1150 GS Adventure SE Rebuild

[Nin]

Cheers Ian, that's really good advice and I absolutely agree with you if it were my first.

But it's my third, if you count an airhead R100 GS. I've done a couple of rallies on both airhead and 1100 which were a hoot and I'm definitely NOT going there again! Big respect to those that do though! I am still conflicted on the chip but would like to give it a go.

 

[Nin]

Right well I've been having a bit of an email debate with Colt who seems to be taking over from Vern as my main "dealer".

The summary being, I'm at a real decision point just now. Exhaust studs are fecked, there's loads of corrosion around the lower part of the barrels and cyl heads, gearbox casing is badly stained from a petrol leak. If it wasn't a cat C I'd do a complete strip back and rebuild. But as it is, I think I'll turn it into a "tool" bike like my last 1100 was, and invest the time in making it run beautifully with good suspension and make it fit me like a glove, without worrying too much about how it looks.

What's the advice of the collective? I could easily spend 6 months and £1.5k making it pristine but it'll still be worth no more that £2k probably - so more in parts really.

Off for a few days with the family so will have a long hard think.

What would you do?

 

[Nin]

Check your side stand while you are at it, mine has just broken away from the frame when I pulled up in my garage and put it down, much too my surprise, I'm not sure if they all do it or not, mine has only 88000 k on it.

Thanks Aussie, will do. That happens when big fellas get on and off the bike when it's on the side stand ...

 

[Ian J Hartley]

What's the advice of the collective? I could easily spend 6 months and £1.5k making it pristine but it'll still be worth no more that £2k probably - so more in parts really.

Off for a few days with the family so will have a long hard think.

What would you do?

By the look of it the bike has led a hard life and some of the corrosion would be hard to remove. You've recognised you will never get her to concours condition or anywhere near without a lot of effort.

But it depends on where your interests lie. If you enjoy engineering and restoration more than riding the bike then that should be your path.

If it was me I'd put it back together as quickly as possible and ride the thing. Summer is on the way and lifes too short to worry about getting rid of some corrosion.


Ian

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Yep
I'd do as Ian suggests - get it on the road as cheap as possible

It's a 70k bike and never gonna be worth £7000

 

[Nin]

Right fellas, a bit of an update - after a week away with the family, man-flu and Skoda-induced bad back (9 hours in those seats ....) not much progress has been made sadly. Scotland was pretty though.

I've chosen to half-ignore the very sensible advice of Dr Alf and JB, and forge ahead with the strip-down. I know you're right fellas, but this is one of the few chances I'll get, and I'm hoping to keep the bike for a while. It will be a good experience, mostly.

After a good long chat with a metal finisher - mostly about why the magnesium content of bmw alloy means it doesn't like powder coat - I've decided to clean up as much of the engine and gearbox as I can and give it several coats of coach enamel on top of an etch primer. Frame and other steel parts can be powder coated.

And a nice big parcel was waiting for me from Colt

Can you tell what it is yet?

 

[Nin]

My biggest ball-ache now is getting these studs out.

My poxy propane heat won't touch them. There's enough to metal to do the old weld a nut on trick, but sadly I don't have the kit. So if anyone in the Abingdon area wants to come over with their TIG gear I can supply tea and bacon rolls ...

Otherwise the heads have to come off.

 

[mikeyboy]

Decent powder is the best approach with theses motors,the standard coating lasts fairly well if looked after,it's only poor maintenance / cleaning that allows the corrosion to take hold,if the job is done right and kept clean the bike can be given another lease of life.
i will be picking up a set of 1100 cases that I have had done on Tuesday.if you want a look at a full motor rebuild
Happy to post some pics

 

[Nin]

Decent powder is the best approach with theses motors,the standard coating lasts fairly well if looked after,it's only poor maintenance / cleaning that allows the corrosion to take hold,if the job is done right and kept clean the bike can be given another lease of life.
i will be picking up a set of 1100 cases that I have had done on Tuesday.if you want a look at a full motor rebuild
Happy to post some pics

There's a madness in my method, let me explain.

The idea is to get this one looking ok, and get hold of a second twin spark engine that I can then over time strip right back to the cases and do a full rebuild with all the trimmings and fancy bits, head work, Pistons etc etc. That should keep me busy for another year or so, and maybe have the chance to do a fancy gearbox and all...

I suspect you'll have my credit card on speed dial soon Mike

 

[newboy]

Decent powder is the best approach with theses motors,the standard coating lasts fairly well if looked after,it's only poor maintenance / cleaning that allows the corrosion to take hold,if the job is done right and kept clean the bike can be given another lease of life.
i will be picking up a set of 1100 cases that I have had done on Tuesday.if you want a look at a full motor rebuild
Happy to post some pics

best tell me the secret then..!!

 

[Nin]

Right, here we go for a bit of an update. Last couple of weeks have been busy at work and so didn't get the chance to get much done, but today's sunny weather and the family having other plans meant I had some time.

Started out with a bit of shopping over the last 10 days. I'm loving using this stuff:

And got some alternative to the ubiquitous smooth rite, as recommended by Mikeyboy.

 

[Nin]

Another package from Colt

Comes with a free T shirt as well

 

[Nin]

Then on to some more dismantling, cleaning and painting.

 

[Nin]

All the plastics and tank get the Virosol/pressure washer treatment.

Should be clean enough to grace CT's paint shop now. Just waiting for the beak and then we'll box it up and send it off.

 

[Nin]

Pretty much everything is off the bike now. The new front end goes on to check it's straight, and so I can wheel it out into the sunshine. All looks pretty good.

 

[Nin]

So let's wheel it out into the sunshine and get some deep cleaning done ...

 

[Nin]

All cleaned up, corrosion stripped back, etch primed and three coats of Techkote silver and the gearbox looks loads better.

Before

After

 

[Nin]

Next steps are to take the subframe off and send it off with the rest to the powder coaters ...

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Looks much better

 

[tadhgocuilleain]

I'm enjoying this thread.

I love that feeling when a new box of stuff arrives. It's like Christmas morning every time the postman appears.