It's a sickness...getting an airhead!!

[RTFlyer]

It looks like I'm onto bike #2...an R75/7, my first airhead. I'm going to have a look in person this evening (hopefully), and if it's as described, it's mine. I've got dibs on it and the money in my pocket.:dance Not really my second bike per se, but the first time I've ever had two at once.

I'm buying it from a serious, somewhat local, airhead guru. It's mechanically sound and road worthy now, but cosmetically challenged. My plan is to spend the summer getting to know her, and maybe doll her up a bit. Having lost my garage (oh, and the house that was attached to it as well) in a recent divorce, I'll be a bit challenged in finding work space, but I can figure something out for an occasional indoor session of serious wrenching or cleaning.

As of now, I'd like to clean her up and am considering a few cafe-style mods (fairing and seat to begin) to eventually make her mine. Maybe similar to an R100S??? Of course, all plans are subject to change. Since I'm new to the airheads, I need to spend some time learning the mechanicals before diving too deep into that end of things. Attend a few tech days...read...read...and read some more, then maybe start with some routine maintenance procedures to get my feet wet.

There will be lots of questions, so here are few to chew on. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Will other /7 body parts fit, such as seats and fairings? The 75/7 isn't listed as on many parts lists (it's somewhat rare from what I have figured out so far), but there are many 80/7 seats and fairings out there. If this were your bike, where would you start on improvements, cosmetically and mechanically? I like the peanut-style valve covers, so how hard would that switch be? How about dual disc front brakes?? I know a painter and could have the skins done for a reasonable price. How about that?

You guys are going to get tired of hearing from me...:blah

[wezul]

Oh brother.
OK Larry, you know that once you contract this disease there is no cure.

[DWR302]

Larry, just got this disease myself. Noticeable symtoms so far: constant stupid grin while riding and wrenching, constant reaching for the wallet while still grinning. Bike naming.

[James.A]

The peanut type valve covers are a interchangeable. The fuel tank is slightly longer and the seat slightly shorter on a /7 as compared to earlier models.
Regarding the paint, when you are the owner, you can do whatever you want to do. If the paint is awful, that's one thing, but they are only original once.
Converting to a dual disc front brake is very do-able but it's gonna be expensive. The dual disc front brake is a huge improvement. I'm not sure if you can bolt a second disc to a single disc front hub, but other than that you would need to fit a different left fork leg, a caliper and hose, and a dual outlet master cylinder.

Yikes!, the dollar signs are spinning in my eye sockets like a slot machine at the thought of it all.

[bobh41]

I'm inclined to stay original, stock, as much as possible; my disease is only chronic. I wonder about buying a new toy then spending huge dollars to "personalize" it.

Would you have spent an additional $2000 on this bike if it had the mods you are discussing?

Did you consider buying a newer edition with the features you're lusting after?

Just curious...

[RTFlyer]

Yikes!, the dollar signs are spinning in my eye sockets like a slot machine at the thought of it all.

...and that's kinda the beauty of it. I was originally considering trading-in a car for a German luxury type this spring. I then realized that I have become very comfortable without car or bike payments, so a move like that would be silly. The car I was going to trade has less than 60,000 miles and is a comfortable and mechanically sound machine.

So, keep the car, and lay out a little cash for the airhead...

By no means am I saying that funds are unlimited. But I can afford to do a little here and there without breaking the bank. I understand also that I may not recover the investment if I ever decide to sell the bike after whatever I do to it. That's the reason I still own my 2001 435 HP Ford F-150. It's a fun keeper that's worth only about what I've added to it to make it mine.

I used to golf regularly. Anyone who has had that addiction knows that it's a hobby that probably adds up to thousands of dollars a year too, particularly when considering the amount it was costing me when we got back to the clubhouse! And don't even get me started on the cost of flying!!! Let's face it, many hobbies eat up funds. Fishing/boating, hunting, you name it. I guess I like to look at it equally as a hobby and an investment.

I know that these bike are only original once, and it's going to be a tough decision to do some modifications when the time comes. Personally though, I prefer a few tasteful changes that improve performance or handling, as well a a few thoughtfully considered cosmetic items. YMMV.

[RTFlyer]

I'm inclined to stay original, stock, as much as possible; my disease is only chronic. I wonder about buying a new toy then spending huge dollars to "personalize" it.

Would you have spent an additional $2000 on this bike if it had the mods you are discussing?

Did you consider buying a newer edition with the features you're lusting after?

Just curious...

No, I wound't spend the extra $2000 because if someone else had done the mods, it wouldn't mean that much to me. I'm really not hoping to spend "huge" dollars. it will be a process, not an event. IMO, if I were to restore it to original, it wouldn't be worth the investment either, so the monetary argument is lost on me there.

I appreciate the sentiment of restoration though, and as I said, all plans are subject to change. I'm just looking for a plan at this point and have some ideas. My first step will be to clean it up as much as possible and get a a good idea of exactly where I am and take it from there. I may get it painted and fall in love with it from there...who knows?

I have an RT, so I already have a bike with great capability/features. I did farkle it already too.

[squiffynimrod]

I then realized that I have become very comfortable without car or bike payments.

Me too. So I buy em based on sound decision and needs, rather than my head. Strict budgets, buy the best one you can find at an affordable price. Got my 2004 Focus ZTS for a song, traction control, ABS, heated seats. Great for winter.

So all that being said, and with 2 airheads at my disposal, I find a nice K1 for sale.
Sound decision and needs out the window!

Toughest thing I've ever done, trying to convince Mrs. Nimrod I need a third bike.

"Honey, this one's different. I've always wanted one of these."

"That's what you said about the last one."

Wish me luck.

And it's not a sickness you have- it's an appreciation for something that is unique and very personal- look how many members say how much they wish they never sold their airheads. I could never get rid of mine.

[RonKMiller]

I was kind of ho-hum when I got my '79 R80, thinking it was just another bike in a long line that I would quickly get bored with.

My most recent scoot is an '01 LT which I REALLY like a lot - been a great bike and with 140K it gets ridden frequently.

It sits alone, temporarily abandoned in favor of a REAL motorcycle with wind in my long gone hair, bugs in my teeth, and that wonderful cacophony of valves clattering.

I won't say that riding an Airhead is a religious experience, but I have to admit I get a HUGE grin on my face EVERY time I ride it. Beats Prozac hands down! :german

You won't find a better bunch of guys than right here to help you with your addiction.

Just a warning, there is no cure, only daily treatment. ;)

[Yarddog]

Man, it can be a living hell owning an older bike if you don't have work space... I know how that goes, and if I can recommend one thing, I wouldn't consider getting a bike that may require restoration or significant work until I got the workspace situation solved...that said, you may find in your neighborhood or city commercial or industrial space available to you at a song, because a lot of businesses find themselves needing to rent out space that they no longer need because of production and/or business cutbacks... So somewhere along the line, put out your feelers or begin checking the ads to see if you can't rent some space, with good electrical, and hopefully compressed air. Yeah, you may have to pay a coupla three hundred, maybe a little more, for it, but you'll have a comfortable working space...and if you have a buddy who also needs some space...well, there's savings there too...

[jforgo]

It is a /7, so other /7 body parts fit. Since you lack workspace, "parking lot"-able mods are what you are limited to at this point. Sometimes jobs which seem easy run into a stumbling block, and meanwhile the bike is down. Don't want pieces/tools laying around outside.
Sticking to simpler stuff at this point will help you get to know and appreciate the bike anyway.
Wax up that old paint - you might be pleasantly surprised at the results.
An "S" fairing, and likely more appropriate bars, will transform the character of the bike.
If the shocks are OEM, I would replace them with aftermarket out of hand.
I highly recommend installing the forged upper triple clamp.
A cowl style seat with rear box is a bolt in replacement, but does limit rack or bag mount styles in the futiure, if you decide to go that route.

Enjoy the better handling bike for the summer, and consider bringing the bike inside if you are wanting to do more extensive work, like a dual disc conversion. You are divorced, so no one to complain about this option...

[RTFlyer]

I do have a carport (currently renting a small house), so I can tackle some things there I hope. I'm in the market to purchase a house, I just have to find the right one. Big garage, small living area. It's an unusual combination.

I have a friend with a spare/unused garage that I have used temporarily and I'm sure I could sneak in there for a few days once in a while. I used it this winter and as thanks, I bought and installed a garage-door opener. She didn't ask for anything at all and was thrilled. I'm hoping that the bike won't require any significant work immediately. I'd like to doll her up a bit and just get to know her mechanically first.

I'm not too concerned about any long distance necessities on this bike, that's what the RT is for. I do want to be able to do about 200 mile days locally when the urge strikes though. Shocks probably would be a good place to start, inexpensive and pretty basic I assume.

I'm checking it out at 6:30 tonight!!! Probably won't take it home until next week sometime. I don't care to ride 60 miles in the dark on an unfamiliar vintage bike through drunk and deer-infested rural areas on a Saturday night. Maybe that's just me, though.

[mymindsok]

Ok...

So you have a carport to work and store your bike under and a place that you can occasionally borrow. Thats good. Now, go buy yourself a good bike cover to throw over your bike.

There are two main ways to build a bike and I tend to relate these projects to building a Hot Rod.

One way is to tear everything down to bits, do all of the mods and upgrades, have everything painted, reassemble the bike and go riding. Sound good? well, it is if you know exactly what you're doing and what you want the end product to be. Most of us don't really work that way but on my next project, thats exactly what I'll be doing.

The other way is the true Hot Rod way. You start out with a running vehicle (Or buy something and get it running.) and make your mods and upgrades over the long haul, while riding the bike or driving the car. The goal is to keep the vehicle on the road and in use, while all of the mods and so forth get done and tested. Finally, when you really understand the bike/car and where you want to go with it, you tear it down, do all of the work and bolt it all back together. That may sound like a lot of work to get you where you want to be but some of us go through that process two or three times!

If I were you, (And I'm not!) I'd skip thinking about paint and and polish and start thinking about PARTS. Of course you're going to be buying genuine BMW parts but I'm talking used parts. Heres why... If I bought that bike that you're buying, I wouldn't be happy until it had dual-disks, so I'd be looking for a super cheap dual-disk parts bike (A wreck would do nicely.) so that I could tear it down, harvest what I needed and sell off the rest. In my case, that permitted me to build my bike with the stuff I wanted, while still keeping costs within reason. (Did I really say that? :laugh)

Anyway... Skip the paint, build the bike you want and when it's done, tear it apart and doll it up to your hearts content.

[RTFlyer]

Good points.

I'll get a good laundry list of the work that has been done by the PO so I have a benchmark. I have been reading up on this bike quite a bit and the brakes are a major concern, but a bit of an undertaking too. They will be on my short list.

I have no idea how far I can go with just a spit and polish on it, but that's my first step in addition to just riding it. In my dreams, that will get me through the summer.

The parts bike is a good idea too. I'll keep that in mind.

Any suggestions on shocks??

[kgadley01]

lets see now...you got rid of a wife and it only cost you a house? you're actually better off with the Airhead. everything will fall into place.

[r11rs94]

It's a sickness...getting an airhead!! and the only cure is...

[James.A]

Ok...

There are two main ways to build a bike and I tend to relate these projects to building a Hot Rod.


The other way is the true Hot Rod way. You start out with a running vehicle (Or buy something and get it running.) and make your mods and upgrades over the long haul, while riding the bike or driving the car. The goal is to keep the vehicle on the road and in use, while all of the mods and so forth get done and tested. Finally, when you really understand the bike/car and where you want to go with it, you tear it down, do all of the work and bolt it all back together. That may sound like a lot of work to get you where you want to be but some of us go through that process two or three times!

If I were you, (And I'm not!) I'd skip thinking about paint and and polish and start thinking about PARTS. Of course you're going to be buying genuine BMW parts but I'm talking used parts. Heres why... If I bought that bike that you're buying, I wouldn't be happy until it had dual-disks, so I'd be looking for a super cheap dual-disk parts bike (A wreck would do nicely.) so that I could tear it down, harvest what I needed and sell off the rest. In my case, that permitted me to build my bike with the stuff I wanted, while still keeping costs within reason. (Did I really say that? :laugh)

Anyway... Skip the paint, build the bike you want and when it's done, tear it apart and doll it up to your hearts content.
This is excellent advice. I like to run a bike while fixing it. Way fewer surprises and you can enjoy the ride while making it better.

[RTFlyer]

lets see now...you got rid of a wife and it only cost you a house? you're actually better off with the Airhead.

...and here's why...

Airheads can be turned on by a flick of a switch. (and off)
An airhead will not get mad if you ride someone else's airhead.
An airhead is easier to turn over.
You can still ride a fifty year old airhead.
Airheads come with manuals.
You can ride an airhead any time of the month.
When riding an airhead, you and your airhead both arrive at the same time.
If your airhead makes too much noise, you can buy a muffler.
Airheads don't care about how many other airheads you have ridden.
Airheads don't mind if you look at other airheads, or if you buy airhead magazines.
Your parents don't remain in touch with your old airhead after you dump it.

Thank you! I'll be here all week...:p


Oh, and I did make a deposit last night. The bike was exactly as expected. A little cosmetic TLC will go a long way, but the PO has hopefully got the mechanicals pretty straight. It was a barn find for him after sitting for over 20 years. Only 22,000 original miles, numbers matching. I didn't bring any gear yesterday, so I'll get my first airhead experience riding it home later this week. He's only put about 30 miles on it since reviving it and the ride home is about double that so it will be the longest run for that bike in decades. Yippee!

[Godfather]

Sickness or addiction?

My wife and I got home from church this morning after Easter Mass and I told her I would be right in....20 minutes later she comes out to the garage and asked what are you doing working on thet motorcycle in a suit and tie? :dunno

Hello, GULP, my name is Mike, and I'm an "Airhead"

:german:dance:german:dance

[jforgo]

I have 5 - so I must be terminal

[Paul_F]

Oh, and I did make a deposit last night. The bike was exactly as expected. A little cosmetic TLC will go a long way, but the PO has hopefully got the mechanicals pretty straight. It was a barn find for him after sitting for over 20 years. Only 22,000 original miles, numbers matching. I didn't bring any gear yesterday, so I'll get my first airhead experience riding it home later this week. He's only put about 30 miles on it since reviving it and the ride home is about double that so it will be the longest run for that bike in decades. Yippee!

Congratulations. :dance We'll be looking forward to seeing the pics and the changes that you make. :ca

[sdpc2]

because i was tired of the amount of time and $$ that i spent "tinkering" with my GSPD.

Thought that when i found the bike that i wanted, the GSPD would be gone. But then i kept finding reasons to take it out for a ride.

Yesterday a friend of mine came by to go for GS ride. He asked me why i still hadn't sold the airhead.....

I guess that i've got the sickness too....

[JJ Cerilli]

In 40 years of riding, I have owned a few GREAT airhead Beemers:

* 1975 R75/6 - rode that one around the USA-Canada for 6 months in 1982

* 1983 R80RT - my first "new" BMW. Put >50,000 trouble free miles on that baby!

* Owned two "modern" twins after that, 1999 R1100S, 2002 R1150RT - both GREAT bikes!

...and last year, I bought the vintage airhead that I always wanted!:dance

1978 R100RS "Motorsport Edition" -

http://j.imagehost.org/0473/The_White_Lion.jpg (http://j.imagehost.org/view/0473/The_White_Lion)

[Typ181R90]

do me a favor and let me know the paint color/code if you get it, that's the color on my r90 (or at least it looks like it) and I'd like to know because I'd like to do a respray and it's not the stock color for my year. I was thinking "dunkelblau/115" but that's not a stock color for the 75/7 either

[RTFlyer]

do me a favor and let me know the paint color/code if you get it, that's the color on my r90 (or at least it looks like it) and I'd like to know because I'd like to do a respray and it's not the stock color for my year. I was thinking "dunkelblau/115" but that's not a stock color for the 75/7 either

Does the VIN # contain the code as in automobiles? It looks to have been repainted years ago, but possibly with the same color. PM me and I'll give you the VIN if it will help, otherwise tell me where to find it. I'd be interested myself to know if this is the original color. Maybe it's on the data plate...

[JJ Cerilli]

A few other '78 R100RS Motorsport Edition links / photos:

http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/schemepages/schemer100rs.htm

http://www.charrlin.com/bike.htm

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/found-on-ebay-r100rs.aspx

http://rs77.bravehost.com/ms78/ms78-march.htm

Also, what is the "true validation" of the authenticiy of any '78 Motorsport Edition? Reportedly, they only imported about 200 in the USA, yes?

The frame / serial number and/or documentation from the dealer / factory?

Something else? Any / all information helpful.

JJ Cerilli

[20774]

Does the VIN # contain the code as in automobiles?Maybe it's on the data plate...

No. Usually, the colors were on a label that was affixed to the top of the rear fender when you opened the seat.

[535is]

Also, what is the "true validation" of the authenticiy of any '78 Motorsport Edition? Reportedly, they only imported about 200 in the USA, yes?

The frame / serial number and/or documentation from the dealer / factory?

Something else? Any / all information helpful.

JJ Cerilli

OK; ya hijacked this guy's thread, but I'm pretty certain I know the answer, so we'll play along for once.

There seems to be nothing to 'prove' that a Motorsport was originally a Motorsport. The VIN falls within a wide range of R100RS numbers (far more than the supposed 350 worldwide production), but they are neither consecutive nor predictable and AFAIK, there is no indicator in the number itself because they were consecutive for the R100RS model.

I would look for evidence of original period body panels (but they were easily replaceable, as some of mine have been) and, more so, original paint on those panels. Still, anyone can paint a Motorsport scheme. The only real unique equipment variation was the blue seat in solo and dual forms. If you have one (or both) of those, I'd say the odds are very good that your bike came with it and it's an original Motorsport. Still, there's one of those seats on ebay right now for $650 ... :whistle

[osbornk]

Does the VIN # contain the code as in automobiles? . Maybe it's on the data plate...

I think BMW can put the VIN # in their computer and find out the original color. they did that way back when on my 85 K100RT. However, their information said it was red but it was clearly an original dolomite gray. I think I know why. A good friend bought a new R1200GS last week. It was gray but he wanted black. They simply switched the black parts off their demo and he went home with his black bike and the demo turned gray. It only took them a little while to do the switch. Now, the little sticker under the seat will be wrong. If you're looking for color information, go to http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/paintcodes.htm

Ken

[20774]

I think BMW can put the VIN # in their computer and find out the original color.

I haven't heard of that possibility...I think the only real source would be BMW archives in Germany. If the information is available in their records, the archivist can provide info on the bike when it left the factory. Along with build date, they can indicate color, type of seat, etc., and where the bike was delivered. There's also the "birth certificate" for nearly $100.

[Typ181R90]

I haven't heard of that possibility...I think the only real source would be BMW archives in Germany. If the information is available in their records, the archivist can provide info on the bike when it left the factory. Along with build date, they can indicate color, type of seat, etc., and where the bike was delivered. There's also the "birth certificate" for nearly $100.

I wish I had known that when I visited bmw last december :-/

[RonKMiller]

It's a sickness...getting an airhead!! and the only cure is...

... between Blue Oyster Cult and Bachman Turner Overdrive. :dunno

Your choice. :laugh

[MIAirhead]

I just purchase a second AirHead, 1980 with a sidecar. Do I need two, I guess I do. Why, will who knows. Will my 1984 R100RT be jealous? or accept the R80 as a litter mate. Only time will tell.
:dunno:dunno

[dduelin]

I think BMW can put the VIN # in their computer and find out the original color. they did that way back when on my 85 K100RT. However, their information said it was red but it was clearly an original dolomite gray. I think I know why. A good friend bought a new R1200GS last week. It was gray but he wanted black. They simply switched the black parts off their demo and he went home with his black bike and the demo turned gray. It only took them a little while to do the switch. Now, the little sticker under the seat will be wrong. If you're looking for color information, go to http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/paintcodes.htm

KenThe first time I went to a BMW dealer looking for parts for my R100 he ran the VIN and the computer spit out a piece of paper that listed build month/year, the model code, trim code, the wholesale dealer, the retail dealer, and the dates wholesaled and delivered retail. The paint code has a field but on my piece of paper it says "not used". I assumed any dealer could do this. It is the first page in a three ring binder where I collect everything I can find on airheads in general and on mine.

[RTFlyer]

Well, I've had time to sit on it for a while and still no real decisions other than to ride the bike and work out any mechanical issues this summer. It's at the dealer for it's state inspection and to take care of a few odds and ends while it's there. I spent half a day just cleaning up the front wheel and will be working my way from front to back just to clean her up a bit. It looks like I'll become very intimate with a scotchbrite pad and WD-40. I ordered a tank cover from Motobins just to cover up the atrocious paint and poor dent repair there, as well as new footrests to replace the dry rotted ones but otherwise she will just be a lot cleaner than she's been in over a decade as I try to rack up a few miles. Well, maybe some new grips and other rubber bits soon too.

I am now leaning towards keeping it stock, with the exception of a possible color change to black or white since it's in need of paint anyway. Other considerations are a new seat and handlebars if I can't clean-up the existing ones to my satisfaction. These changes will be mostly to reflect my personal tastes, and far from any real customization other than what owners of the bike would have done in 1977. As someone said earlier..."They're only stock once."

I had the opportunity to attend a tech-day nearby and although I couldn't bring the bike, I began to lean a few of the basics and met many helpful folks who seem likely to help me stumble along this path. I joined the Airhead Beemers too, so that seems to be another brain trust that I can lean on.

She'll be licensed for the road on Friday, and I imagine I'll commute to work Saturday on her.:clap