Another butchered RT

[Deleted account 231002001]

So bought an 86 RT that hadn’t run since 2013, had sat outside under a tarp ever since, was cosmetically horrible, however only has 18k on the clock. After 24 hours 1/3rd of it was in a skip, it started with a jump off the car and a year of tinkering with quite a tight budget the bike should get an MOT in the next few weeks. Didn’t want and couldn’t afford to restore to original so have now got an R80 for the purists and owners club members to hate. However with no interest at all in long runs it suits what I want from a bike these days. Occasional rides out over the moors on dry days and then time spent in the garage fixing and fiddling.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Nice one

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

So bought an 86 RT that hadn’t run since 2013, had sat outside under a tarp ever since, was cosmetically horrible, however only has 18k on the clock. After 24 hours 1/3rd of it was in a skip, it started with a jump off the car and a year of tinkering with quite a tight budget the bike should get an MOT in the next few weeks. Didn’t want and couldn’t afford to restore to original so have now got an R80 for the purists and owners club members to hate. However with no interest at all in long runs it suits what I want from a bike these days. Occasional rides out over the moors on dry days and then time spent in the garage fixing and fiddling.View attachment 276005

Great stuff Jim
Good to see you back here and enjoying life

 

[Littledumptruck]

Def need more pics…..

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

Great stuff Jim
Good to see you back here and enjoying life

will be swimming at Ness Cove later this week … if the sun ever appears again

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

will be swimming at Ness Cove later this week … if the sun ever appears again

Have you left Facebook?
Don’t seem to see your epic adventures anymore?

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

Have you left Facebook?
Don’t seem to see your epic adventures anymore?

Yeah I got fed up with it. Didn’t post or use it since start of the year and was only on one airhead group which was pretty shit for advice etc so dumped it completely about a month ago. Gone retro with no social media and to be honest not Missing it one bit.

 

[Squonk]

Very nice, would love to read about the build if you've done a write-up anywhere

 

[theoneandonly]

it's a "bobber" .

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

it's a "bobber" .

Not really what I’d have classed a bobber but not really bothered if others do. It will get a front mudguard in time and probably a rear. It’s a kind of work in progress and there will be bits that change or be added as and when.

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

Very nice, would love to read about the build if you've done a write-up anywhere

There isn’t a great deal to say really. As said it was cosmetically pretty shit and after losing all the bodywork it was a case of cleaning everything by hand. I didn’t want anything to look new or try to hide the fact it’s approaching 40 years old, that would have been expensive. I just enjoy fiddling and seeing what works and what doesn’t. Gel battery fitted inside the old airbox, small LED panel for warning lights which wasn’t as straightforward as I thought because of charging but after reading up and learning I bought a resister diode and made up required lead. Mechanically it was pretty good. The bike had been sorn all that time and cost the princely sum of £200. The use of chunkier tyres is as well as a cosmetic choice a practical one as I live 3 miles off Exmoor and they suit the roads and lanes it will be used on. I have done all the paint myself in the garage. The most expensive part of the whole thing has been the Vonzeti subframe and seat.

I haven’t ridden for 10 years but had bikes for most of the 30 before, most of last ones were BMWs. GS1150SE, GS1100, Xchallenge, R80 Basic and R80PD. If I could have any one of those back it would be the PD but that went to Ireland when I sold it and prices were still sensible at £5k mark.

I like the simplicity of older bikes and if this was ever moved on I’d end up with a British bike from the late 50s, early 60s.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

I like the simplicity of older bikes....

You're not alone with this thought Jim.
When I was younger I couldn't comprehend why so many old blokes seemed to get enjoyment from messing about with old stationary engines, then they would just sit there watching them run for hours at shows etc
I totally get it now....

 

[snelly]

So bought an 86 RT that hadn’t run since 2013, had sat outside under a tarp ever since, was cosmetically horrible, however only has 18k on the clock. After 24 hours 1/3rd of it was in a skip, it started with a jump off the car and a year of tinkering with quite a tight budget the bike should get an MOT in the next few weeks. Didn’t want and couldn’t afford to restore to original so have now got an R80 for the purists and owners club members to hate. However with no interest at all in long runs it suits what I want from a bike these days. Occasional rides out over the moors on dry days and then time spent in the garage fixing and fiddling.View attachment 276005

Good to have you back; and that looks just the job for the kind of dodging around you like to do + you've saved another one from the skip;

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

Well booked in for an MOT in a couple of weeks. Think it’s done about 200 miles since last one in 2013 when it was just over 18000. Last thing to do is new rear shoes that are coming tomorrow as I’m guessing the ability to stop is kind of important. Just taken tank and seat off again to check things over and battery out for an overnight charge. Realised that I didn’t do anything with the oil breather pipe that is in the air / now battery box. Thin pipe now attached and out through a 10mm hole. Question - straight to air / fuel filter on the end / into a catch can?

 

[Gelandestrasse]

Well booked in for an MOT in a couple of weeks. Think it’s done about 200 miles since last one in 2013 when it was just over 18000. Last thing to do is new rear shoes that are coming tomorrow as I’m guessing the ability to stop is kind of important. Just taken tank and seat off again to check things over and battery out for an overnight charge. Realised that I didn’t do anything with the oil breather pipe that is in the air / now battery box. Thin pipe now attached and out through a 10mm hole. Question - straight to air / fuel filter on the end / into a catch can?

Check this article out: https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/K-and-N-filters.htm

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

Can’t see the oil breather mentioned in it.

 

[Gelandestrasse]

Can’t see the oil breather mentioned in it.

Oh, sorry, it's mentioned in this one. It doesn't give you a solution, but more to think about. https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/oilsketch.htm

 

[Pukmeister]

Proff would have loved your new "RT".........

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

Yes what a shame he’s not here to see it

 

[Steptoe]

it's a "bobber" .

Not really what I’d have classed a bobber but not really bothered if others do.

It’s a new bike genre .. A Bother