Am I unleaded

[andy coulter]

After a 12yr lay off, last bike R100T I am back on 2 wheels with a very clean 20,000 miles 1981 R80gs. Purchased 2 days ago. I am led 2 believe that i need to use an additive with unleaded fuel is this correct if so what? Also my bike is a metallic blue the seat was originally orange but a previous owner has painted (Upholstery paint) it black. On checking some books I can only see black seats on blue GS's and orange on white GS's is this correct? Can anyone tell me roughly what I should hav paid 4 my bike?
Thanks Andy :

P.S originally posted in technical section but directed here on instruction that PARAGON would know the answers!

 

[cookie]

look's like i was wrong.

 

[judge]

So just to clarify then, is that unleaded or is redex required?

 

[judge]

I can only tell you from Bikes, (monos), that I have/and have had and only for the 80 motor - which is the only one I have had or got

1980 is unleaded - right to 84/85 - but you need to go by build months and not registration dates - a lot of UK BMs were up to a year old when registered in the UK

As far as i am aware on the R80 mono the change over was in 1984/85 - and the way you could tell, (in the changeover period) was that there is/was a splodge of green paint on the underside of the cylinders about a cm in diameter.

My 1985, (build month - April) is unleaded

Depending on the mileage - additive, briquettes or conversion are solutions - straight redex is good for cleaning carbs and the system generally - but is not a solution for running an engine on unleaded fuel - redex and shell do an unleaded addative - I have used this in MGs - but who can tell?


Cheers


Para

A better answer, well done

 

[Steptoe]

A better answer, well done

and in the same week as the question was asked -- something of a record .

 

[andy coulter]

update

THanks Lads.

I hav checked the mudguard and found a sticker re colour - 592. I was given a bottle of additive by the previous owner which is Castrol valvemaster lead replacement petrol additive!

By the way paragon I pulled a plug out after seeing your thread - Bosch 971. Bike seems to run fine although struggles on tickover at times.

This site has been a great help and i look forward to following and taking part in the help/banter.

One last question. Kick starting the Gs, is it possible? What is the secret or is the kickstart a bit of weight u can do without?


Cheers Andy.

 

[cookie]

Re: update

One last question. Kick starting the Gs, is it possible? What is the secret or is the kickstart a bit of weight u can do without?

saw a bloke kick start a G/S at sammy millers a couple of weeks back. went first prod.

have no ing idea how he did it so easily. he was stood on the ground too. some i have spoken to suggest standing on R/H cylinder as essential

 

[stuart jenkins]

Andy,

I could kick mine over, (Pre twin plugging) occasionaly, but it really was in the lap of the gods, weather, wind direction etc....

...Post twin plugging, easy-peasy every time.

Stu

 

[Spout]

Kickstart.
If mine didn't start after the third kick it wasn't going to, so I'd bump start the bike.
Usually no problem. The more you do it - the easier it gets.
Best if bike not on sidestand or centrestand, bars on full right lock. Expect some "bounce"

 

[cookie]

Re: Re: update

saw a bloke kick start a G/S at sammy millers a couple some i have spoken to suggest standing on R/H cylinder as essential

sorry, should have read L/H cylinder.

 

[andy coulter]

Cookie,

Am I pleased to hear that. I thought I would have to get into gymnastic training to pull that one off.

Paragon. Good help. Obviously there has been some chop and changing with my 81gs at some stage. It is blue with matching guard and an orange seat that has been painted black. Am getting film developed today and will try to work out how 2 post it tomorrow. What did u think about the castrol additive?

Ta. Andy

 

[MATKAT]

dood' here

the castrol stuff works fine.
phew 20k where did you find it.
Sherlocks have sold an 8k one for i believe £3400 !!!
Any 80gs monshock (a proper bike).is gonna grow in value, where are they i'm looking for another.
a real off road bike, and only 402 Ibs.a mere 133 Ibs lighter than an 1100
Dood'