81 R100RS air filter housing swap

[jlsmith37804]

Hi folks,
just wondering if the old school cast bulbous aluminum housings will swap out on the 81 square box style air filter housing. I think they have a lot cleaner look. If so, are there any other plumbing issues to be concerned about?

Yes I know you can't out think the engineers at the motor works, so purists please bear with me. I am not trying to; I just think the engineer in 76 had a better idea than the one that designed the airbox in 81.

[Yarddog]

I don't know about that...I just had the most FUN time checking out my air filter in my 77 R100/7 the other day...I just don't understand WHY they had to do things the way they did!!! So much fun trying to keep everything all lined up to get that left cover back on...that plus WHO designed the oil filter cover on that thang? What a fun job to try to get that stuff all off there and back on again when it interferes with the frame, and it's right next to a hot exhaust pipe? Make fun of Harleys if ya want, for routine maintenance they got it all over these German machines!!!!

[kstoo]

If you exclude any EPA kinda plumbing it is relatively straight forward. Air cleaner assembly and starter motor covers have to go together as a set. Your crankcase blow-by tube will have to change as well. Also consider what you are doing with the choke lever. If it is staying on the handlebars then no matter.
I think my aesthetics opinion differs from yours as I prefer the black starter cover and air cleaner housing. I think it makes the engine look more compact and it is easier to work on. I even tried to fit a /6 cafe with such but discovered that the black set only works with the S, /7 and later tank. The earlier tank petcocks interfere with the air filter top.