Dogbytes' R80 ST project

A gear lever from a early box will fit and might be a bit easier to bend /modify.

Why can't they just have splines like everyone else? :nenau

I'm going to cut the arm off, face the 'thingy' (what is it called?) in the lathe and TIG another arm onto it - in a sensible position!
 

Not much to live up to then!:eek: Although, since this is a BMW Airhead, I've got an immediate advantage:)
I've always had a soft spot for 1970's Ducatis, though I've never owned one. I had a Moto Guzzi LeMans for 11 years though and it is a big inspiration for this project.
 
Now you see it, now you don't...

Well, for better or for worse I've abandoned the dry build 95% complete and stripped it down.

It's not ideal but I was going to miss some deadlines otherwise. It does, of course, mean that there are avenues for complete disaster - like getting the frame powder coated and then finding I need to weld something onto it, but I don't think so. I still have to make the exhaust, I was hoping to have done that but the new one won't fit into the old heads so I couldn't. You can only do what you can do. I also need to finish the linkages for the rear brake and gear lever but that's not a problem.

I've sent the tank, seat unit and fairing of to Tunneruk for painting. No, I haven't finalised the design! I have decided the colours - predominantly white, with grey and black accents. I pretty much know how the tank and seat unit will be but I have no idea how the fairing will end up.

I'm hoping that some bits I've had machined will arrive today - the driveshaft coupling and the adjustable fork tops. A friend of mine did them and they should be good... Provided I didn't mess up the CAD part. Another machinist friend is going to do a couple more bits, for the frame, and then frame and seat subframe will go for powdercoating in satin black. I was tempted by HP blue but, in the end, I decided to go for a more subtle look.

I think the aluminium brackets, etc will end up being anodised either clear or grey.

Richie reckons the engine will be done this week or next so I'll have to hire a car to go get it and the gearbox - don't want to risk it falling off the back of the K13S!
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    73.9 KB · Views: 295
Waiting for bits and arranging for machining today - so I thought I'd better take a look at the bit I've been avoiding...


I really want to find a brand new 32:10 at a car boot sale...
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    71.7 KB · Views: 291
I looked for one of those for two years before I moved to Canada... nothing. There were still available new but once again... at a cost. Good luck... if you find one at the car boot sale let me know... I'd like to go and find a r80 g/s for about 500 quid. :aidan
 
Well it came apart easily enough (to this stage, anyway). There weren't any unpleasant surprises everything seems to run reasonably smoothly and there were only a few grains in the bottom. In all fairness, there weren't any symptoms of potential problems when it was running but, since it'll be transmitting almost twice the power next time it runs, I thought it was worth taking a look. Anyway, I wanted to refinish it.

It was weeping a bit of oil so I'll replace the O-rings on the brake lever and the big oil seal too.

Looking on RealOEM it seems that the 32:10 ratio is available as a complete new unit and I'm going to try to get a price - just out of interest. I'm also looking at an alternative solution - I'll report back later.

Sorry about the pics - iPhone in low light.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    63.1 KB · Views: 251
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    65.3 KB · Views: 246
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    56.2 KB · Views: 250
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    72.6 KB · Views: 254
To my un-qualified eye that doesn't look like a happy FD, I'm wondering if the unit has been used with an under-specified oil.
 
Is it too late to say I rather like the look of the original ST ...
 
Is it too late to say I rather like the look of the original ST ...

Well it's sure as hell too late for this one! :D

In all seriousness though, I was never a fan of the look of the ST (a bit too US-style for me) and, although people keep saying they're scarce, BMW did build nearly six thousand of them, so anyone who wants a standard one can probably get one fairly easily. I'm sure enough of them will remain at least visually standard to satisfy the history buffs. Anyone who rides one day-to-day might be tempted bring motor, brakes and suspension up to date, methinks...

I do respect your view but aesthetics are only a matter of opinion - and, in fairness, you haven't seen the finished product yet!
 
.................................. and, in fairness, you haven't seen the finished product yet!

Neither have you or anyone else, but we sure are keen to do so and followed shortly after by video of it being thrashed around a track with audio that isn't some ghastly dubbed muzak.
 
Neither have you or anyone else, but we sure are keen to do so and followed shortly after by video of it being thrashed around a track with audio that isn't some ghastly dubbed muzak.

No-one's looking forward to all of that more than I am. Although an element of nervousness is creeping in - what if I've forgotten something? What if I hate it? What if I drop it first time out! That kind of thing...
:eek:
 
Got the rod ends for the gear and rear brake linkages today. Supplied by Wych Bearings - another supplier with whom it's a pleasure to do business.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    45.4 KB · Views: 232
Engineering with a capital 'E'

I'm lucky to be in the business I'm in, I can do most things but the best bit is that I know people who can do almost all of it better than me.

This is what happens when you get someone used to making aeroplane bits to make bits for your bike...

Fork adjusters and driveshaft spacer.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    57 KB · Views: 228
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    72.7 KB · Views: 240

Similar threads


Back
Top Bottom