R1100GS long term project

mikeyboy · Feb 6, 2014

five years from now my wife and i plan to take a few months out and travel to mongolia.

if all goes to plan we aim to have a bike in tip top condition to travel on.
over the last few years i have had a real urge to build an overland style sidecar outfit.

i have bought and sold a couple of bikes with this in mind,also a sidecar.but for one reason or another the two lumps of metal never got bolted together and got sold on.
the bikes were a triumph tiger 955 and a 1980's z1000st shafty.
the sidecar was a squire and was never a real contender.
i also seriously considered building a chair and putting it on my 1200gs but,the 1200 is just too good a solo bike to do this to,and if i am totally honest with myself,i dont think the swingarm and transmission on a 1200 is really up to the task.
i considered most adventure style bikes,even a guzzi ,but realistically there was only one real contender,it also had to be cheap as i would totally pull it to bits and replace everything that could or would break.so there was no point in spending top money on a nice clean example.
so on sunday i collected this

mikeyboy · Feb 6, 2014

it was a insurance cat c and had been been sat in a garage for a few years .
after a good steam clean here it is installed in the workshop.
a few close ups to show its bad points

mikeyboy · Feb 6, 2014

some more pics

peepingtom · Feb 6, 2014

well you've got plenty of time to sort it out

and you can spread the costs

Fanum has built a great outfit using an 1100 and turned out really well, theres a thread somewhere for your ideas.

Bendy toy · Feb 6, 2014

A zinc plating kit could be a good investment and the powder coaters will be busy. But good luck with it.

Kevin Burton of Derby is one of the few wheel builders who does crossed spoke wheels. 01332369085

I hate chairs with a vengeance but I would use a mono wheel trailer. Something like a Bob Yak but bigger. They carry weight without upsetting the bike's C of G.

(RIP) Kaister · Feb 6, 2014

Hope you got it cheap - looks like a lot of corrosion going on

mikeyboy · Feb 6, 2014

the object of this project is to build a bike "fit for purpose" it will not win any shows

that said any parts it needs it will get.also i have about 2 years to build it so dont expect it to be done this summer.
feel free to take the piss or add constructive comments.
this week i pulled it apart to see if i had bought a turd.

DrAlf · Feb 6, 2014

You're not hanging about are you?! I don't reckon it looks too bad TBH.

How many miles has it done and what's your build plan? What chair and what forks? Following with interest.

mikeyboy · Feb 6, 2014

the first epic "fail",no amount of heat would allow the r/h swingarm pivot to come undone ,so more drastic measures were required.

also it goes without saying that all of the exhaust studs snapped off :blast

mikeyboy · Feb 6, 2014

it has a few good points,its the later model so it has the better gearbox,
it is also an abs model so it has the 50amp alternator.
oh,it also has a tool kit

mikeyboy · Feb 6, 2014

4 days into ownership and here it is.
my starting point.
its no worse than i expected,the engine will remain untouched i will just remove the flaking powder coat and refinish.
the gearbox oil was spotless and the shafts feel smooth when turned so will be left alone.
virtually everthing else will be overhauled or replaced.
unfortunately the frame bracket for the fairing/beak is cracked so that needs straightening/rewelding.

mikeyboy · Feb 6, 2014

DrAlf said:
You're not hanging about are you?! I don't reckon it looks too bad TBH.

How many miles has it done and what's your build plan? What chair and what forks? Following with interest.

its done 60k so its just about run in,the sidecar will be built from scratch and will be rugged and simple,i will stick with the stock forks for the moment but will probably modify the fork bridge and telelever arm to reduce the trail if it needs it.
i dont want to fit car wheels or leading links as i just want it simple.

mikeyboy · Feb 6, 2014

Kaister said:
Hope you got it cheap - looks like a lot of corrosion going on

it was cheap enough (for a GS)
the corrosion is about normal for a well used GS in the uk.
as i said before i wasnt going to pay top dollar for a nice example ,given what i am doing to it.
it would be a bit daft to pay top money for a nice low mileage bike,then strip it and chuck 1/2 worn parts away.
all in all i am happy with what i have bought

mikeyboy · Feb 6, 2014

Kaister said:
Hope you got it cheap - looks like a lot of corrosion going on

it was cheap enough (for a GS)
the corrosion is about normal for a well used GS in the uk.
as i said before i wasnt going to pay top dollar for a nice example ,given what i am doing to it.
it would be a bit daft to pay top money for a nice low mileage bike,then strip it and chuck 1/2 worn parts away.
all in all i am happy with what i have bought

jackassdave · Feb 7, 2014

good luck with it it looks like you have a nice workshop there plus a mans got to have a hobby

mikeyboy · Feb 15, 2014

this week i drilled /helicoiled the snapped off exhaust studs

mikeyboy · Feb 15, 2014

and made a start roughing out the steelwork for the mounting subframe for the sidecar

mikeyboy · Feb 15, 2014

can you tell what it is yet

mikeyboy · Feb 15, 2014

here you go

who needs touratech :thumby:

mikeyboy · Feb 15, 2014

it fits here :thumb2

R1100GS long term project

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