Airhead Reborn – BMW R100T overhaul

More pics (2)

2010-08-30T16:41:00.001-07:00

More pics

2010-08-29T20:38:00.000-07:00

Finally

2010-08-28T22:03:00.000-07:00

1979 R100 engine

2010-05-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

All black paint on the engine has been bead-blasted to show the aluminum.

The 1979 engine was the last one to have a metal airbox visually integrated in the rest of the engine case. And it was the first one with the brand acronym written in full instead of the model number.

This engine has been dual plugged and fitted with a deep oil pan (aftermarket) for better cooling.

Recycled emblems

2010-05-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

Recycled tank emblems from a BMW R90S, slightly rusty (as they should be), but no fading

New side covers

2010-05-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

New side covers, same color as the frame. The Serpentine font was designed by Dick Jensen (1926-2000).

New seat

2010-05-09T22:00:00.000-07:00

New custom seat based on a modified BMW R90/6 police model. Many thanks to Hugo from Sid’s Custom Upholstery, Mountain View, for the great work.

Front aluminum turn signals just fitted.

Plugs!

2010-05-08T22:11:00.000-07:00

Old style exhaust nuts

2010-05-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

Thanks Greg for these great looking exhaust nuts. The older models like this one had much larger fins.

Emblems

2010-05-01T21:08:00.000-07:00

Until 1975, BMW emblems were made out of metal and enamel. Main advantage: they don't turn yellow in UV light.

Slowly taking form

2010-04-25T21:45:00.000-07:00

The seat needs a new cover.

Rebuilt carbs

2010-03-01T21:15:00.000-08:00

Constant velocity (or constant depression) carburetors made by Bing. This type 94 carb has a bore size of 40 mm.

Free new front wheel courtesy of BMW

2010-02-20T23:48:00.000-08:00

In 1984, BMW recalled their front Snowflake aluminum wheels because they may "develop cracks and fractures from operating on rough roads". Today, 26 years later, BMW still honors this recall.

New tank, new bars

2010-02-08T22:10:00.000-08:00

Repainted BMW R90S tank, new low sidecar bars and dirty grips

Misunderstanding

2009-12-12T23:04:00.000-08:00

The valve covers only needed a bit of cleaning but the guy decided to powdercoat them white.

Tranny back on frame

2009-10-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

Cylinder head

2009-09-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

Left cylinder head with rocker supports, rockers and valve springs. The heads have been dual-plugged for increased reliability.

Connector rods

2009-09-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

Rebored connector rods. All BMW rods are steel forgings.

Engine back on frame

2009-09-27T19:39:00.000-07:00

Front end back on frame

2009-09-27T19:29:00.000-07:00

Primer

2009-09-24T23:46:00.000-07:00

Mark’s Body Shop in San Carlos, CA.

Powder-coated frame

2009-09-24T23:45:00.000-07:00

Bead blasted aluminum parts

2009-09-24T23:42:00.000-07:00

Attractive lady

2009-09-20T22:01:00.000-07:00

Quote from the Rider’s manual:

“Two-up riding: Your companion, particularly if an attractive lady, must be provided with the same complete, good quality riding gear as your own.”

So what kind of gear does my buddy deserve?

How to own a BMW

2009-09-19T20:06:00.000-07:00

(Pic stolen from http://www.doctormacro1.info/)

– Look as much as possible like David Niven. (At least the moustache.)
– Insist on watching if a mechanic has to work on the bike.
– Buy a bottle of BMW touch-up paint with the new bike.
– Wear a white dust coat with the BMW logo over the pocket when performing even minor maintenance on the machine.
– Learn how to intimidate parts personnel.
– Drink only Heineken’s or Beck’s out of a ceramic stein.
– Be on a first-name basis with someone of authority at Butler and Smith.
– Never, never street race. You may, on occasion, put the pass on an unbeliever by employing the maneuver Farina used on Nuvolari at Monte Carlo in 1935, but only if you can do it well.
– Constantly discuss the old Earles-type front forks in the most intimate of terms.
– Never blip the throttle at stoplights.
– Redlining the engine is prohibited in any case.
– Annoy your dealer with complaints of obscure sounds or sensations that only you perceive.
– Regale captive parts counter people with funny stories about your old RAF squadron leader. (Ethiopian military police are also acceptable.)
– Be smug – remember, you have demonstrated the fact that you were obviously born to a higher station in life by owning the pride of the Bavarian Motor Works.

Quote from Big Bike magazine, October 1977.

BMW philosophy

2009-09-18T22:39:00.000-07:00

I like the text of this 1979 BMW ad:

“Our engineers don’t think it makes sense to take something that’s simple and reliable and, for commercial purposes, make it complex and, therefore, likely to be less reliable. And yet that’s exactly what’s happening in the world of mass-production motorcycles today. It won’t happen at BMW. We make what works. Not what’s in vogue.”

“The simplicity of the opposed twin makes it one of the only large engines offered today that’s easy to maintain totally on your own. Cylinders, valve train, carburetors, ignition: all vital parts are easily gotten to, and easily adjusted. So the little work a BMW does require is also easy work.”

Today BMW philosophy is quite different. The strategy is to make replacement parts so expensive that people buy new models instead of fixing their old ones.

Source of inspiration I: BMW R90/6

2009-09-10T00:40:00.000-07:00

(Source: リトモ・セレーノ)

The most beautiful motorcycle BMW ever made. Form follows function and not the opposite.

Source of inspiration II: Doc'Moto

2009-09-10T00:25:00.000-07:00

(Source: http://www.doc-moto.net/)

I never liked BMW solo seats. To me they never seem to fit the bike properly. These guys solved the problem.

Source of inspiration III: Monkee #9

2009-09-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

(Source: http://www.wrenchmonkees.com/monkee09.html)

Rough-hewn motorcycle, designed to be run, mixing modern and old features. Perfect balance.

Source of inspiration IV: Sienna Ivory

2009-09-09T22:21:00.000-07:00

(Source: http://www.charuca.net/)

Sienna Ivory (siena avorio), a timeless color.

Taking apart the engine

2009-09-04T21:12:00.000-07:00

Dismantling has begun

2009-09-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

Without fairing

2009-09-03T00:12:00.000-07:00

The high bars and the armchair-like Reynolds seat allow one to ride in a way that looks “dignified” (as Duane Ausherman puts it). I am going to get rid of both.

The seat on the picture is a /6 police seat bought in France. It will need some modifications too.

New parts V: white grips

2009-09-02T23:35:00.002-07:00

Pretty cool old-school white grips (made in Italy).

New (old) parts IV: old-style valve covers

2009-09-02T23:34:00.000-07:00

New (old) parts III: chrome mirrors

2009-08-31T23:09:00.000-07:00

New (old) parts II: aluminum fuel cap

2009-08-30T23:33:00.000-07:00

This is an aluminum hinged cap from the beginning of the 1970s. In 1974 BMW chromed the gas tank caps. They were shinier, but did not retain the nice patina of the aluminum caps (instead chrome bubbles off).

New (old) parts I: aluminum turn signals

2009-08-30T23:29:00.000-07:00

Old airheads used to have turn signal made of aluminum... Looks better than plastic.

1979 Ad

2009-08-29T01:15:00.000-07:00

(Source: http://www.omnilex.com/public/bmw78/)

Original BMW ad from 1979

Rebirth of my BMW R100T 1979

2009-08-29T01:12:00.000-07:00

In the late 1970s, BMW made bikes that looked like space ships with their Luftmeister fairing. This blog is about the conversion of a space ship into a classic bike: a cool-looking naked bike with spoked wheels, fork gaiters, steel and aluminum. Only BMW parts from different years and models will be used. The new bike will be built to be run, not to sit in a museum.

This blog is about the rebirth of my 1979 Airhead.