86 single shock airhead info

[bluecycle3]

any big differences for the single shock airheads over the earlier ones? will parts interchange for the earlier model years? can you still get parts for the single shock bikes? what improvements were made to these bikes? i dont see many of these for sale or on the road, just wondering why and trying to get some anwers. i have a chance to buy a 86 R80 but dont want to buy something that i cant get parts for or is flawed in some way . thanks greg

[MarkF]

I have a 87 R65 monshock. I think that ALL boxers (65, 80 & 100) with the monoshock have identical frame. So it might be easier to get those parts. But, maybe not nearly as many crates of used parts at a swap meet. I know my R65 rides better than the shorter framed dualshock R65s.

[R80RTJohnny]

Hello Greg,

I've been riding the same 1986 R80RTsince May 1988. The only problem with getting parts were that sometimes they were back ordered. NEVER UNAVAILABLE. The same cannot be said of other manufacturers.

At this point in time I think that it would be more important in how the bike was maintened over the last decade or so (Ouch! did I really say that) then any problems that might have been with the bike.

Really good bike just make sure that the maintenance was kept up to date.

If you do pick up that R80 please post some pics.

Jean

[YB in IN]

any big differences for the single shock airheads over the earlier ones? will parts interchange for the earlier model years? can you still get parts for the single shock bikes? what improvements were made to these bikes? i dont see many of these for sale or on the road, just wondering why and trying to get some anwers. i have a chance to buy a 86 R80 but dont want to buy something that i cant get parts for or is flawed in some way . thanks greg

If you need some info for parts PM me. There is a guy in Indiana who runs a business dealing only with airhead parts, and he has basically everything.

[lkchris]

Don't worry about BMW parts. Ever.

You can get just about 100% of the parts for your bike from BMW. This applies to many bikes much older, too.

Engine parts interchange with BMWs back to 1981. Some parts even earlier.

Frame parts interchange with 1985-1995 bikes.

Some parts on '85-on bikes are weaker than equivalent parts on earlier bikes, i.e. starter, transmission. Biggest problem with bike you're looking at is that it's an R80 rather than an R100, but that's subjective. It's more difficult to convert an R80 to R100 than it is to just buy an R100.

Improvements on the newer bikes include much heavier front suspension parts and the bolt-on rear wheel.

Detractions compared to '81-'84 models include tubeless wheels, 18-in front wheel that looks funny with the fairing, much more polution gear that subtracts fuel capacity. The '85-on bikes have reduced horsepower (not so much 80s) but this brings increased reliability. You'll find the single shock costs more than two shocks for the earlier versions.

[mrmaico]

From watching Ebay it seems to me like the demand is higher (as well as price) for early 80's bikes than there is for the 85-86 monoshock bikes.

Anyone else notice this or is it just my imagination?

Barry
86 R80RT
84 R65

[lkchris]

From watching Ebay it seems to me like the demand is higher (as well as price) for early 80's bikes than there is for the 85-86 monoshock bikes.

Anyone else notice this or is it just my imagination?

Barry
86 R80RT
84 R65


Could be because '85-'86 are only R80s.

[flash412]

Could be because '85-'86 are only R80s.BMW MonoLEVER is MUCH more reliable than their Monoshock. The earlier ones do not require a new $450 driveshaft every 40k miles.

[mrmaico]

Could be because '85-'86 are only R80s.
Thats possible Chris, you may have a point there.

BMW MonoLEVER is MUCH more reliable than their Monoshock. The earlier ones do not require a new $450 driveshaft every 40k miles.
I think there is some confusion between the term monoshock and monolever, my RT owners manual refers to both terms so I am guessing it is a monolever type suspension and the spring/dampener assembly is called a monoshock.
Are you thinking of the Paralever as being the one that is unreliable maybe Flash?

Barry
1986 R80RT
1984 R65

[flash412]

Are you thinking of the Paralever as being the one that is unreliable maybe Flash?DOH! Sorry! Right! Paralever driveshafts are as expensive as chains and sprockets. Monolevers are nearly bulletproof dead nuts reliable.

[55820]

[QUOTE=
I think there is some confusion ... it is a monolever type suspension and the spring/dampener assembly is called a monoshock.

Are you thinking of the Paralever as being the one that is unreliable maybe Flash?
[/QUOTE]

That's about right. I had an '88 R100RS in the past that I toured extensively on, and I now have an '86 R80 in "S" configuration. I think the Monolever bikes are the best of both worlds; they are an evolution that improved greatly on the twin-shock models (except, arguably, for de-tuning to meet emissions requirements) without the problems brought on with the Paralever.

There are a lot of changes from twin shock to the Monolever, but as I said above it's mostly an evolution, like updated switches, brake fluid/master cylinder on the handlebar instead of under the tank, and so on. A lot of stuff is simplified, like a flat air filter that's easy to change. The engine was detuned a little because of emissions, and the exhaust port went from 40mm to 38mm, but this resulted in high-RPM horsepower becoming low-end torque. When I had my '88 RS, my buddy with an '80 RS could ease away from me on the straights but my bike ruled in the twisties - so maybe that's a matter of preference. I think the biggest improvement that's strictly from the Monolever design is stiffness. The swingarm on the twin-shock model was notoriously soft, but the Monolever is rock-solid. The rest of the frame is similar but extra bits were added here and there to stiffen the frame, such as plates at the steering area. Another benefit is that to remove the rear wheel you just pull four bolts and it comes off, just like a car wheel.

Parts are plentiful, Bob's, etc. can get anything you want, and there's tons of of stuff always coming up on ebay.

[Boxerkuh]

Parts are never an issue. But you already read this. I pretty much agree with all the feedback. I think it is a matter preference between the early 80's and late 80's. I prefer the late models because of the later technology. They already have the K front end, which is "suppose" to much better. Again, it is a matter of personal preference. I have owned a R100 and now have a R80. The R80 is smooth!!! It is basically a R100 with smaller jugs and pistons. Therefore, reliablity is great, because the bike is "overbuild" for a 800cc bike. I love my R80.... it started out as a RT, then became a R, then a S, now a RS. That should also tell you how interchangeable the bikes are....
If it is in sound mechanical shape, you like the 80 vs 100, the later model vs newer model, buy it. It is not going to loose value that is for sure. My food for thought...:eat :drink

[lkchris]

Actually, it's the R100 that's overbuilt ... to the point it has some reliability problems.

The engine was introduced in 1969 as a 750 and 800 isn't much different but 1000 definitely is.

Over the years, only the R65, R80G/S, R80ST, R100GS, and R100R were different bikes.

Otherwise in a given year all bikes were identical except for size of cylinders and dimensions of cylinderheads and corresponding carbs. Rear gear ratios nicely match the capabilities of the engine size.

It's a good thing an 800 is smooth because at any given road speed in the same gear, it's engine is turning 1000 rpm more than an R100.