

[bluecycle3]

Just picked up a 82 R100RT, this is a little bit newer airhead than im used to so i thought i would ask a few questions. First about tires, it needs a rear tire and has a Metzler on it , is this a good tire and should i just replace it with the same one, its a lazar 33 i think, i have seen some airheads with the marathons on them can this tire be fitted to my bike?
Next the clutch pull seems pretty stiff to me , is this normal? would a new cable help? any mods to make this better?

The bike idles at about 1k but the generator light stays on until rpm's go up a little , is this normal or do i have a problem?


Bike seems very cold blooded and its 80 here is this the nature of the beast or do the carbs need a good cleaning?


Thanks Greg

[Rbike]

The Metzler lazer 33 is a good tire... use if you like it.

Clutch pull is a bit heavy on these models but it still wouldn't hurt to lube the cable and the pivot point at the rear of the tranny.

It's normal for the idle to be at 1K with the gen light on...so it seems like it is working correctly from your description.

Shouldn't have any running problems at 80 degrees. The one thing I find every carb needing is to remove the float bowl and unscrew the jet and needle positioner (above the jet), then spray a little carb cleaner in that hole and watch the dirt come out. You don't need to use much carb cleaner just a little squirt or two. Also watch carefully incase the needle positioner falls out when you remove the second brass nut (the first being the jet). This always seems to smooth out the engine a bit and should be done about every 6 months.

While you have the jets out look carefully and note the jet size. Post the size and somone can tell you if it is correct.

[Guzzi]

As far as tires...what kinda riding do ya do? Do ya want something sticky for carving corners, or a high mileage tire? I use the Dunlop 491 Elite II and got over 20,000 miles out of the last set, but I don't drag the valve covers in the corners, either. They wear very evenly and are give FANTASTIC grip in the rain. If yer draggin' yer knees...DON'T get the 491s! Another thing...tubes are just as important as tires. Make sure you buy a good quality (preferrably natural rubber, not synthetic) tube.

As far as the generator light...that's normal for it to be on at idle. No worries. :D

[PeoriaMac]

Next the clutch pull seems pretty stiff to me , is this normal? would a new cable help? any mods to make this better?

The common modification is a so-called "soft clutch" or "easy clutch", which is a way of giving the clutch lever a little more "leverage".

"Vetch" sells them @
http://members.aol.com/vechbmw2/clutch.html


Mac

[Braddog]

As stated in other posts, the gen light will stay on at lower RPM's, this is normal.

Yes, you can get Metzler Marathon 880's for your RT. That's what I have on my RS, put them on new this past may. So far so good, I really like them, but the tires they replaced were Metzler ME77's that were completely, totally shot.

To be honest, my RS is the warmest blooded bike I've ever owned. Maybe it's running to rich or something, but the fact is, it starts very easy, and I let it warm very little. I just start out slow in the morning. In fact, it almost seems to run better UNDER 60 degrees. But, I think that's just perception on my part, since then I appreciate the heat from the cylinders.

[jgr451]

I have an 84.I believe this vintage was designed to run lean for air purity in Cali standards,hence all the extra plumbing around the carbs and heads;which CAN be removed.I have not found the carburetion(lean) a big problem so I still have the plumbing on mine.

[bluecycle3]

thanks for all the reply's, im going to order a easy clutch this week and try to find the marathons for my bike, any ideas on what size tires to go with? anything i have to do different with the marathons as opposed to the metzlers? thanks again greg

[kioolt]

Before you go out and buy the soft clutch you may want to try a new cable. Also there is a nylon bushing in the clutch lever that may be worn. It is easily replaceable and doesn't cost much. Mine was worn on my 82 R100RT.

[Guzzi]

Originally posted by jgr451
I have an 84.I believe this vintage was designed to run lean for air purity in Cali standards,hence all the extra plumbing around the carbs and heads;which CAN be removed.I have not found the carburetion(lean) a big problem so I still have the plumbing on mine.

That "plumbing" is designed to re-circulate and burn the unburned hydrocarbons in yer exhaust gases, and it makes yer exhaust valves not very happy at all...translate: VERY, VERY HOT! Not necessarily a good thing. Do yer motor a favor and 86 the plumbing!:uhoh

[lkchris]

Originally posted by Guzzi
That "plumbing" is designed to re-circulate and burn the unburned hydrocarbons in yer exhaust gases, and it makes yer exhaust valves not very happy at all...translate: VERY, VERY HOT! Not necessarily a good thing. Do yer motor a favor and 86 the plumbing!:uhoh

No "recirculating" actually.

Instead, the plumbing just supplies some oxygen so the unburned fuel remaining in the exhaust then spontaneously combusts.

Everyone calls this air injection, but here is no pump. Instead the oxygen is drawn (sucked) in by the rush of the exhaust gasses. It should maybe then be called air ingestion.